Median Carina Research Articles

A redescription of a rare axiid shrimp, Amakusaxius amakusanus (Miyake & Sakai, 1967) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) from new material collected off Taiwan.

Miyake & Sakai (1967) described a new species of axiid shrimp, Calocaris (Calastacus) amakusana, from a single female specimen lacking a major cheliped. Later, Sakai & de Saint Laurent, 1989 transferred this species to their new genus Acanthaxius. However, Sakai (2011) recently established a new monotypic genus Amakusaxius to accommodate Acanthaxius amakusana. Since the original description no additional specimen of this rare species has been reported and consequently an appraisal of A. amakusanus (Miyake & Sakai, 1967) has not been possible. Now six specimens including three males and three ovigerous females have been collected from Taiwan. This has enabled the diagnostic characters of the species to be fully evaluated. The presence of a postcervical median carina on the carapace, weak armature on the major cheliped, and the morphology of the uropod are characters that distinguish Amakusaxius from Acanthaxius. Consequently the monotypic genus Amakusaxius Sakai, 2011 is retained.

Phylogeny and revision of Messatoporus Cushman (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of sixty five new species.

The large New World genus Messatoporus Cushman is diagnosed, redefined, described, and its species revised. A total of 89 valid species are recognized, of which 65 are described as new. All previously known species are redescribed and illustrated. The following synonyms are proposed: M. jocosus (Provancher) and M. rufiventris Cushman under M. discoidalis (Cresson), syn. nov. and M. tricolor (Szépligeti) under M. variegatus (Szépligeti) syn. nov. The following new species are proposed: M. advenus, M. albiaterartus, M. allomeros, M. amarelus, M. amazonensis, M. amplithorax, M. andinus, M. anepomius, M. apiopharkis, M. argentinus, M. atlanticus, M. atrifoveus, M. aurantius, M. badius, M. basiflavus, M. bennetii, M. bicolor, M. bimaculatus, M. campanulatus, M. caxiuanensis, M. citreocephalus, M. complexifemur, M. concavivenus, M. convexus, M. copiosus, M. depressifrons, M. dialeipsis, M. dissidens, M. dominicanus, M. elektor, M. ellipsicavus, M. euryoikos, M. igneus, M. interceptus, M. keraiopetalus, M. laevilatus, M. latissulcus, M. longicaudis, M. longitergus, M. lordos, M. lunatus, M. maculiscus, M. matucanus, M. nigriangulatus, M. nigriscapus, M. nigriscutus, M. occidentalis, M. opacus, M. orientalis, M. paeneater, M. pallidus, M. paradoxus, M. paralissonotus, M. pleuriflavus, M. semialbiventris, M. semiaurantigaster, M. subalaris, M. tenuiorbis, M. tenuissimus, M. teutonicus, M. titans, M. unidentatus, M. unimaculatus, M. versicolor and M. xanthogaster spp. nov. As well, a lectotype is designated for M. townesi Alayo and Tzankov, and Messatoporus nigrispina (Cameron) is transferred to Prosthoporus Porter, comb. nov.. A key to species based on both sexes is also presented, and new distribution records and distribution maps are provided. The validity and relationships of the genus are investigated cladistically using 162 morphological characters for 27 species of Messatoporus and 105 outgroup taxa. Tree search was conducted using TNT under implied weighting, with values of 1–6 for the concavity constant (K). All analyses recovered Messatoporus as a monophyletic group, supported by 7–11 synapomorphies. The results also support the monophyly of the six studied genera of Osprynchotina, in a clade including also Dotocryptus Brèthes. Messatoporus is diagnosed by the combination of the following features: apicolateral corners of clypeus projected; mandible long and tapered, ventral tooth much shorter than dorsal one or indistinct; transverse sulcus at base of propodeum long and shallow; anterior margin of propodeum concave; posterior area of propodeum almost always transversely wrinkled; first metasomal spiracle placed approximately on midlength; median dorsal carina of first metasomal segment absent; ovipositor basally cylindrical, apically depressed, with ventral valve enclosing completely dorsal valve as a sheath. A second analysis including all species of the genus was performed to evaluate the phylogeny at the genus level. The character set for that analysis included 104 characters considered of phylogenetic importance within the genus, and used the same tree searching protocol as the first one. A distinct and gradual transition is detected, from species more similar to the remaining Osprynchotina to a significantly different morphotype with several convergences with the Gabuniina. These convergences are interpreted as adaptations to host location and substrate perforation, and may be related to use of more deeply concealed hosts.

Phylogenetic relationships and description of Bolivar, a new genus of Neotropical doryctine wasps (Hymenoptera : Braconidae)

Metasomal elongation is a common feature in species of various parasitoid Hymenoptera, probably due to adaptive morphological convergence to similar parasitoid strategies. The braconid subfamily Doryctinae is perhaps where this feature has evolved the most times independently. Here we recognise a new Neotropical doryctine wasp genus with a petiolate first metasomal tergum, based on molecular and morphological analysis. The phylogenetic affinities of the new genus within Doryctinae and the relationships among six of its described and three potentially cryptic, undescribed species were reconstructed using sequence data from three genes, wingless, 28SrDNA and COI. The new genus is resolved in a clade together with Semirhytus Szépligeti, Johnsonius Marsh and Parallorhogas Marsh. These four genera share vein m-cu of the hind wing slightly curved distally and the propodeum with a distinct lateral and median longitudinal carina and an apical areola. The relationships recovered among the examined species suggest a South American origin for the new genus and its subsequent diversification into Central America and Mexico. Described as Bolivar, gen. nov., this new taxon comprises eight species, two species previously placed within Notiospathius Matthews & Marsh, B. ornaticornis (Cameron), comb. nov., and B. bribri (Marsh), comb. nov., and six new species (B. ecuadorensis, sp. nov., B. helmuthi, sp. nov., B. pittieri, sp. nov., B. risaraldae, sp. nov., B. teres, sp. nov. and B. tuxtlae, sp. nov.).

Descriptions of Immatures of the South American Plant Hopper,Taosa(C.)longula

Descriptions of the immature stages of Taosa (Cuernavaca) longula Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Dictyopharidae) and a key for their identification is provided for specimens collected on the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae), in northeastern Argentina and Peru. Newly emerged nymphs from eggs collected in the field were reared in rearing chambers, and each stage was fixed to microscopic examination and illustration. Fifth nymphal instars can be easily recognized from congeners by the brown marked pattern coloration, shorter vertex, and the distinguishable median carina along the frons. Information on behavior and developmental time is also included.

The skull and appendicular skeleton of Gryposaurus latidens, a saurolophine hadrosaurid (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from the early Campanian (Cretaceous) of Montana, USA

The osteology of the holotype and referred specimens of the saurolophine hadrosaurid, Gryposaurus latidens , from the lower Two Medicine Formation of Montana (USA), is described in detail. With an estimated early Campanian (Late Cretaceous) age, this dinosaur is one of the oldest known hadrosaurids. Gryposaurus latidens shows several autapomorphies, including dentary tooth crowns, with an apicobasal length/mesiodistal width ratio of 1.7–2.2, a single median carina, and large marginal denticles in sections of the dental battery; deep and oval depression on the posteroventral premaxillary surface; and, in the context of Hadrosauridae, a shallow lacrimal process of the rostral process of the jugal. Furthermore, G. latidens differs from G. notabilis and G. monumentensis in having a broadly arcuate anterolateral oral margin of the premaxilla, a posterior margin of the narial fenestra that is wider than the dorsoventral depth of the proximal region of the narial bar, with a nasal crest that rises above the level of the frontals (in adults) and is located above the posterior margin of the narial fenestra, and wide and shallow posteroventral margin of the rostral process of the jugal, among other characters. This study confirmed a previous hypothesis supporting G. latidens as the sister taxon to a clade composed of the other species of Gryposaurus .

A walking stick, Clonistria dominicana n. sp. (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae) in Dominican amber

A walking stick, Clonistria dominicana n. sp. (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae: Diapheromerinae: Diapheromerini) is described from Dominican amber. The new species can be distinguished from extant members of the genus by the long hind leg tarsomere II (over six times the length of the foreleg tarsomere II), the short metanotum, which is only half the length of the median segment and the prominent median carina. Two phasmatid eggs in separate pieces of Dominican amber are also presented. One of these has characteristics of the genus Clonistria Stål, 1875, which supports the generic placement of C. dominicana. The second egg resembles those of the genus Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906 (Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae). Both of these genera occur in Hispaniola today.

Redescription of Callostethus Ruckes, 1961 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Discocephalinae) with the description of C. flavolineatus sp. nov.

The genus Callostethus was described for Mecistorhinus guttatopunctatus (Fabricius, 1803). Here we describe a second species of the genus, C. flavolineatus sp. nov., based on a male collected in Amapá, Brazil. Descriptions were made using external morphological characters. Callostethus is closely allied to Antiteuchus and can be separated from it by the mesosternum slightly tumid with a low median subcalloused carina, calloused yellow or reddish margin of the metapleuron, and the structure of the pygophore.

Monotypic no more, a description of a new crayfish of the genus Barbicambarus Hobbs, 1969 (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Tennessee River drainage using morphology and molecules

Abstract Recent fieldwork in the Shoal Creek drainage of the Tennessee River drainage in Tennessee has uncovered the presence of a new species of crayfish in the formerly monotypic genus Barbicambarus. The new species differs from the type species in possessing a median carina, less dense setae on the antennae, a less angular central projection, a spine at the dorsodistal margin of the merus of the cheliped, and a high level of divergence in the COI gene region. Collecting efforts have so far found the new taxon at only two locations and it is thought to be rare.

A New Genus of New World Tropidocephalini (Hemiptera: Delphacidae: Delphacinae), with the Description of Two New Species

The genus Procidelphax, gen. nov., is described to accommodate two unusual new Tropidocephalini, P. depressa, n. sp. and P. dejecta, n. sp., from Peru and Bolivia, respectively. Procidelphax, gen. nov., is easily distinguished from all other New World Tropidocephalini by being strongly dorsoventrally flattened, and having the median carina of the frons broadly forked ventrad. The New World Tropidocephalini is briefly reviewed and a provisional key to the five genera provided.

Study of morphometrical values of Iranobuthus krali (Scorpiones:Buthidae) from Fars province , Southern Iran

Morphometrical study of Iranobuthus krali (Kovarik,1997) is given on the basis of 6 specimens collected from Fars province,Southern IranThe specimens was captured by forceps under UV light during field studies in this province.Iranobuthus is easily distinguished from Compsobuthus Vachon,1949 by it's size and it differs from genera Androctonus Hemprich & Ehremberg, 1828 Hottentotta and Mesobuthus Vachon,1950 in that the central median and posterior median carinae on the Carapace are joint and formation a continuous linear series of granules at the posterior margin.All the specimens are retained in the RRLS's collection.

Revised diagnosis and redescription of Apistobuthus susanae (Scorpiones, Buthidae)

Abstract The scorpion Apistobuthus susanae Lourenco 1998 is redescribed based on new specimens collected from Khoozestan Province, Iran. It is distinct from A. pterygocercus Finnegan 1932 found in the dunes of Rub' al-Khali. The two species cannot be separated by previously used diagnostic characters. Instead, A. susanae is differentiated from A. pterygocercus by new characters, including more robust legs and pedipalps, shorter pectines, stronger carination, and complete fusion of central lateral and posterior median carinae of the carapace.

Description of two new species of Sinophlaeoba and the female of S. bannaensis (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Yunnan, China

The generic diagnosis of genus Sinophlaeoba Niu et Zheng, 2005 is reviewed. The main morphological characters that this genus distinguishes with its relatives are: head nearly as long as pronotum; pronotum with irregular and short carinae between median and lateral carinae; tegmina not surpassing beyond the middle of hind femora and touching each other in mid dorsal line. S. laoyinshan sp. nov. and S. brachyptera sp. nov. from Yunnan, China are described as new species, as well as the female of S. bannaensis Niu et Zheng, 2005 for the first time. All specimens are deposited in the College of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Dali University (CLDU), except that are mentioned otherwise. A key to three known species is given.

A Newly Recorded Species of the Genus Tiphia Fabricius (Tiphiidae, Hymenoptera) from Korea, with a Checklist of Korean Tiphiidae

Tiphia sternocarinata Allen and Jaynes is newly discovered in Korea. This species is easily distinguished by the almost straight second intercubital vein and the presence of a median longitudinal carina in anterior constricted area of metasomal sternum I. A checklist of the 21 valid species of Korean tiphiid wasps is also provided.

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Rhynchophorus palmarum

<i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus </i>and<i> Rhynchophorus palmarum</i>

The First Hadrosaurid Dinosaur from Southern China

Abstract: A new hadrosaurid dinosaur, Nanningosaurus dashiensis gen. et sp. nov., is described based on an incomplete skeleton from the Late Cretaceous red beds of the Nalong Basin, Guangxi, southern China. Diagnostic features for the new taxon include the presence of a tall and sharply peaked dorsal process of the maxilla with reduced process of the jugal and a distinct lacrimal facet, gracile humerus with low, rounded deltopectoral crest, mandibular condyle of the quadrate transversly broad with reduced paraquadrate notch, dentary tooth with sinuous median carina and subsidiary ridge, relatively few tooth positions, ischial shaft straight along most of its distance, but to curve dorsally and expand at the distal end before the ischial foot begins. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Nanningosaurus dashiensis is a basal member of Lambeosaurinae.

A new species of Calaxius Sakai &amp; de Saint Laurent, 1989, from West Africa (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidae) and synonymy of Manaxius Kensley, 2003

ABSTRACT Calaxius kensleyi, new species (Axiidae), is described from three specimens collected on the continental shelf off Gabon, West Africa, in the course of an environmental impact survey. The new species is characterized by having cornea level with the subterminal rostral spines; a bidentate median carina on the carapace, 4–5 denticles on the submedian carina; larger chela with moveable finger as long as palm, smaller chela with moveable finger twice as long as palm; and abdominal pleura 3–5 ventrally rounded. It is the first member of Calaxius recorded from the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The monospecific genus Manaxius Kensley 2003, is synonymized with Calaxius Sakai & de Saint Laurent 1989.

A review of the genus Pseudotorymus Masi (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) from China

The torymid genus Pseudotorymus is recorded from China for the first time. One new species, Pseudotorymus carinatus Xiao & Zhao, and six newly recorded species are reported. The new species is distinguished by the distinctly median carina and hind coxa dorsally hairy. The key to the Chinese species is provided. All the specimens are deposited in the Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

A NEW SPECIES OF DNOPHERULA FROM KENYA (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

&lt;p&gt;A new species of the genus &lt;em&gt;Dnopherula Karsch,&lt;/em&gt; 1896 (Gomphocerinae, Acrididae) was collected in Kenya, near Nairobi on grassland under bushes. The front&lt;span&gt;o&lt;/span&gt;-vertical angle of both sexes was much greater than 45&lt;span&gt;&lt;sup&gt;0 &lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;indicating a geophilous behaviour. The tiny insects have short antennae, swollen hind femora, specially in male, and strongly curved spurs on hind tibiae. The fastigium verticis had a parabolic shape, prozona and metazona of pronotum of equal length, median carina straight, lateral carina incurved, pronotal disc constricted, and lateral carina cut by transverse sulculi.&lt;/p&gt;

Two new species of Typhlocharis Dieck, 1869 of the silvanoides group from Portugal (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Two endogean carabid species of Typhlocharis Dieck, 1869 in the T. silvanoides species group are described, T. carinata n. sp. and T. paulinoi n. sp. T. carinata is characterized by the elytron with four discal setae and one subapical seta, the abdominal sternum II with a median carina, more developed near the posterior margin, stronger in male than in female, the median lobe of aedeagus strongly sickle-shaped and the parameres bisetulose, each with a large apical seta and a short sub-apical seta. T. paulinoi is characterized by the elytron with three discal setae and one subapical seta, the abdominal female sterna II and III without any fovea, the internal sac of median lobe in central area very difuse with one lateral sclerite and the right paramere bisetulose, with a large apical seta and a short sub-apical seta. Affinities to putative relatives and a key for the identification of the seven known species belonging to the silvanoides group are also given.

Dryocosmus kuriphilus

<i>Dryocosmus kuriphilus</i>