Species Inquirenda Research Articles

Calypsophontodes gen. nov. (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Ancorabolidae), a New Genus of Laophontodinae, Including Remarks on Ancorabolid Phylogeny

Both sexes of Laophontodes macropodia Gee and Fleeger, 1986 (Ancorabolidae, Laophontodinae) are redescribed in detail based on type material from the South Orkney Islands and other material from King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The species is fixed as the type of a new genus Calypsophontodes on account of the sexually dimorphic setation on enp-2 of P4 (inner seta present in female, absent in male) and the sexual size dimorphism in P2-P4. The taxon further displays a number of plesiomorphic characters, such as the presence of an outer spine on enp-2 of female P3 and the protruding endopodal lobe in female P5. Laophontodes latissimus Brady, 1918 is regarded as species inquirenda within Calypsophontodes. The geniculation of the outer seta on exp-2 of P1 and the presence of an outer bump with long spinules on the second antennular segment are proposed as potential synapomorphies of Laophontodinae (including Ancorabolina).

Revision of the genus Filellum Hincks, 1868 (Lafoeidae, Leptothecata, Hydrozoa)

A taxonomic review of the cosmopolitan genus Filellum was performed considering morphology, morphometry and cnidome. Species for which we had access to materials were redescribed and morphologically characterized based on optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The materials examined belong to museum collections, including type specimens. All records found in the literature were checked. Our analyses confirmed the validity of 10 out of the 18 nominal species referred to the genus, and established four others (F. adnatum, F. bouvieri, F. contortum and F. plicatum) as species inquirenda. A new species, Filellum bouvetensis sp. nov., is described. The species Reticularia annulata Watson, 1973, type species of the genus Corystolona Watson, 2002, has its type specimen referred to the genus Filellum, composing Filellum annulatum (Watson, 1973). We provide a key for the identification of the valid species of the genus Filellum.

A revision of Gasteruption Latreille (Hymenoptera: Gasteruptiidae) in the Neotropical Region

The Neotropical species of Gasteruption Latreille are revised, described, diagnosed, and illustrated; a key for females is provided. Twenty six valid species are recognized, thirteen of which are described as new: G. amputatum Townes, G. barnstoni (Westwood), G. bertae n. sp., G. bispinosum Kieffer, G. brachychaetum Schrottky, G. brandaoi n. sp., G. brasiliense (Blanchard), G. floridanum (Bradley), G. glauciae n. sp., G. guildingi (Westwood), G. hansoni n. sp., G. helenae n. sp., G. huberi n. sp., G. kaweahense (Bradley), G. lianae n. sp., G. loiaconoae n. sp., G. masneri n. sp., G. oliveirai n. sp., G. parvum Schrottky, G. rafaeli n. sp., G. sartor Schletterer, G. smithi n. sp., G. tenue Kieffer, G. townesi (Alayo), G. visaliae (Bradley), and G. wahli n. sp. The following new synonymies are proposed: G. maculicorne Cameron, G. macroderum Schletterer, and G. zapotecum Schletterer with G. barnstoni; G. bihamatum Kieffer, G. fallens Kieffer, G. fiebrigi Schrottky, G. leptodomum Kieffer, G. montivagum Kieffer, and G. strandi Kieffer with G. bispinosum; G. annulitarse Schrottky, G. brasiliae Kieffer, G. gracillimum (Schletterer), G. longicauda Kieffer, G. petroselini Schrottky, G. subtropicale Schrottky and G. torridum (Bradley) with G. brasiliense; G. rufipectus (Westwood) with G. guildingi; G. angustatum (Kieffer) with G. kaweahense; G. horni Brèthes with G. parvum. The following taxa are considered as species inquirendae: G. albitarse Schletterer, G. austini Jennings and Smith, G. subcoriaceum Kieffer n. stat., and G. tenuicolle Schletterer. As well, G rubrum Taschenberg is synonymized with Pseudofoenus infumatus (Schletterer). In addition, G. tenue Pasteels, 1957a from Australia is a junior homonym of G. tenue Kieffer, 1922 and is renamed G. pasteelsi n. name.

The fossil mite family Archaeorchestidae (Acari, Oribatida) I: redescription of Strieremaeus illibatus and synonymy of Strieremaeus with Archaeorchestes

Strieremaeus is one of several oribatid mite genera proposed by Max Sellnick based on adult specimens preserved in Eocene Baltic amber. The original specimens of its type-species—S. illibatus Sellnick, 1918—were lost and the genus has received no further empirical study. For many years Strieremaeus was included in the family Eremaeidae, but recently this placement was questioned. Herein we redescribe S. illibatus based on the study of 31 non-type adult specimens from both Baltic and Rovno ambers. Among these are four Baltic specimens identified by Sellnick and currently deposited in the Kaliningrad Museum of Amber (KMA), which we designate as neotype (KMA 197-36) and paraneotypes (KMA 197-34, 197-35, and 197-37). Six immature specimens were associated with this species, of which three—one deutonymph, two tritonymphs—could be studied in detail and their characters are included in the redescription. The type specimens of a second species of Strieremaeus proposed by Sellnick—S. cordiformatus Sellnick, 1918—are also lost and two non-type specimens in the KMA seem to have been misidentified by Sellnick; therefore, we treat S. cordiformatus as a species inquirenda. A new diagnosis of Strieremaeus is presented, and the Cretaceous fossil genus Archaeorchestes is considered a junior subjective synonym, based on examination of the holotype of the type-species, A. minguezae Arillo & Subías, 2000. As a consequence, Strieremaeus is currently the sole genus in Archaeorchestidae. Strieremaeus minguezae (n. comb.) is only tentatively maintained as a distinct species, as no certain distinguishing traits could be found. Two families are reported from the fossil record for the first time: Zetomotrichidae from Baltic amber and Zetorchestidae from Rovno amber. In ancillary discussion we note how the specialized tarsal structure of S. illibatus is consistent with its likely arboreal habitat. We also discuss preservation properties and artifacts, note the dimensional discrepancy between cuticular remnants of the mite and its larger imprint in amber, and strongly recommend measuring more than the cuticular remnants themselves. Further, we provide information on different methods to observe amber inclusions, and for the first time report birefringence of fossil cuticular remnants in thin, airless preparations.

Revision of the genus Omalaspis Giraud, 1860 (Hym.: Figitidae: Aspicerinae)

Omalaspis Giraud, 1860, is a genus of Aspicerinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) with a Holarctic distribution. The diagnostic characters that differentiate Omalaspis from morphologically similar genera are described. From the thirteen known species of Omalaspis only O. cavroi (Hedicke, 1914), O. latreillii (Hartig, 1840), O. norica Giraud, 1860 and O. orientalis Belizin, 1968 are valid species. All these species are redescribed. Omalaspis nigra (Hartig, 1840) and O. abnormis (Kieffer, 1901) are synonymized with O. norica, and O. ruficornis Thomson, 1877 is synonymized with O. latreilli. Omalaspis laevis Hedicke, 1914 belongs to Xyalaspis, O. davydovi Belizin, 1927 is considered as ‘incertae sedis’ and O. carinata (Kieffer 1901) ‘species dubia’. Three species are considered as species inquirenda: Omalaspis femoralis Ionescu, 1963 (which belongs to Diapriidae), O. convexa Kierych, 1985 and O. sulcata (Kieffer, 1901). Six new species are described: O. asiatica Ros-Farré & Pujade-Villar n. sp., O. brandaoi Pujade-Villar & Ros-Farré n. sp., O. curvilineata Ros-Farré & Pujade-Villar n. sp., O. gibsoni Ros-Farré & Pujade-Villar n. sp., O. niponica Ros-Farré & Pujade-Villar n. sp. and O. villemantae Pujade-Villar & Ros-Farré n. sp. The diagnostic characters of all species are illustrated and a key to differentiate them is given. A new character is defined here exclusive to Omalaspis within the Aspicerinae, the supratorular impression.

A redescription of Arostrilepis horrida (Linstow, 1901) and descriptions of two new species from Palaearctic microtine rodents, Arostrilepis macrocirrosa sp. n. and A. tenuicirrosa sp. n. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae)

Abstract: The type species of the cestode genus Arostrilepis Mas-Coma et Tenora, 1997, Arostrilepis horrida (Linstow, 1901), is redescribed on the basis of the syntype material from the brown rat.(Rattus norvegicus) deposited in the collection of the Museum fir Naturkunde, Berlin. Arostrilepis horrida (sensu lato), reported from a wide range of rodents throughout the Holarctic Region, is shown to be a species complex. The proposed host range and geographical distribution ofA. horrida (sensu stricto) are limited to the data reported in the original description. The previously proposed synonymy ofA. horrida is examined and the following species are excluded from the list of its synonyms: Hymenolepisprocera Janicki, 1904, H. arvicolina Cholodkowsky, 1913, H. sciurina Cholodkowsky, 1913 and H. mathevossianae Akhumyan, 1946; these are considered species inquirendae. Specimens previously identified as A. horrida from voles from the Asian part of Russia are revised and newly collected materials are worked out. Two new species, A. macrocirrosa sp. n. and A. tenuicirrosa sp. n., are described. The main differentiating characters used to distinguish Arostrilepis spp. are the form and size of cirrus and its armature as well as the type of arrangement for the testes. The new species can also be distinguished from one another on the basis of sequences of the ITS2 rRNA gene. The generic diagnosis of Arostrilepis is emended. Hymenolepis neurotrichi Rausch, 1962, which had been placed in Arostrilepis by Mas-Coma and Tenora (1997), does not correspond to the generic diagnosis and is considered a species incertae sedis.

Two New Sibling Species of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) (Nematoda: Camallanidae) from Marine Fishes in the Gulf of Thailand

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical examinations, 2 new morphologically similar species of the subgenus Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) (Nematoda: Camallanidae) possessing 2 caudal spikes are described from the intestine of marine perciform fishes from the Gulf of Thailand off the Thai coast, i.e., Procamallanus (S.) rigbyi n. sp. from Otolithes ruber (Bloch and Schneider) (Sciaenidae) and Procamallanus (S.) similis n. sp. from Sillago sihama (Forsskål) (Sillaginidae). The former species is mainly characterized by the presence of 13-14 spiral ridges in the buccal capsule, location of deirids at about mid-way between the buccal capsule and the nerve ring, and by the length of the right spicule (315-360 µm), whereas the latter is characterized by 10-12 spiral ridges, deirids situated at short distance posterior to the buccal capsule, and the right spicule 435-492 µm long. Because of their inadequate descriptions, most species of this subgenus reported from marine fishes of the Indo-Pacific region are considered species inquirendae. Spirocotyle Yasmin and Bilqees, 2007 is considered a junior synonym of Procamallanus Baylis, 1923. Since Procamallanus (S.) otolithi Ashraf, Farooq and Khanum, 1977 , P. (S.) otolithi (Gupta and Garg, 1986 ) and P. (S.) otolithi (Yasmin and Bilqees, 2007 ) are junior homonyms to P. (S.) otolithi Bilqees and Kazmi, 1974, they are renamed Procamallanus (S.) pakistanensis n. nom., Procamallanus (S.) problematicus n. nom., and Procamallanus (S.) incognitus n. nom., respectively (all species inquirendae). Procamallanus rigbyi and P. similis are the first nominal species of this genus reported from marine fishes off the coast of Thailand.

Revision of the ant genus Iridomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The world fauna of the dolichoderine ant genus Iridomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is revised. Seventy-nine species are recognised, 31 described as new. Four species are removed from Iridomyrmex: I. butteli (Forel) to Chronoxenus, I. extensus Emery to Anonychomyrma and I. krakatauae Wheeler and I. latifrons Karavaiev to Tapinoma. Twenty-five species and subspecies pass into synonymy: I. emeryi Crawley is synonymised under I. victorianus Forel (itself raised to species), I. vicinus Clark is synonymised under I. splendens Forel (itself raised to species), I. wingi Donisthorpe is synonymised under I. pallidus Forel (itself raised to species), I. gracilis Lowne (a preoccupied name) is synonymised under I. bicknelli Emery, I. mimulus Shattuck is synonymised under I. viridigaster Clark, I. albitarsus Wheeler and I. notialis Shattuck are synonymised under I. calvus Emery, I. obscurus Crawley is synonymised under I. suchieri Forel (itself raised to species), I. greensladei Shattuck is synonymised under I. purpureus, I. variscapus Shattuck is synonymised under I. bigi Shattuck, and I. meinerti Forel is synonymised under I. anceps Roger. Of the subspecies, I. anceps formosae Forel, I. anceps ignobilis Mann, I. rufoniger metallescens Emery, I. anceps sikkimensis Forel and I. anceps watsonii Forel are synonymised under I. anceps, Iridomyrmex bicknelli splendidus Forel is synonymised under I. bicknelli Emery, I. rufoniger fusciventris Forel is synonymised under I. brunneus Forel (itself raised to species), I. chasei concolor Forel and I. chasei yalgooensis Forel are synonymised under I. chasei Forel, I. rufoniger incertus Forel is synonymised under I. pallidus, I. rufoniger domesticus Forel and I. rufoniger septentrionalis Forel are synonymised under I. rufoniger Lowne, and I. mattiroloi parcens Forel is synonymised under I. victorianus. In addition to the five taxa mentioned above, the subspecies I. bicknelli azureus Viehmeyer, I. bicknelli brunneus Forel, I. mattiroloi continentis Forel, I. gracilis minor Forel, I. gracilis rubriceps Forel and I. gracilis spurcus Forel are raised to species. A single species, I. bicknelli luteus Forel, could not be identified and is treated as species inquirenda. A key to workers of the genus is supplied. Lectotypes are designated for I. brunneus Forel, I. chasei Forel, I. conifer Forel, I. discors Forel, I. minor Forel, I. mjobergi Forel, I. pallidus Forel, I. suchieri Forel and I. victorianus Forel. Neotypes are established for I. anceps (Roger), I. parcens Forel and I. rufoniger (Lowne). Five fossil species are considered to belong to Iridomyrmex, although only one of these is supported by rigorous morphological data. Four fossil species are regarded as incertae sedis within the genus. The following fossil-based species are removed from Iridomyrmex (all new combinations): geinitzi Mayr to Anonychomyrma, haueri Mayr to Dolichoderus, oblongiceps Wheeler to Eldermyrmex (gen. n.) and bogdassarovi Nazaraw, Bagdasaraw & Uriew to Liometopum.

Taxonomy of Afrotropical and West Palaearctic ants of the ponerine genus Hypoponera Santschi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The taxonomy of the ponerine ants of the genus Hypoponera is revised for the Afrotropical and West Palaearctic regions. A combined key to both faunae is presented, and the West Palaearctic species are also keyed separately. Fifty-six species are recognised in total, of which 51 are Afrotropical endemics and two are restricted to the West Palaearctic; three tramp species occur in both regions. Thirty-four Afrotropical species are described as new while 33 names, including a number of infraspecific taxa and extralimital forms, are relegated to synonymy. Two previously described Afrotropical Hypoponera names are regarded as species inquirendae (lea, petiolata). Two extralimital species are mentioned with respect to the studied fauna: gibbinota, described from a casual introduction in a Palaearctic hothouse, and the Oriental assmuthi, which is provisionally raised to species to dissociate it from the Palaearctic abeillei, to which it was previously linked as an infraspecific taxon.

A revision of Hexacanalis Perrenoud, 1931 (Cestoda: Lecanicephalidea) and description of H. folifer n. sp. from the zonetail butterfly ray Gymnura zonura (Bleeker) (Rajiformes: Gymnuridae)

Hexacanalis Perrenoud, 1931 was erected for H. abruptus (Southwell, 1911) Perrenoud, 1931 based on the presence of six excretory vessels, a unique feature among the Lecanicephalidea. The genus has since been considered a junior synonym of Cephalobothrium Shipley & Hornell, 1906 or Lecanicephalum Linton, 1890, or as a genus inquirendum. Based on examination of the syntype series of H. abruptus, this species is redescribed and a lectotype designated. Examination of cestodes from the zonetail butterfly ray Gymnura zonura (Bleeker) from off Indonesian Borneo resulted in the discovery of a second species. Hexacanalis folifer n. sp. is unique among lecanicephalideans in its possession of an ovary that is U-shaped in cross-section and craspedote proglottids with prominent posterior dorso-ventral processes in the form of large lappets. The presence of six excretory vessels, confirmed in both species, supports the validity of Hexacanalis. An additional species, H. pteroplateae (Zaidi & Khan, 1976) n. comb., also from a butterfly ray, G. micrura (Bloch & Schneider) [as Pteroplatea micrura (Bloch & Schneider)], is transferred to this genus from Cephalobothrium Shipley & Hornell, 1906. A revised diagnosis of Hexacanalis is presented. Seven species of this genus remain species inquirendae. Hexacanalis appears to parasitise species of the Gymnuridae van Hasselt; however, specific identifications of the hosts are in need of re-evaluation. A summary of the cestode parasites of the Gymnuridae is presented.

Three new species of Echinobothrium (Cestoda: Diphyllidea) from Indo-Pacific stingrays of the genus Pastinachus (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae)

Three new species of diphyllidean cestodes are described from stingrays of the genus Pastinachus from the Indian and Pacific Oceans. All three new species differ from all but 10 of the 36 valid species of Echinobothrium van Beneden, 1849 in that they bear lateral hooklets arranged in a continuous band across each lateral surface of the rostellum joining the groups of dorsal and ventral apical hooks, rather than arranged in distinct dorsal and ventral groups, on each side of the apical hooks. Echinobothrium nataliae sp. n. ex Pastinachus solocirostris off Borneo differs from other relatives in the following combination of characters: number of spines in each column on the cephalic peduncle, number of lateral hooklets and number of apical hooks. Echinobothrium reginae sp. n. ex Pastinachus cf. sephen off Madagascar differs from all congeners in the following combination of characters: number of hooklets and number of spines on the cephalic peduncle. Echinobothrium vojtai sp. n. from an undescribed species of Pastinachus off Borneo differs from its congeners in the following combination of characters: number of hooklets, number of apical hooks and number of spines in each column on the cephalic peduncle. The hook formula was modified to accommodate species with lateral hooklets arranged in a continuous band as follows: {(LH) AH(A)/AH(B)}, where (LH) is the total number of lateral hooklets in a band. A table of all nominal species of Echinobothrium, showing their taxonomic status, type host and locality, number of peduncle spines in a column and hook formula, is presented. Macrobothridium djeddensis and Macrobothridium sinensis are transferred to Echinobothrium. In addition, Echinobothrium deeghai is considered as a species inquirenda.

Revision of the genus Chrysaora Péron & Lesueur, 1810 (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)

Revision of the scyphozoan genus Chrysaora Péron & Lesueur, 1810 was undertaken from observations on museum material (Brazil, Europe, and USA), on living specimens in nature, and on life-cycles of some species cultured under laboratory conditions. A total of 168 museum lots, some of them having many medusae, were inspected. Included amongst these were nine type specimens. The genus comprises 13 valid species (Chrysaora achlyos, C. chinensis, C. colorata, C. fulgida, C. fuscescens, C. hysoscella, C. lactea, C. melanaster, C. pacifica, C. pentastoma, C. plocamia, and C. quinquecirrha), one species inquirenda (Chrysaora caliparea), and two doubtful species (C. kynthia and C. wurlerra). Differentiation of species is based mostly on tentacle number, shape of radial septa, order of tentacle development, colouration, and measurements of nematocysts. We resurrect C. chinensis for specimens from southeast Asia. Chrysaora pacifica is considered valid and distinct from C. melanaster based on tentacle number and nematocyst complement. Mediterranean specimens assigned to C. hysoscella are hermaphroditic and thereby considered distinct from those of C. fulgida from west Africa. Chrysaora achlyos (northeast Pacific) and C. plocamia (southeast Pacific and southwest Atlantic) are geographically isolated but morphologically identical, being distinguished only by colour pattern. The recently described C. southcotti is considered a junior synonym of C. pentastoma. The Australian C. kynthia and C. wurlerra, here considered nomina dubia, merit further study. Our phylogenetic hypothesis indicates that the genus Chrysaora forms a monophyletic group, with C. colorata, C. plocamia, and C. achlyos having a basal position in the phylogeny. Species with more than 24 tentacles (formerly assigned to the genus Dactylometra) form a clade with a derived position.

A new genus of Phyllobothriidae (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) in carcharhiniform sharks from Iran and Australia

The collection of cestodes from the carcharhiniform shark Carcharhinus cf. dussumieri in the Persian Gulf off Iran resulted in the discovery of the new genus and species of tetraphyllidean tapeworm, Doliobothrium haselii n. gen. n. sp. Collections from the carcharhiniform shark Rhizoprionodon acutus in the Timor Sea off northern Australia resulted in material that is consistent with a species originally described as Pithophorus musculosus from this host species in India, but that appears to represent a second species in the new genus. This second species is redescribed and transferred to Doliobothrium n. gen. The two species differ from one another in total length, testis number and total number of proglottids, with the latter species generally being smaller in overall size than the former species. Histological sections and scanning electron microscopy confirm that this new genus differs from all other phyllobothriid genera in the possession of bothridia that both lack apical suckers and are tubular in form, bearing proximal and distal apertures. Despite differences in scolex morphology, the proglottids of the new genus are remarkably similar to those seen in Orectolobicestus, Paraorygmatobothrium and Ruhnkecestus, all of which also parasitize sharks. These four genera also share the presence of serrate gladiate spinitriches on their proximal bothridial surfaces. This is only the second report of a cestode from an elasmobranch from the Persian Gulf. Limited available data suggest that the fauna of this region resembles that of other regions of the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, owing to the paucity of available information and specimens, it is recommended that Pithophorus and three of its remaining described species (i.e. P. pakistanensis, P. trygoni, P. yamagutii) be considered as a genus inquirendum and species inquirenda, respectively.

Analytic taxonomy and notes on marine, brackish-water and estuarine Gastrotricha

Marine Gastrotricha, both Macrodasyida and Chaetonotida, are the subject of an analytic review, citing taxonomic status of names, authorships of taxa, and those responsible for changes, in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, 4 th ed. (1999). Notes are included with regard to taxonomic usage so as to guide workers in the future. Among the proposed novelties are: within Macrodasyida, to restrict the family Lepidodasyidae Remane, 1927 to the genus Lepidodasys Remane, 1926, and to establish a new family, Cephalodasyidae with Cephalodasys Remane, 1926 as its type-species to house the remaining genera and species that have been contained in the polyphyletic family Lepidodasyidae. Hemidasys agaso Claparède, 1867 is considered extinct, and the new name Tetranchyroderma antenniphorum is proposed for Tetranchyroderma antennatum Luporini, Magagnini & Tongiorgi, 1973; in addition, five species are here considered to be species inquirendae: Dactylopodola weilli d'Hondt, 1965, Paradasys nipponensis Sudzuki, 1976, Macrodasys indicus Kutty & Nair, 1969. Tetranchyroderma forceps d’Hondt & Balsamo, 2009 and Turbanella plana (Giard, 1904b). Among Chaetonotida: the Xenotrichula velox-species group Ruppert, 1979 and the Xenotrichula intermedia-species group Ruppert, 1979 were given each the rank of subgenus. Chaetonotus pleuracanthus Remane, 1926 is rejected as a synonym for Chaetonotus marinus Giard, 1904; Chaetonotus somniculosus Mock, 1979 is transferred to the genus Halichaetonotus, the new name Halichaetonotus euromarinus is proposed for Halichaetonotus spinosus Mock, 1979, and Xenotrichula carolinensis Ruppert, 1979 is re-established. Heteroxenotrichula variocirrata d'Hondt, 1966 is here considered to be species inquirenda.

Two new nematode species of the genus Cosmocephalus Molin, 1858 (Spirurida: Acuariidae), with an amended generic diagnosis and an identification key to Cosmocephalus spp.

Cosmocephalus podicipis n. sp. is described from Podiceps cristatus from the vicinity of Ramsar, Iran (type host and type locality) and from Podiceps nigricollis from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Cosmocephalus pelecani n. sp. is described from Pelecanus conspicillatus from Mansfield, Victoria, Australia. Comparative materials of three other species of Cosmocephalus were examined and described. These are C. obvelatus (based on specimens from Larus argentatus from Bulgaria), C. jaenschi (based on a paratype from Phalacrocorax carbo from Australia) and C. capellae (based on a male nematode from Tringa totanus from Bulgaria, a new geographical record). Cosmocephalus faridi from Pelecanus onocrotalus from Egypt, which has been considered by previous authors as a synonym of C. obvelatus, is validated. Results of SEM observations are presented for C. podicipis and C. obvelatus. In all the species examined, the presence of a single ventral ridge was recorded in males anterior to the caudal bursa. The generic diagnosis is amended to include more comprehensive information on the morphology of the studied species. Currently, the genus Cosmocephalus includes 7 species. Cosmocephalus imperialis is recognised as a species inquirenda. Cosmocephalus argentinensis is proposed as a junior synonym of C. obvelatus. An identification key to the species of Cosmocephalus is presented.

Two new genera and species of cystidicolids (Nematoda, Cystidicolidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia

Two new nematode species of the family Cystidicolidae, each representing a new genus, were recovered from marine perciform fishes off New Caledonia, South Pacific: Ascarophisnema tridentatum n. gen., n. sp. from the stomach of the Japanese large-eye bream, Gymnocranius euanus (Günther) (Lethrinidae) and Metabronemoides mirabilis n. gen., n. sp. from the stomach of the painted sweetlip, Diagramma pictum (Thunberg) (Haemulidae). Ascarophisnema is characterized mainly by its cephalic structures (presence of two tooth-like projections on either side of the base of each pseudolabium, dorsal and ventral inner extensions of each pseudolabium recurved laterally in apical view, and submedian sublabia fused together dorsally and ventrally) and the presence of trident-like deirids, and Metabronemoides by its unique cephalic structures (presence of one dorsal and one ventral labium and four large dorsolateral and ventrolateral labia, and absence of sublabia). Rhabdochona gymnocranius (considered a species inquirenda) is provisionally transferred to the former genus as Ascarophisnema gymnocranius (Yamaguti, 1935) n. comb. To date, a total of seven species of cystidicolids are reported from marine fishes off New Caledonia.

A review of K. Kishida's pseudoscorpion taxa (Arachnida, Chelonethi)

Attention is drawn to the pseudoscorpion taxa published by Kyukichi Kishida (1927, 1929, 1940, 1947), which have been largely ignored in the literature outside Japan. Kishida (1929) was the first author to employ the names Chthonioidea Daday, 1888, Cheliferoidea Risso, 1826, Feaelloidea Ellingsen, 1906, Garypoidea Simon, 1879 and Olpioidea Banks, 1895 at the superfamilial rank, and the first to use the names Olpiidae Banks, 1895 and Pseudogarypidae Chamberlin, 1923 at the familial rank. He was also the first to propose a family-group name based on the genus Atemnus Canestrini, 1884, and is therefore the author of the family Atemnidae Kishida, 1929 and the coordinate subfamily Atemninae Kishida, 1929. The suborders Schizonota Kishida, 1929 and Holonota Kishida, 1929 are polyphyletic. Chelanops nipponicus (Kishida, 1927) is synonymized with Haplochernes boncicus (Karsch, 1881) (new subjective synonymy). Chelifer chamberlini Kishida, 1940, which was apparently described from Harbin, China, is considered a species inquirenda. The pseudoscorpion nomina nuda published by Kishida are listed.

A review of the Cis-Andean species of Hemibrycon Günther (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae: Stevardiinae), with description of two new species

The species of Hemibrycon occurring in the east of the Andean Cordilleras are reviewed based on their type series and additional specimens. Nine species are redescribed: H. beni from río Beni basin, Bolivia; H. helleri from the upper rio Ucayali, Peru; H. huambonicus from the ríos Huallaga and Marañon basins, Peru; H. jeslkii from the upper portions of ríos Marañon, Ucayali and Madeira basins, Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru; H. metae from río Orinoco basin, Colombia and Venezuela, and Caribbean coastal basins of Venezuela; H. polyodon (type species) from río Pastaza basin, Ecuador; H. surinamensis from coastal basins of French Guiana and Suriname, and from lower rios Tapajós, Tocantins and Xingu basins, Brazil; H. taeniurus from river basins from Trinidad Island, Trinidad and Tobago, and H. tridens from upper río Ucayali basin, Peru. Two new species are described: H. inambari from the upper río Madre de Dios basin, Peru and H. mikrostiktos from río Ucayali basin, Peru. These species are distinguished among themselves mainly by the color pattern, and meristic characters. The distribution area of the genus is enlarged reaching the lower Tapajós, Tocantins and Xingu river basins, Brazil, with the first record of the occurrence of H. surinamensis in this country. A new description and diagnosis is provided for the type species of the genus, regardless its recent redescription. The type series of H. helleri that was previously considered dubious is found and described. Hemibrycon coxeyi and H. pautensis are considered junior synonyms of H. polyodon. Tetragonopterus (Hemibrycon) trinitatis, previously considered species inquirenda in Characidae, and Hemibrycon guppyi are junior synonyms of H. taeniurus. Hemibrycon orcesi is transferred to Boehlkea. A taxonomic key for the species of the genus to the east of the Andean Cordilleras is presented.

An annotated catalogue of the epigeic and cave centipedes (Chilopoda) of Sardinia

Published and unpublished data on the epigeic and cave centipedes of Sardinia (Italy) are summarized and critically revised in this paper. Fifty-four species are listed and discussed (1 Scutigeromorpha, 19 Lithobiomorpha, 6 Scolopendromorpha, 28 Geophilomorpha), two of which new to the island: Lamyctes emarginatus (Newport, 1844) and Schendyla montana (Attems, 1895). Thirty-one species have been recorded in caves (1 Scutigeromorpha, 14 Lithobiomorpha, 6 Scolopendromorpha, 10 Geophilomorpha) – including the poorly known Plutonium zwierleini Cavanna, 1881 – six of which exclusive of this habitat (5 Lithobius spp., 1 Cryptops sp.). Five species are introduced or probably introduced. General geographic distribution, chorotype, Sardinian localities and ecological notes (altitudinal ranges, habitats) are given for each species. Taxonomic notes are given for some species. Lithobius turritanus Fanzago, 1881 and Lithobius molophai Restivo De Miranda, 1978, previously considered synonyms of Lithobius tricuspis Meinert, 1872 and Lithobius cerii Verhoeff, 1943, respectively, are recognized as valid species, status rev. The new synonymies Lithobius melanops domusnovae Restivo De Miranda, 1976 = Lithobius lapidicola Meinert, 1872 syn. nov., Lithobius oligoporus Latzel, 1884 = Lithobius turritanus Fanzago, 1881 syn. nov. and Lithobius fraleliae De Miranda Restivo, 1978 = Lithobius turritanus Fanzago, 1881 syn. nov. are proposed. Lithobius turritanei Restivo De Miranda i. l. in Cassola, 1982 is recognized as nomen nudum. Cryptops breviunguis A. Costa, 1882 is proposed as species inquirenda and its identity with Cryptops anomalans Newport, 1844 is rejected. Lithobius molophai Restivo De Miranda, 1978 and L. sardous Silvestri, 1898 are redescribed on type or topotypical material. A lectotype for L. sardous Silvestri, 1898 is also designated. Lithobius sardus Manfredi, 1956 status nov., formerly a subspecies of L. agilis C. L. Koch, 1847, is raised to species level; its probable affinity with L. turritanus Fanzago, 1881 is also discussed. Lithobius infossusSilvestri, 1894 (= L. dahlii Verhoeff, 1925) is erased from the centipede fauna of Sardinia, and previous records should be referred to an unidentified species of Lithobius or to L. nuragicus Zapparoli, 1997.

On the Neotropical genus Cybaeodamus (Araneae, Zodariidae, Storeninae)

Four new species of the spider genus Cybaeodamus Mello-Leitão, 1938 are described and illustrated: C. meridionalis sp. nov. from Brazil and Argentina, C. taim sp. nov. from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, C. brescoviti sp. nov. and C. tocantins sp. nov. from setentrional region of Brazil. For the species Cybaeodamus enigmaticus (Mello-Leitão, 1939), C. lycosoides (Nicolet, 1849) and C. ornatus Mello-Leitão, 1938, new illustrations based on the examination of the types are presented. The species Cybaeodamus nigrovittatus Mello-Leitão, 1941 which the holotype is an immature specimen, C. pallidus (Mello-Leitão, 1943) which the type was not located, C. rastellifer (Mello-Leitão, 1940) and C. scottae Mello-Leitão, 1941, both described upon juvenile specimens, all from Argentina, are considered as species inquirendae.