Rows Of Spines Research Articles

Diplectanids (Monogenea) parasitic on sciaenid fish from Peru with the proposal of Pseudorhamnocercoides n. gen., the description of Rhamnocercus dominguesi n. sp. and the redescription of Rhamnocercoides menticirrhi Luque and Iannacone, 1991.

Rhamnocercoides menticirrhi Luque and Iannacone, 1991 is redescribed from newly collected material of snakehead kingcroaker Menticirrhus ophicephalus (Jenyns, 1840) from Peru, and as a result of this redescription, the diagnosis of Rhamnocercoides is emended. Rhamnocercus dominguesi n. sp. is described from the Peruvian banded croaker Paralonchurus peruanus (Steindachner, 1875). It differs from congeneric species mainly in the morphology of the male copulatory organ (with distal and proximal portion of the external tube expanded and distal portion of the internal tube uncovered by external tube) and the number of peduncular spines (18-22, arranged in 2 longitudinal rows). Pseudorhamnocercoides n. gen. is proposed for species with two longitudinal rows of peduncular spines with anterior and posterior roots, two longitudinal rows of acicular spines associated with peduncular spines, a medial constriction in the ventral bar and more than six haptoral accessory spines at level of the ventral bar with fan-like distal extremity. Rhamnocercoides stichospinus (Seamster and Monaco, 1956) is transferred to Pseudorhamnocercoides n. gen as Pseudorhamnocercoides stichospinus (Seamster and Monaco, 1956) n. comb (assigned as type species).

A new species of the genusHalectinosoma(Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ectinosomatidae) from Korea

Abstract A new species of harpacticoid copepod, Halectinosoma foveolata, was described from sandy sediments on several intertidal areas of Korea. This new species is mostly similar to H. dimorphum Coull, 1970, but differs from the latter by the following characteristics combined: (1) the third segment of antennule is longest; (2) the first exopodal segment of antenna has a row of spinules; (3) the mandibular gnathobase is composed of chitinous teeth without dorsal seta; (4) the female P5 has an incomplete boundary between the exopod and the baseoendopod; (5) the female P5 baseoendopod has two rows of spinules. We also discuss the state of H. arenicola sensu Ito (1973), reported from the Japanese coast, which is considered here a synonym with the new species.

On Schornikovdona gen. nov. (Ostracoda, Candonidae) from rheocrene springs in Texas (U.S.A.)

A new candonid genus, Schornikovdona gen. nov., with its type species Schornikovdona bellensis sp. nov., is described from rheocrene springs of Bell County, Texas. It is designated to the tribe Candonini due to the smooth carapace surface, normal pore openings with sensory seta, the presence of a 5-segmented first antenna, two long sexual bristles on the second antenna in males, the narrowly fused terminal segment of the Md palp, a long penultimate segment of the Mxl palp, two long and one short setae on the terminal segment of T3, the absence of an “e” seta on T3, the presence of a posterior seta on the uropod, the presence of 5 + 2 rows of spines on Zenker’s organ, and other characteristics found in the tribe. The main diagnostic characteristics separating the new genus from the other genera in the tribe are the shape of the carapace, the reduced numbers of segments in the first antenna, reduction or absence of exopodial setae in the second antenna, asymmetrical clasping organs, the uropod with one rod-shaped claw, the different shape of the hemipenis, and differences in parts of the chaetotaxy. Based on these differences, we propose Schornikovdona gen. nov. as a new genus, with the new species S. bellensis sp. nov., in the subfamily Candoninae in the family Candonidae.

Nematode parasites of the Chilean Flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis (Phoenicopteridae) from Central Argentina, with a description of a new species of Tetrameres (Tetrameridae).

During the summer of 2013, several specimens of Phoenicopterus chilensis (Phoenicopteridae) were found dead from unknown causes, in lakes from the endorheic system "Encadenadas del Oeste", Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Two species of Nematoda were recovered from the proventriculus, one of them new for science. The tetramerid Tetrameres (Tetrameres) salina n. sp. is mainly characterized by having reduced pseudolabia, lips absent, six bifid teeth, males with lateral alae, four rows of somatic spines and length ratio of spicules 1:12-32, and large females with eggs lacking polar filaments. The acuariid, Echinuria skrjabinensis is described and illustrated, this finding represent the second report of this nematode in Argentina and the first record in flamingos. This is the first record of helminths parasitizing wild Chilean Flamingos, but it is not possible to ensure that they accomplish their life cycle in this system of lakes, because the migratory movements of the population of flamingos studied are unknown.

First Report of the Morphology and rDNA Sequences of Two Pseudopolydora Species (Annelida: Spionidae) from Japan.

The morphology of two Pseudopolydora species, P. cf. reticulata Radashevsky and Hsieh, 2000 and P. achaeta Radashevsky and Hsieh, 2000 are reported from Japan for the first time. Pseudopolydora cf. reticulata was collected from Japanese tidal flats, and individuals possess the characteristic netlike pigmentation on the dorsum of anterior chaetigers and the longitudinal black band along midline of caruncle. Pseudopolydora achaeta was collected from subtidal bottom mud of Onagawa Bay, and individuals have distinctive characteristics, such as intensive black pigmentation on dorsal and ventral sides of the anterior body and nearly straight vertical rows of major spines on the fifth chaetiger. The morphology of P. cf. reticulata is very similar to that of P. cf. kempi, with which it had been confused in Japan. We analyzed the 18S and 28S rRNA gene sequences of all five Pseudopolydora species recorded from Japan and found strong evidence that they are genetically distinct. Our analysis also suggests that boring polydorids have evolved among non-boring ones; the genus Pseudopolydora, which mostly shows the non-boring form, appears to have remained in a more ancestral condition.

A new species of Mesovelia (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha: Mesoveliidae) from South America, with identification key and notes on Colombian species.

Mesovelia tuberculata sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on material from the Pacific Region of Colombia. It can be recognized by the following characters of the male: mesofemur without a row of spinules; posterior margin of abdominal tergum VIII with a weak notch; abdominal pleuron VIII with an anterodorsal tubercle; abdominal sternum VI with the posteromedian projection rounded and fringed with black spinules; and paramere with margins converging and apex single. In addition, we present data concerning M. zeteki Harris & Drake and M. mulsanti White, and an identification key to species of Mesoveliidae from Colombia.

Axinoides euzeti n. sp. (Monogenea: Axinidae) from the gills of the needlefish Tylosurus acus imperialis (Rafinesque) (Belonidae) off Tunisia, with an updated list of hosts and localities for Axinoides spp.

A new axinid monogenean species, Axinoides euzeti n. sp. from the gills of the Mediterranean needlefish Tylosurus acus imperialis (Rafinesque) off the Tunisian coast is described. The new species is most similar in general morphology to A. meservei Price, 1946 from Tylosurus crocodilus fodiator Jordan & Gilbert off the Atlantic Ocean and to A. kola Unnithan, 1957 from Ablennes hians (Valenciennes) off the Indian Ocean. It can be differentiated from A. meservei by the shape of anterior male genital complex armed with several rows of curved spines on the cirrus rather than 3 to 4 rows of slender spines, in having a fewer testes (87-94 vs more than 100 in the drawing of A. meservei) and a body size twice longer than wide. It differs also from A. kola which have a single row of small spines in the cirrus, in having fewer and wider clamps and fewer and smaller testes. A. euzeti represents the first record of a representative of this genus in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, taxonomic keys and an updated list of hosts and geographic localities for Axinoides species is presented.

A review of the genus Spiropagurus Stimpson, 1858 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguridae) from the China seas.

Three species of the genus Spiropagurus Stimpson, 1858, are reported in the present paper, including a new species, S. monospinosus sp. nov. This new species is easily recognized by the carpus of the cheliped bearing only one row of spines, whereas two rows are present in the other two species from the China seas. A key to all the species of Spiropagurus is provided.

A new species of Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae) from Pará State, with an updated key to Brazilian species of the robusta group.

Rhagovelia brunae Magalhães & Moreira sp. nov., collected in the State of Pará, Brazil, is described, illustrated, and compared with congeners. The new species belongs to the robusta group and can be differentiated from others by the general color black, abdominal sternum VII with black denticles laterally, male hind trochanter with 1-4 subequal spines plus a longer spine, and male hind femur lacking a medium spine between the proximal and distal rows of spines. Additionally, an updated identification key to species of the robusta group occurring in Brazil is presented.

Determining the correct identity of South African Marthasterias (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

Marthasterias glacialis are found in the cool-temperate waters of the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, in the subtropical waters of the Mediterranean Sea and along the south-western tip of Africa. The South African Marthasterias population includes two morphotypes, a smooth, spineless rarispina form and a spiny africana form, that have been described as separate species, subspecies, or forma by various authors over the past century. To test whether these two morphotypes represent separate species, and whether either, or both, are conspecific with the North-East Atlantic species, 78 Marthasterias were collected from the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. Morphological comparisons between individuals of the two forms showed no significant clustering of samples, indicating that there is no morphological separation of the two South African forms into distinct groupings. The africana and rarispina forms were also shown to be genetically indistinguishable, using a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). In addition, the COI sequences were also compared to those from European specimens, and phylogenetic reconstruction and intra- and interspecific levels of divergence suggested that the South African specimens form a single group that is genetically distinct from the European M. glacialis. Although the allopatric distribution, high genetic divergence (more than 3% for the COI fragment) and morphological differences suggest that the South African form should be raised to species status under the name Marthasterias africana, further work must assess an independent genetic marker (nuclear) to support raising the COI clade to species level. True M. glacialis have a spine-armament pattern of a series of three or more regular spine rows down the length of each arm, whereas M. africana are either covered in many irregularly spaced spines, or have an extraordinarily bare surface with only two spine rows per arm. Marthasterias africana may also have an actinal spine simulating the presence of a third inferomarginal spine. This work tentatively resolves the taxonomic dispute, elucidates the separation and amalgamation of the two African forms and suggests a single, uniquely South African Marthasterias species that might be distinct from the north Atlantic M. glacialis, although further analyses to test reproductive isolation between the North-East Atlantic and South African forms are required.

First skeletal remains of the giant sawfish Onchosaurus (Neoselachii, Sclerorhynchiformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of northeastern Italy

Sclerorhynchiform sawfishes are a diverse and extinct clade of elasmobranchs that is restricted to the Cretaceous. Most taxa are known only by isolated rostral spines, whereas skeletal remains are rare and have been reported from a small number of Upper Cretaceous localities. Here, we describe skeletal remains of the giant sclerorhynchiform Onchosaurus pharao for the first time, which provides new morphological information. The single specimen comes from middle-basal upper Turonian strata of the Lessini Mountains in northeastern Italy and represents the first record of this genus from Italy. The specimen consists of unidentifiable cranial remains, several diagnostic rostral spines, the rostrum with fragments of tessellated calcified cartilage, and 87 disarticulated vertebrae. The rostrum preserves the characteristic sensory system of sclerorhynchiforms. It is devoid of any lateral sockets indicating that rostral spines were attached laterally to its surface. This pattern is identical to most sclerorhynchiforms and extant pristiophoriformes implying also similar replacement patterns as in most other sclerorhynchiforms with the exception for Schizorhiza. Additionally, the bases of two longitudinally arranged rows of ventral rostral spines are identifiable concurring with patterns seen in Sclerorhynchus. The axial skeleton is partly preserved. Re-arranging the disarticulated vertebrae according to their life position in combination with measures of the size and thickness of preserved vertebral centra, and the ratio rostrum length/body size depending on the number of vertebral centra indicate that the specimen was ca. 450 cm long. Growth rings in the vertebral centra show that the specimen was about four years old and thus probably not yet fully sexual mature when it died. This age assumption corresponds well with the calculated size when compared with complete skeletons of extinct sclerorhynchiforms and extant pristiforms. The size of the specimen and its occurrence in hemipelagic rocks corroborates previous assumptions that this sclerorhynchiform was a large and pelagic sawfish.

Descripción del huevecillo, larva y ninfa de Subtriquetra subtriquetra Sambon, 1922 (Pentastomida), y algunas observaciones sobre su ciclo de vida

Description and measurements of the egg, larva and nymph of S. subtriquetra which included the egg envelope, penetrating apparatus, body rings, tail, legs, dorsal organ and oral ring of the larva, and the oral ring, mouth hooks and ventral rows of body spines of the nymph, place this pentastomid in the Porocephalida, although the dorsal organ and the tail of the larva resemble those of the Cephalobaenida.The life cycle of S. subtriquetra was observed in experimentally infected Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum; both larvae and nymphs were found in the natatory vesicle of the host. The penetrating system used by the larvae in Priapichlys annectens, Lebistes spp. and a tadpole was also studied.

Two new species of the genus Zeuxo (Peracarida: Tanaidacea) from the west and south coast of Korea

Two new species of Zeuxo Templeton 1840 are described from the western and southern coast of Korea (North West Pacific). Zeuxo gracilis n. sp. and Z. spina n. sp. belong to the “Z. normani species complex”. Zeuxo gracilis is distinguished from species within this complex by the following morphological combination in females: the spine row of the left mandible bears a bifid spiniform seta; pleonites 4 and 5 bear one and two lateral setae, respectively; the cheliped merus bears two ventral and two inner setae; and pereopods 2–6 bear a distal simple seta on merus. Zeuxo spina shows unique features characterized by a serrated ventral seta on each propodus of pereopods 2 and 3 and the cheliped merus bearing two ventral and one inner setae. Additional character states are proposed for defining new and/or sibling species within the Z. normani species complex. In order to confirm the presence/absence of morphological variations of Zeuxo, detailed morphological features between same- and different-sized females of Z. gracilis are compared and discussed.

Detailed Morphology of All Life Stages of the Agave Red Worm, Comadia redtenbacheri (Hammerschmidt) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae).

The agave red worm, Comadia redtenbacheri (Hammerschmidt), is an important source of food and income in Mexico. Despite its importance, several aspects of its biology, morphology, and behavior remain poorly studied. In this work, we describe and illustrate the morphology of all the life stages that may aid in understanding certain aspects of its biology. To obtain all life stages, last instar larvae were collected from agave plants and allowed to pupate; after the adults emerged, they were allowed to mate and oviposit. The frenulum is longer in males; epiphysis I is longer in females than in males; the abdomen bears two types of tubercles of unknown function. Eggs present a reticulate chorion; primary rosette cells are highly variable in shape; the micropylar formula is (10-14): (12-13). First instar larvae are white, becoming red as they develop; L3 in the prothorax is subprimary; the SV setal group in A1 is comprised of only SV1 on first instar larvae; last instars have several secondary setae. Pupae are adecticous and obtect; there are rows of spines on the dorsum of the abdomen. The biological significance of some of the findings is discussed.

A miniaturized beetle larva in Cretaceous Burmese amber: reinterpretation of a fossil “strepsipteran triungulin”

A wingless and eyeless tiny fossil embedded in Cretaceous amber from Myanmar is described and interpreted phylogenetically as beetle larva, very likely belonging to a cucujiform group of Coleoptera with parasitic habits, probably the family Ripiphoridae. Features supporting this are the lobe-like terminal elements of the legs and the pattern of setae on the abdomen. However the larva display specialized features differing from immatures of extant ripiphorid species, such as for instance the absence of stemmata and the presence of ventral transverse rows of spines. An earlier tentative assignement of a similar larva embedded in Cretaceaous amber from Manitoba (Canada) to Strepsiptera is not followed here. We suggest that this larva is closely related to the beetle larva described here.

Blood flukes (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting body cavity of South American catfishes (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae): two new species from rivers in Bolivia, Guyana and Peru with a re-assessment of Plehniella Szidat, 1951.

Plehniella Szidat, 1951 is emended based on new collections from South American long-whiskered catfishes. It is clearly differentiated from Sanguinicola Plehn, 1905 by lacking lateral tegumental body spines and by having 6 asymmetrical caeca. Plehniella sabajperezi sp. n. infects body cavity of Pimelodus albofasciatus (Mees) from the Demerara and Rupununi Rivers (Guyana) and Pimelodus blochii (Valenciennes) from Lake Tumi Chucua (Bolivia) and Napo River (Peru). It differs from Plehniella coelomicola Szidat, 1951 (type species) by having a thin-walled vas deferens that greatly exceeds the length of cirrus-sac and that joins the cirrus-sac at level of ovovitelline duct and ootype, an internal seminal vesicle that is absent or diminutive, and a cirrus-sac that is spheroid, nearly marginal, and envelops the laterally-directed distal portion of the male genitalia. Plehniella armbrusteri sp. n. infects body cavity of P. blochii from Lake Tumi Chucua (Bolivia). It differs from P. coelomicola and P. sabajperezi by having a relatively ovoid body, a massive intestine comprising caeca that are deeply-lobed to diverticulate and terminate in the posterior half of the body, a testis that flanks the distal tips of the posteriorly-directed caeca, and a proximal portion of the vas deferens that loops ventral to the testis. Small adults (Plehniella sp.) collected from body cavity of Pimelodus grosskopfii (Steindachner) from Cienega de Jobo and Canal del Dique (Colombia) differ from congeners by having a posteriorly-constricted body region, an anterior sucker with concentric rows of minute spines, an elongate anterior oesophageal swelling, short and wide caeca, and a male genital pore that opens proportionally more anteriad. This study nearly doubles the number of aporocotylids documented from South America Rivers and comprises the first record of a fish blood fluke from P. blochii, P. albofasciatus and P. grosskopfii as well as from Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana or Peru.

Metamorphic changes in abdominal spines of Forcipomyia nigra pupae (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Pupae of Forcipomyia nigra biting midges bear double rows of dorsal and lateral spines. Their arrangement corresponds to the distribution of larval mechanosensory setae. They are serrated simple cuticular structures with tubercles but, in contrast to larval secretory mechanoreceptors, they are not innervated and do not exhibit any pores. The ultrastructure of abdominal spines varies among different pupal stages. They are produced by epidermal cells which fill the interior of the spine. In the youngest pupae epidermal cells are tightly packed and adhere to the cuticle. Then, the cells withdraw from the spinal cavity and the beginning of autophagy is observed. The last stage represents abdominal spines without any cellular material and then apoptosis probably proceeds in the withdrawn epidermal cells. Since the pupal spines occupied the same region of the segment as the larval setae, we consider that the same genes are responsible for their formation as for the formation of epidermal cells but that their mechanosensory and secretory function is no longer needed.

A morphological and taxonomic appraisal of the oldest anomalocaridid from the Lower Cambrian of Poland

AbstractMaterial previously referred to as Cassubia infercambriensis was re-examined and found to represent a composite fossil of a Peytoia-like anomalocaridid frontal appendage and an arthropod of uncertain affinities comparable to some bivalved arthropod taxa. The frontal appendage is referred to the genus Peytoia based on the presence of elongated ventral spines bearing a single row of auxiliary spines. As well as representing the oldest example of an anomalocaridid in the fossil record (Series 2, Stage 3), Peytoia infercambriensis is also the only record of this group from the East European Craton, therefore extending both the temporal and geographic range of the anomalocaridid family Hurdiidae.

The first record of a species of Perlidae from Jiangsu Province, China:a new species of Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae).

A new species of Neoperla (Plecoptera, Perlidae), N. jiangsuensis Chen & Du from Jiangsu Province, China, is described and illustrated. Neoperla jiangsuensis is characterized by the aedeagal sac with two C-shaped rows of large stout spines laterally, a patch of small spines, and with an apical double ear-shaped membranous lobes. The new species is the first recorded species of Perlidae known from the eastern coastal province of Jiangsu, China.

The Unique Dorsal Brood Pouch of Thermosbaenacea (Crustacea, Malacostraca) and Description of an Advanced Developmental Stage of Tulumella unidens from the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico), with a Discussion of Mouth Part Homologies to Other Malacostraca.

The Thermosbaenacea, a small taxon of crustaceans inhabiting subterranean waters, are unique among malacostracans as they brood their offspring dorsally under the carapace. This habit is of evolutionary interest but the last detailed report on thermosbaenacean development is more than 40 years old. Here we provide new observations on an ovigerous female of Tulumella unidens with advanced developmental stages in its brood chamber collected from an anchialine cave at the Yucatan Peninsula, which is only the third report on developmental stages of Thermosbaenacea and the first for the genus Tulumella. Significant in a wider crustacean context, we report and discuss hitherto unexplored lobate structures inside the brood chamber of the female originating at the first (maxilliped) and second thoracic segments, which are most likely modified epipods, perhaps serving as gills. At the posterior margin of carapace of the female are rows of large spines preventing the developing stages from falling out. The external morphology of the advanced developmental stages is described in much detail, providing information on e.g., carapace formation and early limb morphology. Among the hitherto unknown structures in the advanced developmental stages provided by this study are the presence of an embryonic dorsal organ and rudimentary ‘naupliar processes’ of the second antennae. Since most hypotheses on crustacean (and malacostracan and peracaridan) relationship rest on external limb morphology, we use early limb bud morphology of Tulumella to better establish thermosbaenacean limb homologies to those of other crustaceans, which is a necessary basis for future morphology based phylogenetic considerations.