National Museum Of Natural History Research Articles

First record of blacknape large-eye bream Gymnocranius satoi (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) in the Philippines

The Philippines has been regarded as the center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity, having the highest number of fish species per square area in the world. The blacknape large-eye bream, Gymnocranius satoi, has been reported to occur from Southern Japan, Taiwan to Northwestern Australia and to the Coral Sea, but has not previously been recorded from the Philippines. From 2011 – 2019, the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) collaborated with the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution (NMNH/SI), USA, and the Old Dominion University (ODU), Virgina, USA, to inventory all commercial fish species sold in fish markets around the Philippines. During three (3) fish market surveys (Dumaguete City Market, Negros Oriental; Claveria Public Market, Cagayan, Northern Luzon; and Tabaco City Market, Albay, Southeastern Luzon in 2013, 2016 and 2017, respectively), we collected and eventually identified using morphological and DNA barcoding (COI) analysis, seven (7) specimens of G. satoi, representing the first records of this species from the country. Since the potential to discover new species and first records of fish species in the Philippines is high, further taxonomic study of the genus Gymnocranius is needed.

A neritid gastropod name “<i>Theodoxus dniestroviensis </i>Put’, 1972” is a junior subjective synonym of <i>Th. fluviatilis </i>(L., 1758): decision based on the topotypic specimens study

The nominal species name “ Theodoxus dniestroviensis ” was commonly accepted as introduced by Put’ in 1972 for neritid snails occurring in the upper part of the Dniester River basin. Currently an earlier publication [Put’, 1957] has been found in which this name is established in accordance with the ICZN guidelines, so the dating should be amended to Put’, 1957.The type series of Theodoxus dniestroviensis is apparently lost but the samples from the type locality were recently traced in the National Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kiev). An illustrated comparison of topotypic specimens with other morphotypes of regional river nerites is provided. Given the variation in conchological characteristics observed among the specimens of Th. fluviatilis , we consider Th. dniestroviensis to range within its intraspecific variability. This makes Th. dniestroviensis a junior subjective synonym of Theodoxus fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1758).

The golden age (1862–1910) of the Zoological Section of the Museu Nacional de Lisboa (National Museum of Lisbon), Portugal

This paper provides an overview of the organization and first decades of the Zoological Section of the Museu Nacional de Lisboa (National Museum of Lisbon), under the leadership of José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage (1823–1907), a Portuguese zoologist who attained international recognition. The article discusses the contributions made by a small community of zoologists, who joined transnational networks and gave projection to the institution by founding and disseminating the first Portuguese journal exclusively devoted to scientific research, the Jornal de sciencias mathematicas, physicas e naturaes, in which they published their original research. The animal collections of the Zoological Section were unique in that they had numerous specimens of previously unknown Southwestern African birds and reptiles, most of which were sent by José de Anchieta, who extensively travelled across the Angolan hinterland. From its inception, the museum was tied to a higher education institution, the Escola Politécnica de Lisboa (Lisbon Polytechnic School), and also fulfilled a pedagogical function. Although the Zoological Section survived the death of its founder, being renamed Museu Bocage (Bocage Museum) in 1905, it failed to gain more autonomy in subsequent decades, becoming a constrained institution that lacked premises and personnel to meet its rising demands. After a fire that destroyed almost all its specimens in 1978, the recently reformed Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência (National Museum of Natural History and Science) is trying to write a new chapter by honouring its long history.

The Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae at the French National Museum of Natural History: A Century Old But Still Alive and Kicking! Including in Memoriam: Professor Alain Couté

Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae are key players in life on Earth. They have adapted to a broad diversity of ecosystems, and ensure roughly half of the primary production. Their detailed study greatly benefits from isolated strains, deposited and maintained ex situ in culture collections, and made available to the scientific community along with expert knowledge. Established in the late 1920s, the culture collection of cyanobacteria and microalgae at the French National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) now comprises over 1350 non-axenic live strains isolated mostly from freshwater ecosystems in France. As a research-oriented collection, it contributes to biodiversity, taxonomy, genomics, and bioactive compounds research. Notably, the collection contains multiple strains of various genera of bloom-forming cyanobacteria that are of ecological concern, some of which produce cyanotoxins. Novel strategies for strain identification, conservation and accessibility are being implemented to provide an up-to-date resource to the community. Through research, expertise for ecotoxicology, partnerships with the industry or with artists, the MNHN collection appears at both a repository of biodiversity as well as resource for life sciences.

Combining Physical and Digital Data Collection for Citizen Science Climate Research

In this paper, we present our experience designing and implementing a hybrid citizen science protocol combining local data collection reported digitally with the return of physical samples by mail. Our project, Fossil Atmospheres, housed within the Paleobiology Department of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, sought to complete a broad geographic collection of <em>Ginkgo biloba</em> L. leaves to better understand climate change over time. We also wished to leverage and test the affordances of using an established online platform as a technological tool for research-quality data collection. Participants were asked to find a local ginkgo tree and, using a hybrid protocol, collect leaf samples and record site data, including photos, GPS coordinates, and tree characteristics, using the iNaturalist online platform. Participants then returned their leaf samples by mail. Fossil Atmospheres received 562 leaf samples from 352 participants. These samples, representing 36 states, met our target geographic transects and reflected the known habitat range of living ginkgo in the United States. We were able to successfully pair a large majority of received samples to their corresponding digital data records, allowing us to include 88% of the samples received within the Fossil Atmospheres data set. These results greatly exceeded our project goals. The hybrid protocol model we present, based on our experiences, indicates that using tools like iNaturalist provides multiple benefits that meet or exceed more traditional data collection models, including increases in the scale of data that can be collected, data accuracy, and data completeness, uniformity, usability, and accessibility.

The nationwide 'ZNIEFF' inventory in France: an open dataset of more than one million species data in zones of high ecological value.

BackgroundIn France, a ‘natural zone of ecological, faunistic or floristic value’ (Zone Naturelle d'Intérêt Écologique, Faunistique et Floristique - ZNIEFF) is a natural area, regionally known for its remarkable ecological characteristics. The ZNIEFF inventory is a naturalist and scientific survey programme launched in 1982 by the Ecology Ministry, with support from the French National Museum of Natural History (MNHN).New informationThis paper describes the ZNIEFF national dataset, which comprises 1,013,725 data for various animal (38%), plant (59%) and fungal (2%) species in terrestrial and marine zones (May 2020). A total of 19,842 sites throughout continental France. as well as in the overseas Departments and territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, La Réunion, French Guiana, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon), are included in the ZNIEFF dataset (May 2020). This dataset is now available in open access.All data were collected by skilled naturalists using professional protocols over almost 40 years. They consist mainly of observations of rare, threatened or endemic species, all validated by regional experts. Data are updated twice a year after national validation in both national (INPN-OpenObs) and global (GBIF) biodiversity web platforms. Some of the observed species, the so-called ‘trigger species’ or ‘determinant’ species, are of central interest for a site to be designated a ZNIEFF (zone of high ecological value). This concerns more than 35,000 taxa, mainly angiosperms, insects, fungi, birds and fish.

New Distributional Records for 16 Mexican Leaf Beetle Species (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea)

In this short communication, I present new geographic range extensions for 16 leaf beetle species. All specimens examined are deposited in the Mexican collection “Colección Nacional de Insectos Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín”, National Museum of Natural History, Mexico City.

Crowning Achievements: African Arts of Dressing the Head

Crowning Achievements: African Arts of Dressing the Head

Over and beyond the Primate baubellum Surface: A “Jewel Bone” Shielded in Museums

Computed Tomography (CT), mostly used in the medical field, has also recently been involved in Cultural Heritage studies, thanks to its efficiency and total non-invasiveness. Due to the large variety of sizes and compositions typical of Cultural Heritage objects, different X-ray sources, detectors, and setups are necessary to meet the different needs of various case studies. Here, we focus on the use of micro-CT to explore the morphology and shape of a small, neglected bone found inside the clitoris of non-human primates (the baubellum), which we obtained by accessing two prestigious primatological collections of the American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY, USA) and the National Museum of Natural History (Washington, DC, USA). Overcoming methodological limits imposed by the absence of homologous landmarks, we combined the use of the non-invasive 3D micro-CT and a recently released landmark-free shape analysis (the alpha-shape technique) to objectively describe and quantify the shape complexity of scanned primate baubella. Micro-CT provided high-resolution results, overcoming constraints linked to museum policy about non-disruptive sampling and preserving samples for future research. Finally, it proved appropriate as post-mortem sampling had no impact on protected wild primate populations.

Scaphocephaly and increased intra-cranial pressure in non-operated adults: A controlled anthropological study on 21 skulls

Aim and scopeThe prevalence of increased intra-cranial pressure (ICP) in patients with scaphocephaly is controversial. Here, based on anthropological material, we aimed to determine whether adults with non-operated sagittal synostosis show indirect signs of increased ICP. Materials and methodsThirty-eight dry skulls (21 skulls with sagittal craniosynostosis and 17 controls) were selected from the collections of the National Museum of Natural History (Paris, France). All skulls registered as ‘fused sagittal suture’ or ‘scaphocephaly’ in the registry of the Museum were included. All had total fusion of the sagittal suture. Controls were selected within skulls of similar origin (France), without visible craniofacial anomalies. The 38 skulls were CT-scanned using a standard medical CT-scan with a protocol dedicated to dry bone imaging. Eight radiological signs associated with raised ICP were assessed: (1) calvaria and (2) skull base thinning, (3) dorsum sellae erosion, (4) sella turcica lengthening, (5) copper beaten skull, (6) suture diastasis, (7) persistent metopic suture, and (8) small frontal sinus. Scaphocephaly was assessed based on head circumference, cranial index, intra-cranial volume, fronto-nasal angle, and inter-zygomatic distance. Linear and non-linear logistic models were used to compare groups. Results19/21 skulls with sagittal synostosis were significantly scaphocephalic. None of the criteria for ICP were significantly different in skulls with scaphocephaly relative to controls. Nevertheless, 5 individual skulls with scaphocephaly had ≥ 3 signs in favor of a history of raised ICP.We do not report the significant prevalence of indirect signs of raised ICP in adults with scaphocephaly. These results do not allow ruling out a history of early raised ICP or of minor prolonged raised ICP. Even though our findings support the fact that scaphocephaly is not significantly associated with prolonged raised ICP, individual cases (5/21) with clear signs in favor of a history of brain compression indicate that scaphocephaly correction should be considered as a functional procedure until the production of clear evidence. Cognitive assessments of non-operated adult patients with scaphocephaly could contribute to tackle this recurring question in craniofacial surgery.

A review of monotreme (Monotremata) evolution

Advances in dating and systematics have prompted a revision of monotreme evolution to refine the timing of adaptative trends affecting body size and craniodental morphology. The oldest known monotreme, Teinolophos trusleri, is restricted to uppermost Barremian deposits of the Strzelecki Group in Victoria, Australia. Its body mass is estimated at ∼40 g, making it the smallest known monotreme. Teinolophos trusleri likely possessed an electro-sensitive and/or mechano-sensitive ‘bill’ or ‘beak’, which we suggest evolved for insectivory in seasonally dark Early Cretaceous polar forests. During the early Albian–mid-Cenomanian, monotremes diversified in Australia and evolved body masses greater than 4 kg, becoming amongst the largest Mesozoic mammals. A gap of 35 million years subsequently separates the youngest Mesozoic monotremes from the oldest Cenozoic monotreme, Monotrematum sudamericanum, which is a Paleocene stem ornithorhynchid from southern South America. We also hypothesize that tachyglossids originated in Melanesia, perhaps on the emergent Vogelkop landmass, and then dispersed to Australia during the Pliocene-Pleistocene. Finally, we present a classification of Monotremata to include five families—Teinolophidae fam. nov., Kollikodontidae, Steropodontidae, Ornithorhynchidae, and Tachyglossidae. We also propose a new genus, Murrayglossus gen. nov. for a gigantic Pleistocene echidna from southwestern Western Australia. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E39E2644-DADD-49F4-B2B7-47A25C072B07 Timothy F. Flannery [tim.flannery@textpublishing.com.au], Kristofer M. Helgen [Kris.Helgen@Australian.Museum], Australian Museum, 1 William St Sydney 2000, Australia; Thomas H. Rich [trich@museum.vic.gov.au], Tim Ziegler [tziegler@museum.vic.gov.au], Museums Victoria, PO Box 666, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia; Patricia Vickers-Rich [pat.rich@monash.edu; prich@swin.edu.au], School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia; Swinburne University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia; Elizabeth Grace Veatch [elizabeth.veatch@gmail.com], National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013, USA.

Mammals from Belarus in the collections of natural history museums of Ukraine

A review of collection samples of mammals received from the territory of Belarus (within its modern borders) and stored in natural museums of Ukraine is given. Information on the materials of 5 museums is summarized – Dybowski Zoological Museum at Lviv National University (ZMD), Zoological Museum of Kyiv National University (ZMKU), Museum of Nature at the Kharkiv University (MNKU), State Natural History Museum of NASU (Lviv, SNHM) and National Museum of Natural History of NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv, NMNH). Within the latter, two (out of three available) collections were studied – the collections of the Department of Zoology (NNPM-z) and the Department of Museology (NNPM-m). Samples from Belarus were found in the collections of ZMD (5 specimens), SMNH (2 sp.), NMNH-z (68 sp.), NMNH-p (36 sp.), NMNH-m (7 sp.), MNKU (3 sp.). In total, there are 121 specimens of 13 mammal species in the collections. The number of samples is dominated by rodents, in particular Spermophilus suslicus (61 sp.), Sus scrofa (31 sp.) and Sylvaemus tauricus (7 sp.). Ancient specimens predominate (1885–1915), among which specimens from the collection of O. Brauner (NNPM) dominate. Certain groups of mammals appear in collections only in the last period of accumulation of collections, in particular murine rodents (collections of the 1990s). The largest number of samples was collected in the southern and western regions of Belarus within the Brest, Minsk, Grodno and Gomel oblasts. The most diverse are the collections from the vicinities of Mozyr in the Gomel oblast, mostly samples from the Brauner's collections of 1900–1915, which are now stored in the NNPM. The oldest are the samples of the black rat (Rattus rattus) from the collections of Benedykt Dybowski in 1885 in the family estates of Vojnov and Niankov of the Novogrudok district of the Grodno oblast. The most valuable is a sample of 61 skulls of ground squirrels Spermophilus odessanus (suslicus s. lato), collected during 1947–1954 in different districts of Brest, Grodno and Minsk oblasts. The series Sylvaemus tauricus from Central Polissia (7 sp.), collected in the 1990-1995 and transferred to the NNPM, is also significant.

On the identities of Neotropical Stegana species (Diptera, Drosophilidae). III. Four Costa Rican species described by J. R. Malloch

The identities of the following four New World species of Stegana from Costa Rica, Stegana atrimana Malloch, 1924, Stegana nigrita Malloch, 1924, Stegana schildi Malloch, 1924, and Stegana tempifera Malloch, 1924, are clarified, and their redescriptions are provided. According to the original descriptions, the holotypes of the four species, deposited in the National Museum of Natural History (USNM), were males. However, upon dissection of their terminalia, we realized that all but one (S. tempifera) are females. Therefore, redescriptions of their external morphology (and/or terminalia) are mainly based on male paratypes, except for S. schildi, which is based on a male non-type specimen from Panama bearing Malloch’s handwritten identification label. Photomicrographs of the habitus and terminalia, in addition to china ink drawings of the aedeagi and associated sclerites, are included.

Distributional Data and New Records of Seed Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) from Mexico Deposited in the National Museum of Natural History (USNM)

Examination of 1,805 specimens of seed beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) from Mexico in the National Museum of Natural History (USNM), Washington, DC, resulted in discovery of unpublished data from 11 genera and 63 species. New country records for Mexico include Amblycerus lineolatus (Motschulsky, 1874) and Amblycerus luctuosus (Sharp, 1885). Seven plant species are reported as new host records: Prosopis articulata S. Watson and Senna mollissima var. glabrata (Benth.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (both Leguminosae) for Amblycerus obscurus (Sharp, 1885), Rhynchosia pyramidalis (Lam.) Urb. (Leguminosae) for Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman, 1833), Abutilon palmeriA. Gray (Malvaceae) for Abutiloneus flavicornis (Sharp, 1885), Prosopis chilensis (Molina) Stuntz for Algarobius johnsoni Kingsolver, 1986, Prosopis articulata S. Watson for Algarobius prosopis (LeConte, 1858), and Bauhinia macranthera Hemsl. (Leguminosae) for Gibbobruchus divaricatae Whitehead and Kingsolver, 1975. Canavalia maritima Thouars (Leguminosae) is confirmed as a host for Caryedes longicollis (Fahraeus, 1839). Twenty-four new state records are reported for more localized distributions within Mexico. Updated information from specimens previously published is included.

Tiger beetles of Romania (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) in the Collections of &amp;ldquo;Grigore Antipa&amp;rdquo; National Museum of Natural History, Bucharest

The paper deals with eleven species and subspecies of tiger beetles of Romania. The specimens preserved in the collections of &amp;ldquo;Grigore Antipa&amp;rdquo; National Museum of Natural History were revised. Distribution maps based on the examined material are presented for each species.

Type specimens in the fish collection of the National Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

The creation of a collection of type specimens of fishes of the National Museum of Natural History NAS of Ukraine has started in 1974. In the following years, the collection of fish type specimens of the Zoological Museum was enriched by both national and foreign specialists such as E. E. Meisner, L. G. Manilo, G. A. Shandikov, D. A. Didier and M. Stehmann, M. R. De Carvalho and others. Some of these specimens (holotypes and paratypes of eight cartilaginous and bony fishes described at that time) were included into the first catalogue of type specimens of all groups of invertebrates and vertebrates of the Zoological Museum (Catalogue… 2001). This catalogue includes information on 73 type specimens of fishes (10 holotypes and 63 paratypes) belonging to 12 species of 6 families: Acroteriobatus stehmanni Weigmann, Ebert, Séret, 2021; Raja taaf Meisner, 1987; Torpedo adenensis Carvalho, Stehmann, Manilo, 2002; Neoharriotta pumila Didier, Stehmann, 1996; Channichthys aelitae Shandikov, 1995; Channichthys bospori Shandikov, 1995; Channichthys irinae Shandikov, 1995; Channichthys mithridatis Shandikov, 2008; Channichthys panticapaei Shandikov, 1995; Channichthys richardsoni Shandikov, 2011; Channichthys velifer Meisner, 1974; Parapercis ventromaculata Manilo, 1990, stored in the fish collection of the National Museum of Natural History NAS of Ukraine. Two taxa were not found in the collection: the holotype of Arius dayi Dmitrenko, 1974 (lost), as well as the holotype and paratypes of Romanogobio albipinnatus tanaiticus Naseka, 2001 (not received from the author of the description). The number of paratypes of each species (subspecies) is given according to their presence in the collection as of the time of compilation of this catalogue. In the text, after the Latin name of species (subspecies), the following information is given: collection record number, number of paratype specimens, length (standard or absolute) in millimetres, full label information including water body, coordinates, name of the vessel and cruise number, depth, trawl (station) number, date of collection, and name of collectors.

Природнича музеологія в Україні: 10 років діяльності у форматі мережі та наукових конференцій

The series of conferences ‘Natural History Museology in Ukraine’, launched in the autumn of 2009, celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2019. Ten years after its beginning, the fifth meeting of the conference cycle was held. The series of conferences was initiated by the Natural History Section of the Ukrainian branch of ICOM, and the main organizers of the first and all subsequent meetings were scientists from two academic museums — the State Museum of Natural History NAS of Ukraine (Lviv) and the National Museum of Natural History NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv). During these 10 years, five full-scale conferences were held: three in Kyiv, one in Kaniv, and one in Kamianets-Podilskyi. Traditionally, the conference is organized in autumn with an average interval of two years on topics related to scientific and educational activities and to the past of natural history museums. An overview of these conferences, their topics, dates, venues, and proceedings is presented. A detailed description of the events of the fifth conference held in Kyiv at the National Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is given. Thirty-nine participants took part in this conference during the two full days of its work (the 7th and 8th of October), of which 20 made oral presentations, and a total of 80 articles were published. The most important events of the conference included a solemn session on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Zoological Museum of the All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (1919/1921–1934), which became one of the predecessor museums of the modern NMNH, a scientific session themed ‘Study and preservation of collections’, a session on ‘exhibition activities’, and a round table on the topic ‘Databases as tool for working with natural history collections’. The proceedings of the fifth conference were published as part of a series of publications titled ‘Natural History Museology’, which was initiated on the occasion of the fifth meeting and in order to link all previous editions with different (albeit similar) titles into one cycle. The edition is registered in the NAS of Ukraine as both printed and electronic publication with respective ISBNs for the entire series and the current fifth issue.

Corrigendum: Description of Kavayva, gen. nov., (Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae) and two new species associated with Guarea (Meliaceae), and a review of New World eurytomids associated with seeds. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 86: 101–121. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.86.71309

In a paper about the description of Kavayva, a new genus of Eurytomidae (Zhang et al. 2021) The indication of repository for the type specimens were missing. We regret this omission, and provide the missing information below. MUSM – Natural History Museum of the San Marcos University, Lima, Peru UFGD – Museum of Biodiversity of the Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados-MS, Brazil USNM – United States National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA. Kavayva bodoquenensis Zhang, Silvestre, &amp;amp; Gates, sp. nov. Holotype female deposited at USNM. Paratypes deposited at USNM [12F, 13M] and UFGD [8F, 3M]. Kavayva davidsmithi Zhang &amp;amp; Gates, sp. nov. Holotype female deposited at MUSM. Paratypes deposited at USNM [1F, 1M].

Інтерпретація еволюції в рамках популяризації науки у природничих музеях

The paper presents a brief review of the scientific and educational role of natural history museums, particular-ly in the field of interpretation of organic evolution. The scientific and social value of collections that are stored at natural history museums are highlighted. The history of interpretation and popularization of basic ideas of the theory of evolution are considered, as well as the perception of evolution by the society and vari-ous categories of museum visitors. Analysed are the main tools of interpretation available in natural history museums as well as basic principles of display of palaeontological specimens, particularly in dioramas as pe-culiar museum tools for interpretation. The main approaches to the interpretation of evolution are considered in the context of selection of interpretation methods and tools and in regard to the specifics of various groups of museum visitors. Minimum professional skills of interpreters who take part in exhibiting and educational ac-tivities of natural history museums are discussed. The possibilities of interpretation of evolution are shown on the example of the palaeontological exhibition of the National Museum of Natural History at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine). A brief description of the palaeontological display is given, particularly on the general principles of its structure and on examples of exhibited specimens that demonstrate the evolution of various groups of vertebrates (e.g. fishes and mammals). Dioramas of the palaeontological exhibition are presented, which are especially valuable visual tools of interpretation of evolution in the muse-um. The main issues of further existence and development of natural history museums are discussed in the context of their role as powerful research and educational centres, maintaining a high level of attendance by visitors, and involvement of the public in the activities of these museums in times of high competition of lei-sure offers by various entertaining facilities. The need for the modernization of earlier exhibitions using mod-ern interactive tools and visualization techniques in underlined in order to increase public interest and expand the pool of visitors.

A new species of Monstrilla (Crustacea: Copepoda: Monstrilloida: Monstrillidae) collected by the R/V Albatross (1908) from the Sulu Sea, Philippines

ABSTRACT Monstrilloid copepods are protelean parasites of various groups of benthic invertebrates. The taxonomy of some monstrilloid genera is still in development. The re-examination of museum collections and redescription of the earliest described species have proven to be useful tools to unravel some of these problems. An examination of monstrilloid specimens collected from the Philippines area by the US Steamer Albatross in 1908 and deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, revealed the presence of a male specimen representing an undescribed species of the genus Monstrilla. The new species is described and illustrated following current standards in monstrilloid copepod taxonomy. It can be easily distinguished from its congeners by the unique cuticular ornamentation pattern on its cephalothorax, the number of caudal setae, and details of its geniculate antennules and genital complex. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1FAF5CD7-6EF9-4405-8572-22E46F32A359