Plesiomorphic Species Research Articles

A new plesiomorphic species of webspinner (Embiodea, Clothodidae) from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar

A new Mesozoic webspinner (Embiodea) is described and figured based on a moderately well-preserved male in mid-Cretaceous (earliest Cenomanian) amber from northern Myanmar. Perissoclothoda myrrhokaris gen. et sp. nov. is the second fossil representative of the putatively primitive family Clothodidae. It differs from the Cretaceous and more recent Embiodea in several plesiomorphic characters, namely a quadrate mentum, approximately oval submentum, subgenae not meet medially (thus a ventral bridge or gula is lacking), completely symmetrical terminalia, and dimerous cerci. This new find sheds further light on the diversity and morphological disparity of fossil webspinners during the Late Mesozoic. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:11A49D4A-4042-4AA3-858F-919E1A84B879.

The nymph and imago of Chinese mayfly Siphlonurus davidi (Navás, 1932).

The imagos and nymphs of Siphlonurus davidi (Navás, 1932) are described for the first time. The adult has colourful wings and cross veins, the MP is forked asymmetrically at its base, a long cubital area is present with more intercalaries, and it has a relatively simpler penis and larger hindwings compared to its congeners. The venation and genitalia show that it is a plesiomorphic species in the genus. A key to the Asian species of Siphlonurus with coloured wings is provided in conclusion.

Co-option and evolution of non-olfactory proteinaceous pheromones in a terrestrial lungless salamander

Gene co-option is a major force in the evolution of novel biological functions. In plethodontid salamanders, males deliver proteinaceous courtship pheromones to the female olfactory system or transdermally to the bloodstream. Molecular studies identified three families of highly duplicated, rapidly evolving pheromones (PRF, PMF, and SPF). Analyses for Plethodon salamanders revealed pheromone mixtures of primarily PRF and PMF. The current study demonstrates that in Desmognathus ocoee – a plesiomorphic species with transdermal delivery – SPF is the major pheromone component representing >30% of total protein. Chromatographic profiles of D. ocoee pheromones were consistent from May through October. LC/MS-MS analysis suggested uniform SPF isoform expression between individual male D. ocoee. A gene ancestry for SPF with the Three-Finger Protein superfamily was supported by intron-exon boundaries, but not by the disulfide bonding pattern. Further analysis of the pheromone mixture revealed paralogs to peptide hormones that contained mutations in receptor binding regions, such that these novel molecules may alter female physiology by acting as hormone agonists/antagonists. Cumulatively, gene co-option, duplication, and neofunctionalization have permitted recruitment of additional gene families for pheromone activity. Such independent co-option events may be playing a key role in salamander speciation by altering male traits that influence reproductive success.

Odontologic anomaly in the American mink Neovison vison (Carnivora, Mustelidae) and possible reasons for its appearance

The paper describes the phenomenon of substitution of the reduced M2 with a tooth of a complex structure in the American mink Neovison vison Schreber. The anomaly is observed on three skulls out of the 574 examined (0.52%) and is characterized by a clear localization, identical structure, and symmetrical manifestation. Atypical molars have two roots, equally well-developed paraconid, eokonid, hypoconid, and a less pronounced metaconid. Some possible hypotheses for the anomaly that are considered include disruption in the development of the dental germ, mutation, and phenotypic expression of genes that are characteristic of plesiomorphic species of mustelids. The substantiated viewpoint is that the cause of this phenomenon may be the "awakening of dormant genes" as a result of destabilizing selection and hybrid dysgenesis in the area of contact of farm and feral American minks.

Number of Families within Bathynellacea (Malacostraca) and Year of Publication of their Names, with Redescription of Baicalobathynella Magna (Bazikalova, 1954) from Lake Baikal

AbstractThere is a debate about the systematic status of Leptobathynellidae Noodt, 1965. Are they a highly specialized offshoot of Parabathynellidae or do they deserve separate familial status? The arguments for the latter point of view are critically evaluated and as a result it is suggested to merge Leptobathynellidae with Parabathynellidae as had already been done earlier. Separate familial status for Leptobathynellidae would leave Parabathynellidae as a paraphyletic rest. The probably most plesiomorphic species within Bathynellidae is Baicalobathynella magna (Bazikalova, 1954), which belongs to the first Bathynellacea ever described. Its redescription presented here adds important new details. The morphological differences between Bathynellidae and Parabathynellidae are listed. There is some confusion about the year of publication of their names. The correct citations are: Bathynellidae Grobben, 1905 and Parabathynellidae Noodt, 1965.

Phylogeny of Glaucosomatidae inferred from molecular evidence

Most species of glaucosomatids (Teleostei: Glaucosomatidae) are endemic to Australia, except Glaucosoma buergeri that is widely distributed from Australia to Japan. This study elucidated phylogenetic relationships among glaucosomatids based on the morphological characters of the saccular-otolith sagitta, in addition to molecular evidence of mitochondrial 16S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences, and nuclear rhodopsin sequences. The topologies of individuals' phylogenetic trees, based on 16S rDNA, COI and cyt b sequences, were statistically indistinguishable from one another, and were only slightly different from a tree based on rhodopsin sequences. These molecular tree topologies, however, differed from species relationships in morphology-based phylogenetic hypothesis proposed in previous studies. Specimens of G. buergeri from Australia and Taiwan showed differences in the sagitta and molecular differentiation at the four genes, suggesting a possible speciation event. Both molecular and morphological evidences indicate that Glaucosoma magnificum is the plesiomorphic sister species of other glaucosomatid species. Glaucosoma hebraicum is the sister species of a clade composed of G. buergeri and Glaucosoma scapulare. Molecular and morphological evidences also support the species status of G. hebraicum.

Cladistic analysis of the calanoid Copepoda

Calanoid copepods are extremely successful inhabitants of marine, brackish and freshwater plankton. Morphological data are used to arrive at a first, parsimony-based phylogeny for the calanoid copepods. Each family is represented by at least one exemplar, typically a recognised plesiomorphic species. The Epacteriscidae are sister to all other calanoid copepods – an observation that brings into question the concept of an Epacteriscoidea that includes the Ridgewayiidae. The monophyly of the Augaptiloidea, Centropagoidea, Clausocalanoidea and Pseudocyclopoidea is corroborated. The current analysis suggests there may be two major clades, one containing the Augaptiloidea, Centropagoidea and possibly the Pseudocyclopoidea and Ridgewayiidae and the other including the Megacalanidae, Calanidae/Paracalanidae, Bathypontioidea, Eucalanoidea, Ryocalanoidea, Spinocalanoidea and Clausocalanoidea. The relationships of the Pseudocyclopidae, Boholinidae, and Ridgewayiidae to the Centropagoidea/Augaptiloidea clade received low nodal support. Monophyly of an enlarged Bathypontioidea (including the Fosshageniidae) is proposed. A monophyletic Megacalanoidea is not retrieved. The nature of the inferred ancestral Calanoida is discussed. New evolutionary series are proposed for the female genitalia (including several losses and regaining of seminal receptacles, and independent losses of the genital operculum – once lost it is never regained) and leg 1 endopod. Paedomorphosis appears to be a dominant process in the evolution of the Calanoida.

Das Triplett aus zwei Monophyla und einem Paraphylum als Baustein des phylogenetischen Systems

The triplet consisting of two monophyletic taxa and one paraphyletic taxon as constructive element of the phylogenetic system Evolution has produced very many novelties (apomorphies). Most of them are small and relatively inconstant, these are more or less indicative of the phylogenetic relationships between closely related species. They cannot be the constitutive character of a supraspecific taxon that exists since a long time and comprises many diversified species. Such a taxon of higher rank can only be characterized by an improbable, rare novelty that has developed only once and has been preserved in all descendent species. Two consecutive apomorphies of this persistent type (‘fixed apomorphies’) characterize three supraspecific taxa, the triplet “A”, “B” and “A minus B” (Fig. 1). The group “A minus B” is rejected in Hennig's theory because it is ‘paraphyletic’, but it is not an artefact created by the systematicist. It is an inevitable mathematical consequence of the differentiatison of the group “B” within the group “A”. Being the result of a subtraction, it is necessarily associated with the two monophyletic partners in the triplet, as it is delimited on one side by the synapomorphy of the group “A”, of which it is a part, and on the other side by the autapomorphy of the separate group “B”. Traditional classifications often include paraphyletic groupings that are inconsistent with phylogenetics, e. g. the Reptilia and the Apterygota. The fault in such cases is that these groups are extended beyond the limits of a triplet and cover more than a single interval between consecutive monophyletic taxa. Paraphyletic groups are admitted in the phylogenetic system only for bridging the gaps in our cladistic information. According to HENNIG'S theory, all supraspecific taxa should be arranged two by two as sister-groups originating from one ancestral species and comprising all descendents of that species. The fixed evolutionary novelties which characterize higher supraspecific taxa are, however, rare and scattered. It is highly improbable that they have developed in sister species, therefore the taxa marked by them cannot be sister-groups (except in very rare cases). In HENNIG'S earlier papers, e. g. in his system of Lepidoptera (1953: 46–49), the alleged ‘sister-groups' are, in reality, the groups “B” and “A minus B” of a triplet (see Fig. 2). In his revised concept (1957 and later), two autapomorphic groups which are most closely related in the recent fauna (“B” and “C” in Fig. 3) are called ‘sister-groups’. But these have originated independently from different ancestors in a plesiomorphic complex of extinct species and are more closely related to parts of this complex than to each other. True sister-groups (“Bx” and “Cx” in Fig. 4) would be formed if these related plesiomorphic species were included, but this extension of the ’backward‘ border of the taxon is not justified by synapomorphy (in the terms of logic, it is a ’metabasis‘), and it would make the classification of fossil species impossible, unless these show at least one synapomorphy with either “B” or “C”. In the system of the recent fauna the sister-groups are identical with the autapomorphic groups, because the plesiomorphic species are extinct. The natural system based on synapomorphies and autapomorphies is the triplet-system as outlined in Figure 6. It is not a new type of classification, but its theoretical foundation was missing, and precise instructions were needed for its use in phylogenetics. The information obtained by HENNIG'S method is entirely preserved in this system and can be retrieved from it, and both recent and extinct species can be classified together. The disadvantage of the triplet-system is that it contains twice as many taxa as HENNIG'S classification. This complexity will limit its use in the practice of taxonomy, but it may be simplified by transforming the system into a sequence of paraphyletic taxa terminating in a single monophylum.

Cormohipparion (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Equidae) from the Middle Miocene of Oaxaca, southeastern Mexico

ABSTRACT Hipparionin material recovered from the middle Miocene El Camarón Formation (late early Barstovian, K-Ar dated 15. 0 ± 0.8 to 16.7 ± 0.71 Ma) of the state of Oaxaca, southeastern Mexico, is formally described. The sample consists of upper and lower cheek teeth, whose sizes and occlusal patterns are closest to those of the North American Cormohipparion quinni from the late Barstovian of the Great Plains. The material is referred to C. aff. C. quinni and constitutes one of the southernmost occurrences of the genus, extending its geographic distribution from the Northern Great Plains to southeastern Mexico during the middle Miocene. The dentally derived species reported here is contemporaneous with C. goorisi from the early Barstovian of Texas and Florida, the oldest and most plesiomorphic known species, thus lending support to the hypothesis that part of the hipparionin differentiation probably took place in southern (tropical) North America. This in turn leads to a reappraisal of where and when the radiation of some middle Miocene hypsodont horses actually occurred.

PHYLETIC DIVERSIFICATION OF THE CORMOHIPPARION OCCIDENTALE COMPLEX (MAMMALIA; PERISSODACTYLA, EQUIDAE), LATE MIOCENE, NORTH AMERICA, AND THE ORIGIN OF THE OLD WORLD HIPPOTHERIUM DATUM

Study of the materials in the American Museum of Natural History that pertain to the taxon Cormohipparion occidentale Skinner and MacFadden (1977) reveals that at least six species are represented. This is based on data from the cranium, upper dentition, lower dentition, and mandible. The taxa embrace a period of time from about 12.5 Ma to 10 Ma. Major sites or faunas include the Dove Spring Formation (medial Clarendonian, California; Burge Local Fauna (early Clarendonian, Nebraska); Minnechaduza Fauna, Nebraska; MacAdams Quarry, Texas (early medial Clarendonian); Gidley Horse Quarry (late medial Clarendonian, Texas); XMas-Kat, Hans Johnson, and Machaerodus quarries (late medial Clarendonian, Nebraska); and Ash Hollow Formation (late medial Clarendonian, South Dakota). The name Cormohipparion occidentale is restricted to the larger of two species that occur contemporaneously in medial Clarendonian sites in Nebraska and, alone, at the Ed Ross Ranch Quarry, South Dakota. The second species in the XMas-Kat and related quarries is assigned to Cormohipparion matthewi, n.sp. A taxon from the Burge Local Fauna is assigned to Cormohipparion merriami, n.sp. Another taxon from the Burge Local Fauna is assigned to Cormohipparion johnsoni, n.sp. Materials from the Texas sites are allocated as Cormohipparion fricki, n.sp., and Cormohipparion skinneri, n.sp., from the MacAdams Quarry and Gidley Horse Quarry, respectively. Cormohipparion fricki, n.sp., also is represented in the Minnechaduza Fauna, Nebraska. Cormohipparion is restricted geographically to North America.Based on this review, Cormohipparion johnsoni, n.sp., is the most plesiomorphic species of the C. occidentale group of taxa. Cormohipparion quinni is a plausible ancestor (sister-taxon) for the C. occidentale group, but also persisted with it until about 12 Ma. During their radiation, elements of the C. occidentale group demonstrate an increase in upper cheek tooth crown height and complexity of the enamel pattern, as well as an increase in overall cranial size, with each species showing its own mosaic of parameters. The interval of 12.5–10 m.y. witnessed the initiation of a period of climatic cooling and an eventual expansion of vegetation communities toward more open associations, in part showing an increase in grassy areas. Apparently, the C. occidentale group developed and maintained a mixed-feeding adaptation to these conditions, even though it had evolved very hypsodont cheek teeth by about 10 Ma (C. occidentale, s.s.; C. skinneri, n.sp.).Cormohipparion johnsoni, n.sp., and C. merriami, n.sp., are followed by C. fricki, n.sp., at about 12–11.5 Ma, which demonstrates an increased crown height and complexity of the upper cheek teeth along with the persistence of a functional dP1 into the adult condition. At least in C. fricki, n.sp., and likely also C. merriami, n.sp., the pre- and postfossettes of P2 commonly were confluent. All of these features are to be found in early Pannonian C members of Hippotherium of the Old World, and it is likely that a taxon such as C. fricki, n.sp., was associated with the Old World dispersal event that resulted in the presence of H. primigenium. A specimen of Cormohipparion sp. from deposits about 12 Ma old in California shows the proper morphology (enhanced by a significant increase in fossette complexity) to be a possible member of the dispersal population prior to its exit to the Old World at about 11 Ma.Subsequent North American species of the Cormohipparion occidentale group lived from about 11 Ma to 10 Ma and convergently approach (but do not equal) the enamel pattern complexity found in Hippotherium primigenium but surpass it in upper cheek tooth crown height, in the almost complete loss of dP1, and in a diminished frequency of confluence of the pre- and postfossetttes in P2. Two of these species, C. occidentale, s.s., and C. skinneri, n.sp., apparently populated a more northern (Great Plains) versus a southern (Texan) district, with C

EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS AMONG GENERA OF PHALANGERIDAE (METATHERIA: DIPROTODONTIA) INFERRED FROM MITOCHONDRIAL DNA

We sequenced the 12S rRNA gene of 2 elusive and morphologically plesiomorphic species of phalanger: the small Sulawesi cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis—Gray, 1858) and the Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus— Temminck, 1824). The sequences were integrated with previously existing data on the same gene in other species of phalangerids, as well as newly derived data from Wyulda Alexander, 1918. In contrast to current wisdom, we resolve S. celebensis not as a member of the tribe Trichosurini, but rather as a taxon sister to Ailurops in a reconstituted Ailuropinae in turn successively sister to Phalangerinae. Examination of our data supports an evolutionary origin for the family approximately 34 million years ago (mya), in the northwestern region of the Sahul Shelf, the continental mass underlying Australia and New Guinea. The radiation of the most plesiomorphic genera in the family, Trichosurus and Wyulda, is restricted to that region. S. celebensis, resolved as sister to A. ursinus in a clade ingroup to trichosurines, diverged from remaining ingroup lineages between 21.1 and 23.3 mya, a time when Sulawesi was available for colonization and sea currents would have enhanced the colonization potential from the east of Sulawesi and neighboring islands. We recommend Trichosurinae as a subfamilial level entity on par with Ailuropinae and Phalangerinae, circumscription of Trichosurinae to Trichosurus and Wyulda, and removal of Strigocuscus into Ailuropinae, leaving only Phalanger and Spilocuscus in Phalangerinae.

A cladistic analysis of Aloinella Card. (Musci: Pottiaceae)

AbstractTwenty­four gametophytic characters were evaluated to identify the phylogenetic relationships among the known species of Aloinella. A previous study proposed that Aloinella derived from Aloina, mainly by stem elongation and leaf character reduction. In this analysis, it was observed that the most plesiomorphic species in the Aloina and Aloinella clades occur in Mexico. The distribution and the cladistic study support the view that both genera are monophyletic, but the phylogenetic relationships of the species may need further analysis with the inclusion of sporophytic characters. Sporophytes are infrequent in Aloinella. The smooth­walled A. cucullatifolia, A. boliviana, and A. cucullifera form a group that separates cladistically from the papillose taxa A. catenula, A. venezuelana, A. galeata var. galeata, and A. galeata var. andina.

Systematic Review ofHeterolinusSharp (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Xantholinini)

The genus Heterolinus Sharp, 1885 is revised, with generic redescription, description of a new species, a key to the species, remarks, illustrations, and a distributional map. Heterolinus distinctus Bernhauer, 1905 is a junior synonym of H. xanthogaster (Solsky 1875) new combination. Lectotypes are designated for Xantholinus puncticeps Guérin-Méneville, 1844 and Xantholinus xanthogaster Solsky, 1875. Heterolinus puncticeps is distributed in Colombia and Ecuador, H. xanthogaster in Peru and Bolivia, and H. basiniger new species in Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador. According to a cladistic analysis based on 47 transformation series from external morphology and male genitalia, Heterolinus is a monophyletic group, and is the sister group of Ehomalolinus plus Homalolinus. Heterolinus puncticeps is the sister species of H. xanthogaster and H. basiniger is the most plesiomorphic species of the genus.Publication funded by the Patricia Vaurie bequest.

Exploratory phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses within three land-snail families in southeastern-most Madagascar

Abstract For Madagascan vicariance biogeography and phylogeny-based conservation, four land snail groups have been predicted as most readily informative: Acavidae, Boucardicus (Cyclophoridae), Reticulapex (Charopidae), and Streptaxidae. Acavids have been evaluated in a previous paper; this paper uses recently described taxa from three mountains in southeastern Madagascar to evaluate the other three groups, based on shell and reproductive characters. Phylogenetic analyses, using appropriate outgroups, were performed on all 17 Boucardicus (31 characters, 120 states), all nine Reticulapex (21 characters, 53 states), and all 15 streptaxids (19 characters, 68 states) known from the three mountains. The Boucardicus cladogram was marginally robust; it supported monophyly of the genus, and it implied evolutionary trends toward larger, more colour-patterned, more globose shells hatched from larger eggs; toward a dorsally and more weakly papillate penis with a large, external gland; and toward a broad-based, tightly convoluted fertilization pouch-seminal receptacle complex with an internal, muscular funnel. A convergence in high-spired shells supported the recent synonymization of Madecataulus under Boucardicus . According to the cladogram, a three-lobed apertural peristome was plesiomorphic, was lost, then reappeared convergently. Among the 12 dissected species of Boucardicus , morphology of the female reproductive system was extremely variable (11 of 14 character states autapomorphic). The Reticulapex cladogram supported monophyly of the genus but gave no robust resolution among species. Recent surveys also indicate that Reticulapex is rare to absent in northern Madagascar. The streptaxid cladogram suggested a sister-group relationship between the endemic clades Parvedentulina and Streptostele (Makroconche) , but provided no robust resolution among species within either clade or within Gulella . Anatomical material is relatively scarce for Madagascan streptaxids. Vicariance-biogeographic analysis resulted in the area cladogram (northern Vohimena mountain chain (southern Vohimena chain (southern Anosy chain))). The Vohimena chain, already known for its significantly greater diversity and endemism than the Anosy chain, thus also seems to harbour the older, more plesiomorphic species; this heightens the urgency for conservation and further survey within the Vohimena chain. Acavids (115 species known) remain the most accessible of Madagascar's major, widespread land-snail groups for island-wide phylogenetics and biogeography, mainly because of existing frozen-tissue collections, which have a limited shelf life. Boucardicus (177 species and 6 subspecies known) is clearly the second most accessible.

Exploratory phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses within three land-snail families in southeastern-most Madagascar

For Madagascan vicariance biogeography and phylogeny-based conservation, four land snail groups have been predicted as most readily informative: Acavidae, Boucardicus (Cyclophoridae), Reticulapex (Charopidae), and Streptaxidae. Acavids have been evaluated in a previous paper; this paper uses recently described taxa from three mountains in southeastern Madagascar to evaluate the other three groups, based on shell and reproductive characters. Phylogenetic analyses, using appropriate outgroups, were performed on all 17 Boucardicus (31 characters, 120 states), all nineReticulapex (21 characters, 53 states), and all 15 streptaxids (19 characters, 68 states) known from the three mountains. The Boucardicus cladogram was marginally robust; it supported monophyly of the genus, and it implied evolutionary trends toward larger, more colour-patterned, more globose shells hatched from larger eggs; toward a dorsally and more weakly papillate penis with a large, external gland; and toward a broad-based, tightly convoluted fertilization pouch-seminal receptacle complex with an internal, muscular funnel. A convergence in high-spired shells supported the recent synonymization of Madecataulus under Boucardicus. According to the cladogram, a three-lobed apertural peristome was plesiomorphic, was lost, then reappeared convergently. Among the 12 dissected species of Boucardicus, morphology of the female reproductive system was extremely variable (11 of 14 character states autapomorphic). The Reticulapex cladogram supported monophyly of the genus but gave no robust resolution among species. Recent surveys also indicate that Reticulapex is rare to absent in northern Madagascar. The streptaxid cladogram suggested a sister-group relationship between the endemic clades Parvedentulina andStreptostele (Makroconche) , but provided no robust resolution among species within either clade or withinGulella . Anatomical material is relatively scarce for Madagascan streptaxids. Vicariance-biogeographic analysis resulted in the area cladogram (northern Vohimena mountain chain (southern Vohimena chain (southern Anosy chain))). The Vohimena chain, already known for its significantly greater diversity and endemism than the Anosy chain, thus also seems to harbour the older, more plesiomorphic species; this heightens the urgency for conservation and further survey within the Vohimena chain. Acavids (115 species known) remain the most accessible of Madagascar's major, widespread land-snail groups for island-wide phylogenetics and biogeography, mainly because of existing frozen-tissue collections, which have a limited shelf life. Boucardicus (177 species and 6 subspecies known) is clearly the second most accessible.

Revision of the genus Xylomoia Staudinger (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with descriptions of two new species

Seven species are included in the genus Xylomoia Staudinger, two of which are new: X. retinax sp.n. from the Novosibirsk area, Western Siberia, and from the Chelyabinsk area, southern Ural Mountains, and X. stangelmaieri sp.n. from Caorle, Venezia Giulia, on the Adriatic coast. A North American species, Chortodes didonea (Smith) comb.n., is removed from the genus. According to a cladistic analysis, the genus Xylomoia comprises one plesiomorphic species group, the chagnoni group, and two apomorphic groups: the graminea and strix groups. The latter are exclusively temperate Palaearctic. Xylomoia chagnoni (Barnes & McDunnough) is the only Nearctic species of the genus, and the loosely related X. apameaoides (Hacker) was recently described from Turkey. In geographical isolation, these two species have retained many ancestral features. In the more central area, the common ancestor of the graminea and strix groups has evolved into at least five species. The locality and rarity of the species of Xylomoia seemingly result from adaptation of the species to moist habitats, the larvae probably bore inside grass stems (the case of X. chagnoni). What are called lock‐and‐key mechanisms may lead to the use of non‐independent character states in a cladistic analysis; particularly in the case of homoplasy this kind of double‐weighting may result in erroneous cladograms. In Xylomoia, deleting female lock‐and‐keys affected only the number of cladograms produced, whereas omitting the corresponding male characters had profound effects on the cladogram.

Lower Devonian aulacopleuroidean trilobites from Oklahoma

New aulacopleuroidean trilobites from the Lochkovian of Oklahoma include the otarionineCyphaspis carrollinew species from the Haragan Formation, and the brachymetopidCordania wessmaninew species from the overlying Bois d'Arc Formation.Cyphaspis carrolliis the first record of the genus from the North American Devonian. It is a highly plesiomorphic species, dissimilar to contemporaries from Europe, but closely related to Silurian species from Northern Laurentia and England.Cordania wessmanihad previously been interpreted as a possible sexual dimorph ofCordania falcataWhittington, 1960, but new material and information shows that the forms occur separately with no stratigraphic overlap. New information on trilobite occurrence in the Haragan and Bois d'Arc Formations does not support previous hypotheses of trilobite sexual dimorphism, but rather indicates the presence of distinct, stratigraphically successive faunas.

A new listriodont suid,Bunolistriodon meidamonsp. nov., from the middle Miocene of Anatolia

ABSTRACT The early middle Miocene (MN 6; ca. 15 Ma) locality of Pasalar in western Anatolia (Turkey) has produced a large and well studied collection of land mammals, including hominoid primates. We confirm the co-occurrence of two species of listriodont suids at this locality, and describe one of them as Bunolistriodon meidamon sp. nov. The other species is referred to Listriodon splendens. B. meidamon is characterised by extreme widening of the central incisors, large size of the male upper canines, labiolingually compressed (“meidamonic”) lower male canines, and narrow cheek teeth. These synapomorphies define a clade comprising at least B. latidens and B. meidamon, which are thus separated from the plesiomorphic species complex of listriodonts lacking lophed molars (Listriodon, Lopholistriodon) or cranial appendages (the “horned” kubanochoeres).

A revision of the genus Uromys Peters, 1867 (Muridae: Mammalia) with descriptions of two new species

Uromys Peters, 1867 is re-defined so that it is monophyletic. The clade includes nine species placed in two monophyletic subgenera: U. (Cyromys) includes the species poreulus, rex and imperator; U. (Uromys) includes the species anak, neobritannieus, hadrourus, eaudimaeulatus, emmae n.sp. and boeadii n.sp. Uromys (Cyromys) includes more plesiomorphic species, which are all restricted to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Species of U. (Uromys) are more derived, as in their possession of greatly simplified molars, and in having the number of interdental ridges of the soft palate greatly multiplied. The genus is widespread in Melanesia and northern Australia. Three distinct subspecies of U. eaudimaeulatus, and three of U. anak (one new) are recognised. Uromys boeadii n.sp., from Biak Island, and Uromys emmae n.sp., from Owi Island, both in Geelvinck Bay, are newly described.

Phylogenetic relationships in the genusPhytoseiulusevans (Acari: Phytoseiidae). III. Cladistic analysis

Abstract Cladistic analysis of the 4 species in the genus Phytoseiulus suggests that this group is monophyletic: these species probably originated from a common ancestor not shared by any other taxon. A phylogenetic tree for the 4 species was reconstructed by the Wagner method. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) and P. persimilis Athias-Henriot are the most closely related species, sharing a number of synapomorphies. Phytoseiulus longipes Evans is the most apomorphic species, having a number of autapomorphies, whereas P. fragariae Denmark and Schicha is the most plesiomorphic species, retaining most characters in the ancestral state. The present study supports a taxonomie arrangement placing these 4 species in a tight monophyletic taxon.