Longitudinal Scale Rows Research Articles

Scorpaenopsis insperatus: A New Species of Scorpionfish from Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

A new species of small-sized Scorpionfish, Scorpaenopsis insperatus, is described on the basis of two specimens collected from Chowder Bay, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. The new species is distinguished from other species of Scorpaenopsis by the following combination of characters: a single upper opercular spine (tip not divided) and 30–34 longitudinal scale rows. Scorpaenopsis insperatus is the only member of the genus found in Australian temperate waters.

A new species of Cnemidophorus (Squamata: Teiidae) from western Argentina

AbstractA new species of whiptail lizard of the genus Cnemidophorus (Teiidae) is described from La Rioja province, western Argentina. The species is characterized by a broad light brown-grayish middorsal pattern, the lack of vertebral and paravertebral stripes, alternating white and brown stripes from dorsolateral to flanks, pointed snout, postnasal scale usually longer than loreal scale, and 10 longitudinal rows of ventral scales. The previous and current states of knowledge on southern South American Cnemidophorus species are discussed.

Malagasy scincid lizards: descriptions of nine new species, with notes on the morphology, reproduction and taxonomy of some previously described species (Reptilia, Squamata: Scincidae)

AbstractThe taxonomy and/or natural history of 33 species of scincid lizards from Madagascar are reviewed. Most of the material, consisting of 187 specimens now housed in the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Turin, Italy, has been collected recently, but some dates to the 19th century. Nine new species are described in three genera: Amphiglossus mandady, A. nanus, A. spilostichus, A. stylu, A. tanysoma, Paracontias manify, P. hafa, P. tsararano and Pseudoacontiasmenamainty, increasing the known skink fauna of Madagascar (62 species) by 14.5%. All the new species come from the closed forests of north‐eastern Madagascar. Additionally, Amphiglossus praeornatus is resurrected from the synonymy of A. frontoparietalis, and Androngo alluaudi, A. crenni and A. elongatus are transferred to the genus Amphiglossus. There is also a key to the species of Paracontias and a new interspecifically variable character for Mabuya. Information on morphological variation, basic reproductive biology, habits and habitats is provided, as available, for all species. Perhaps most interestingly, Amphiglossus nanus n. sp. represents the eighth skink lineage in which an oviduct has been lost and Amphiglossus melanopleura decreases the number of longitudinal scale rows at mid‐body and the number of subdigital lamellae with altitude.

New records of Criconematoidea (Nematoda) from South Africa, with the description of Criconema zantene n. sp.

AbstractCriconema zantene n. sp., found in the rhizosphere of a Podocarpus sp. tree, is described and illustrated. Females are characterised by having 46-56 body annuli covered with tile-like scales, stylet 101-122 μm long, one lip annulus with a greater diameter than first body annulus, distinct submedian lobes, tooth-like lobes on posterior body annuli with a double row of lobes on first annulus directly posterior to vulva, a sigmoid vagina and an overhanging anterior vulval lip. Second, third and fourth stage juveniles with varying numbers of longitudinal rows of filamented scales on cuticle. Criconema princeps (Andrássy, 1962) Raski & Luc, 1985, Mesocriconema dherdei (De Grisse, 1967) Loof & De Grisse, 1989 and Paratylenchus straeleni (De Coninck, 1931) Oostenbrink, 1960 are reported from South Africa for the first time. These species are briefly discussed, illustrated and morphometrics given. Additional data is given for C. pauciannulatum Van den Berg, 1992.

Status of the Anguid Lizard Abronia montecristoi Hidalgo

Hidalgo (1983) described two new species of Abronia from El Salvador, A. salvadorensis and A. montecristoi. Each species was described solely on the basis of the unique holotype. The holotype of A. montecristoi (KU 184046) was collected in 1957 and color notes in life were not made for the specimen. Wilson et al. (1986) reported on two specimens of Abronia (KU 195560-61) from Honduras. These authors assigned their specimens to A. montecristoi according to the key provided by Hidalgo (1983). However, Wilson et al. (1986) noted two significant differences between the Honduran material and the holotype of A. montecristoi (number of longitudinal ventral scale rows and number of occipitals). Campbell and Frost (1993) reidentified the Honduran material (the two KU specimens plus UTA R26108 from Honduras) as A. salvadorensis; thus, A. montecristoi remained known at that time from only the holotype. Kohler (1996) reported on the second and third specimens of Abronia montecristoi (SMF 77367-68), which are also old specimens (collected in 1956 at the species' type locality) lacking color notes in life. Kohler (1996) noted that variation in several scale characters occurred between the topotypic SMF material and the holotype of A. montecristoi. This variation overlapped that in A. salvadorensis for most scale characters used by Hidalgo (1983) and Campbell and Frost (1993) to distinguish A. montecristoi from A. salvadorensis. K6hler (1996) expressed doubt that these two nominal species were actually distinct from one another.

Nova espécie de Bachia e a presença de B. Dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron) no sudoeste de Mato Grosso, Brasil (Sauria, Gymnophthalmidae)

A new species of gymnophthalmid lizard with reduced members (genus Bachia) is described after three specimens obtained at Caceres (16o10'S, 57o41'W), in the State of Mato Grosso, western Brazil. Specimens were found under or inside rotting logs in forested or partially disturbed areas and are primary associated to the so called cerradao vegetation. Bachia cacerensis sp.n., belongs to the bresslaui group and is characterized by the unique dorsal color parttern, with seven longitudinal dark lines on a cream ground color; 49-51 transverse dorsal scale rows; 35 scales around midbody; 38 longitudinal ventral scale rows. Anterior limbs generally with four unharmed apical scales, resembling toes; posterior limbs with a single, unharmed apical scale. A specimen of Bachia dorbignyi (Dumeril & Bibron, 1839) collected at the municipality of Jauru (15o14'S, 58o44'W), near Caceres, is also described. In the Brazilian territory, B. dorbignyi has been previously recorded only for the State of Rondonia.

A first list of plant-parasitic nematodes from the Tsitsikamma National Park, with descriptions of two new species of the subfamily Criconematinae

Plant nematodes recorded during surveys in the Tsitsikamma National Park are listed and two new Criconematinae species are described. Females of Criconemoides silvicola spec. nov. have the first three or four annuli separated from the following annuli by a discontinuity, dorsally and ventrally fused submedian lobes which are connected by a ridge laterally, 106-127 smooth, retrorse annuli with numerous irregularities and three to 11 anastomoses, a sharp-pointed tail with last few annuli extended and a 41-49 Urn-long stylet. Ogma tuberculatum spec. nov. females have 53-59 retrorse, tuberculate annuli with six longitudinal rows of broad tuberculate scales, two lip annuli, first with greater diameter than second and a 84-102 urn-long stylet. Males without stylet, with four lines in each lateral field. Juveniles with 61- 68 retrorse annuli, bearing 12 to 14 longitudinal rows of large, broad, rounded, minutely tuberculate, overlapping scales.

Description of two new <i>Ogma</i> Southern, 1914 species (Nemata: Criconematoidea) with a list of plant-parasitic nematode species from Natal

Two new O^nia Southern, 1914 species are described and figured from Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, Kamberg Nature Reserve and the Royal Natal National Park. O^ma naomiae spec. nov. females are characterised by having 10 to 12 longitudinal rows of scales on 63 to 69 retrorse body annuli; scales haphazardly arranged on first nine to 10 annuli; scales mostly with two projections, becoming longer toward tail end; all scales with minute protuberances on outer edges; lip region with one annulus with a greater diameter than first body annulus. Juveniles with 14 to 16 longitudinal rows of scales on 73 to 76 retrorse body annuli; each scale bearing five to seven sharply pointed processes; one lip annulus with an equal diameter to first body annulus. O^ma ueckermanni spec. nov. females are characterised by eight longitudinal rows of rounded scales on 60 to 67 body annuli becoming longer toward tail tip where they bear two, three or four-pronged processes; roughly sculptured recessed part of annulus extends to follow the outline of the scale almost forming a pillar between two succeeding scales; one lip annulus with a greater diameter than first body annulus; raised labial area with six pseudolips and no submedian lobes; margin of lip annulus with rounded tooth-like projections; stylet 49,3 to 60,7 ^m long. A list is given of the 16 known plant-parasitic nematodes found in these areas.

Symphurus melasmatotheca and S. undecimplerus (Cynoglossidae, Pleuronectiformes), Two New Eastern Pacific Tonguefishes with Eleven Caudal-Fin Rays

Two new species of eastern Pacific tonguefishes with an unusual count of 11 caudal-fin rays are described. Symphurus melasmatotheca (southern Gulf of California to northern Peru) is characterized by having 11 caudal-fin rays, a welldeveloped pupillary operculum, 90-98 dorsal-fin rays, 74-80 anal-fin rays, 4952 total vertebrae, four hypurals, a 1-5-3 (less frequently, 1-4-3) pattern of interdigitation of dorsal pterygiophores and neural spines, and 82-98 longitudinal scale rows. Symphurus melasmatotheca also has a unique pigmentation pattern that consists of a black peritoneum, crossbanding on the body and posterior part of the head, a distinctively black isthmus, light speckling on the inner lining of the ocular-side opercle, and an unpigmented inner lining of the opercle on the blind side of the body. Symphurus undecimplerus (Gulf of Tehuantepec to northern Peru) is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of 11 caudal-fin rays, a well-developed pupillary operculum, a 1-5-3 (less frequently 1-4-4 or 1-54) pattern of interdigitation of dorsal pterygiophores and neural spines, 97-105 dorsal-fin rays, 80-87 anal-fin rays, 52-56 total vertebrae, 95-112 longitudinal scale rows, an unpigmented or infrequently lightly spotted peritoneum, crossbanding on the body and posterior part of the head, a dark (but usually not black) isthmus, and absence of pigment on the inner linings of the opercles on both sides of the body. Differences in geographic and bathymetric distributions between species are also noted.

Light and electron microscopical studies on Pseudoscourfieldia marina, a primitive scaly green flagellate (Prasinophyceae) with posterior flagella

The supposedly primitive prasinophyte Pseudoscourfieldia marina has been established in culture and examined in detail. The cells swim by means of two unequal but parallel posterior flagella. Pseudoscourfieldia differs from other green flagellates in the structure of the flagellar root system, possession of a conspicuous leaflike attenuated extension from one basal body into the cell, the structure of the pyrenoid, which is invaginated by long extensions from the mitochondrial complex, and the structure of the scaly covering on the body. Pseudoscourfieldia shows distinct similarities to Nephroselmis, which is laterally biflagellate, and to the Tetraselmis group, which possesses four anterior flagella. The attachment of the hair scales on the flagella has been examined in detail for the first time in a green flagellate. The very short hair scales attach to the flagellar surface between each pair of longitudinal rows of scales known as Melkonian's rows, associated with the inside of every third scale in one row. This is probably a feature common to all prasinophytes with Melkonian's rows. Based on the many investigations now published, a classification for the prasinophytes, supposedly some of the most primitive green algae, is suggested. One class, two orders, and four families are recognized and defined, with 15 genera.

A New Criconematid Nematode, Pseudocriconema japonicum n. gen. et n. sp. (Tylenchida : Criconematidae) from Japan

The designation Pseudocriconema n. gen. is proposed with a type species of P.japonicum n. sp. for the nematode from soil around roots of Pieris japonica, Hydrangea paniculata, and Lindera triloba in Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture. This genus resembles Seriespinula, but differs from it in the distinct submedian lobes, and tri-and/or rectangular shaped body scales. This is also similar to the Ogma, but distinguished from it by the larger first-head-annule and body scales with fringes on extremities. The type species, P.Japonicum is characterized by 400-504 μm body length, ten longitudinal rows of scales, 77-90 body annules, stylet 63.2-69.5 μm long, and vulva located at the 15th to 18th annule from the terminus. Male has three incisures in the lateral field, acute and 46.0-54.0 μm long spicules, and a small gubernaculum. Third-and fourth-stage juveniles have 10-12 longitudinal rows of round scakes with fine and sharp spines on their tip.

Crossonema capitospinosum new species and description of C. menzeli and C. fimbriatum juveniles (Nematoda: Criconematidae)

Crossonema capitospinosum new species from northern Ontario is described and illustrated. It is differentiated from C. menzeli and C. fimbriatum by more body annules, more anterior vulva and anus, 30 thin head spines, and thin, irregularly aligned body spines. From C. abies it differs by more posterior excretory pore, shorter stylet, and two head annules with prominent thin spines. The juveniles of C. menzeli and C. fimbriatum are described for the first time and are characterized by 10–13 longitudinal rows of scales.

“Lepidosiren paradoxa”

ZOOLOGISTS will be interested to hear of the capture of a fine specimen of this the rarest of the Dipnoi. Only a few weeks ago I received from my friend Dr. J. Barbosa Rodriguez, the learned and energetic Director of the Museu Botanico do Amazonas, at Manaós, a very fine specimen of the Lepidosiren, captured some time last August in that neighbourhood. This specimen is well preserved in alcohol; it measures 85 centimetres in length, with a girth behind the pectorals of 28 centimetres. On opening it I found that it is a female, the ovaries being well laden with well-developed ova; unfortunately the alcohol had not been let into the visceral cavity, and none of the internal organs were in a condition to be successfully investigated. I found the pericardium singularly large and thick. The body is cylindrical, but quite flat along the abdominal surface, where the scales are also bigger, thicker, and of a lighter colour. The short caudal region is much compressed. There are no true median fins except the irregularly rounded caudal, which extends merely as a slightly marked keel to about the middle of the back. The fin-rays on the caudal portion are close together, cartilaginous, and quite hidden by the skin; pectorals and ventrals without traces of membranous edging and rays; the former are slender and compressed, the latter conical and considerably stouter. The entire body, except the head in front of the eyes and the paired fins, is covered with moderate cycloid scales—thicker, as I observed, on the abdominal cuirasse, extending from the chin to the anus and composed of about ten longitudinal rows of scales. Except along this ventral stripe, which is of a whitish colour, the animal is generally of a dark brownish purple, with darker indistinct blotches. The double lateral line is dark; it reticulates on the cheeks and around the eyes. These are quite rudimentary, and show under the skin as a whitish spot; they remind me of the eyes of the two Gymnotus which I saw alive in the Insect House at the London Zoological Gardens last October. The branchial openings are very narrow, protected by a thick fleshy flap: there are no traces of external branchial appendages, indeed, even the internal branchiæ cannot be seen through the deep, narrow, branchial slit. The mouth is terminal, with well-developed fleshy lips; there are two small conical vomerine teeth; the maxillary and mandibular dental plates are very similar in size and shape; fleshy pads fit into the spaces between the dental ridges. The tongue is thick, smooth, and fleshy, with a rounded point. Four branchial clefts can be made out on each side in the pharynx, the fourth is much reduced; the three free branchial arches are fringed with conical papillæ. The palate and mucous membrane of the mouth is white and quite smooth; the pads along the dental plates are papillous. The anus is exactly 10 millimetres on the left of the mesial line; it is 8 millimetres in diameter, and surrounded with a border in deep folds. I had forgotten to mention the nostrils: both pairs are inside the mouth; the anterior ones, just within the upper lip, are ovoid, transverse, without flap or valve; the posterior pair are situated just outside the hinder ridge of the maxillary dental plate, they are ovoid and longitudinal.