Original Type Specimens Research Articles

The neotype of Pediculaster mesembrinae (Canestrini, 1881) (Acari: Siteroptidae) and the description of all life stages

The original holotype and paratypes of Pygmephorus mesembrinae Canestrini, 1881, now known as Pediculaster mesembrinae (Canestrini, 1881), once part of the Canestrini collection housed at the University of Padua, Italy, are lost. There is an urgent need for the designation and description of a neotype for Pediculaster mesembrinae in order to rectify the many misidentifications and to describe new species. In this paper, the neotype, a phoretic female, collected from a mushroom farm in Terlizzi (South Italy, Europe), is designated. Phoretic females of this collection are assumed to be conspecific with laboratory-cultured phoretic females of Kaliszewski from Alabama, USA. The assumption is tested by statistical analysis of the sizes of 39 traditionally used morphological characters. Subsequently the normal female, male and larva found in Kaliszewski's collection, are described.

Conservation units and phylogeographic structure of an arboreal marsupial, the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis)

Subspecific status has often been used as a surrogate for conservation unit, but does not always reflect intraspecific lineages with different evolutionary histories. One contentious case of subspecific classification occurs in the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis), a marsupial species showing considerable decline in population size and requiring conservation management. Our aim was to assess the current subspecific status of populations and define units of conservation using a combination of phylogeographical analyses of mitochondrial DNA and morphological analyses. Analyses of the mitochondrial ND4 gene provided evidence for significant phylogeographic structure within P. australis. Isolated populations in north Queensland (NQ) and Victoria/South Australia were genetically distinct from populations in New South Wales and southern Queensland. Morphological analyses provided little evidence for discrimination of populations, although NQ specimens were generally smaller in size than southern forms. Our analyses do not support the classification of subspecies P. a. reginae for the original type specimen from southern Queensland. Taking into account other behavioural and ecological data, and the disjunct distribution of NQ populations from southern populations, we propose that the NQ population represents a distinct Evolutionarily Significant Unit, a lineage showing highly restricted gene flow from the rest of the species.

LAELAPINE MITES (ACARI: LAELAPIDAE) ASSOCIATED WITH SMALL MAMMALS FROM AMAZONAS, BRAZIL, INCLUDING A NEW SPECIES FROM MARSUPIALS

An intensive survey of ectoparasitic arthropods associated with small mammals in upland forests near Manaus, Brazil, provides information on the taxonomy and host distribution of laelapine mites in the Amazonian Region. We identified 5 genera and 21 species of these mites by comparison with representative museum specimens, the taxonomic literature, and, when possible, the original type specimens. These mites are host specific, with associations ranging from strict monoxeny (18 species) to oligoxeny (1 species) and pleioxeny (2 species). Marsupials were infested with species of Androlaelaps, echimyid rodents with Tur, and sigmodontine rodents with Gigantolaelaps, Laelaps, and Mysolaelaps. Androlaelaps bergalloi, a new species of Laelapinae, is described from the pelage of the marsupial Monodelphis brevicaudata.

OLIGOCENE ANGIOSPERM WOODS FROM NORTHWESTERN BOHEMIA, CZECH REPUBLIC

Two species of fossil angiosperm wood are described from the Oligocene of northwestern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. One specimen from Kadan–Zadní vrch Hill is identified as Cercidiphylloxylon kadanense Prakash et al. Because of its superior preservation, the specimen is designated as an epitype to the original holotype specimen of the species and genus. Cercidiphylloxylon kadanense is known only from the locality of Kadan–Zadní vrch Hill, and it represents the oldest fossil wood of true Cercidiphyllum Sieb. & Zucc. Three other wood specimens from Zichov are attributed to Liquidambaroxylon speciosum Felix. Modern wood of some species of Cercidiphyllum Sieb. & Zucc., Liquidambar L., Altingia Noronha, Corylopsis Sieb. & Zucc., Distylium Sieb. & Zucc., and Hamamelis L. was examined to determine how to distinguish the wood of Cercidiphyllum (Cercidiphyllaceae) from similar woods of Hamamelidaceae. The number of bars in the scalariform perforation plates of the vessels is about 40 in Cercidiphyllum, and about 20 in the Hamamelidaceae. Rays are variable, even at intra-specific level, and are not suitable for distinguishing these woods. These criteria were found to be useful in evaluating affinities of the fossil woods.

원자로용 핵연료 피복재의 인장특성에 관한 연구

The fuel of light water reactor is used for several years under high temperature and pressure, so it needs to be clad with high corrosion resistance material. The cladding materials must have the characteristics of low absorption of a neutron and high corrosion resistance. Zircaloy-2 in Boiling Water Reactor. Zircaloy-4 in Pressurized Water Reactor have been used as cladding materials and Zirlo has been developed as the material for preventing the corrosion. If the fracture of the cladding tube occurs during operation, it will cause the economic loss to shut down and replace the system. So it is needed to evaluate the integrity of the cladding materials. In this paper, the tensile characteristics of the cladding materials were investigated for the basic research of fracture characteristics. Also the residual stress was analyzed to compare the tube type(original type) specimen and the flattened type specimen.

The true identity and characteristics of <i>Simia albifrons</i> Humboldt, 1812: description of neotype


 
 
 The historic holotypic description of Alexander von Humboldt for the primate Simia albifrons contains obvious errors which have created various taxonomic problems, since it has been impossible to compare descriptions of subspecies with an original holotype, which was never preserved. An historic taxonomic error was the recognition of Cebus albifrons unicolor as a different taxon from Cebus albifrons albifrons, which we correct in this paper by the recognition of Cebus albifrons unicolor as a synonym for Cebus albifrons albifrons. We describe Cebus albifrons albifrons for the first time, based on a neotype collected by us close to the type locality. Additionally, confusions about the type locality are discussed and clarified. Maypures is established as the correct type locality. General information on the geographic distribution and natural history of the species and subspecies is also provided.
 
 

USING THE EHRENBERG COLLECTION

The Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg Collection at the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin holds type specimens and original material for thousands of taxa of microscopic organisms. Ehrenberg did not explicitly designate types for his many taxa, or label types in his collection. This, and the rather complex, sample oriented organisation of the materials makes using the collection more difficult. Nonetheless, through the use of unpublished taxonomic and geographic index volumes compiled by Ehrenberg's daughter Clara, by examination of unpublished notations made by Ehrenberg on his original drawings, and by examination of other documentation in the collection it is usually possible to locate both the original type specimen and unprocessed original material for new studies. Clara Ehrenberg's index volumes have now been scanned and placed onto a CD-ROM which can be ordered from the senior author.

Late Cretaceous stomatopods (Crustacea, Malacostraca) from Israel and Jordan

The eryonid decapod Eryon yehoachi Remy & Avnimelech, 1955, from the Late Cretaceous of Israel, is redescribed as a fossil stomatopod species within the new genus Ursquilla. This redescription is based on the original type specimen and two additional records from Israel and Jordan. The material allows a detailed reconstruction of the telson, the sixth abdominal tergite, and part of the uropods. The distinct telson ornamentation of these stomatopods justifies the erection of a new family within the superfamily Squilloidea.

Lower and Middle Ordovician Lithistid Demosponges from the Mingan Islands, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec, Canada

New collections, as well as original type material, of Lower and Middle Ordovician sponges from the Mingan Island Archipelago are described and figured from the Mingan and Romaine Formations. Archaeoscyphia minganensis (Billings, 1859), Hudsonospongia minganensis Raymond and Okulitch, 1940, H. irregularis Raymond and Okulitch, 1940, H. duplicata Raymond and Okulitch, 1940, Zittelella varians (Billings, 1861a), and Eospongia roemeri Billings, 1861, are redescribed from original type specimens and new collections. The species Archaeoscyphia pulchra (Bassler, 1927), Rhopalocoelia clarkii Raymond and Okulitch, 1940, Psarodictyum magnificum Raymond and Okulitch, 1940, and Lissocoelia ramosa Bassler, 1927 are reported and described from the Mingan Islands for the first time. To these sponges are added the new species Anthaspidella amplia, Archaeoscyphia undulata, Hudsonospongia nodosa, and Zittelella grossa, which are described from type specimens from the Mingan Formation.The assemblage from 12 localities from the Mingan Formation, and one from the Romaine Formation, represents one of the most diverse demosponge faunas from eastern North America. Sponges in most of the localities accumulated as transported debris or lag gravels, but locally, some grew in small reefoidal mounds and also accumulated as adjacent debris.

Forest Bed elks and giant deer revisited

Cervids of the Forest Bed Formation were studied by the present author in a paper now 40 years old. Some identifications and genetic attributions are here revised. The fossils fall into one, or possibly two, distinct levels of the late Villefranchian (Early Pleistocene) and in the earlier Middle Pleistocene (Galerian, =Cromerian). In the earlier paper four elk species were recognized; these are now reduced to two: Cervalces gallicus, from the younger Late Villefranchian, and Cervalces latifrons, from the Galerian. A skull from Mundesley is proposed as the neotype of the latter, to replace a poorly diagnostic original holotype. These species are not closely related to the living Alces alces but are forerunners of the North American Cervalces scotti . The phylogeny of Pleistocene elks is discussed in this context. Giant deer are represented by two genera, with three species: Megacervides verticornis, Megaceroides dawkinsi and Megaloceros savini. Some fossils misinterpreted in the former paper are revised. Megaceroides dawkinsi seems to be endemic to Great Britain, raising an intriguing problem of palaeogeography.

Forest Bed elks and giant deer revisited

Abstract Cervids of the Forest Bed Formation were studied by the present author in a paper now 40 years old. Some identifications and genetic attributions are here revised. The fossils fall into one, or possibly two, distinct levels of the late Villefranchian (Early Pleistocene) and in the earlier Middle Pleistocene (Galerian, =Cromerian). In the earlier paper four elk species were recognized; these are now reduced to two: Cervalces gallicus, from the younger Late Villefranchian, and Cervalces latifrons, from the Galerian. A skull from Mundesley is proposed as the neotype of the latter, to replace a poorly diagnostic original holotype. These species are not closely related to the living Alces alces but are forerunners of the North American Cervalces scotti . The phylogeny of Pleistocene elks is discussed in this context. Giant deer are represented by two genera, with three species: Megacervides verticornis, Megaceroides dawkinsi and Megaloceros savini. Some fossils misinterpreted in the former paper are revised. Megaceroides dawkinsi seems to be endemic to Great Britain, raising an intriguing problem of palaeogeography.

A Nomenclatural Review of Dreissena (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae), with Identification of the Quagga Mussel as Dreissena bugensis

A review of systematic literature and examination of type material of Dreissena (Paleontological institute, Moscow) revealed that the quagga mussel corresponds to the original description and type specimens of Dreissena bugensis Andrusov, 1897. Russian classifications have treated D. bugensis as a full species or as a subspecies of D. rostriformis Deshayes, 1838. Dreissena rostriformis is the type species of the subgenus Pontodreissena. Dreissena rostriformis rostriformis is regarded as extinct, with two lineages derived from it still living: Dreissena bugensis, in the Dnieper and Bug rivers and the estuary where they enter the Black Sea, and D. rostriformis grimmi, in the southern Caspian Sea. These lineages differ in morphology, coloration, maximum adult size, and salinity tolerance and are therefore regarded as separate species. We adopt the name Dreissena (Pontodreissena) bugensis for the quagga mussel and designate and illustrate lectotypes for D. bugensis and other dreissenid taxa named by Andrusov. Including D. rostriformis and D. bugensis, seven living species of Dreissena are currently recognized. The nomenclatural histories of these species are summarized and the supraspecific classification of dreissenids is reviewed.

The Mammals of British Columbia: A Taxonomic Catalogue

Regional taxonomic guides can be a valuable resource providing zoologists with a synthesis of the current taxonomic status and geographic range of a regional fauna. These guides must be periodically updated to incorporate taxonomic revisions and new information on geographic ranges. Nagorsen's book provides such a resource for zoologists working with mammals of British Columbia. In his Introduction Nagorsen defines the scope of his book and provides a justification for his selection of nomenclature and taxonomic organization, and describes the format of the book. He stresses that he intends the book as a technical reference to taxonomy and nomenclature and not a synthesis of the distribution, zoogeography, and ecology of the mammals of British Columbia. Mammalian nomenclature, as Nagorsen points out, is not standardized. He has used Honacki et al. (1982) as the source for names of orders, families, and genera and Honacki et al. (1982) and Jones et al. (1986) for species names. Subspecies names are based on current taxonomic revisions when available and on Hall (1981) otherwise. Common names used in this book are based on Jones et al. (1986). Undoubtedly readers will differ in their opinions concerning Nagorsen's choice of nomenclature for a given taxon. For example, I do not agree with the treatment of Rodentia. However, Nagorsen has clearly identified the basis of his selection of nomenclature and is consistent throughout the volume. Nagorsen has based his organization of taxonomic summaries on Jones et al. (1986) so that orders are arranged phylogenetically but families, genera, species, and subspecies are arranged alphabetically within the next higher taxonomic category. His rationale for departing from a phylogenetic ordering is that readers can more readily find a particular taxon. I think that the advantages of alphabetical organization are overshadowed by the loss of information about presumed evolutionary relationships. The main section of this book presents the taxonomic summaries for the mammals of British Columbia. For each order and family common names are given and for each genus the common name, number of extant species, and authors of the most recent revisions are provided. The species entries include 1) author; 2) general geographic distribution, specific range within the province, and sympatric distributions with related species; 3) synonyms; 4) other common names; and 5) remarks on subspecies. For each identified subspecies Nagorsen provides the original description, type locality, type specimen, and geographic range. These taxonomic summaries synthesize an extensive systematic literature. The taxonomic summaries are followed by the Literature Cited. An Appendix provides a checklist of species and subspecies of British Columbia that distinguishes those taxa endemic to the province. Indices to common names and to scientific names complete the volume. Nagorsen has summarized a great deal of information on the taxonomy and nomenclature of mammals of British Columbia and has presented this information in an accessible format. The layout and type make it easy for the reader to focus on specific topics within each taxonomic summary. Zoologists will appreciate this resource.

What isOdontopyge?A solution to a long-standing nomenclatorial enigma in the Diplopoda (Spirostreptida Odontopygidae)

The generic characters of Odontopyge kollarii Brandt 1841, type species of Odontopyge, have never been established with the result that association of the name with an actual species-group has been purely subjective and arbitrary. Although the original type specimen appears to be lost, a careful comparison of the detailed description with material taken near the type locality in the Sudan suggests very conclusively that kollarii is a senior synonym to Omopyge zavattarii Manfredi 1941. Since Omopyge has generally been regarded as distinct from other taxa of the Odontopygidae at the subfamily level, substantial nomenclatorial modifications are mandated by the proposed identification of O. kollarii and a revised classification of the family is provided. The many species previously referred to Odontopyge (sensu auct.) must be referred to other genera, some of which are still undefined.

The proper taxonomic allocations of Emys nigricans Gray, Emys muticus Cantor, and Geoclemys kwangtungensis Pope

AbstractAn examination of the original type specimens and descriptions of Emys nigricans Gray, Emys muticus Cantor, and Geoclemys kwangtungensis Pope, in the context of the subsequent literature and available specimens, reveals that G. kwangtungensis Pope is a synonym of E. nigricans Gray, but that E. muticus Cantor (actually a species complex) is distinctly different. The proper taxonomic allocation of the Chinese dumb-head turtle is Chinemys nigricans (Gray) and that of the Asian yellow pond turtle is Mauremys mutica (Cantor).

Redescription of Pennella sagitta (Copepoda: Pennellidae) from Histrio histrio (Pisces) in the North‐west Atlantic Ocean with a provisional review of the genus Pennella

Pennella sagitta (L.) is redescribed from fresh specimens recovered from Histrio histrio (L.) and from material in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution. A small, delicate parasitic copepod, P. sagitta is shown to be a valid species, found only on fishes of the family Antennariidae. Attempts of earlier workers to synonymize P. diodontis with P. sagitta are rejected, and the distinguishing features of both species are presented. A neotype is proposed from material described herein, due to a lack of the original holotype. A provisional review of the genus Pennella Oken, 1816 is provided, and the taxonomic status of 31 species is discussed. Pennella exocoetus is described from material in museum collections. Seven species, P. balaenoptera, P. diodontis, P. exocoetus, P.filosa, P. instructa, P. makaira and P. sagitta are considered as valid members of the genus. The remaining species are reduced to synonymy with valid species or accorded the status of species inquirendae.

On Taeniopteris crassinervis (Feistmantel) Walkom from Rajmahal hill, Bihar, India

The paper contains a detailed description of Taeniopteris crassinervis (Feistmantel) Walkom 1917, an Upper Gondwana species which shows a restricted stratigraphic distribution. The taxonomy, measurement of different morphological parameters and stratigraphic distribution of the species have been described. This species was considered invalid by some previous workers and a new species was instituted based on the original type specimen of the species. In this work T. crassinervis has been reinstated mentioning adequate reasons about the validity of the species.

Further Mycosphaerella species causing leaf diseases of Eucalyptus

Three previously described species of Mycosphaerella are discussed in relation to their original descriptions and type specimens. M. eucalypti does not appear to be a species of Mycosphaerella . However M. heimii is a distinct species but no Latin diagnosis was provided by the original author and the type specimen could not be located. M. molleriana is also distinct but it has not yet been collected from eucalypts in Australia. Three new species are described from diseased eucalypt leaves collected in southern Australia: M. delegatensis sp.nov., M. swartii sp.nov., and M. walkeri sp.nov. M. swartii and M. walkeri have identical teleomorphs, but distinct anamorphs, Hendersonia eucalyptorum and H. fraseri respectively, and have different host ranges.

On Anthracosaurus Russelli Huxley (Amphibia: Labyrinthodontia) and the family Anthracosauridae

A complete description is given of all the known material attributable to Anthracosaurus russelli Huxley. Apart from one skull specimen from Usworth Colliery, Washington, Tyne and Wear, England, all known specimens come, or are thought to come, from the Blackband Ironstone of Airdrie, near Glasgow, Scotland. Both horizons are of Coal Measure age, the former Westphalian A, the latter Westphalian B. Complete preparation of the holotype allows a reconstruction of the skull roof and occiput and, together with the Usworth specimen, the palate and a series of skull sections. Two lower jaw specimens are described for the first time. The cranial anatomy of Anthracosaurus is that of a massive embolomerous anthrocosaur which differs from eogyrinid embolomeres, notably Eogyrinus attheyi , in a number of important features. These include loss of the skull table/cheek kinetism and presence of an orbital lacrimal, biramous tabular horns and a wide dorsal exposure of thequadrate. Features of the palate are correlated with the distinctive dentition of relatively few very large marginal teeth and long palatal tusks: they include broad plate-like pterygoids, whose anterior rami meet in a median suture and extend laterally to the palatine tusks (thus largely concealing the palatine bones from ventral view) and whose quadrate rami lack a deep descending flange. The lower jaw is unique in having confluent meckelian fenestrae. Vertebrae attributed to A. russelli are of normal embolomerous type except that the notochordal canal is occluded by a bony plug in the centra. An interclavicle of distinctive shape is also attributed. Several North American embolomere specimens are presently placed within the family Anthracosauridae. Of these the most complete is Eobaphetes kansensis Moodie consisting of three blocks, the original holotype and paratype and a third block not before described. As was first demonstrated by Dr Donald Baird these comprise a single skull, here described in its entirety. Description of Eobaphetes is preceded by a discussion of its provenance. This was originally recorded as ‘Coal Measures’, Washington County, Kansas, which is improbable but not more so than its current attribution to the Namurian of Washington County, Arkansas. Coal and spore analysis, supported by palaeogeography, suggest a late Pennsylvanian, probably Stephanian, horizon. In most respects the anatomy of skull roof and lower jaw of Eobaphetes suggests relationships with Eogyrinus rather than Anthracosaurus . This is also the case with the closely related Leptophractus obsoletus from Linton, Ohio, to which species ‘ Anthracosaurus lancifer ' also from Linton, is referred. However, Eobaphetes and Leptophractus , together with Neopteroplax conemaughensis , share a number of distinctive features. These include a flat-topped surangular crest to the jaw and, importantly, a dentition of massive palatal tusks and anterior marginal teeth but numerous small posterior teeth in maxillary and dentary. Tooth shape is also distinctive. It is thus proposed to retain the family Anthracosauridae for A. russelli alone, while placing the American species within the Eogyrinidae, but as a new subfamily the Leptophractinae, distinct from the Eogyrinidae. A diagnosis of each of these taxa is given.

IPOMOEA CARNEA JACQ. VS. IPOMOEA FISTULOSA MART. EX CHOISY

SummaryThe literature on Ipomoea carnea and I. fistulosa is briefly discussed. Original publications, illustrations, type specimens, distributions, and habitat preferences are reviewed, and the criteria used to separate these two names at the species level are found invalid. Modern interpretation of I. carnea has been based in part on a misconception of the original publication and on a complex population adapted for two habitats. Two subspecies are recognized: I. carnea ssp. carnea Jacq. and I. carnea ssp. fistulosa (Mart, ex Choisy) D. Austin.