Non-type Material Research Articles

Redescription ofSqualus acutipinnisRegan, 1908, a Valid Species of Spiny Dogfish from Southern Africa (Chondrichthyes: Squaliformes: Squalidae)

The Bluntnose spiny dogfish Squalus acutipinnis Regan, 1908 is redescribed based on the re-examination of its type specimens and non-type material from Southern Africa. The taxonomic confusion concerning its validity is mainly related to its heterogeneous type series. Its taxonomic status is clarified as a valid species endemic to the Southwestern Indian Ocean when compared to congeners from the region and other valid species with which it has been placed in synonymy. Squalus acutipinnis can be distinguished from all species of the “megalops-cubensis group” by fewer total, precaudal, and monospondylous vertebrae (except from Squalus megalops, Squalus brevirostris, and Squalus crassispinus). Squalus acutipinnis is clearly distinct from Squalus megalops from Southern Australia and the Japanese S. brevirostris through characters of pectoral fin and external measurements. The South African species differs from S. crassispinus by having more slender first and second dorsal-fin spines. Squalus acutipinnis is al...

Eugerres castroaguirrei González-Acosta et Rodiles-Hernández, 2013 is a junior synonym of Eugerres mexicanus (Steindachner, 1863) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gerreidae)

Background. The Lacandon mojarra, Eugerres castroaguirrei González-Acosta et Rodiles-Hernández, 2013, was described from the Grijalva–Usumacinta River basin (Mexico). According to the diagnosis E. castroaguirrei differs from the only other freshwater Gerreidae, the Mexican mojarra, Eugerres mexicanus (Steindachner, 1863) by the combination of certain morphological characters. However, a comparison of materials obtained in the Usumacinta River, besides of type materials and other preserved specimens, yielded contradictory results. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to clearly determine if E. mexicanus and E. castroaguirrei are subjective synonyms applying morphological and molecular analyses. Materials and methods. A total of 44 specimens were included in this study including the specimens collected specifically for this study, the type and non-type materials of Eugerres castroaguirrei from Colección de Peces de El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad San Cristóbal, Chiapas, México, and the types of Eugerres mexicanus, belonging to the Museum of Natural History, Wien, Austria. The morphological comparison also included data from the 42 specimens of E. castroaguirrei reported in the new species description. Biometric data were analysed as body proportions. We used Friedman’s test to compare our biological materials with those used in the new species description. Molecular genetics comparisons on both putative freshwater gerreid species were made based on three mitochondrial gene fragments: 12SrRNA, 16SrRNA, and Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI), and the nuclear gene: Recombination-Activating protein 1 (RAG1). Results. Neither the non-parametric Friedman’s test nor the Nemenyi’s procedure showed differences among individuals for both putative species in multiple pair-wise comparisons of body proportions. Moreover, the genetic divergence from all genes indicated that all individuals exhibited almost identical sequences, with inter-specific pair-wise genetic distances that ranged from 0.00% to 0.100% in all of the fragments. Conclusion. Our morphological and molecular genetics analyses demonstrated that E. mexicanus and E. castroaguirrei are subjective synonyms, therefore, Eugerres mexicanus (Steindachner, 1863) must be considered a valid species name, and Eugerres castroaguirrei González-Acosta et Rodiles-Hernández, 2013 a junior synonym.

Ultrastructure of the type material of Encyonema leibleinii and E. lacustre (Cymbellales, Bacillariophyta)

Encyonema leibleinii and E. lacustre were among the first species of Encyonema to be described, in 1830 and 1824, respectively. Until now, however, only light microscopic features (and SEM of non-type material for E. lacustre) of these species have been documented. Here, we provide ultrastructural (scanning electron micrograph) characterization of their type material. We find that the SEM , as well as LM, features of E. leibleiniiare indistinguishable from those of E. prostratum and E. paradoxum. Consequently, the results support the synonomization of the three taxa, with E. leibleinii having priority as the first name applied to this entity. Encyonema leibleinii and E. lacustre have similar ultrastructural characteristics, mainly concerning the internal stria structure, and the terminal and central raphe fissures. Based on this information and SEM characterizations in the literature, ultrastructural features of the genus Encyonema are discussed.

A Multilocus Molecular Phylogeny forChaetostomaClade Genera and Species with a Review ofChaetostoma(Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Central Andes

The rubbernose-pleco genus Chaetostoma comprises 47 currently valid and many undescribed species distributed along Atlantic and Pacific slopes of the Andes Mountains from Panama to southern Peru, the Coastal Mountains of Venezuela, and drainages of the Guiana and Brazilian shields. We present a five-locus molecular phylogeny for 21 described and six undescribed species of Chaetostoma spanning the geographic range of the genus. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses found Chaetostoma to be well supported as monophyletic and sister to a clade of central and northern Andean genera that have also been hypothesized to be closely related based on morphology (i.e., Andeancistrus, Cordylancistrus, Dolichancistrus, Leptoancistrus, and Transancistrus). Species of Chaetostoma were divided into a trichotomy consisting of: a Pacific Coast, Central American, Magdalena Basin, Lake Valencia, and Guiana Shield clade; a western Orinoco, Lake Maracaibo, and Lake Valencia clade; and a widespread upper Amazon/Orinoco clade inclusive of a single species on the Brazilian Shield. We also conducted a systematic review of species from the central Andes of northern Peru and Ecuador. Based on our phylogenetic results and direct examination of historical and recently collected type and non-type material, we describe two new species of Chaetostoma (C. bifurcum, from the Pacific Coast, and C. trimaculineum, from the Atlantic Slope), redescribe four species (C. breve, C. carrioni, C. dermorhynchum, and C. microps, all from the Atlantic Slope), transfer four species from Chaetostoma to Ancistrus and find two species to be junior synonyms.

Checklist of the Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) of the World.

Mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Cheyletoidea) are ectoparasites inhabiting the quills of various feather types in many groups of birds. Until now, 334 valid species and 60 genera of quill mites have been described and recorded from 482 bird species (95 families and 24 orders). Currently, the family is divided into 2 subfamilies: Syringophilinae Lavoipierre, 1953 with 260 species grouped in 49 genera, and Picobinae Johnston and Kethley, 1973 with 74 species grouped in 11 genera. Mites of the subfamily Syringophilinae inhabit quills of primaries, secondaries, tertials, rectrices and wing coverts and just occasionally the body feathers; representatives of the subfamily Picobinae live predominantly inside the body feathers. The rapid increase of the knowledge on biodiversity and systematics of quill mites started in end of the 1990s; numerous new descriptions appeared since that time and taxonomic rearrangements make an urgent need to summarize all previous data. We present a complete checklist of the family Syringophilidae of the world including the following data: a species name, author(s), references, a number of first page of description, figure numbers in descriptions, depository of type and non-type materials, host spectrum and geographical distribution. The checklist is additionally provided with the table including bird hosts and associated quill mite species.

Cossuridae (Annelida: Polychaeta: Sedentaria) from Australian and adjacent waters: the first faunistic survey

The collection of Cossuridae at the Australian Museum was investigated. Nine species were identified. Most specimens were from New South Wales and Queensland, but some specimens were also from Victoria, New Zealand, Fiji, Borneo, and the Philippines. Three new species were described: Cossura hutchingsae n.sp., C. keablei n.sp., and C. queenslandensis n.sp. Cossura consimilis Read, 2000 was redescribed using non-type material. Cossura aciculata (Wu & Chen, 1977) was identified from the coast of Borneo and the Philippines for the first time, and intraspecific variability in the number of thoracic chaetigers noted for that species. Three species, C. cf. ginesi, C. cf. longocirrata and C. cf. pygodactylata, were found to be morphologically similar to C. ginesi, C. longocirrata, and C. pygodactylata, respectively, but probably represent new species as they were found far from the known areas of the listed species. A key of the known cossurid species of Australian and adjacent waters is given, and taxonomical characteristics of Cossuridae are discussed. ZhAdAn, AnnA. 2015. Cossuridae (Annelida: Polychaeta: Sedentaria) from Australian and adjacent waters: the first faunistic survey. Records of the Australian Museum 67(1): 1–24. Cossuridae Day, 1963 is a small family of benthic polychaetes. Cossuridae is composed of 23 species, all in the genus Cossura. Cossurids inhabit shallow marine sediments, and, in deep-sea habitats, they also commonly inhabit mixed sand and mud. In Australian waters, the family has been reported along the southern and eastern coasts, but specific species have not been previously identified (Hutchings & Murray, 1984; Hutchings, 2000). One species, Cossura consimilis Read, 2000, was identified in New Zealand. Cossuridae species are difficult to distinguish morph­ ologically and do not have many taxonomic characteristics. Some of the described species are very similar and differ by only one feature. For example, C. longocirrata Webster & Benedict, 1887 and C. pygodactylata Jones, 1956 differ by the presence of pygidial intercirral appendages in the latter, and C. soyeri Laubier, 1963 and C. consimilis differ by the positioning of the branchial filament. Some species have been described using incomplete specimens; the descriptions of those species are too short, and the most important characteristics of those species remain unknown (see Read, 2000, table 1 for review). Taxonomic revision of this family with reinvestigation of type materials and a large number of specimens for each species to reveal intraspecific variability and molecular genetic methods is required. The taxonomic characteristics used for the differentiation of cossurid species are as follows. Prostomium shape varies from conical (triangular from dorsal view) to round, trapezium-shaped and almost quadrangular. The length to width ratio of the prostomium is usually close to 1:1; refer to the discussion on the delineation of the prostomium and the peristomium below. The tip of the prostomium is never drawn and does not form a palpod as is the case in some

Revision of the Antarctic species of Halecium Oken, 1815 (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Haleciidae).

A revision of the known Antarctic species of the genus Halecium has been carried out, based on the study of both type and non-type material. For each species a list of synonyms, a diagnosis, a broad description (with the exception of the recently described H. frigidum and H. exaggeratum), a discussion of its relationship with other members of the genus, and an account of its autecological data are given. Thirteen Antarctic species of the genus, including H. pseudodelicatulum sp. nov. and H. pseudoincertus sp. nov., are considered valid. Halecium tubatum is considered as species inquirenda. Halecium ovatum and H. macrocaulus are considered to be junior synonyms of H. interpolatum and H. incertus, respectively. The presence of H. delicatulum and H. tenellum in Antarctic waters is questioned. All Antarctic records found in the literature have been checked. The cnidome proved to be a useful tool for species identification in some cases. Finally, a general survey of the geographical and bathymetric distribution of the species is presented.

Redescription of an early-derivative mite, Pentasetacus araucariae (Eriophyoidea, Phytoptidae), and new hypotheses on the eriophyoid reproductive anatomy

A unique set of plesiomorphic characters, and its association with an ancient gymnosperm, Araucaria araucana, have made Pentasetacus araucariae a putative relict of a lineage of gymnosperm-associated mites, itself possibly basal to all extant eriophyoids. However, the suboptimal description of this species is impeding morphological comparisons with other species, which are fundamental to eriophyoid systematics. Herein, we designate a female lectotype from syntype specimens and use additional non-type material to redescribe P. araucariae based on external and internal anatomy using different microscopic and 3D reconstruction techniques. Contrarily to statements in the literature, P. araucariae has undivided empodia in all instars, short spermathecal tubes, and large, globose spermathecae in females, as well as rudimentary genital fovea in immatures. In addition, males of P. araucariae were shown to have genitalic attributes similar to a species of Trisetacus studied in parallel, including two reservoir-like structures, which may represent parts of the genital chamber and of the ductus ejaculatorius, respectively, as well as paired testes and ducti deferentes. This is contrary to previous, limited knowledge on eriophyoids indicating that they possess a single testis. Although their short spermathecal tubes weaken the cladistic relationship between P. araucariae (Pentasetacinae) and conifer-associated Nalepellinae (e.g. Trisetacus) having long tubes, the structural similarities in male genitalia may reinforce it.

Redefinition of the millipede subgenus Megaphyllum sensu stricto Verhoeff, 1894 and neotype designation for Megaphyllum austriacum (Latzel, 1884) (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae).

Megaphyllum sensu stricto, i.e. the nominotypical subgenus of the very complicated genus Megaphyllum Verhoeff, 1894, is redefined on the basis of examination of type and non-type material and literature data. Four species-groups including twenty species in all are listed, and the identity of M. austriacum (C. L. Koch, 1838) is clarified with a proposal of neotype designation under ICZN Article 75.6. in order to stabilize the current usage of the name. Prevailing usage of M. silvaticum (Verhoeff, 1898) syn. nov. (nomen protectum) over the senior synonym M. nigrescens (Latzel, 1884) (nomen oblitum) is maintained under ICZN Article 23.9. M. banaticum (Verhoeff, 1899) is syn. nov. of M. erythronotum (Latzel, 1884) comb. nov., M. bosniense cotinophilum (Loksa, 1962) syn. nov. of M. bosniense bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897) and M. transsylvanicum transdanubicum (Loksa, 1962) syn. nov. of M. transsylvanicum transsylvanicum (Verhoeff, 1897). M. unilineatum (C. L. Koch, 1838) is new to the fauna of Turkey.

Redescription of the subgenus Parancistrum Verhoeff, 1943, an eastern Mediterranean lineage of the millipede genus Megaphyllum Verhoeff, 1894 (Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae: Brachyiulini).

The subgenus Parancistrum Verhoeff, 1943 is redefined on the basis of the examination of type and non-type material. The subgenus is currently settled to comprise 6 species, of which Megaphyllum arcuatum sp. n. is described as new, while M. adanense (Verhoeff, 1943) syn. n. and M. palaestinum (Jawłowski, 1931) syn. n. are established as junior subjective synonyms of M. curvifolii (Verhoeff, 1898) and M. genezarethanum (Verhoeff, 1923) comb. nov., respectively. A neotype is designed for Chromatoiulus tenenbaumi Jawłowski, 1931 under ICZN Article 75.1. The distribution pattern of the studied group is discussed, and some preliminary phylogenetic ideas about Megaphyllum and the tribe Brachyiulini are presented.

Redescription of Mymarilla Westwood, new synonymies under Cremnomymar Ogloblin (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) and discussion of unusual wings

The monotypic genus Mymarilla Westwood is known only from St. Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean. The peculiar species M. wollastoni Westwood (Mymaridae) is redescribed and illustrated from non-type material. Mymarilla is compared with Cremnomymar Ogloblinspp. from the Juan Fernández Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Stephanodes Enock is shown to be the most likely sister genus to Mymarilla. Nesopolynema Ogloblin, syn. n., Oncomymar Ogloblin, syn. n., Scolopsopteron Ogloblin, syn. n., are placed in synonymy under Cremnomymar and their species transferred as Cremnomymar caudatum (Ogloblin 1952), comb. n., C. dipteron (Ogloblin 1957), comb. n., and C. kuscheli (Ogloblin 1952), comb. n. Wing shape and wing reductions in Mymaridae are discussed in relation to biogeography, particularly with respect island faunas and to four genera, Cremnomymar, Mymarilla, Parapolynema Fidalgo, and Richteria Girault, some or all of whose species have more or less convex fore wings.

Redescription of the giant mud worm Paraleonnates uschakovi Khlebovich and Wu, 1962 (Polychaeta: Nereididae) with special reference to the synonymy of Periserrula leucophryna Paik, 1977 and the difference from Paraleonnates bolus (Hutchings and Reid, 1991)

There has been a long-standing taxonomic confusion over the name of a giant nereidid worm living in Asian intertidalmud flats. To clear up the confusion, we examined the type specimens of Paraleonnates uschakovi Khlebovich and Wu,1962 described from China as well as Periserrula leucophryna Paik, 1977 described from Korea (Polychaeta: Nereididae),together with additional non-type materials newly collected from Korea, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Our results con-firmed that Periserrula leucophryna should be reduced to a junior synonym of Paraleonnates uschakovi as previouslynoted, and that this species is widely distributed in Asia, newly recorded from Taiwan and Thailand. We also present newinformation about the arrangement of three kinds of chaetae in the parapodia as a characteristic of this species. We alsocompared this species with Paraleonnates bolus (Hutchings and Reid, 1991) described from Australia and concluded thatthese are different species. Based on our examination, we propose the amended diagnosis of the genus ParaleonnatesKhlebovich and Wu, 1962. Paraleonnates Amoureux, 1985 erected as a monotypic genus for P. guadalupensis Amoureux,1985 was judged as a junior homonym of Paraleonnates Khlebovich and Wu, 1962, and P. guadalupensis is transferred to the genus Leonnates Kinberg, 1865.

Revision of the GenusPyrgotomyiaHendel (Diptera: Pyrgotidae)

Based on the study of type and exhaustive non-type material from many entomological collections, six species of the Afrotropical genus Pyrgotomyia, viz. P. callosa sp. n. (Cameroon), P. terebrans sp. n. (Ivory Coast), P. stuckenbergi sp. n. (Nigeria), P. ciliata Hendel, 1934, P. richteri (Steyskal, 1972) comb. n., and P. temporalis (Enderlein, 1942) comb. n., are described or redescribed, illustrated and keyed. Metropina Enderlein, 1942 (type species Metropina temporalis Enderlein, 1942) is shown to be a junior synonym of Pyrgotomyia Hendel, 1934 (type species Pyrgotomyia ciliata Hendel, 1934). The possibility that P. ciliata, based on a single male holotype specimen, could be a senior synonym of either P. richteri or P. temporalis, each based on female specimens alone, is discussed.

Revision of Ilyphagus Chamberlin, 1919 (Polychaeta, Flabelligeridae)

Ilyphagus Chamberlin, 1919 includes abyssal, fragile benthic species. Most species have large cephalic cages but chaetae are brittle and easily lost which may explain why the original definition included species with a cephalic cage or without it. The type species, Ilyphagus bythincola Chamberlin, 1919, together with another species (Ilyphagus pluto Chamberlin, 1919) were described as lacking a cephalic cage whereas a third species (Ilyphagus ascendens Chamberlin, 1919) was described with one. To clarify this situation, all available type and non-type materials were studied. Ilyphagus is redefined to include species with digitiform bodies, abundant filiform papillae and a thin body wall; their neurochaetae are thick, anchylosed aristate spines, and all species have a cephalic cage (in the type species the presence of a cage is inferred from the remaining chaetal scars). Ilyphagus pluto, which also lacks a a cephalic cage is determined here to be a holothurian. The redefined genus contains Ilyphagus bythincola (incl. Ilyphagus ascendens), Ilyphagus coronatus Monro, 1939, Ilyphagus hirsutus Monro, 1937, and Ilyphagus wyvillei (McIntosh, 1885).

The millipede genus Megaphyllum Verhoeff, 1894 in the Balkan Peninsula, with description of new species (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae)

A Balkan checklist of the millipede genus Megaphyllum Verhoeff, 1894 has been compiled on the basis of literature data, new collections, and reexamination of type and non-type material. Forty-seven species and subspecies are represented in the peninsula, including four species new to science: M. chiosense Lazanyi & Korsos sp. n. from Chios Island, M. cygniforme Lazanyi & Korsos sp. n. from East Macedonia, M. danyii Lazanyi & Korsos sp. n. and M. digitatum Lazanyi & Korsos sp. n. both from the Peloponnese, Greece. The following new synonymies are established: M. monticola (Verhoeff, 1898) syn. n. of M. carniolense (Verhoeff, 1897); M. latesquamosum (Attems, 1903) syn. n. and M. macedonicum (Strasser, 1976) syn. n. of M. montivagum (Verhoeff, 1901). M. species inquirenda is posed from Andros Island, Greece, on the basis of gonopod slide preparations, labeled by Strasser but never published. M. mueggenburgi (Verhoeff, 1901) comb. nov. is suggested, from the genus Cerabrachyiulus Verhoeff, 1901, previously Chromatoiulus Verhoeff, 1894. Species new to the fauna are: M. bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897) new to the fauna of Greece; M. imbecillum (Attems, 1935) and M. montivagum new to the Republic of Macedonia; and M. lictor (Attems, 1904) new to the fauna of Turkey (European part). The following species have been found and localities are published for the first or second time since their original description: M. euphorbiarum (Verhoeff, 1900), M. lamellifer (Strasser, 1974), M. loebli (Strasser, 1974), M. metsovoni (Strasser, 1976), M. recticauda recticauda (Attems, 1903), and M. taygeti (Strasser, 1976). Thirty-nine species and subspecies are endemic to the Balkan Peninsula, they can be grouped as: (1) species having a wide distribution range; (2) strict endemics of smaller regions; (3) species inhabiting the Peloponnese; and (4) species inhabiting the Greek islands. The Peloponnese and the Rhodopes seem to be remarkably important regions for speciation.

Revision of Flabelligera Sars, 1829 (Polychaeta: Flabelligeridae)

Flabelligera Sars, 1829 is the type genus for Flabelligeridae de Saint-Joseph, 1894 and includes species common in tem-perate or cold waters in the world oceans. Together with Flabelliderma Hartman, 1969 they are the only genera whoseneurohooks have multiarticulate handles and bending crests. However, Flabelliderma species differ because they formlarge notopodial lobes, and often have dorsal sediment tubercles. The revision of all type and non-type materials resultedin the distinction of five body patterns within Flabelligera; they can be recognized on the basis of body shape, tunic de-velopment, parapodial position, notopodial alignment, and shape of neurohooks. Flabelligera is restricted and four generaare proposed: Annenkova (neurohooks with crests tapered, apparently segmented), Flabegraviera (notopodia in laterallydescending series, notochaetae and neurochaetae in cylindrical sheaths, markedly longer than body width), Flabehlersia(body fusiform, notopodia ventrolateral) and Flabesymbios (body papillae not covered by tunic, notopodia dorsal with papillae in fan-shaped pattern, neuropodia ventral). Flabelligera contains 16 species with three newly described and a re-placement name is proposed: F. haswelli n. n. pro F. affine Haswell, F. nuniezi n. sp. from the Northeastern Atlantic andMediterranean Sea, F. orensanzi n. sp. from the Southwestern Atlantic, and F. salazarae n. sp. from the Eastern tropicalPacific. Annenkova is monotypic: A. mastigophora (Annenkova, 1952) n. comb. from the Northwestern Pacific. Flabe-graviera contains F. mundata (Gravier, 1906) n. comb. and F. profunda n. sp. both from the Antarctic. Flabehlersia in-cludes two species: F. induta (Ehlers, 1897) n. comb. from Tierra del Fuego and F. persimilis (Annenkova-Chlopina 1924)n. comb. from the Northwestern Pacific. Flabesymbios contains two species living on Northeastern Pacific sea-urchins: F. commensalis (Moore, 1909) n. comb. on Strongylocentrotus and F. roberti n. sp. on Centrostephanus.

ANOPLOSYLLINAE Y EUSYLLINAE (POLYCHAETA: SYLLIDAE) DEL GRAN CARIBE, CON COMENTARIOS SOBRE MATERIALES TIPO Y NO TIPO

Anoplosyllinae possesses palps basally fused, without central surcus, three antennae, and two pairs of tentacular cirri, pharynx straight, short and unarmed. Antennae, tentaculars cirri, and first dorsal cirri smooth, the rest can be smooth or semiarticulate. Eusyllinae possesses palps fused, partially or free, nuchal organs often large, distinct, one or two pairs of tentacular cirri, dorsal cirri variable in length, usually smooth, ventral cirri present, pharynx usually straight, with teeth or unarmed. The objective of this study was to check type and non-type material of the species recorded from the Grand Caribbean. One hundred and eighty six specimens were examined; 135 collected from the Mexican Caribbean, and 51 deposited in museums; in total 9 genera and 17 species of both subfamilies were examined. Type material included Odontosyllis luminosa San Martin, 1990; Opisthodonta luquei (San Martin, 1990); Perkinsyllis spinisetosa (San Martin, 1990); Syllides caribica Licher, 1996; S. gomezi Sail Martin, 1990, and S. papillosa Hartmann-Schroder, 1960. Non-type specimens included Amblyosyllis algefnae Viguier, 1886; A. dorsigera Claparede, 1864; A. madeirensis Langerhans, 1879; Eusyllis kupfferi Langerhans, 1879; Odontosyllis detecta Augener, 1913; O. fulgurans (Audouin and Milne-Edwards, 1883); Sinmerosyllis lamelligera (Saint-Joseph, 1886); Syllides edentulus Claparede, 1868; S. fulvus (Marion y Bobretzky, 1875, and Westheidesyllis gesae (Perkins, 1981).

Review of Laonice (Spionidae, Annelida) with remarks on several species and a description of a new species from South Africa

All 36 known species names belonging to the genus Laonice (including 29 names of valid species) are reviewed. The review was based on the examination of type-specimens for 24 species names. The morphological characters used for taxonomic work on this genus are given in tabular form for all the Laonice species known, some of which are presented for the first time or corrected following the examination of type and non-type material. Refinements to the descriptions and remarks on several species are made. A lectotype is erected for Laonice cirrata. Aricidea alata, L. aperata and L. petersenae are synonymized with L. brevicornis. Two subspecies (L. cirrata postcirrata and L. cirrata praecirrata) are referred to species status and one new species, L. antipoda sp. nov., is described from South Africa.

Phylogeny of the Diopatra generic complex with a revision of Paradiopatra Ehlres, 1887 (Polychaeta: Onuphidae)

Analysis of 55 morphological characters yielded a phylogenetic reconstruction of the Diopatra complex, currently including three genera (Diopatra, Epidiopatra, and Paradiopatra). The results reject the monophyletic status of the complex and all three genera analysed. It is suggested that several parallel and independent events of paedomorphic evolution took place within the genera Diopatra and Paradiopatra, which led to the recognition of two artificial genera Epidiopatra and Notonuphis. The following taxonomic revisions are proposed: (1) Epidiopatra as a junior synonym of Diopatra; (2) Notonuphis as a junior synonym of Paradiopatra; (3) the Diopatra complex, consisting of two sister genera Diopatra and Paradiopatra, and two basal genera Paxtonia gen. nov. and Protodiopatra gen. nov., erected for two species previously included in Paradiopatra. Reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships within Paradiopatra yields a few reliable clades comprising well-defined groups of species, but supported by homoplastic synapomorphies representing highly adaptive characters. Twenty-six valid species of Paradiopatra, including a new species, Paradiopatra pyricirra sp. nov., are described or re-described and illustrated based on original descriptions and re-examination of type and non-type material. Identification keys to genera included in the Diopatra complex, and to all accepted Paradiopatra species, are presented.

Redescription of the leptothecate hydroid Halecium macrocephalum Allman, 1877 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

Hydroids are a species-rich component of the benthic fauna inhabiting deep, cold-water coral habitats. Fertile colonies of the leptothecate species Halecium macrocephalum Allman, 1877 collected from cold-water coral habitats off the southeastern USA exhibited morphologically peculiar male gonophores, distinct from those described and illustrated for the holotype. We redescribe H. macrocephalum based on this new material, and consider the gonophores of the holotype to be either damaged or immature. Following re-examination of non-type material (the holotype being lost), we characterize H. macrocephalum as a strictly subtropical western North Atlantic bathyal species, occurring between North Carolina and Florida, the Straits of Florida inclusive of the Bahamas, and the eastern Gulf of Mexico including the Tortugas. This study also provides a taxonomic distinction between H. macrocephalum and its morphologically similar Southern Ocean congener, Halecium jaederholmi Vervoort, 1972.