Nominal Genera Research Articles

MORPHOLOGICAL AND TAXONOMIC CLARIFICATION OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPIAN (KINDERHOOKIAN) AMMONOID GENUS EOPRODROMITES

Representatives of the Prodromitidae are characterized by relatively large (up to 150 mm diameter) lenticular conchs with acute ventral keels and complex multilobate sutural configurations. The systematic position of the Prodromitidae has been the subject of considerable speculation (see Work et al., 1988 for review). The nominate genus, Prodromites Smith and Weller, 1901 (type species, Goniatites gorbyi Miller, 1891), is not typical and represents the culmination of the lineage, showing characters which have led authors to refer it to both the Gephuroceratina (Ruzhencev, 1960, 1962, 1965; Bogoslovsky, 1969; Ruzhencev and Bogoslovskaya, 1978) and the Prolecanitina (Miller and Collinson, 1951; Weyer, 1972; Furnish and Manger, 1973; Kullmann, 1981; Bartzsch and Weyer, 1988; Kullmann et al., 1991). Discovery of an ancestral prodromitid genus, Eoprodromites Work, Mapes, and Thompson, 1988 (type species, E. kinderhooki ), in the Hannibal Shale of northeastern Missouri provided clarification on the derivation of Prodromites and provided a link to yet a third enigmatic genus, Qiannanites Ruan, 1981 (type species, Q. acutus ). Work et al. (1988) concluded that the Prodromitidae were prolecanitid offshoots that appeared in the early Tournaisian with Qiannanites, progressed through Eoprodromites, and climaxed with Prodromites early in the late Tournaisian. Although aspects of sutural ontogenesis, conch morphology, and stratigraphic distribution unite these genera, subsequently obtained specimens of Eoprodromites kinderhooki provide additional sutural and morphological details (Figs. 1, 2) that support derivation from the prionoceratacean subfamily Pseudarietitinae Bartzsch and Weyer, 1987, as more recently suggested by Becker (1993a, p. 471).

Discovery of Petromica Topsent in the Pacific Ocean: a revision of the genus with a new subgenus (Chaladesma, subgen. nov.) and a new species (P.(C.) pacifica, sp. nov.) (Porifera : Demospongiae : Halichondrida : Halichondriidae)

Petromica Topsent, a sublithistid demosponge with affinities to Halichondriidae (Demospongiae : Halichondrida), is revised from type material to explore the phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships of a new species, P. pacifica, sp. nov., from the southern Great Barrier Reef and south-eastern Queensland, being the first record of the genus for Australian waters and for the Pacific Ocean. The present work brings the total number of species known worldwide to eight. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the monophyly of the genus and its synonymy with the nominal genus Monanthus. These analyses indicate that the new species is most closely related to two western Atlantic species (southern Brazilian to the central Caribbean), for which a new subgenus Chaladesma, subgen. nov. is proposed. Chaladesma differs from the nominotypical subgenus in its soft consistency confined to the basal portion of the choanosome (v. firm to rigid), reflecting the poorly developed desma skeleton, and lack of desma zygoses; possession of multiple papillae supported internally by sinuous tracts of oxeas (v. either no papillae or papillae supported by spiral plumose tracts); a single size class of oxeas (v. two size classes); and a moderately high proportion of monocrepidial desmas (with visible axial canal) (40–45%) (v. 0–5%, except in P. plumosa, which has 90% monocrepidial desmas).

Molecular Phylogeny of Selected Eurasian Podismine Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Abstract The grasshopper subfamily Melanoplinae, comprising a large number of genera and species, maintains a distribution throughout Eurasia and the New World. Despite various attempts to subdivide the subfamily, taxonomic assignments within the Melanoplinae remain unclear. However, the placement of Eurasian and related Nearctic genera within a separate tribe, Podismini, is a common feature within most proposed taxonomic schemes. The Podismini have been independently divided into two and four subtribes on the basis of cytogenetic and morphological traits, respectively; however, the two schemes differ with respect to the placement of certain genera. This study analyses sequence data obtained from portions of four mitochondrial genes (cyt b, COII, ND2, and COI) to (1) test the hypothesis that Eurasian podismines are monophyletic and (2) examine which, if any, of the proposed subtribal affiliations is correct. The view that the nominate genus, Podisma, represents a form closely related to the ancestral podi...

Redescription ofAlokistocare subcoronatum(Hall and Whitfield, 1877), the type species ofAlokistocare, and the status of Alokistocaridae Resser, 1939B (Ptychopariida: Trilobita, Middle Cambrian)

Alokistocare subcoronatum(Hall and Whitfield, 1877) is the type species ofAlokistocareLorenz, 1906, the nominal genus for the diverse Middle Cambrian Alokistocaridae Resser, 1939b. New collections from theEhmaniellaBiozone contain cranidia, librigenae, hypostomes, rostral plates, thoracic segments, and pygidia, which allow a more complete understanding of the morphological range and character of this important species.Cladistic analyses using this new information aboutA. subcoronatumsuggest that: 1) Ehmaniellidae Sundberg, 1994, is synonymous with Alokistocaridae; 2) Alokistocaridae is a monophylectic clade and not synonymous with Papyriaspididae Whitehouse, 1939; 3)PseudoalokistocareSundberg, 1994, is synonymous withAlokistocare; and 4) Taxa previously assigned to the older“Alokistocare”/Amecephalusgroup (PlagiuratoGlossopleurabiochrons) form a separate clade and should not be included inAlokistocareor the Alokistocaridae. These older species are assigned toAmecephalusWalcott, 1924, which is restricted to the Delamaran Stage. Alokistocaridae as recognized here is restricted to the Marjuman Stage.A morphometric analysis ofAlokistocare subcoronatumshows minor but significant differences among collections, indicating population differences. In addition, the cranidium displays both positive and negative allometric growth as well as isometric growth. Allometric growth is present in both meraspid and holaspid stages. The pygidium shows only isometric growth.

The hydroid research of American naturalist Samuel F. Clarke, 1851–1928

Samuel Fessenden Clarke was the leading specialist on hydroids (phylum Cnidaria) in North America over the last quarter of the nineteenth century. During that period he published taxonomic papers on hydroids from both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the continent, from the Gulf of Mexico, and from the eastern Pacific off Central and South America. He also authored a section on hydrozoan biology for “The Riverside Natural History” series. Most of his papers on hydroids were published while he was in his twenties. Clarke described as new 61 nominal species, three nominal genera, and one nominal family, as well as two “varieties” of hydroids. A list of these, and their current taxonomic status, appears in the present work. Clarke consistently provided sound descriptions and locality data for all supposed new species, and drew accurate illustrations of most of them. His research on Hydrozoa, beyond alphataxonomy, was directed towards faunal distributions and the use of hydroid assemblages as biogeographic indicators. In addition to investigations on hydroids, Clarke carried out research on the developmental biology of amphibians and reptiles. His doctoral dissertation at Johns Hopkins University was based on the embryology of the “Spotted Salamander” (=Yellow-spotted Salamander), and he published a major paper on the habits and embryology of the American Alligator. Most of Clarke's career was devoted to academic duties at Williams College, Massachusetts, where he was recognized as a dedicated and inspiring teacher. He served the American Society of Naturalists in various capacities, including a term as its president, was an influential trustee of the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, and promoted the study of science in American schools.

Erratic evolution of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in Drosophila, Chymomyza, and Ceratitis.

We have studied the evolution of Gpdh in 18 fruitfly species by sequencing 1,077 nucleotides per species on average. The region sequenced includes four exons coding for 277 amino acids and three variable-length introns. Phylogenies derived by a variety of methods confirm that the nominal genus Zaprionus belongs within the genus Drosophila, whereas Scaptodrosophila and Chymomyza are outside. The rate of GPDH evolution is erratic. The rate of amino acid replacements in a lineage appears to be 1.0 x 10(-10)/site/year when Drosophila species are considered (diverged up to 55 million years ago), but becomes 2.3 x 10(-10) when they are compared to Chymomyza species (divergence around 60 My ago), and 4.6 x 10(-10) when species of those two genera are compared with the medfly Ceratitis capitata (divergence around 100 My ago). In order to account for these observations, the rate of amino acid replacement must have been 15 or more times greater in some lineages and at some times than in others. At the nucleotide level, however, Gpdh evolves in a fairly clockwise fashion.

Taxonomic review ofPseudinaMalloch (Diptera: Tephritidae) with descriptions of two new species from China

Abstract The Old World tephritid genus, Pseudina Malloch, is redefined with the descriptions of two new species from China: P. duplicata Han & Wang, and P. eritima Han & Wang. The nomenclatural status of Pseudina is clarified and the nominal genus Vidalia Robineau-Desvoidy is treated as a nomen dubium, and removed from synonymy with Pseudina. An annotated check list of all the known Pseudina species, a key, and illustrations are provided, and the phylogenetic relationships discussed. In addition, a lectotype is designated for Vidalia spadix Chen and Vidalia pulla Wang is transferred to the genus Hoplandromyia Bezzi.

Authorities of specific names in, and transfers to, the nominal genus Globodera Skarbilovich

Authorities of specific names in, and transfers to, the nominal genus Globodera Skarbilovich

The palaeozoic pelecypod family Rhombopteriidae and the evolution of the Ostreina

Though long suspected to be critical to the understanding of the evolution of the pelecypod subclass Pteriomorphia, the mid-Palaeozoic family Rhombopteriidae was too poorly known to allow clarification of its relationships. Furthermore, numerous species were assigned to the nominate genus, Rhombopteria, many of which belong in other genera or even other subclasses. Consequently, the morphologic concept entailed by Rhombopteria was confused as were functional morphologic investigations.Silicified rhombopteriids discovered in the Lower Devonian of Australia are referred to a new genus, and reveal internal shell characters essential for understanding rhombopteriid relationships. The family Rhombopteriidae is revised to include only three genera, Rhombopteria, Prantliella and the new Australian genus.New data provided by the Australian material indicate that rhombopteriids were non-byssate, dimyarian pteriomorphs that lived pleurothetically on the left valve as do gryphaeid oysters. The Rhombopteriidae are assigned to the Ostreina and are the sister group of all other ostreinans including the Ostreoidea, Pseudomonotidae and Terquemiidae. Important characters common to rhombopteriids and gryphaeid oysters include: 1) left-sided pleurothetic habit; 2) absence of byssal notch or sinus throughout ontogeny; 3) Quenstedt muscle scar; 4) proximal gill weal; 5) circumferential curb; 6) commissural shelf; and 7) posteroventral palliobranchial fusion as evidenced by a branchitellum and posterior radial fold and sulcus. Outgroup comparison with Umburridae indicate that characters 1–4 are symplesiomorphic for the Order Ostreoida. Characters 5–7 are autapomorphies for a clade including the Rhombopteriidae, Pseudomonotidae, Terquemiidae and Ostreoidea.Rhombopteriids were probably derived from left-sided pleurothetic, umburrid-like ancestors which, in turn, descended from primitive, equivalved, orthothetic prionodonts. Thus, a right-sided pleurothetic stage was never part of the evolutionary pathway of oysters. The inequivalved shell of eupteriomorphs evolved initially for a left-sided pleurothetic semi-infaunal habit. Retained as an adaptation in rhombopteriids and oysters, the inequivalved shell is an exaptation in Pterioida (winged shells), Pectinina (scallops) and Pseudomonotidae, having been coopted for a right-sided pleurothetic orientation, and having the effect of enhancing stability in an epifaunal habit. Evolution of right-sided pleurothetic pteriomorphs, including the Pseudomonotidae, Pectinina and Pterioida, from separate left-sided pleurothetic rhombopteriid-like or umburrid-like ancestors, is explicable by paedomorphic retention of the byssus and epifaunal habit of the early post-larva. A right-sided pleurothetic orientation would follow ‘automatically’ owing to hydrodynamic and mechanical constraints on the already evolved, inequivalved shell, byssally attached by the anterior margin on the substrate surface.

Indochinese Nemacheilines: A Revision of Nemacheiline Loaches (Pisces, Cypriniformes) of Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Southern Vietnam

Freshwater loaches of the subfamily Nemacheilinae are relatively common fishes in Southeast Asia, important ecologically as well as in the lucrative aquarium trade. They are also among the most diverse of fishes, with over 460 published names. Not surprisingly, the same diversity has created much confusion in their systematics. Even the spelling of the nominate genus has only recently been standardised, vacillating between Nemacheilus, Noemacheilus and Nemachilus. The same is true of their higher classification. Until Sawada's (1982) study, they had been classified in the Cobitidae, but his study indicated closer relationships with the Balitoridae (his Homalopteridae) (Kottelat, 1988).

The generic composition and relationships of the Cylindroiulini - a cladistic analysis (Diplopoda, Julida: Julidae)

AbstractAn analysis is given of the relationships between the genera of the tribe Cylindroiulini. The situation at present is reviewed first. Various characters are described which are subsequently used in the construction of a cladogram. The result is the splitting of the genus Allajulus Koch into three genera, Allajulus, Cylindroiulus Verhoeff, and Kryphioiulus gen. n., this last genus being erected for occultus C. L. Koch. Use of a computer program, PAUP (phylogenetic analysis using parsimony), in general confirms these divisions. The nominal genera Micromastigoiulus Verhoeff, Dendroiulus Verhoeff, Solaenoiulus Schubart, Olisteroiulus Lohmander are synonymized with Cylindroiulus. The position of the Cylindroiulini within the family Julidae is also discussed and a preliminary phylogeny presented. A key to the genera and species of the tribe Cylindroiulini, omitting species in the genus Cylindroiulus, is given in an appendix.

The Ubiquitous Ostracode Darwinula stevensoni (Brady and Robertson, 1870), Redescription of the Species and Lectotype Designation

Darwinula stevensoni (Brady and Robertson 1870) is the type species of Darwinula, the ubiquitous living and fossil nonmarine nominate genus of the Darwinulidae and the Darwinulacea. To date, the additional families Darwinuloididae (fossil), Microdarwinulidae (living and fossil), Panxianidae (fossil), and Suchonellidae (fossil) have been referred to the Darwinulacea. A type specimen for D. stevensoni has not been previously designated. In order to stabilize the species, a lectotype is selected from the type series in the Brady collection at The Hancock Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne. The species is redescribed and reillustrated based on the study of the carapace of a paralectotype and also of valves and appendages of specimens from both England and the United States. Living species of Darwinula have a cosmopolitan distribution in fresh and brackish water. Fossil Darwinulacea, documented in the Carboniferous, serve as indicators of continental Paleozoic to Holocene deposits.

DESCRIPTIONS OF FIRST INSTARS OF TYPE-SPECIES OF THE NOMINAL GENERA OF THREE SUBTRIBES OF THE DIASPIDINI1

The first instars of the type-species of the nominal genera of Howardiina, Rugaspidiotina, and Xerophilaspidina are described and illustrated. The subtribe Xerophilaspidina is probably correctly placed in the Diaspidini based on the first-instar of the type-species of the nominal genus. However, on the same basis, the subtribes Howardiina and Rugaspidiotina may be more closely related to the Lepidosaphidini and Odonaspidina, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ADULT FEMALE OF THE TYPE-SPECIES OF METATARSONEMUS ATTIAH, WITH NOTES ON THE SYNONYMY OF THIS GENUS UNDER TARSONEMUS CAN. AND FANZ. (ACARI: TARSONEMIDAE)

AbstractMetatarsonemus simplicissimus Attiah, type-species of the nominal genus Metatarsonemus Attiah, 1970, was previously based on the adult male only. The adult female of this species is described herein, and descriptive notes further to those given by Attiah are included for the adult male. Characteristic structures useful for correlating females with males of this species, and the synonymy of Metatarsonemus under Tarsonemus, are discussed.

Recent and fossil Lunulitidae (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) 3. ‘Opesiulate’ and other species ofSelenariasensu lato

Several species of free-living lunulitiform bryozoans, here referred provisionally to the nominal genus Selenaria, have autozooidal cryptocysts with paired opesiules proximal to the opesiae. Other, apparently closely related forms, have no autozooidal opesiules, but develop peripheral male zooids which have opesiules. In addition, several further species which do not develop any opesiulate zooids are so closely similar in other characters that they may be inferred to be systematically related to some ‘opesiulate’ forms. Although the 13 species described here are informally grouped together in the genus Selenaria, it is apparent that more than one generic group is represented. Three species, S. watersi, S. parapunctata, and S. occidenta, are regarded as new, and the great majority of all forms is known from the later Tertiary-to-Recent of Australia.

Revalidation of food standards

The Loricariinae belong to the Neotropical mailed catfish family Loricariidae, the most species-rich catfish family. Among loricariids, members of the Loricariinae are united by a long and flattened caudal peduncle and the absence of an adipose fin. Despite numerous studies of the Loricariidae, there is no comprehensive phylogeny of this morphologically highly diversified subfamily. To fill this gap, we present a molecular phylogeny of this group, including 350 representatives, based on the analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear genes (8426 positions). The resulting phylogeny indicates that Loricariinae are distributed into two sister tribes: Harttiini and Loricariini. The Harttiini tribe, as classically defined, constitutes a paraphyletic assemblage and is here restricted to the three genera Harttia, Cteniloricaria, and Harttiella. Two subtribes are distinguished within Loricariini: Farlowellina and Loricariina. Within Farlowellina, the nominal genus formed a paraphyletic group, as did Sturisoma and Sturisomatichthys. Within Loricariina, Loricaria, Crossoloricaria, and Apistoloricaria are also paraphyletic. To solve these issues, and given the lack of clear morphological diagnostic features, we propose here to synonymize several genera (Quiritixys with Harttia; East Andean members of Crossoloricaria, and Apistoloricaria with Rhadinoloricaria; Ixinandria, Hemiloricaria, Fonchiiichthys, and Leliella with Rineloricaria), to restrict others (Crossoloricaria, and Sturisomatichthys to the West Andean members, and Sturisoma to the East Andean species), and to revalidate the genus Proloricaria.

Nominal genera and species of lanternfishes (family Myctophidae)

Nominal genera and species of lanternfishes (family Myctophidae)

A Revised Key to Leptocaris (Copepoda: Harpacticoida), Including a New Species From a Shallow Estuarine Lake in Louisiana, USA

During ecological research of benthic and fouling assemblages in a shallow estuarine lake in central Louisiana receiving thermal effluent, a new species of harpacticoid copepod was discovered. Approximately 700 specimens of Leptocaris kunzi n. sp. were collected on artificial substrate plates from August, 1977 - January, 1978. This new species is herein described and illustrated. Leptocaris kunzi n. sp. differs from other members of the nominal genus in the setation of the P2 - P4 endopods and by having a female P5 not fused into a single plate. The most closely related species to L. kunzi n. sp. appear to be L. elishevae (Por) and L. canariensis Lang. A revised key to the genus is presented.

Revision of the Anglerfish Diceratiidae with Descriptions of Two New Species

a new species from Indonesian waters. The nominal genus Paroneirodes is considered a synonym of Diceratias. A detailed osteological description of Diceratias is presented and contrasted with that of Phrynichthys. The family, genera and species are diagnosed and described. Annotated synonymies and a key to the genera and species are provided. Vertical and horizontal distributions within the family are discussed.

A New Species of Eviota with Discussion of the Nominal Genera Eviota and Eviotops

those of Hubbs and Lagler (1958), body proportions are made in relationship to standard length unless otherwise indicated. Descriptions are based on the average of specimens examined, holotype measurements in parentheses. A paratype of Eviotops storthynx was borrowed from the Stanford University collections (SU) now at the California Academy of Sciences (CAS). Specimens of Eviota sebreei were on loan from the George Vanderbilt Foundation collection of 1954 (also housed at GAS). Paratypes of Eviotops infulatus were borrowed from the Smith Institute of Ichthyology (RUSI). The holotype and two paratypes of Eviota pellucidus are deposited at the Bernice P. Bishop Museum (BPBM) in Hawaii, while other paratypes are in the University of Guam fish collection (UG), and at the Australian Museum (AMS) in Sydney.