Ventral Apophysis Research Articles

Two New Species of Free-Living Marine Nematodes of the Desmodoridae from Mangrove Wetlands of Xiamen Bay, China

Mangroves are unique in their biodiversity, but studies on their meiobenthic biodiversity in China are scarce. Despite the importance of mangroves, little work has been done on the classification of nematodes in mangrove wetlands. Fujian Province is the most northern point of China’s natural mangrove distribution, and it is also one of the provinces with the earliest constructed mangrove forest. In this paper, two new free-living marine nematode species of Desmodoridae from the Xiamen mangrove wetlands in China are described. Metachromadora xiamenensis sp. nov. is characterized by a cylindrical body, and smooth head capsule set off from the rest of the body. The cuticle is finely annulated and thickened at the midbody. Lateral ridges run from the posterior end of the pharynx to the middle of the tail. The amphid foveae is loop shaped and opens at the top with a double contour amphidial, pharynx with bipartite cuticularized internal cavity. There are 18 tubular precloacal supplements and tail with three small protuberances. Molgolaimus euryformis sp. nov. is characterized by a relatively short and plump body with finely annulated cuticle, which is particularly obvious in the tail. The head is small and wide with intensive striates. The inner and outer labial sensilla are indistinct with short spicules and ventral apophysis, a gubernaculum with a block-shaped hook, a swollen conical-cylindrical tail and an absence of precloacal supplements.

Description, systematics and ecology of a new tanaidacean (Crustacea, Peracarida) species from mediterranean fish farms

An undescribed species of tanaidacean belonging to the genus Hexapleomera, tribe Pancolini, Hexapleomera bultidactyla sp. nov. was found in fouling community samples from off-coast fish farms cages in the western Mediterranean Sea. The species can be distinguished from other Hexapleomera species by the presence of a ventral apophysis on the dactylus of the chela in males. Other diagnostic characters (in combination) include a male antennule with five aesthetascs, the female with three, the maxillule palp with four terminal setae and maxilliped basis and coxa each with two setae; the male fixed finger with four ventral setae and proximal apophysis, the female chela fixed finger with a proximal triangular apophysis, an apophysis on the coxa of pereopod 1, a pleopod 3 basis with three outer setae, and an uropod of four segments. Although several substrata were investigated, the species was most abundant where the turf formed by Ceramiaceae algae and the hydroid Aglaophenia sp. was dominant. An updated identification key to all the species of Hexapleomera is provided.

Two new species of Chromadoridae (Chromadorida: Nematoda) from the East China Sea.

Two new species of Chromadoridae, a family of free-living marine nematodes, are described from intertidal sediments of the East China Sea. Ptycholaimellus pirus sp. nov. is characterized by having a cuticle with six longitudinal rows of double dots and long somatic setae, relatively long cephalic setae, a pear-shaped terminal pharyngeal bulb occupying less than 30% of pharyngeal length, and an elongate conical tail. The new species is distinguished from all related species by the unique character of the cuticle, with six longitudinal rows of horizontal double dots, and the pear-shaped terminal pharyngeal bulb. Hypodontolaimus ventrapophyses sp. nov. is characterized by having a cylindrical body with a slightly expanded anterior end and a conical tail, a homogeneous cuticle with lateral differentiation of two longitudinal rows of larger dots, a well developed pharynx with oval-shaped buccal bulb and terminal bulb, and a large ventral gland. Males have slender, strongly curved spicules and a gubernaculum with a ventral apophysis, and precloacal supplements are absent. The new species differs from all related species in this genus by the structure of the gubernaculum, which has a ventral apophysis.

A new genus of ground and litter-dwelling pholcine spiders from Sarawak (Araneae, Pholcidae)

Two small, ground and litter-dwelling pholcid species from northern Borneo are described as representatives of a new genus, Hantu gen. nov.: H. kapit gen. et sp. nov. and H. niah gen. et sp. nov. Previous cladistic analyses suggested a closer relationship with the genera Savarna Huber, 2005 and Khorata Huber, 2005 (mainland Southeast Asia) than with the geographically closer genus Aetana Huber, 2005 (Borneo and Philippines to Fiji). Since the two species do not share any of the synapomorphies of Khorata and Savarna while having several synapomorphies on their own (ventral apophysis on male palpal coxa; male palpal trochanter apophysis with small teeth or scales; spines on male femora 1; high density of vertical hairs on male femora; presence of scape on epigynum), they are here proposed as representing a new genus.

Morphological phylogenetic analysis of the spider genusPhysocyclus(Araneae: Pholcidae)

With 30 species and a natural distribution in North America, 28 confined to Mexico, Physocyclus Simon 1893 is the most diverse genus within the pholcid spider subfamily Arteminae. This paper provides the first phylogenetic test of the genus's monophyly through a cladistic analysis of 54 morphological characters using equal and implied weighting. The equally weighted analysis found 12 most parsimonious trees, whereas the analysis with implied weights varying the concavity values (K 5 6-10) found five or six most parsimonious trees. The monophyly of the genus Physocyclus is supported by three synaphomorphies: 1) the paired ventral apophysis on the anterior part of the epigynum; 2) the lateral constraints in the middle part of the epigynum; and 3) the arc of the uterus, with a single sclerotized projection on the anterior part. The genus Physocyclus contains two clades treated as species groups: the globosus group, with 11 species, and the dugesi group with 19 species. The species relationships within the globosus group were better resolved than those in the dugesi group. The globosus group has a biogeographical distribution pattern in the Mesoamerican and Mexican Mountain biotic components, whereas the dugesi group has a distribution pattern in the Mesoamerican and Continental Nearctic biotic components. Given the complex biogeography in Mexico, apparently a large-scale vicariant event separated the two major clades within the genus Physocyclus.

Species relationships in the Neotropical genus Phareicranaus Roewer 1913 (Opiliones: Cranaidae): two new species and new data from Penial morphology

A reanalysis of the species relationships in the genus Phareicranaus Roewer, 1913, here considered the senior synonym of Acanthocranaus Roewer, 1913, Santinezia Roewer, 1923 and Comboyus Roewer, 1943, is carried out, using information unavailable in a previous analysis (of Santinezia). Subfamilies Cranainae and Prostygninae may be not monophyletic, since the generic relationships among cranaines are still obscure; it seems that Phareicranaus is closely related to Ventrivomer Roewer, 1913 and Ventrisudis Roewer, 1963, based on presence of a ventral apophysis on male coxa IV and cylindrical pedipalpal femur. The analysis performed with equal weighting generated 64 equally parsimonius trees (275 steps, ci= .24; ri= .60), and the strict consensus tree differs substantially from previous analyses. Based on results of the equally weigthed cladistic analysis, Phareicranaus is supported by the following unambiguous synapomorphies: penis base of the glans ringed; pedipalpal femur with a stout dorsoapical spine; strong ventral tubercles on pedipalpal femur and; area II invading area I (the two halves do not touch each other). Two new species are described, Phareicranaus divisor (type-locality: Brazil, Acre, Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor) and P. patauateua (type-locality: Brazil, Pará, Ourém, Patauateua, fazenda Gavião). Male genitalia are described for the following cranaids: Chiriboga albituber Roewer, 1959; Metacranaus tricalcaris Roewer, 1913; Phareicranaus calcariger (Roewer, 1913), comb. n.; P. albimedialis (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1943); P. festae Roewer, 1925; P. parallelus Roewer, 1925; P. angelicus (Roewer, 1963) comb. n.; and P. ortizi (Roewer, 1952) and Ventrisudis mira Roewer, 1963. The following new combinations are proposed: from Acanthocranaus, Phareicranaus calcariger (Roewer, 1913); from Santinezia, Phareicranaus albilineatus (Roewer, 1932); P. angelicus (Roewer, 1963); P. arthrocentricus (Mello-Leitão, 1943), P. biordi (González-Sponga, 1991); P. calcarfemoralis (Roewer, 1917); P. calcaritibialis (Roewer, 1915); P. capayitaensis (González-Sponga, 2003); P. contrerasi (GonzálezSponga, 2003); P. circumlineatus (González-Sponga, 1989); P. curvipes (Roewer, 1916); P. duranti (González-Sponga, 1989); P. fronteriza (González-Sponga, 2003); P. furva (Pinto-da-Rocha & Kury, 2003); P. giganteus (Roewer, 1913); P. glaber (González-Sponga, 2003); P. gracilis (Pinto-da-Rocha & Kury, 2003); P. guaricoensis (González-Sponga, 2003); P. heliae (Avram, 1983); P. hermosa (Pinto-da-Rocha & Kury, 2003); P. lamitisus (González-Sponga, 2003); P. leonensis (González-Sponga, 2003); P. lucifer (Pinto-da-Rocha & Kury, 2003); P. manauara (Pinto-da-Rocha, 1994); P. noctiscansor (Townsend & Milne 2010); P. onorei (Pinto-da-Rocha & Kury, 2003); P. ortizi (Roewer, 1952); P. parvus (GonzálezSponga, 2003); P. sanarensis (González-Sponga, 2003); P. simonbolivari (Avram, 1987); P. singularis (H. Soares, 1970); P. soledadensis (González-Sponga, 2003); P. spinulatus (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1943); and P. subparamera (GonzálezSponga, 2003). Santinezia sanarensis humocaroensis González-Sponga, 2003, transferred to Phareicranaus, is elevated to species level, proposing the new combination and new status: Phareicranaus humocaroensis (González-Sponga, 2003). Three new names are proposed: Phareicranaus roeweri to replace Nieblia festae Roewer, 1925, preoccupied by Phareicranaus festae Roewer, 1925; Phareicranaus goodnightorum to replace Santinezia magna Goodnight & Goodnight 1942, preoccupied by Phareicranaus magnus (Roewer, 1932); and Phareicranaus kuryi to replace Comboyus albilineatus Roewer, 1943, preoccupied by Santinezia albilineata Roewer, 1932, which is presently a junior synonym of Inezia curvipes Roewer, 1916 (now Phareicranaus curvipes). Phareicranaus cingulatus Roewer, 1932 and Santinezia serratotibialis Roewer, 1932 are newly synonymized with Goniosoma calcariferum Simon, 1879 (the type species of Phareicranaus). Additionally, Phareicranaus giganteus Roewer, 1932 is newly synonymized with Holocranaus longipes Roewer 1913, and the monotypic genus Meridia Roewer 1913 (type species M. palpalis Roewer 1913) is transferred from Manaosbiidae to Cranaidae, Cranainae.

A new Platocoelotes species and first description of the male of Platocoelotes icohamatoides from Hunan, China (Araneae: Amaurobiidae: Coelotinae)

We describe a new coelotine species, Platocoelotes bifidus sp. nov. and the male of Platocoelotes icohamatoides (Peng & Wang) from Hunan Province of China. Platocoelotes found only in caves (nine species) consistently differ from Platocoelotes found in surface habitats (or both cave and surface habitats; six species) in some genitalic characters (only one patellar apophysis, very short cymbial furrow, simple spermathecae). Nevertheless, the entire genus is united by the presence of a conductor ventral apophysis on the male palp, a broad, shallow atrium, and distinct epigynal hoods. We briefly discuss the distribution and diversity of cave-associated species of Platocoelotes.

Review of the Brazilian harvestman genus Roeweria Mello-Leitão, 1923 (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae)

The genus Roeweria Mello-Leitão, 1923 is revised and a variation on external morphological characters and male genitalia is presented for Roeweria virescens (Mello-Leitão, 1923). The monotypic genus Harpachylus Roewer, 1943 is a junior synonym of Roeweria Mello-Leitão, 1923 because its type-species, H. tibialis Roewer, 1943 is a junior synonym of the type-species Roeweria bittencourti Mello-Leitão, 1923. Roeweria garrincha sp. n. from Cananéia, São Paulo, Brazil, is described and can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the presence of a ventral process on the penis and by very large ventral apophyses on the apex of the male femur and patella IV.

Bindius triquetrus gen. nov. sp. nov. (Eutardigrada, Hypsibiidae) from Sicily (Italy)

A new species is described for which a new genus, Bindius gen. nov., is also instituted. This new genus belongs to the family Hypsibiidae. The claws are of the Hypsibius type; the bucco-pharyngeal apparatus is of the Diphascon model (i.e., with an anterior rigid buccal tube and a posterior, flexible pharyngeal tube), and it is a variant of the Diphascon type; it is characterized by large apophyses for the insertion of the stylet muscles, asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane for shape and dimensions; the dorsal apophysis is triangular in shape with rectilinear dorsal margin and posterior apex very distant from the buccal tube wall; the ventral apophysis is similar to the one of Diphascon, i.e., in the shape of a semilunar hook, but larger. The new species, Bindius triquetrus sp. nov., has smooth cuticle; eye spots absent; elongated pharyngeal bulb with small apophyses and three long, rod-shaped macroplacoids; a small, very faint, microplacoid may be present; septulum absent; claws slender; lunules and other cuticular thickenings on the legs absent.

Marayniocus martensi, a new genus and a new species of Peruvian harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones: Gonyleptidae)

A new genus and a new species of Gonyleptidae (Pachylinae) from the Peruvian Andes, Marayniocus martensi, are described. The generic distinction is primarily based on the male genitalia, especially the ventral process of the stylus, which is fan-shaped and bears an acute ventral apophysis; such a structure has no parallel among other Andean pachylines. Exomorphological and genital differences between Marayniocus gen. n. and the Andean genera Acrographinotus, Junicus, Punagraphinotus, Palcapachylus, Tarmapachylus and Pichitus are discussed. The new species has been collected in high altitude grasslands south of the Chanchamayo basin, on the eastern Andean slopes of central Peru.

First record of Simognathus (Acari: Halacaridae) from Mexico, including the description of a new species

This is the first record of the genus Simognathus and of the subfamily Simognathinae from Mexico. Simognathus cramerae sp. nov. is described from the Mexican tropical Pacific Ocean. The principal diagnostic features are dorsal setae 2 outside of ocular plate, dorsal setae 3 on anterodorsal plate, and second segment of pedipalp with a ventral bristle and without a ventral apophysis. This species resembles S. fuscus Viets, S. similis Bartsch, and S. hulingsi Newell.

Discovery of the spider family Desidae (Araneae) in South China, with description of a new species of the genus Badumna Thorell, 1890

A new species of the genus Badumna Thorell, 1890, from Yunnan Province, China is described under the name of B. tangae sp. nov. This is the first Desidae spider discovered and described from China. The new species is similar to B. insignis (L. Koch, 1872) occurring in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. But it differs from the latter by ALE largest; female with epigynal transverse ridge wide and triangular, copulatory ducts with three coils; male palpal tibia with a small, apicomedially placed, retrolateral ventral apophysis.

Two New Feather Mite Species of the Genus Montesauria (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae) from Thrushes of the Genus Zoothera (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in Japan

Two new feather mite species belonging to the genus Montesauria Oudemans, 1905 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae), which were found in thrushes on the genus Zoothera Vigors, 1832 (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in Japan, are described: Montesauria aurea n. sp. from the White's thrush Zoothera aurea toratugumi (Momiyama, 1940) and M. sibirica n. sp. from the Siberian thrush Z. sibirica davisoni (Hume, 1877). The two new species belong to an unnamed species group (Park and Atyeo, 1971) that is characterized by the lack of setae f2 in both sexes and by having ventral apophysis on genu IV in males and spindle like setae h2 in females.

On Agelena labyrinthica (Clerck, 1757) and some allied species, with descriptions of two new species of the genus Agelena from China (Araneae: Agelenidae)

Seven allied species of the funnel-weaver spider genus Agelena Walckenaer, 1805, including the type species Agelena labyrinthica (Clerck, 1757), known to occur in Asia and Europe, are reviewed on the basis of the similarity of genital structures. Two new species are described: Agelena chayu sp. nov. and Agelena cuspidata sp. nov. The specific name A. silvatica Oliger, 1983 is revalidated. The female is newly described for A. injuria Fox, 1936. Two specific names are newly synonymized: Agelena daoxianensis Peng, Gong et Kim, 1996 with A. silvatica Oliger, 1983, and A. sublimbata Wang, 1991 with A. limbata Thorell, 1897. Some names are proposed for these species to represent some particular genital structures: conductor ventral apophysis, conductor median apophysis, conductor distal apophysis and conductor dorsal apophysis for male palp and spermathecal head, spermathecal stalk, spermathecal base and spermathecal apophysis for female epigynum.

Vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus blockade

Brachial plexus blockade is routinously performed by using the axillary route. From clinical experience and anatomical point of view it is known that the axillary approach is not the ideal technique to achieve efficient brachial plexus anesthesia. Regarding the anatomical conditions, it is clear that the mid-retrosubclavian region should be the most appropriate place to apply the local anesthetic agent due to the fact that all three fascicles of the plexus are lying close together. During the past several decades different supra- and infraclavicular approaches have been described but none of them are still in use to a great extent today. Since 1993 we routinely have used the vertical infraclavicular approach, a self developed technique based on detailed anatomic studies. This method of brachial plexus blockade has clearly defined guidelines using simple reproducible landmarks and is performed by applying a strongly vertical puncture at the center line between the ventral apophysis of acromion (lateral landmark) and the jugular notch (medial landmark) directly beneath the clavicula. The patient is lying in a supine position with his forearm relaxed on the chest and his head slightly turned to the contralateral side. The brachial plexus is met in 3 to 4 cm depth. Because of its advantages the vertical infraclavicular blockade has become the most applied technique in upper extremity regional anesthesia in our hospital. The method has a high success rate, low risks, and a high acceptance by both patients and anesthetists. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Two new species of the genusDorylaimopsis Ditlevsen, 1918 (Nematoda: Adenophora, Comesomatidae) from the Bohai Sea, China

Two nematode species of the genusDorylaimopsis (Family Comesometidae) from the Bohai Sea are described.Dorylaimopsis rabalaisi n. sp. similar toD. punctata Ditlevsen, 1918 from which it can be separated by the small size, short and simple spicules without ventral apophyses or joint line.Dorylaimopsis turneri n. sp. differs from the closest speciesDorylaimopsis angelae (Inglis, 1967) by its higher values of de Man ratio ‘a’, much shorter spicules and higher ratio of gubernacular to spicules length. A key to species of the genus based on the key by Jensen (1979) is given.