Type Locality Research Articles

Checklist of tardigrades in Germany as a contribution to biodiversity research

Abstract Over 250 years ago Johann August Ephraim Goeze, a Protestant pastor from Quedlinburg, Germany, discovered the first tardigrade. The German physiologist and anatomist Carl August Sigismund Schultze (1795–1877) later named the first species Macrobiotus hufelandi C.A.S. Schultze, 1834, a designation that remains valid today. By the first third of the twentieth century numerous new species had been discovered in Germany and were comprehensively compiled for the first time by the German zoologist Ernst Marcus in 1936. Since then additional faunistic studies have been conducted. This new checklist of tardigrades in Germany provides an overview of all known species found in the country to date. It includes 91 limno-terrestrial or limnic species and eight marine species, with 21 belonging to Heterotardigrada and 78 to Eutardigrada. Germany is the type locality (terra typica) for 24 tardigrade species. The number of identified tardigrade species varies significantly depending on the extent of studies conducted in different federal states. Baden-Württemberg has the highest number of species identified, with 80 species recorded across eleven studies. In this state the Black Forest, with its remarkable diversity of 72 identified tardigrade species is one of the most intensively studied regions worldwide. In Hesse 30 species have been recorded from five studies, while Berlin has documented 23 species from two studies. Fewer species have been reported from other federal states. The 99 tardigrade species identified in Germany represent about 7% of the total 1,488 described tardigrade species worldwide.

Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015

Two new species of coral-reef inhabiting Loimia are described: L. poraporaensis sp. nov., from the lagoon at Bora-Bora, French Polynesia and Hawaii and L. aimehoensis sp. nov., from Moorea in French Polynesia. Loimia poraporaensis sp. nov. has large lateral lobes on segments 2 and 3, a smooth body and eye spots absent. Loimia aimehoensis sp. nov. has banded buccal tentacles, large lateral lobes on segments 2 and 3, with those on segment 3 extending dorsally and with a basal flange, a smooth body and eye spots absent. These species are morphologically and molecularly compared to other recently described species from Pacific coral reefs. This study also allowed us to expand the known distribution of Loimia tuberculata from the type locality at Lizard Island (northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia) Southern GBR, Western Australia, eastern Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. We provide two maximum likelihood trees (COI and 16S genes) for all species of Loimia for which data are available, as well as an identification key and a table of the diagnostic characters for the species of Loimia of this Pacific region. We also discuss their habitat and association with living corals.

Diverse Chondrites and associated trace fossils from the Lower Cretaceous Oued Fodda Formation at its type locality (Ouarsenis Range, Tell Atlas, Algeria)

Diverse Chondrites and associated trace fossils from the Lower Cretaceous Oued Fodda Formation at its type locality (Ouarsenis Range, Tell Atlas, Algeria)

Spatial transcriptomics identifies molecular niche dysregulation associated with distal lung remodeling in pulmonary fibrosis.

Large-scale changes in the structure and cellular makeup of the distal lung are a hallmark of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), but the spatial contexts that contribute to disease pathogenesis have remained uncertain. Using image-based spatial transcriptomics, we analyzed the gene expression of 1.6 million cells from 35 unique lungs. Through complementary cell-based and innovative cell-agnostic analyses, we characterized the localization of PF-emergent cell types, established the cellular and molecular basis of classical PF histopathologic features and identified a diversity of distinct molecularly defined spatial niches in control and PF lungs. Using machine learning and trajectory analysis to segment and rank airspaces on a gradient of remodeling severity, we identified compositional and molecular changes associated with progressive distal lung pathology, beginning with alveolar epithelial dysregulation and culminating with changes in macrophage polarization. Together, these results provide a unique, spatially resolved view of PF and establish methods that could be applied to other spatial transcriptomic studies.

Uramphite, (NH4)(UO2)(PO4)·3H2O, from the second world occurrence, Beshtau uranium deposit, Northern Caucasus, Russia: Crystal-structure refinement, infrared spectroscopy, and relation to uramarsite

Abstract Uramphite, (NH4)(UO2)(PO4)·3H2O, was found at Beshtau uranium deposit, Northern Caucasus, Russia, as the second world occurrence besides its type locality, Tura-Kavak uranium-coal deposit in Kyrgyzstan. In Beshtau, it occurs as yellow tabular crystals up to 0.3 mm grouped in crusts on a matrix composed of albite, microcline, quartz, and chamosite in association with liebigite, meta-autunite, and plumbogummite. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 6 O apfu and 3 H2O is [(NH4)0.91K0.08]Σ0.99P0.99U1.016+O6·3H2O. According to single-crystal X-ray diffraction, uramphite is tetragonal, P4/nmm, with a = 6.9971(3), c = 8.9787(9) Å, V = 439.59(6) Å3, and Z = 2. The crystal structure was refined to R1 = 3.28% for 255 unique observed reflections with |Fo|≥4σF. A model for the distribution of H2O and NH4+ molecules in the interlayer space based on the electron density distribution data is proposed. The mineral belongs to the meta-autunite group. The IR spectrum shows the splitting of the band of H-N-H bending vibrations into four components, which is explained here by the resonance splitting of a group of NH4+ cations occurring around the fourfold axis at close distances from each other. Uramphite is related to uramarsite, (NH4)(UO2)(AsO4)·3H2O. The two minerals have similar crystal structures and IR spectra. However, they are not isostructural. Uramarsite is triclinic, contains a significant amount of P in arsenate sites, and significantly differs from uramphite by the arrangement of H2O and NH4+ molecules in the interlayer space (planar and well organized in uramphite vs. disordered in uramarsite).

Description of the female of Ihlegramma ihlei Eitschberger, 2003, an endemic hawk moth species from northern Laos (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

In this paper, the female of Ihlegramma ihlei Eitschberger, 2003 is described for the first time. The first record of this species is reported from Phongsaly province (the distance from sampling locality to the type locality (Houaphanh province) is about 250 kilometers). Adults and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated.

Review of Arctic and Pacific Marenzelleria (Annelida: Spionidae), with new records and comments on Spio gorbunovi Averincev, 1990

Here we summarise and map available records of the spionid polychaetes Marenzelleria spp. from the Arctic and Pacific Oceans based on morphology and analysis of sequences of five gene fragments (COI, 16S, 18S, 28S and Histone 3). We define for the first time the complex of M. arctia species, including M. arctia-1 from the Baltic, Barents and White Seas, and M. arctia-2 from the Kara Sea east to the Bering Strait. The relationships of these groups to M. arctia (Chamberlin, 1920) from the type locality of this species in the Beaufort Sea remain unclear. We report a new record of M. neglecta Sikorski and Bick, 2004 from Oregon, USA, and consider the presence of this species in the Canadian Arctic and USA Pacific due to introductions for which routes and vectors remain unclear. We also report M. wireni Augener, 1913 for the first time from Arctic Canada (Nunavut). Molecular analysis showed a genetic similarity of the Canadian specimens with worms identified as M. wireni from the Greenland and Laptev Seas. We expect that a future phylogenetic analysis of the relationships of the Asian population, which is currently referred to M. arctia and has never been studied genetically, will shed light on the origin and evolution of the entire genus. Study of the type specimens of Spio gorbunovi Averincev, 1990, described from the Laptev Sea, revealed that this species is a junior synonym of M. arctia, rather than M. wireni as proposed by previous authors.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VECTOR SENSORS COMPARED TO CLASSICAL ACOUSTIC SENSORS AND ACOUSTIC ANTENNAS

The report examines the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of vector acoustic sensors used in recent years in civil and military information systems for the detection, localization and classification of various types of targets and noise sources with high dynamics of emitted signals. A comparison with classical acoustic sensors and discrete acoustic antennas is given. Conclusions and recommendations are made. They are based on a review of publications and experiments.

Redescription of Tetebius latibunus as a new senior synonym of Malgaceros boviceps (Opiliones: Laniatores: Biantidae)

The holotype of Tetebius latibunus Roewer, 1949, and the topotype material of Malgaceros boviceps Lawrence, 1959, were thoroughly examined and compared. No morphological differences were found between these specimens. Consequently, a new synonymy is herein proposed, identifying Malgaceros boviceps as a synonym of Tetebius latibunus, and subsequently, Malgaceros Lawrence, 1959, as a synonym of Tetebius Roewer, 1949. Additionally, the holotype of Tetebius latibunus is considered a minor male, whereas the junior synonym Malgaceros boviceps is considered as a major male. A revised description and detailed illustration of the species Tetebius latibunus are provided, based on a comprehensive review of the holotype and numerous specimens that were collected in Nosy Be, Madagascar, the type locality of Malgaceros boviceps. The original type locality attributed to Tetebius latibunus by Roewer (Tete, Mozambique) is now believed to be a mislabeling, and the species is considered endemic to Madagascar.

Unraveling the Bryocladia scopulorum complex from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean with the description of three new species of Bryocladia (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta).

The filamentous red algal genus Bryocladia was recently deeply revised based on molecular and morphological data. However, data from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean are scarce. Here, we provide a phylogenetic study of Bryocladia representatives from the Brazilian coast with new additions to the genus. Our samples were collected from the north to southeastern Brazilian coast in marine and estuarine areas. We carried out a morphological and molecular study based on COI-5P and rbcL gene sequences. Our phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of seven species on the Brazilian coast, four of which were previously known: B. cuspidata, B. subtilissima, B. thyrsigera, and B. villum. Three new species are described here, B. itaipensis sp. nov., B. oceanica sp. nov., and B. mucuripensis sp. nov., all morphologically included in the B. scopulorum complex. Bryocladia subtilissima was observed only in Brazilian estuarine areas. However, it was split into two subclades, which require further investigation. The three new species expand the known diversity of the B. scopulorum complex from 12 to 15 species. Bryocladia itaipensis is closely related to B. canariensis and B. caespitosa, whereas B. oceanica and B. mucuripensis formed distinct lineages with unsolved relationships. All new species are restricted to their type localities in Brazilian waters, reinforcing the need for further study of tiny species, especially from the tribes Polysiphonieae and Streblocladieae.

Re-evaluation of the Bahariya Formation carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) and its implications for allosauroid phylogeny.

The first partial skeleton of a carcharodontosaurid theropod was described from the Egyptian Bahariya Oasis by Ernst Stromer in 1931. Stromer referred the specimen to the species Megalosaurus saharicus, originally described on the basis of isolated teeth from slightly older rocks in Algeria, under the new genus name Carcharodontosaurus saharicus. Unfortunately, almost all of the material from the Bahariya Oasis, including the specimen of Carcharodontosaurus was destroyed during World War II. In 1996, a relatively complete carcharodontosaurid cranium was described from similar aged rocks in Morocco and designated the neotype of the species Carcharodontosaurus saharicus in 2007. However, due to the destruction of the original material, comparisons of the neotype to the Egyptian fossils have so far only been done cursorily. A detailed reexamination of the available information on the Egyptian carcharodontosaurid, including a previously undescribed photograph of the exhibited specimen, reveals that it differs from the Moroccan neotype in numerous characters, such as the development of the emargination of the antorbital fossa on the nasals, the presence of a horn-like rugosity on the nasal, the lack of a dorsoventral expansion of the lacrimal contact on the frontals, and the relative enlargement of the cerebrum. The referability of the Egyptian specimen to the Algerian M. saharicus is found to be questionable, and the neotype designation of the Moroccan material for C. saharicus is accepted here under consideration of ICZN Atricle 75, as it both compares more favorably to M. saharicus and originates from a locality closer to the type locality. A new genus and species, Tameryraptor markgrafi gen. et sp. nov, is proposed for the Egyptian taxon. The theropods of the Bahariya Oasis and the Moroccan Kem Kem Group are thus not as closely related as previously thought, and the proposed faunal similarities between these two strata need further examination.

From surface to caves: new species of Diploexochus Brandt, 1833 (Oniscidea, Armadillidae) from Colombia, with the description of the first troglobitic species.

Two new species of Diploexochus are described, Diploexochuscacique sp. nov. from Cerro Bañaderos in Hatonuevo, La Guajira, and Diploexochustroglobius sp. nov. from Roca Madre Cave, Toluviejo, Sucre, both from the Tropical Dry Forest (TDF) areas of the Colombian Caribbean. The latter represent the first troglobitic species of the genus. Moreover, based on specimens from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Magdalena (type locality), Venezillobrevispinis is placed into Diploexochus and an identification key for all species of the genus is given. The present work describes the first troglobitic species of the genus, and expand the knowledge of its distribution in northern South America.

New species of Hyalella Smith, 1874 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyalellidae): contribution to the knowledge of a widely distributed genus in the Upper Ribeira karst, with redescription of the rare and endangered Hyalella caeca Pereira, 1989

ABSTRACT We describe two new species of the genus Hyalella found at Parque Estadual Turístico do Alto Ribeira (PETAR), a state park in Southeastern Brazil, and also redescribe H. caeca, the first cave species of the genus described in Brazil. Hyalella caeca is endemic to Tobias de Baixo Cave and is threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List; its original description lacks important and detailed morphological features. Hyalella caeca is completely blind and depigmented, with antenna 2 almost half the body length, maxilla 1 with nine serrate setae on the outer plate, gnathopod 1 with polygonal pattern on the dactylus, gnathopod 2 with a slender posterior excavation and uropod 3 subequal in length to the peduncle of uropod 2 and the telson. The two newly described species are found at Santana Cave and in epigean stretches of Rio Roncador River, and their morphologies differ greatly. Hyalella ceciliae sp. n., a troglobitic species of Santana Cave, is blind and depigmented, with elongated antennas and legs; its main features include antenna 2 more than half the body length, maxilla 1 with eight serrate setae on the outer plate, gnathopod 1 of male and female identical, with comb scales on the merus, and uropod 3 longer than the telson. Hyalella roncador sp. n., an epigean species of Rio Roncador River, has pigmented eyes, and its main features include antenna 1 half the size of antenna 2, maxilla 1 outer plate with nine serrate setae, gnathopod 1 propodus with polygonal pattern, gnathopod 2 palm with slender posterior excavation, and uropod 3 subrectangular, ramus with an excavation with cuspidate setae midway to the apex. Both species are protected by law, since the type localities are inside PETAR; however, Hyalella ceciliae sp. n. shows low abundance and is rare in the Santana Cave. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4B42C2CB-FF06-4FD0-BF49-EDDF1983EAD1

New Aegistohadra from southwest China, with redescription of Aegistohadra delavayana (Heude) (Gastropoda: Camaenidae)

ABSTRACT Aegistohadra species identified in recent surveys suggested that the genus shows high diversity and has wide occupancy in southwest China. We introduce five new species of the genus, Aegistohadra chuxiongensis Wu & Ding, sp. nov., A. huzhengkuni Wu & Ding, sp. nov., A. mengziensis Wu & Ding, sp. nov., A. menglunensis Wu & Ding, sp. nov. and A. sheni Wu & Ding, sp. nov. from Sichuan and Yunnan, China. The distribution range of Aegistohadra in China, geographically and by microhabitats, is divided into the northern half for the ground-dwellers and the southern half for the canopy-dwellers. Takasagohadra lini Wu & Hwang, 2013, a living tree trunk-dweller in Guizhou, is redescribed from its type locality and is moved to Aegistohadra on the basis of the morphological, anatomical and molecular data. A phylogeny based on mitochondrial gene fragments (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA) reconfirmed that Aegistohadra is monophyletic, which indicates that its basal species might have occupied the microhabitat of the canopy before the living tree trunk – and ground-dwellers – appeared.

Zerynthia cassandra (Geyer, 1828) or Zerynthia demnosia (Boisduval, 1828)? Which one is the correct name according to the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature?

The author succeeds in clarifying the taxonomic and nomenclatural uncertainties within the species complex of Zerynthia polyxena from Italy. Respecting the specific state of the Italian Festoon as proposed by Dapporto (2010), its species name must be demnosia Boisduval, 1828 with the type locality ‘San Giórgio a Colónica’ (Dapporto, 2010), which corresponds to Florence in the sense of Mann (1844). The name cassandra Geyer, 1828 has to be considered as a younger synonym of polyxena [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775 and is not available as a species name for the Italian Festoon. The substitution of the species name cassandra sensu Dapporto (2010) by demnosia Boisduval, 1828 allows furthermore the use of the name cassandra Geyer, 1828, as a forma to denote individual and local forms with strong patterning of Zerynthia polyxena in southern Europe including the populations of southern France and eastern Liguria

A skeletally immature specimen provides new information on the cranial osteology and intraspecific variation of Soturnia caliodon (Procolophonidae: Leptopleuroninae), Upper Triassic of Southern Brazil

Parareptiles are rare components of the fossil record from the Upper Triassic beds of South America. The group is represented by the leptopleuronine procolophonid Soturnia caliodon, which is known from fragmentary specimens from the early Norian strata of southern Brazil. It is a particularly interesting procolophonid because of its highly specialized dentition, which has been suggested to be adapted for the consumption of high-fibrous plant material. Nevertheless, the complete skull of S. caliodon is unknown, lacking information from the rostral and temporal regions. In the present study we describe a new specimen composed of a rostrum, which partially fills this gap and provides new information on the intraspecific variation of S. caliodon. The new specimen was recovered from the type locality, situated in the municipality of Faxinal do Soturno, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The age of the site is considered early Norian according to radioisotopic dating. These new data provide further support for a derived position within the phylogenetic tree of procolophonids. Moreover, the reduced size of the skull and incompletely ankylosed teeth suggest that the new specimen comprises a skeletally immature individual. We observed that the rostral region of the skull of S. caliodon becomes longer and the number of teeth increases during ontogenetic development. Finally, we also observed that some of the intraspecific variation resulting from ontogenetic factors can produce ambiguous scores for phylogenetic characters of procolophonids, requiring attention during the examination of skeletally immature individuals.

New Distribution Record for Paraspartolus curiosus Gunther, 1939 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with Notes on Taxonomy and Biogeography

Paraspartolus Günther, 1939 is a monotypic genus endemic to the Philippines. Its only species – P. curiosus Günther, 1939 – has been known only from Cape Engaño, Santa Ana, Cagayan, Luzon Island. Even though the species was described more than 80 years ago, only three specimens have been known, and nothing about the species’ coloration, variability, or ecology was noted. In this study, we provide live photographs of the species for the first time from Negros Island – some 1000 km away from the type locality. We present detailed measurements of the collected male and female specimens and describe the species’ color variations and microhabitats, including their bryophyte associates. We provide comments on the distribution of the species and identify problems with the higher classification.

Catalogue of the Family Panorpidae (Mecoptera) in Canada, México and the United States

Panorpa is the sole genus of the family Panorpidae (Mecoptera) occurring in North America. Here is presented a new catalogue that updates the list of Panorpa species present in Canada, México and the United States, last summarized by Penny and Byers (1979) and Penny (1997) and, for México, by Byers (2011) and Contreras-Ramos et al. (2014). In 1979 there were 46 species listed, but since then identifications of new species and new synonymies have brought the total count to 91 species. This catalogue provides for each species its valid name, complete bibliography, type specimen depository, type locality, distribution by province/state, and a synonymy of names applied.

A new species of Pitcairnia (Bromeliaceae) with nocturnal anthesis from Oaxaca, Mexico

Background: Pitcairnia is the third largest bromeliad genus in Mexico with 57 species and ca. 82.5 % endemism, and is characterized mostly by zygomorphic, ornithophilous flowers of diurnal anthesis in several hues of red, orange, or yellow, whereas white or green flowers are uncommon. Moreover, there are just a few species with nocturnal anthesis in Megamexico. One of them is documented and discussed here. Questions: Is the Pitcairnia with campanulate, fragrant flowers of nocturnal anthesis from Oaxaca different from other species with similar characters native to Mexico and the Neotropics and what is its conservation status? Studied species: Pitcairnia abundans, P. lokischmidtiae, P. zapoteca. Study site and dates: Oaxaca, Mexico, 2016-2024. Methods: Live plants, herbarium material, protologues, and high-resolution images of herbarium specimens, both of the new taxon and of morphologically similar taxa, were studied and compared against each other. The conservation status of the new species was assessed using the IUCN criteria. Results: Pitcairnia zapoteca is similar but different at the species level from P. lokischmidtiae from Jalisco; both share campanulate flowers of nocturnal anthesis and a musky or frutal fragances. The conservation status of the new taxon is assessed as DD. Conclusions: Pitcairnia zapoteca is a new species, only known from the type locality in the state of Oaxaca and only one of three Mexican species with campanulate, white, yellowish or greenish flowers of nocturnal anthesis. The assessment the true conservation status of the new taxon requires detailed exploration of the SE portion of Oaxaca.

Cave bear tracks (Ursichnus europaeus Diedrich, 2011) from Honseca Cave, Palencia, Spain

References to ichnofossils attributed to ursids are scarce in the literature and only two ichnogenera attributed to ursids have been described: Platykopus Sarjeant, Reynolds and Kissell-Jones, 2002 and Ursichnus Diedrich, 2011. In contrast, tracks informally attributed to Late Pleistocene cave bears (Ursus spelaeus Rossenmüller and Heinroth, 1794) are frequent in European caves. However, their formal descriptions are extremely scarce; the only exception is the rich ichnocenosis from Urşilor Cave (Romania), the type locality of the ichnotaxon Ursichnus europaeus Diedrich. The Honseca Cave in northern Spain, contains a set of plantigrade pentadactyle tracks, which represent the first record of Ursichnus europaeus from a cave in the Iberian Peninsula. Although distinguishing cave bear from brown bear tracks is complex, cave bears are considered the most likely tracemakers in Honseca.