Designated Type Species Research Articles

The first recognition of the enigmatic fossil shark genus Megalolamna (Lamniformes, Otodontidae) from the lower Miocene of Europe and M. serotinus (Probst, 1879) as the newly designated type species for the genus

Megalolamna is an elusive extinct shark genus (Lamniformes: Otodontidae) previously known from the upper Oligocene–Miocene of the USA, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Japan. Here, we document the first occurrence of Megalolamna from Miocene marine deposits in Europe, specifically from Austria, France, Germany, and Italy. Although the taxon is regarded as a monospecific genus, this study reveals that the species name serotinus has the priority over any previously used names for the taxon and thus redescribes it as Megalolamna serotinus (Probst), comb. nov. This study is also significant because it demonstrates the existence of Megalolamna in the Mediterranean and Paratethys seas during the Miocene. Megalolamna inhabited the tropical–mid-latitudinal zones with spotty but wide geographic distribution.

Taxonomic revision of two species in the genus Ptychorhynchus Simpson, 1900 (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Gonideinae), with description of a new species.

Accurate identification and precise classification of freshwater mussel species that are among the most threatened freshwater taxa in the world, play a crucial role in informing conservation and management efforts for these organisms. However, due to the variability in shell morphology, relying solely on shell characteristics for species taxonomy poses significant challenges, thereby impeding effective conservation planning and management. The freshwater mussel genus Ptychorhynchus Simpson, 1900 is one such group in need of study. We integrate molecular phylogeny, shell morphology and soft-body anatomy to examine the classification of Ptychorhynchus denserugata (Haas, 1910) and Ptychorhynchus resupinatus (von Martens, 1902). The COI barcoding data support the clustering of P. denserugata and Nodularia douglasiae within a single clade, and P. denserugata shares the diagnostic feature of the genus Nodularia , i.e. knobs or bumps on the inner mantle surface in the excurrent aperture. Therefore, by integrating molecular data and anatomical characteristics, we confirm that the nominal species P. denserugata syn. nov. is a new synonym for N. douglasiae . The multi-locus (COI + ND1 + 16S rRNA + 18S rRNA + 28S rRNA ) phylogeny and mitochondrial phylogenomics support the transfer of P. resupinatus from Ptychorhynchus to the newly elevated genus Cosmopseudodon stat. rev., as Cosmopseudodon resupinatus stat. rev. that is still considered the designated type species. We also describe a new species based on integrative taxonomy, i.e. Cosmopseudodon wenshanensis sp. nov. The comprehensive understanding of the taxonomy and diversity of the revised Cosmopseudodon species, and shell heteromorphism of N. douglasiae (=P. denserugata syn. nov.), will serve as a crucial foundation for further scientific assessment and conservation strategies pertaining to these taxa. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E48968B1-DF0F-42AD-8F31-B8C95F23CE57.

Diversity and morphology of Eocene and Oligocene Mordellidae (Coleoptera)

Characteristics of the locomotor apparatus (excluding wings) and other diagnostic features of Mordellidae preserved in Eocene Baltic and Rovno amber are investigated. Main features of Eocene Mordellidae are compared with those of their extant relatives using mainly light microscopy and micro-CT scans. The entire record of Eocene and Oligocene fossils of this family is reviewed, revealing a great number of discrepancies in diagnoses of species of Eocene and Oligocene Mordellidae at the generic level, which makes a reliable discussion of their biogeography and relationship with extant species impossible. To overcome this situation, four new collective group names (i.e., without a type species designation) are established: Baltimorda nov., Baltistena nov., Rovnostena nov., and Petrimordella nov. Seven new species of Mordellistenini from Baltic amber are described, diagnosed and illustrated: Baltistena ultima sp. nov., B. aurata sp. nov., B. longistrigata sp. nov., B. hoffeinsorum sp. nov., B. concava sp. nov., B. brevispina sp. nov., and B. atronigra sp. nov. The number of Mordellistenini recorded from Baltic amber is doubled from seven to fourteen. The subgenus Palaeostena Kubisz, 2003, with the type species Falsomordellistena eocenica Kubisz, 2003, is elevated to a genus.

Chironius scurrula, the correct nomen for Chironius scurrulus (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae), with a list of the correct spellings of specific epithets currently in use in this genus

The correct epithet of the snake species so far known as Chironius scurrulus Wagler in Spix, 1824 is shown to be scurrula, as it is not an adjective but a noun in apposition to the generic substantive, therefore invariable. This case prompted us to review the grammatical status of the epithets of the 23 species currently considered valid in the genus Chironius Fitzinger, 1826. Only about 56.5 % of these epithets turned out to be adjectives agreeing in gender with the generic nomina with which they are combined. Although this proportion will be very variable from one zoological genus to another, it is likely that in genera with a high number of species (10‒20 or more), some epithets will not agree in gender with the genus nomina. In order to avoid subsequent corrections in the spellings of epithets (and therefore ‘nomenclatural instability’), taxonomists are therefore encouraged to pay attention to this question. As a consequence of this survey, we also provide new information on a few miscellaneous questions: the author of the type species designation for Chironius; the author, date, type specimen and type locality of the nominal taxon Chironius flavolineatus; and the etymology and status of the epithets of the bionomina Chironius foveatus and Chironius leucometapus.

Nomenclatural problems caused by type species designation in Gammaridae (Amphipoda)

Recent phylogenetic studies of Gammaridae made evident some nomenclatural issues that should be addressed. We discuss the nomenclatural problems caused by the use of the unavailable name Neogammarus Ruffo, 1937 and the designation of type species for Rhipidogammarus Stock, 1971 and Neogammarus Karaman, 1969. Since the type species of these two last names is the same, Gammarus rhipidiophorus Catta, 1878, the ICZN requires that a new objective synonymy be established: Neogammarus Karaman, 1969 = Rhipidogammarus Stock, 1971, syn. nov. This synonymy changes the current general use of these two names, generating a new nomenclatural combination, Neogammarus karamani (Stock, 1971) n. comb. We provide a synonymic list of Neogammarus to facilitate its general application.

Solving nomenclatural problems of genus-group names of the cuckoo-wasps (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae): objectively invalid and unavailable names, new type-species designations, new names, a new genus and new synonymies.

Information is provided for 143 objectively invalid or unavailable genus-group names used in Chrysididae; 34 are objectively invalid, of which 18 are junior homonyms (five of these are also currently junior subjective synonyms), 18 are junior objective synonyms (two of these are also junior homonyms) of which seven are unjustified emendations, and two are unnecessary replacement names. The remaining 109 names are unavailable; 96 are incorrect subsequent spellings, most of them were originally lapsus calami or misprints, one is hereby deemed to be an incorrect original spelling, eight are nomina nuda, three were originally published as junior synonyms and never adopted before 1961 as valid names of any taxa, and one is a vernacular name previously considered as valid. Gender, type species, taxonomic history and status are given for each name except for incorrect subsequent spellings and unjustified emendations. Some cases of homonymies with taxa currently classified as non-animal are discussed. For two such junior homonyms, denoting genus-group taxa considered as valid in the present work, new replacement names are proposed: Linsenmaierella Rosa & Pavesi nom. nov. for Chrysidella Linsenmaier, nec Pascher; and Rhipidochrysis Rosa & Pavesi nom. nov. for Pleurochrysis Bohart, nec Pringsheim. New generic synonymies are established: consequent on new type-species designations, Leptoglossa Klug becomes a junior objective synonym of Parnopes Latreille syn. nov., and Pyrochloris Klug becomes a junior objective synonym of Euchroeus Latreille syn. nov.; Pseudodichrysis Trautmann is a junior objective synonym of Dichrysis Lichtenstein syn. nov. and the latter is in turn a junior subjective synonym of Chrysis Linnaeus. Platycelia Dahlbom is selected by the authors, acting as First Revisers, as the correct original spelling, and the simultaneously published Platycoelia is therefore deemed to be an incorrect subsequent spelling. The validation of Philoctetes Abeille de Perrin, not available when originally proposed, is discussed. Morphochrysis Rosa & Pavesi gen. nov. (type species: Chrysis pulchella Spinola) is here described; it includes members of the Chrysis pulchella species group previously included in Gonodontochrysis Semenov-Tian-Shanskij & Nikol'skaya, an unavailable name. The Chrysis zaravshanica species group is merged with the pulchella species group. A new specific synonymy within this group is proposed: Chrysis zaravshanica Tarbinsky syn. nov. of C. personata Semenov-Tian-Shanskij.

Thyreophagus calusorum sp. n. (Acari, Acaridae), a new parthenogenetic species from the USA, with a checklist of Thyreophagus species of the world

The genus Thyreophagus is distributed worldwide, containing species occurring in stored food, house dust, bark, subcortical habitats, scale insect associations, and nests of wasps and bees. As species of this genus prefer concealed habitats, the actual species diversity is currently underappreciated. In addition, some described taxa are poorly known and their species boundaries are not entirely clear. Only a few species are known from both adult and deutonymphal stages. Using high-resolution light microscope and scanning electron microscopy, we describe a new partenogenetic species, Thyreophagus calusorum sp. n. from Florida (USA) based on adult stage (female) and heteromorphic deutonymph. This species was reared in the lab and its morphological variation was also studied. We did not find any substantial variation in the shape of the female spermatheca, but in the heteromorphic deutonymph, we did find extensive variation in the shape of tibial setae hT I (a taxonomically important character). Furthermore, we summarized taxonomic data and compiled an annotated checklist of species of Thyreophagus, with 35 species-level taxa. We clarified the following nomenclatorial questions: type species designation in Monieziella Berlese, 1897 was done by A. Berlese in G. Leonardi 1900 (Tyroglyphus entomophagus Laboulbène) not by A. Jacot (1936) as it was though previously; Monieziella mali Berlese, 1897 is an unjustified emendation and junior objective synonym of the name Acarus malus Shimer, 1868, currently Hemisacoptes malus (Shimer, 1868). Three subspecies of Thyreophagus were elevated to the species status due to their distinct morphology: Thyreophagus italicus Vacante, 1989, stat. nov. (=Thyreophagus entomophagus italicus Vacante, 1989); Thyreophagus mauritianus (Fain, 1982), stat. nov. (=Michaelopus gallegoi mauritianus Fain, 1982), and Thyreophagus ponticus Kadzhaya, 1973, stat. nov. (=Thyreophagus entomophagus ponticus Kadzhaya, 1973).

Clarification of the status of Paraferreola Šustera, 1912 as an available genus name in Pompilidae, and the identity of Sphex ursus Fabricius, 1793 in Mutillidae (Hymenoptera)

The usage of Paraferreola Šustera, 1912 since its proposal as a genus of spider wasps, but based on a misidentified type species (Sphex ursus Fabricius, 1793, actually a species of Mutillidae), shows that it continues to be applied (although infrequently) in Pompilidae, despite the proposal of new names (Eoferreola Arnold, 1935 and Tea Pate, 1946) for the equivalent generic concept. Application of Article 70.3.2 of the fourth edition of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature permits correction of the erroneous type species designation to that originally intended (Sphex rhombica Christ, 1791), and thus the maintenance of Paraferreola as a valid genus in Pompilidae. Examination of the holotype specimen of Sphex ursus has shown it to be a senior synonym of Mutilla vesta Cresson, 1865 and its junior synonyms, for which the valid name must thus be Dasymutilla ursus (Fabricius, 1793), comb. nov.

Revalidation of the genus Sadala Simon, 1880 with the description of a new genus of Neotropical huntsman spiders (Araneae, Sparassidae).

The genus Sadala Simon, 1880 is revalidated to include the here designated type species, S. keyserlingi Simon, 1880, as well as S. nigristernis Simon, 1880, S. punicea Simon, 1880, S. rufa (Keyserling, 1880) and S. velox Simon, 1880, all comb. rest. The males of S. punicea and S. rufa and four new species are described: S. kaiabi spec. nov. (), from Brazil, S. nanay spec. nov. () and S. yuyapichis spec. nov. () from Peru, and S. tabatinga spec. nov. () from Brazil and Colombia. The genus Meri gen. nov. is described to include the type species, M. pictitarsis (Simon, 1880), as well as M. mathani (Simon, 1880), M. formosus (Banks, 1929), M. santivincenti (Simon, 1898), and M. trinitatis (Strand, 1916), all comb. nov. transferred here from the genus Olios Walckenaer, 1837. The male of M. trinitatis comb. nov. and twenty new species are described: M. abuna spec. nov. (), from Ecuador, Brazil and Peru; M. aparia spec. nov. (), from Peru, M. arraijan spec. nov. () from Panama and Colombia; M. carabobo spec. nov. (), M. guri spec. nov. (), M. yaciba spec. nov. (), from Venezuela; M. conduri spec. nov. (), M. manaos spec. nov. (), M. munduruku spec. nov. (), M. paiaia spec. nov. (), M. quinari spec. nov. (), M. rivai spec. nov. (), M. tambor spec. nov. (), M. tapirapeco spec. nov. (), from Brazil; M. jaraua spec. nov. (), from Venezuela, French Guiana, Surinam, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil; M. kaieteur spec. nov. () from Venezuela and Guyana; M. martinique spec. nov. (), from Martinique, Guadelupe and Dominica; M. tumatumari spec. nov. () from Guyana, M. vanini spec. nov. from Brazil and Peru; and M. zeteki spec. nov. () from Panama. Olios orchiticus Mello-Leito, 1930 is considered a junior synonym of M. trinitatis comb. nov. Both genera and species are described and illustrated. Identification keys and updated distribution maps are provided.

Unraveling the nomenclatural puzzle of the collared and white-lipped peccaries (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla, Tayassuidae).

The nomenclatural history of the collared and white-lipped peccaries, two well-recognized taxonomic entities, has been confusing. From the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, several genera were created, most of them without an explicit designation of type species. Due to differing opinions as to whether the two species should be included in a single genus or, if separate genera were recognized, which generic name should be applied to each of the two taxa, the validity of generic and specific names oscillated until even recently. This paper aims to solve these nomenclatural issues by reviewing the different taxonomic arrangements of these two peccaries and applying appropriately the International Code on Zoological Nomenclature. We contend that the valid generic name for the white-lipped peccary is Tayassu Fischer, 1814 (type Sus pecari Link, 1795), while Dicotyles Cuvier, 1816 (type Dicotyles torquatus Cuvier, 1816) is the valid genus for the collared peccary, with Pecari Reichenbach, 1835 as its junior synonym.

<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>The shelled pteropods of the northeast Pacific Ocean (Mollusca: Heterobranchia, Pteropoda)</strong></p>

An overview of shelled pteropod species of the northeast Pacific Ocean, roughly north of 25°N and east of 160°W is presented. For the 34 recognised species (Limacinidae 6, Creseidae 4, Creseidae ? 2, Cuvierinidae 3, Cliidae 6, Cavoliniidae 10, Peraclidae 2, Clionidae 1) a brief description is given enabling identification. Data are based on several museum collections and the existing literature. For all species the original description and most important synonyms are referenced. Locations of type specimens are recorded as far as is known. All species are illustrated, for many species images of living specimens are included. Cavolinia labiata (d’Orbigny, 1835) is designated type species of Orbignyia Adams, 1859.

The Protean Acremonium. A. sclerotigenum/egyptiacum: Revision, Food Contaminant, and Human Disease.

Acremonium is known to be regularly isolated from food and also to be a cause of human disease. Herein, we resolve some sources of confusion that have strongly hampered the accurate interpretation of these and other isolations. The recently designated type species of the genus Acremonium, A. alternatum, is known only from a single isolate, but it is the closest known relative of what may be one of the planet’s most successful organisms, Acremonium sclerotigenum/egyptianum, shown herein to be best called by its earliest valid name, A. egyptiacum. The sequencing of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, actin genes, or both for 72 study isolates within this group allowed the full range of morphotypes and ITS barcode types to be elucidated, along with information on temperature tolerance and habitat. The results showed that nomenclatural confusion and frequent misidentifications facilitated by morphotaxonomy, along with misidentified early sequence deposits, have obscured the reality that this species is, in many ways, the definitive match of the historical concept of Acremonium: a pale orange or dull greenish-coloured monophialidic hyphomycete, forming cylindrical, ellipsoidal, or obovoid conidia in sticky heads or obovoid conidia in dry chains, and acting ecologically as a soil organism, marine organism, plant pathogen, plant endophyte, probable insect pathogen, human opportunistic pathogen, food contaminant, probable dermatological communicable disease agent, and heat-tolerant spoilage organism. Industrially, it is already in exploratory use as a producer of the antibiotic ascofuranone, active against trypanosomes, cryptosporidia, and microsporidia, and additional applications are in development. The genus-level clarification of the phylogeny of A. egyptiacum shows other historic acremonia belong to separate genera, and two are here described, Parasarocladium for the Acremonium radiatum complex and Kiflimonium for the Acremonium curvulum complex.

Checklist and comments on the jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera: Psylloidea)from the Indian subcontinent.

A checklist comprising information on taxonomy, distribution and host plants is provided for 161 species of jumping plant-lice from the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) based on published records and museum material. In addition there are 15 species recorded in the literature which are identified to genus only. Museum material provides eight new country and two new state (within India) records. The taxonomy is updated and following nomenclatorial acts are proposed: new genus (1), new generic synonymies (2), designation of type species (1), new species synonymies (5), replacement names for primary homonyms at species level (3), new status of subspecies (3), new combinations (23). Toonapsylla Burckhardt, gen. nov. is described for Psylla cedrelae (Kieffer, 1905). The new genus belongs to Mastigimatinae (Calophyidae) and is probably closest related to Bharatiana and Mastigimas, both associated with Cedrela and Toona (Meliaceae). The new genus is diagnosed and a key is provided for the world genera of Mastigimatinae. The Neoptropical genus Allophorina Hodkinson is transferred here from Mastigimatinae (Calophyidae) to Psyllinae (Psyllidae).

Nomenclatural and type catalogue of Athoracophoridae (Mollusca: Eupulmonata: Succineoidea): a synopsis of the first 185 years of biodiscovery in the South West Pacific region.

Athoracophoridae are succineoidean terrestrial slugs that constitute a distinctive faunal element of the South West Pacific biogeographic region, with representatives in New Guinea, Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and New Zealand. Despite many studies on morphology, taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships since the first species description in 1832, the understanding of the diversity within the family, as reported in published literature, remains poor with regional disparities in collection and systematic effort, in taxonomic concepts, and in adherence to type concepts. The systematics of Athoracophoridae needs to be re-evaluated through a modern, phylogenetic approach to properly document infra-familial evolution and taxon diversity, advance understanding of evolutionary relationships with other Eupulmonata, and to delineate evolutionary units for conservation prioritization. A catalogue of all class-, family-, genus- and species-group names erected for or used to include Athoracophoridae over the 185 year period 1832 to 2017 is provided, as a first step towards a systematic revision. The following nomenclatural changes are made: lectotype designation for Aneitea macdonaldii Gray, 1860; lectotype designation for Janella papillata Hutton, 1879; type species designation for Amphikonophora Suter, 1897; and lectotype designation for Athoracophorus verrucosus Simroth, 1889.

Case 3746 — Ripiphoridae Laporte, 1840 and Ripiphorus Bosc, 1791 (Insecta, Coleoptera): proposed conservation of usage by designating Ripiphorus subdipterus Fabricius, 1792 as the type species of Ripiphorus and proposed ruling that Laporte (1840) used the type genus Ripiphorus in the sense defined b

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Articles 65.2.2 and 81.1 of the Code, is to conserve the current usage of the generic name Ripiphorus Bosc, 1791 and the familygroup name Ripiphoridae Laporte, 1840. The current usage of Ripiphorus is threatened by the discovery that its first valid type-species designation is Mordella paradoxa Linnaeus, 1760 which would result in Ripiphorus being the valid name for the species currently included in Metoecus Dejean, 1834 and Myodites Latreille, 1819 being the valid name for the species currently placed in Ripiphorus. In addition, the current usage of Ripiphoridae would be threatened because of the altered concept of its type genus. In order to avoid nomenclatural instability we propose that Ripiphorus subdipterus Fabricius, 1792 be designated as the type species of Ripiphorus and that the Commission rule that Laporte (1840) used Ripiphorus in the currently-accepted sense.

Nomenclatural studies toward a World List of Diptera genus-group names.Part VI: Daniel William Coquillett.

The Diptera genus-group names of Daniel William Coquillett are reviewed and annotated. A total of 136 available genus-group names in 53 families of Diptera are listed alphabetically, and for each name giving author, year and page of original publication, originally included species, type species and method of fixation, current status of the name, family placement, and a list of any emendations of it that have been found in the literature. Remarks are given to clarify nomenclatural or taxonomic information. In addition, an index to all the species-group names of Diptera proposed by Coquillett (1,218, of which 1,214 are available names) is given with bibliographic reference (year and page) to each original citation. Appended to this study is a full bibliography of Coquillett's published works. Name found to be unavailable: Philhelius Coquillett, 1910. Name found not to be preoccupied: Petia Coquillett, 1910 [Tachinidae]. Corrections to and clarifications of type species designations are made for the following: Isostomyia Coquillett, 1906 [Culicidae]; Micraedes Coquillett, 1906 [Culicidae]; Roederiodes Coquillett, 1901 [Empididae]; Stilbometopa Coquillett, 1899 [Hippoboscidae]; Tinolestes Coquillett, 1906 [Culicidae]. Previous First Reviser actions for multiple original spellings missed by previous workers include: Ateloglossa Coquillett, 1899 [Tachinidae]; Boreodromia Coquillett, 1903 [Brachystomatidae]; Mythicomyia Coquillett, 1893 [Mythicomyiidae]. The following are new synonymies of their respective senior synonyms: Acemyia Coquillett, 1897b under Acemya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, n. syn. [Tachinidae]; Clytiomyia Coquillett, 1897b under Clytiomya Rondani, 1861, n. syn. [Tachinidae]; Linnaemyia Coquillett, 1897b under Linnaemya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, n. syn. [Tachinidae]; Xanthogramma Schiner, 1860 under Philhelius Stephens, 1841, n. syn. [Syrphidae]. Using Reversal of Precedence (ICZN Code Art. 23.9), Scriptotricha Cockerell, 1889 [Tephritidae] is declared a nomen oblitum and Paracantha Coquillett, 1899f [Tephritidae] is declared a nomen protectum.

New replacement name for Tricella Catalano & Dietrich, 2017 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

We recently established the leafhopper genus Tricella with the type species Tricella antonellae from Ecuador (Catalano & Dietrich 2017). Unfortunately, Tricella n.gen is junior homonym of Tricella Daniels, 1975 (Diptera). Therefore, we propose a new replacement name Carpaneura nom. nov. for Tricella Catalano & Dietrich, 2017 as required by Article 60 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The genus is named in honor of the first author's husband, Pablo Carpane. The name combines his family name with the suffix of the type genus of the tribe and is treated as a feminine noun. Replacement of the junior homonym also requires the following new combination for the originally designated type species: Carpaneura antonellae (Catalano & Dietrich), comb. nov.

Proposal to designate Methylothermus subterraneus Hirayama et al. 2011 as the type species of the genus Methylothermus. Request for an Opinion.

Methylothermus thermalis, the designated type species of the genus Methylothermus, is not available from culture collections and its nomenclatural type is a patent strain. According to Rule 20a of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, only species whose names are legitimate may serve as types of genera. Therefore, the name Methylothermus and the names of the species Methylothermus thermalis and Methylothermus subterraneus are not validly published and are illegitimate. We therefore submit a Request for an Opinion to the Judicial Commission of the ICSP to consider the later-named Methylothermus subterraneus as the new type species of the genus Methylothermus based on Rule 20e(2).

An integrative approach underscores the taxonomic status of Lamellidens exolescens, a freshwater mussel from the Oriental tropics (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

The Oriental Region harbours the second richest fauna of freshwater bivalves in the world, including many endangered endemic taxa. However, the Oriental fauna of the Unionidae have been very poorly studied using an integrative taxonomic approach, which may provide reasonable revisions of complicated (cryptic) taxa based on morphological, molecular, biogeographic and ecological evidence. Here, we present the first example of an integrative taxonomic revision concerning the status of Unio exolescens Gould (1843), a nominal mussel taxon that was accepted as a valid species within the genus Trapezoideus Simpson (1900). Currently, Trapezoideus exolescens is considered the type of the genus as far as the originally designated type species, U. foliaceus Gould (1843), was considered to be a synonym of T. exolescens. Using nucleotide sequences obtained from mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (28S rDNA) genes, we found that the topotypes of Unio exolescens Gould (1843) cluster together with representatives of another mussel genus, Lamellidens Simpson (1900). Based on these results and on morphological data, we transfer Unio exolescens Gould (1843) from Trapezoideus to Lamellidens and propose Lamellidens exolescens (Gould, 1843) comb. nov. In addition, we revisited the status of Unio foliaceus Gould (1843) as a valid species and the type of the genus Trapezoideus based on the morphological study of the type specimen, although a question concerning the true position of this taxon is still open because its molecular sequences are not available. Our findings highlight that an integrative taxonomic approach is an important tool, particularly when dealing with such species-rich Unionidae fauna as those of the Oriental Realm.

EOCENE, OLIGOCENE AND MIOCENE NATICID GASTROPODS OF NORTHERN ITALY

The present paper covers 77 species and six subspecies of naticid gastropods occurring in the Eocene, Oligocene and Miocene units of Northern Italy; all are described and commented on in the systematic account. Forty-two taxa are identified as formerly described ones; of these, 16 are associated with a generic name different from the previous one, and four are ranked at a different taxonomic level. Twenty-four taxa are proposed as new and the rest likely represent undescribed species, but more, better preserved material is required in order to establish their identity and to name them. Of the 83 taxa considered, 17 are assigned to the genus Cochlis Roding, 1798, one belongs in Cryptonatica Dall, 1892, another belongs in Tanea Marwick, 1931, 11 are members of the genus Tectonatica Sacco, 1890, three are included in Ampullonatica Sacco, 1890, one belongs in Eunaticina Fischer, 1885, 20 are assigned to Euspira Agassiz in J. Sowerby, 1837, three belong in Neverita Risso, 1826, five belong in Payraudeautia Bucquoy, Dautzenberg & Dollfus,1883, two agree with the characters of Pliconacca Cossmann & Martin in Martin, 1914, four are members of Polinices Montfort, 1810, two belong in Sigatica Meyer & Aldrich, 1886, four belong in Sigaretotrerma Sacco, 1890, and nine have the characters of the genus Sinum Roding, 1798. All genera are discussed in terms of type species designation, distinctive characters and subfamilial affiliation (when different from the current one). The character analysis has shown that the measurable elements of the protoconch along with its microsculpture (if any) are diagnostic in many species of all subfamilies. The features of the outer surface of the calcareous operculum proved to be diagnostic in the Pliocene and Recent naticine species. In the present case, the operculum of only four Cochlis species is known, readily differentiating them from one another. The umbilical characters, i.e. umbilicus width and presence/absence and strength of inner spiral structures, proved to be of variable utility in identifying species. The inner umbilical characters are never species-diagnostic in the case of the naticine taxa, particularly those of Cochlis . The inner structures, primarily presence/absence, number and strength of cordlets or threads on the umbilical bottom, are more effective in distinguishing poliniceine taxa. The umbilical callus can be used diagnostically for a limited number of naticine and poliniceine taxa. The exterior sculpture of the teleoconch (absent in the naticine and in most poliniceine taxa) is well developed in all the sinine species. In the case of Sigaretotrema and Sinum , the sculptural characters proved to be relevant in species recognition. The color pattern is diagnostic in most of the taxa in which this character is preserved. The shell morphology and the apertural characters are relevant only in a few cases. In the absence of diagnostic elements, a combination of all characters can help in recognizing species.