Nomen Dubium Research Articles

The identity of Argyrialacteella (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera, Pyraloidea, Crambinae), synonyms, and related species revealed by morphology and DNA capture in type specimens.

In this study the aim was to resolve the taxonomy of several species of Argyria Hübner (Pyraloidea, Crambinae) with previously unrecognised morphological variation. By analysing the DNA barcode (COI-5P) in numerous specimens, the aim was to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships between species, to provide better evidence for synonymies, and to circumscribe their geographical distribution. Using an innovative DNA hybridisation capture protocol, the DNA barcode of the lectotype of Argyrialacteella (Fabricius, 1794) was partially recovered for comparison with the 229 DNA barcode sequences of Argyria specimens available in the Barcode of Life Datasystems, and this firmly establishes the identity of the species. The same protocol was used for the following type specimens: the Argyriaabronalis (Walker, 1859) holotype, thus confirming the synonymy of this name with A.lacteella, the holotype of A.lusella (Zeller, 1863), syn. rev., the holotype of A.multifacta Dyar, 1914, syn. nov. newly synonymised with A.lacteella, and a specimen of Argyriadiplomochalis Dyar, 1913, collected in 1992. In addition, nine specimens of A.lacteella, A.diplomochalis, A.centrifugens Dyar, 1914 and A.gonogramma Dyar, 1915, from North to South America were sampled using classical COI amplification and Sanger sequencing. Argyriagonogramma Dyar, described from Bermuda, is the name to be applied to the more widespread North American species formerly identified as A.lacteella. Following morphological study of its holotype, Argyriavestalis Butler, 1878, syn. nov. is also synonymised with A.lacteella. The name A.pusillalis Hübner, 1818, is considered a nomen dubium associated with A.gonogramma. The adult morphology is diagnosed and illustrated, and distributions are plotted for A.lacteella, A.diplomochalis, A.centrifugens, and A.gonogramma based on slightly more than 800 specimens. For the first time, DNA barcode sequences are provided for the Antillean A.diplomochalis. This work provides a modified, improved protocol for the efficient hybrid capture enrichment of DNA barcodes from 18th and 19th century type specimens in order to solve taxonomic issues in Lepidoptera.

Cranial Material of Long-Snouted Dolphins (Cetacea, Odontoceti, Eurhinodelphinidae) from the Early Miocene of Rosignano Monferrato, Piedmont (NW Italy): Anatomy, Paleoneurology, Phylogenetic Relationships and Paleobiogeography

We provide a new study of previously published eurhinodelphinid materials from the early Miocene of Piedmont (NW Italy) based on a new preparation of the fossil specimens. We studied specimens previously assigned to Tursiops miocaenus and Dalpiazella sp. and provide new anatomical data on the eurhinodelphinid skull and ear bones. In particular, we suggest that a skull that was previously assigned to Tursiops miocaenus must be reassigned to Ziphiodelphis sigmoideus (Cetacea, Odontoceti, Eurhinodelphinidae) based on new comparisons of the squamosal. This finding enabled us to provide new anatomical information on the ear bone anatomy of Z. sigmoideus that was previously unknown. The material originally assigned to Tursiops miocaenus is currently lost. For this reason and due to the fact that the partial illustration of this species by Portis does not allow us to find diagnostic characters for this species, we decided that Tursiops miocaenus is a nomen dubium. Analysis of additional isolated teeth previously assigned to Tursiops miocaenus led to the conclusion that these specimens represent Odontoceti incertae sedis. We performed a new phylogenetic analysis by adding newly discovered character states to a previous dataset and a paleobiogeographic analysis of Eurhinodelphinidae. We found two monophyletic clades within this family. The paleobiogeographic pattern found by the present work suggests the existence of North Atlantic and Mediterranean clades with some species distributed among both basins. We analyzed the virtual endocast of Ziphiodelphis sigmoideus and found that it resembles that of Schizodelphis in several respects, suggesting that some of the more derived characters of the odontocete brain were still absent in these early Miocene eurhinodelphinids.

Coluber korros Lesson, 1831 and Coluber korros Schlegel, 1837 (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae): there is a korros too many in the family

The purpose of this paper is to solve an overlooked nomenclatural problem involving two taxa of Colubridae, both described as Coluber korros. The first one is Coluber korros Schlegel, 1837, now Ptyas korros, a well-known and widespread species in south-east Asia. Its senior homonym is Coluber korros Lesson, 1831, a long forgotten taxon. Furthermore, these taxa are undoubtedly non-conspecific. We tentatively identify the holotype of this latter taxon as a large specimen of Coelognathus radiatus (F. Boie, 1827) and we specify its type locality as "Region of Kolkata, West Bengal State, eastern India" (the same specification of type-locality can hence be applied to the elapid Naja kaouthia Lesson, 1831). Nevertheless, following the strict principle of priority, Coluber korros Lesson, 1831 has priority over Coluber korros Schlegel, 1837. Based on the Code, we use Article 23.9 on reversal of precedence in order to preserve the use of the well-known taxon Coluber korros Schlegel, 1837 (now Ptyas korros) against its senior primary homonym Coluber korros Lesson, 1831. Finally, we consider Coluber boncorage Lesson, 1831 to be a nomen dubium.

Notes on Indian wolf spiders: II. Genus Hippasa Simon, 1885 (Araneae: Lycosidae, Hippasinae)

The species of the genus Hippasa described/recorded from India are reviewed based on type and topotype material. Hippasa pantherina Pocock, 1899 stat. rev. is resurrected from synonymy under Hippasa greenalliae (Blackwall, 1867). The following synonymies are proposed: Hippasa charamaensis Gajbe, 2004 syn. nov., Hippasa madhuae Tikader & Malhotra, 1980 syn. nov., Hippasa pisaurina Pocock, 1900 syn. nov. and Hippasa sinai Alderweireldt & Jocqué, 2005 syn. nov., all synonymised with Hippasa deserticola Simon, 1889. Four species, Hippasa fabreae Gajbe & Gajbe, 1999, H. greenalliae, Hippasa hansae Gajbe & Gajbe, 1999 and Hippasa wigglesworthi Gajbe & Gajbe, 1999 are proposed as nomina dubia. The species Hippasa haryanensis Arora & Monga, 1994 is considered as nomen nudum. All the type material examined are illustrated and supplementary descriptions and illustrations are provided for Hippasa agelenoides (Simon, 1884), H. deserticola, Hippasa himalayensis Gravely, 1924, Hippasa loundesi Gravely, 1924, Hippasa lycosina Pocock, 1900, Hippasa madraspatana Gravely, 1924, H. pantherina and Hippasa valiveruensis Patel & Reddy, 1993.

Review of the Mimeticus Subgroup of Culex (Culex) (Diptera: Culicidae), With an Assessment of the Specific Status of Three Nominal Species Described From India.

The Mimeticus Subgroup of the subgenus Culex, genus Culex Linnaeus, is reviewed and revised. Mitochondrial COI sequences of species of the subgroup available in GenBank were analysed to verify the identity of voucher specimens. The specific status of three species described from India, Cx. gaugleri Suman, Cx. katezari Karlekar, Andrew & Deshpande, and Cx. kodaikanalensis Suman, Veer & Chandra, was examined and found to be unsupportable. Culex gaugleri and Cx. kodaikanalensis are synonyms of Cx. jacksoni based on the similarity of DNA sequences and dubious evidence of morphological differentiation. Culex katezari is recognized as a nomen dubium because the morphological description and molecular information provided by the authors are insufficient for its identification. A number of specimens registered in GenBank were found to be misidentified. In addition, available data indicate that the Mimeticus Subgroup may include at least three unrecognized species, referred to informally as Cx. mimeticus form B, Cx. mimulus form X, and Cx. mimulus form Y.

An Immature Dermapteran Misidentified as an Adult Zorapteran: The Case of Formosozoros newi Chao & Chen, 2000.

Zoraptera shows extreme uniformity in general body morphology, with the exception of Formosozoros (=Zorotypus) newi Chao & Chen, 2000, which stands out in terms of the shape and arrangement of its legs, the cerci, and several other morphological characters. After critical evaluation, we found that this species is not a zorapteran but is instead a nymph (1st instar) of an earwig; i.e., F. newi is a dermapteran. Because of the lack of morphological descriptions of Dermaptera nymphs that would allow species identification, and because the type material of F. newi is lost, a more detailed classification is not possible. We therefore propose that the genus name Formosozoros Chao & Chen, 2000 and the species name Formosozoros newi Chao & Chen, 2000 are nomina dubia.

Taxonomic status of the caturid genera (Halecomorphi, Caturidae) and their Late Jurassic species.

Caturids are among the best-known predatory ray-finned fishes of the Mesozoic. Although there is consensus about their sister-group relationship to Amiidae (Holostei, Amiiformes), their diversity, ingroup phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history are still very poorly understood. Caturidae is currently restricted to Caturus and Amblysemius, each with two species. Among them, C. furcatus has become the wastebasket taxon for the group. Our revision of nearly 40 species based on the original descriptions, type and referred material led to significant results changing the picture of caturid diversity in the Late Jurassic. Four specific names are unavailable. Due to insufficient information in the original descriptions, lack of diagnostic features in the type material, or the complete lack of type material, 13 nominal species are nomina dubia. Two species currently considered junior synonyms represent distinct taxa. Strobilodus giganteus is removed from Caturidae. Caturus cliftoni, Thlattodus and Ditaxiiodus are tentatively referred to Strobilodus. The fossil record of Caturoidea is restricted to the Jurassic and earliest Cretaceous. The group apparently underwent significant diversification during the Late Jurassic, as indicated by the increase in the number of taxa and the dispersal of the group outside Europe, which had already begun in the Middle Jurassic.

Middle Eocene cartilaginous fishes (Vertebrata: Chondrichthyes) of the Dnieper-Donets Basin, northern Ukraine.

Marine basins that existed in present-day Ukraine during the Eocene harboured various groups of cartilaginous and bony fishes, reptiles, aquatic birds, and marine mammals. Fish remains from Paleogene deposits of Kyiv and its vicinities were first collected and described by O.S. Rogovich in the mid-19th century. Here we have carried out a re-examination of chondrichthyan fossils from Rogovich's collection and evaluated several later records, all of which were recovered from middle Eocene deposits. In total, 88 specimens represented by teeth, vertebrae, and other skeletal elements were analysed and described. As a result, the sample revealed to a single chimaeriform species (Edaphodon bucklandi), and 12 shark and two ray taxa, respectively. Ten sharks were identified to species level, whereas the rays could be identified only at higher systematic ranks (Myliobatidae, Myliobatiformes). Several nomenclatural changes are proposed here, including the synonimisation of Carcharodon megalotis, C. lanceolatus, C. productus, Lamna cuspidata, L. denticulata, L. compressa, L. (Odontaspis) hispida, L. lata, Oxyrhina brevidens, and O. biflena with more recently proposed taxa. Seven species erected by Rogovich (Galeocerdo paradoxus, Otodus microtus, Lamna elegans, Oxyrhina falcata, Oxyrhina leptodon, Chomatodus dubius, and Hybodus helophorus) are suggested to most likely be nomina dubia. Many identified taxa represent the epi- and mesopelagic fishes and only a relatively small number of them belong to benthopelagic, demersal, and bathydemersal forms. The studied sample is of important historical and scientific value and substantially contribute to the understanding of the palaeodiversity of Eocene marine ecosystems that existed in present-day Ukraine and generally in Eastern Europe.

Morphological and anatomical analyses clarify the species definition of Ceratozamia latifolia Miq. (Zamiaceae) and lead to the description of a new species: Ceratozamia reesii

The cycad Ceratozamia latifolia was first described by Miquel in 1847 based on plant of unknown provenance cultivated in Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam which was obtained from Belgium, and for which no type specimen was collected or preserved. The description was based on a juvenile plant, lacked a detailed explanation of the species’ characteristics, and had no accompanying illustrations. Since then, the concept of C. latifolia long time remained as a nomen dubium, often referring to a species probably from Veracruz, Mexico. However, the neotypification of C. latifolia in 1986 linked the poor description of C. latifolia to a known population from San Luis Potosí (SLP), Mexico. This neotypification brought complications to the taxonomy of the genus: 1) Because the neotype population belonged to the then recently described species C. microstrobila, C. microstrobila fell into synonymy with C. latifolia due to nomenclatural priority. 2) Because the neotypification of the name was part of a paper focused on nomenclature, no description, circumscription, or formal synonymizations were made, leaving the correct application of the name C. latifolia unclear. This ambiguity led taxonomists and horticulturists to identify plants from different populations of SLP as C. latifolia, even though the morphological differences among populations were clear. In this study, we focus in a group of populations from the Municipality of Xilitla, SLP, that were considered to be C. latifolia since 1980s. However, when comparing the morphology between wild C. latifolia plants and the plants from Xilitla, they differ in multiple vegetative and reproductive traits. Here, we present morphological and anatomical data to demonstrate that these populations from Xilitla do not correspond to the current concept of C. latifolia or to the southern neighbors C. chamberlainii or C. fuscoviridis, but rather they belong to a new species that we describe as C. reesii sp. nov.

Typification of two aquatic plant names described by Linnaeus from highly heterogeneous original elements: Sagittaria sagittifolia (Alismataceae) and Sparganium erectum (Typhaceae)

AbstractThe original material of the Linnaean names Sagittaria sagittifolia and Sparganium erectum both represent more than one taxon. This had previously led to a reluctance to resolve the nomenclature of these two species, led some to consider the application of the names doubtful, and even led some to propose that Sp. erectum should be treated as a nomen ambiguum. Incorporating study of the Linnaean correspondence and several unpublished manuscripts, we discuss these names and typify them here. Sagittaria sagittifolia is lectotypified with a specimen from LINN. Sparganium erectum is lectotypified with an illustration of “Platanaria sive Butomon” published by Dodoëns in 1616. An epitype is also designated for Sp. erectum because the lectotype is demonstrably ambiguous and the name cannot be applied to a currently recognized taxon with certainty. The previously designated lectotype of Sp. natans is also discussed, as is the importance of previously unrecognized original material in the Johann Georg Gmelin Herbarium at LE.

Tooth whorl structure, growth and function in a helicoprionid chondrichthyan Karpinskiprion (nom. nov.) (Eugeneodontiformes) with a revision of the family composition

ABSTRACTRestudy of Campyloprion annectans Eastman, 1902 from North America demonstrated that neither specimen included is diagnostic at the species level; thus, the species name is a nomen dubium. Since this species was designated as the type species of the genus, this requires suppression of the generic name also. Another species earlier assigned to Campyloprion, Campyloprion ivanovi Karpinsky, 1924 is used as a type for a newly established genus Karpinskiprion Lebedev et Itano gen. nov. The composition of the family Helicoprionidae Karpinsky, 1911 is reviewed, and a new family Helicampodontidae Itano et Lebedev fam. nov. is erected. A new specimen of Karpinskiprion ivanovi (Karpinsky, 1924) recently discovered in the Volgograd Region of Russia is the most complete Karpinskiprion specimen ever found. It unambiguously demonstrates the coiled nature of these tooth whorls and presents information on their developmental stages. During organogeny, cutting blades of the crown became reshaped, and basal spurs progressively elongated, forming a grater. Whorl growth occurred by addition of new crowns to the earlier mineralised base followed by later spur growth. In contrast to consistently uniform cutting blades, spurs are often malformed and bear traces of growth interruption. Both sides of the outer coil of the tooth whorl bear lifetime wear facets. The youngest (lingual) crowns are as yet unaffected by wear. The best-preserved facets show parallel radially directed scratch marks. The upper jaw dentition of Karpinskiprion is unknown, but we suggest that the faceted areas resulted from interaction with the antagonistic dental structures here. Three possible hypotheses for this interaction are suggested: (a) two opposing whorls acted as scissor blades, moving alternately from one side to another; (b) the lower tooth whorl fitted between paired parasymphyseal tooth whorls of the opposing jaw; or (c) the lower tooth whorl fitted into a dental pavement in the upper jaw.

A ‘long-forgotten’ plesiosaur provides evidence of large-bodied rhomaleosaurids in the Middle Jurassic of Germany

ABSTRACT Described in 1858, Trematospondylus macrocephalus is one of the earliest established plesiosaur taxa. However, despite being historically significant, the taxon disappeared from the literature shortly after its initial description and has not been mentioned for over a century. Thus, it has never been properly assessed. The holotype comprises seven vertebrae, including a supposed sacral vertebra and caudal vertebrae. The specimens were collected from the Lochen mountain massif near Balingen in southwestern Germany and derive from the Dentalienton Formation. As such, they are most likely early Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) in age. Here, we provide a thorough redescription of the material, illustrate it, and assess its phylogenetic affinities through a parsimony analysis. Our results show that T. macrocephalus shares characters with members of the Rhomaleosauridae, including, for example, the length-height ratio of the caudal centra as well as the placement of caudal ribs and hemapophyseal facets. Rhomaleosaurid affinities of the material are likewise supported by our phylogenetic analysis. Comparisons further indicate that the taxon belonged to large-bodied members of the clade, with a body length similar to that of Rhomaleosaurus. Even though the material does not enable Trematospondylus to be properly diagnosed, thus making it a nomen dubium, it still adds to the rare Middle Jurassic record of rhomaleosaurid plesiosaurs. At the same time, it enhances our knowledge of the plesiosaur taxic diversity during the pre-Callovian Middle Jurassic, which has been very limited.

Calling Frogs by Their Name: Long-Lasting Misidentification of Tetraploid Frogs of the Genus Odontophrynus (Anura: Odontophrynidae)

The holotype of Odontophrynus americanus collected by Alcide d'Orbigny in northern Patagonia, Argentina differs morphologically from the tetraploid frogs repeatedly assigned to this species and that are distributed from central Argentina and Uruguay to the north to Brazil and Paraguay (probably also Bolivia). Surprisingly, the external characteristics of the holotype match with the morphology of the adult syntype and specimens currently referred to as Odontophrynus occidentalis distributed in central, western, and southern Argentina. On the basis of resemblance in position, number, size, and shape of the glandular warts, we propose that O. americanus should be considered a senior synonym of O. occidentalis. Consequently, we realize that the tetraploid frogs currently called O. americanus were all too often misidentified under this name. After reviewing all the available names applicable to this tetraploid species, we recognize Hyperoodon asper described by Rodolfo A. Philippi as valid, resurrecting this nominal species within the genus Odontophrynus, with the designation of a neotype from Montevideo, Uruguay. We also propose that Ceratophrys argentina Philippi is a nomen dubium. To update the taxonomy of the genus Odontophrynus, we provide partial chresonymies, morphologic diagnoses, cytogenetic and bioacoustic characters, and geographic distribution maps for both O. americanus and O. asper.

Three species of Sparassidae from India, with the first description of the males of Olios kiranae Sethi & Tikader, 1988 and Thelcticopis moolampilliensis Sunil Jose & Sebastian, 2007 (Araneae: Sparassidae)

Three species of the spider family Sparassidae are reported from India. Olios kiranae Sethi & Tikader, 1988 is first recorded from Rajasthan and removed from the status of nomen dubium. The male is described for the first time; the female is redescribed. Gnathopalystes flavidus Simon, 1897 comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Palystes L. Koch, 1875 and reported from Irinjalakuda, Kerala, with a redescription of the male. Thelcticopis moolampilliensis Sunil Jose & Sebastian, 2007 is also recorded from Irinjalakuda, Kerala. The male is described for the first time, the female is redescribed and an unpaired lanceolate appendage between the lateral lobes is documented for the first time for the family. Photos are provided for all three species.

A reappraisal of Jeddaherdan aleadonta (Squamata: Acrodonta), the purported oldest iguanian lizard from Africa

Jeddaherdan aleadonta Apesteguía et al., 2016 is currently known as the first and single Mesozoic iguanian lizard from Africa. The original description and age of the holotype and only known specimen (i.e. a dentary fragment bearing five teeth) are revised here. We show that this fragmentary specimen was misinterpreted anatomically, does not come from Cretaceous beds but is instead Quaternary in age, and must be assigned to an indeterminate species of Uromastyx (spiny-tailed lizards). Therefore, the genus Jeddaherdan is considered a junior synonym of Uromastyx, and the species J. aleadonta (= Uromastyx sp.) is considered a nomen dubium. Our results refute the presence of iguanian lizards in the Mesozoic of Africa and have major implications for reconstructing the evolution and palaeobiogeography of this group.

Five new species of the long-jawed orb-weaving spider genus Tetragnatha (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) in South America, with a key to the species from Argentina and Brazil

Five new species in the long-jawed orb-weaving spider genus Tetragnatha Latreille, 1804 are described from South America: Tetragnatha amazonicasp. nov. (Venezuela); T. cristatasp. nov. (Argentina and Brazil); T. didoratasp. nov. (Brazil); T. oncognathasp. nov. (Brazil); and T. pradoisp. nov. (Argentina and Brazil). A key to the 21 species of Tetragnatha from Argentina and Brazil is provided, completing the revision of the genus for these countries. The female of T. cladognatha Bertkau, 1880 is redescribed and a neotype is proposed, and its male is described for the first time. Additionally, we update the taxonomic status of the following six South American species: Tetragnatha labialis Nicolet, 1849 and T. americana Simon, 1896 are considered new junior synonymies of T. nitens (Audouin, 1826); and Tetragnatha bishopi Caporiacco, 1947, T. linearis Nicolet, 1849, T. similis Nicolet, 1849 and T. sternalis Nicolet, 1849 are proposed as nomina dubia due to missing or juvenile type-material.

On the Amazonian cricket Phalangopsis Serville, 1831 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae): biology, morphology, and a new species

Phalangopsis mimbypysara n. sp. is described from specimens collected in natural cavities in the region of Altamira and Vitória do Xingu, state of Pará, Brazil. Phalangopsis gaudichaudi Saussure, 1874 is considered nomen dubium. We provide new data about biology, distribution, habitat selection, morphology, and natural history of the genus Phalangopsis.

New varieties and synonyms of Lupinus species (Fabaceae, Faboideae) of Northwestern Argentina

A critical review of 28 Lupinus species names that are dubious species is presented, due that some of them are known only by the holotype, and others have several nomenclatural problems by sharing the same collection data and collector number and belonging to different taxa. After an exhaustive review of type materials and representative specimens of plants growing in the provinces of northwestern Argentina, it was possible to define the main key morphological differences, such as, the type of indumentums and the floral characteristics that define each taxon. This work presents new varieties and synonyms belonging to three taxonomic complexes: Lupinus hieronymi with five synonyms; L. burkartianus with nine synonyms and L. austrorientalis with three new varieties and a total of nine synonyms. It provides a valuable analysis of type specimens, a key for taxa identification, descriptions by morphological characters, lists of synonyms, representative specimens and categories for the PlanEAr and IUCN Red List for the species and varieties. Distribution maps, illustrations and photographs of herbarium specimens and live plants are also included.

Palaearctic Osmia bees of the subgenera Allosmia and Neosmia (Megachilidae, Osmiini): biology, taxonomy and key to species

Osmia (Allosmia) and O. (Neosmia) are two closely related Palaearctic osmiine bee subgenera (Megachilidae, Megachilinae, Osmiini) comprising eleven and ten species, respectively. Analysis of female pollen loads revealed that the representatives of O. (Allosmia) and O. (Neosmia) are pollen generalists collecting pollen on up to 13 and 17 plant families, respectively. The species of both subgenera exclusively nest in empty snail shells and use chewed leaves as main nest building material, often in combination with fragments of mollusc shells and densely packed small particles, such as small stones, earth crumbs or plant fibers, which are used to barricade the nests. The taxonomic revision of the two subgenera revealed the existence of two undescribed species, O. (Allosmia) gemina spec. nov. from the southern Levant and O. (Neosmia) nigrocalcaribus spec. nov. from the Maghreb. Osmia fossoria Pérez, 1890 syn. nov. and O. decorata Morawitz, 1886 syn. nov. are newly synonymized with O. (Allosmia) lhotelleriei Pérez, 1887 and O. (Allosmia) melanura Morawitz, 1871, respectively, whereas the former synonymization of O. (Neosmia) rosea Friese, 1920 with O. scutispina Gribodo, 1894 is rejected. Osmia (Neosmia) purpurata Ducke, 1899 is regarded as a nomen dubium. Osmia (Allosmia) soror Pérez, 1896 and O. (Neosmia) secunda Peters, 1977 are treated as species rather than as subspecies of O. rufohirta Latreille, 1811 and O. tingitana Benoist, 1969, respectively, due to clear morphological gaps and partly sympatric occurrence. Identification keys for all species of the two subgenera are given.

Systematics of Amphineurus (Rhamphoneurus Alexander) (Diptera: Tipuloidea: Limoniidae)

The subgenus Amphineurus (Ramphoneurus Alexander) (Diptera: Limoniidae), a group of craneflies endemic to southern South America, is revised. The previously described species are redescribed and illustrated, along with fifteen new species: A. (R.) alexanderisp. nov., A. (R.) amorimisp. nov., A. (R.) anchoralissp. nov., A. (R.) anfractussp. nov., A. (R.) billinghamisp. nov., A. (R.) caleuchussp. nov., A. (R.) deceptussp. nov., A. (R.) falcatussp. nov., A. (R.) immaculatussp. nov., A. (R.) morphyisp. nov., A. (R.) oosterbroekisp. nov., A. (R.) podenasisp. nov., A. (R.) theischingerisp. nov., A. (R.) triangularissp. nov., and A. (R.) stigmaticussp. nov. In addition, A. (R.) fuscifusus Alexander is considered a nomen dubium. A phylogenetic analysis with a broad taxonomic sampling with all valid species of the subgenus A. (Rhamphoneurus Alexander) and species from all the subgenera of Amphineurus Skuse is performed. The broad outgroup sampling used in the study (including taxa from the entire range of distribution of Amphineurus) suggests that the subgenus A. (Rhamphoneurus) is a monophyletic taxon, that its closest relatives are taxa currently distributed in New Zealand, and that Australasian taxa are paraphyletic with respect to the Neotropical Clade.