Von Marenzeller Research Articles

MS/MS Molecular Networking Unveils the Chemical Diversity of Biscembranoid Derivatives, Neutrophilic Inflammatory Mediators from the Cultured Soft Coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum

Biscembranoids are the distinctive tetraterpenoids owing a 14/6/14 membered tricyclic scaffold that have been mainly discovered in the soft corals, especially the genera Sarcophyton, Lobophytum and Sinularia. Recent findings have demonstrated the great anti-inflammatory potential of biscembranoid analogues in human neutrophils, motivating more chemical and biological explorations targeting these marine-derived natural products. In the current study, the chemical diversity of biscembranoids derived from the cultured-type Sarcophyton trocheliophorum von Marenzeller was illustrated through MS/MS molecular networking (MN) profiling approach. Based on the MN patterns, the prioritization of unknown biscembranoid derivatives was putatively analyzed. As a result, the biscembrane targeting isolation afforded two new metabolites, sarcotrochelides A (1) and B (2), along with six known analogues (3-8). Their structures and relative configurations were determined by spectroscopic methods. In vitro neutrophil inflammatory inhibition was further investigated for all isolates based on reduced superoxide anion (O2•-) generation detections. Compounds 5-8 showed significant dose-dependently inhibitory effects, suggesting the cruciality of 6,7-dihydrooxepin-2(5H)-one moiety and saturated γ-lactone ring in their reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent anti-inflammatory properties.

Four new deep-water flabelligerid species from Pacific Costa Rica (Annelida, Sedentaria, Flabelligeridae).

The discovery of four undescribed flabelligerid species from deep-water in Pacific Costa Rica resulted in the restriction of Diplocirrus Haase, 1915. As currently understood, Diplocirrus and Pherusa Oken, 1807 are separated after their morphological pattern. The species belonging in Diplocirrus have two types of branchiae, poorly developed cephalic cages and multiarticulate neurochaetae, whereas Pherusa species have branchiae of one type, well-developed cephalic cages and completely anchylosed neurochaetae. Benthic sampling and processing usually damage cephalic cages and if chaetae are completely broken, one could regard specimens without them, when they actually have it, but lost after sieving. Sampling using Alvin deep-sea submarine at methane seeps off Costa Rica resulted in some well-preserved specimens, and some of them fall between these two genera because they have well developed cephalic cages, and multiarticulate neurochaetae. Saphobranchia Chamberlin, 1919, with Stylarioides longisetosa von Marenzeller, 1890, as type species, is herein reinstated for some species previously included in Diplocirrus, restricted. The transferred species, including three ones newly described herein, have branchiae of a single type, long cephalic cage and body chaetae, and neurochaetae basally anchylosed and medially and distally articulated; some species currently included in Diplocirrus described from Arctic or deep water sediments are transferred into it. A key to identify all species in Saphobranchia, and another key to identify species in the restricted Diplocirrus are also included. The three new Saphobranchia species are S. canela n. sp., S. ilys n. sp. and S. omorpha n. sp. The fourth species belongs in Lamispina Salazar-Vallejo, 2014, and it is herein described as L. polycerata n. sp. after the presence of some long papillae along anterior margin of chaetiger 1.

Redescription of P. dorsipapillatus (von Marenzeller, 1893) and additional comments on the other species in the genus Pholoides Pruvot, 1895 (Polychaeta: Sigalionidae).

Pholoides Pruvot, 1895 is a species-poor genus of small scale-bearing polychaetes. Pholoides species are restricted to the continental shelf, living in sandy and muddy substrates, or on hard bottoms. During the DIVA 3 expedition grab samples were taken on four seamounts of the Meteor Seamount complex. One of the most common polychaetes in these samples was P. dorsipapillatus (von Marenzeller, 1893). Based on this material a comparison with the type material is undertaken leading to a re-description of P. dorsipapillatus. Diagnostic characters of all accepted Pholoides species were evaluated using light, scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy. CLSM in particular proved to be an excellent tool for investigating these small species, and especially the type material. Blossom-like sensory buds, found at certain appendages of P. dorsipapillatus, could be an important diagnostic character to distinguish P. dorsipapillatus from other Pholoides species. Sequence information on three different gene fragments, the mitochondrial COI and 16S and the nuclear H3a, were obtained, and could serve for future phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies.

Designation of a neotype and redescription of Hesione reticulata von Marenzeller, 1879 from Japan (Annelida, Hesionidae).

The hesionid polychaete Hesione reticulata von Marenzeller, 1879 was described from Enoshima Island, Japan and has been recorded also from the Red Sea. Depending on researchers, it has been regarded as either a distinct species or synonymous with older established ones. The type specimen has been lost. In order to clarify its taxonomic status, Hesione reticulata is herein redescribed, illustrated, and a neotype is proposed based on recent material collected near the type locality. The diagnostic features include the presence of several dorsal, discontinuous longitudinal bands, interrupted by pale segmental spots; prostomium with tiny antennae; a tuberculated dorsal integument; acicular lobes double; and neurochaetal blades with guards approaching the distal tooth. The dorsal color pattern in life enables a clear distinction from similar species such as Hesione intertexta Grube, 1878 amongst others. Mitochondrial COI barcoding sequences are deposited in the DNA Data Bank of Japan. A key to Hesione species from Japan is also included.

Sternaspidae (Annelida, Sedentaria) from Vietnam with description of three new species and clarification of some morphological features.

Five sternaspid species were found near Vietnam shores: Sternaspis britayevi sp. nov., S. costata von Marenzeller, 1879, S. nana sp. nov., S. papillosa sp. nov., and S. spinosa Sluiter 1882. Sternaspis britayevi is described from the shallow water in Vietnam inhabiting soft bottoms; it resembles S. spinosa described from Java and S. thorsoni Sendall & Salazar-Vallejo, 2013 described from the Persian Gulf, but differs in having a medially projected and markedly ribbed fan of the ventro-caudal shield and nearly parallel, distally widened and rounded branchial plates. Sternaspis nana sp. nov. is described from Nha Trang Bay; it differs from the other known species by the combination of the following characters: small size, evenly distributed micropapillae and regular rows of long cirriform papillae; posterior chaetal fascicles consisting of single thick chaeta; a ventral shield with smooth integument, without ribs and usually without concentric lines. Sternaspis papillosa sp. nov. is also described from Nha Trang Bay; it resembles S. africana Augener, 1918 and S. andamanensis Sendall & Salazar-Vallejo, 2013 by having similar ventro-caudal shields but differs by body papillation and details of the ventro-caudal shield. Based upon observations of different species some morphological features are clarified: 1) notochaetae are present in introvert chaetigers as delicate capillaries; 2) peg-chaetae are really a dense group of more than 100 thin individual chaetae, embedded in a fibrous matrix, and covered by a common sheath; 3) the pharynx is an eversible, lobed, axial non-muscular proboscis with a ciliated surface; 4) the body cavity is divided by three septa in the anterior body region, and there are no other septa; and 5) an eversible anal peduncle is confirmed, as has been shown by early taxonomists.

On some sea cucumbers from Ghana (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) with descriptions of a new genus and one new species.

This paper reports on some sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) in the collections of the NHMUK, taken off the coast of Ghana. Most result from collections around Accra during the years 1949-52. A couple of other species are included. Altogether six species are here reported, viz. Holothuria (Holothuria) dakarensis Panning, 1939; Holothuria (Semperothuria) imitans Ludwig, 1875; Holothuria (Vaneyothuria) lentiginosa lentiginosa (von Marenzeller,1893); Stereoderma congoana (Heding, 1935); Ocnus cruciformis Thandar n. sp. and Leptopentacta cabindaensis (Cherbonnier, 1949) herein transferred to a new genus Cherbocnus Thandar erected for this purpose. Another West African species, Cladodactyla monodi Cherbonnier, 1950 is referred to Stereoderma. All cucumariids are West African forms whereas the holothuriids are shared with the North-West Atlantic Ocean.

First records, rediscovery and compilation of deep-sea echinoderms in the middle and lower continental slope of the Mediterranean Sea

This study provides a compilation of all available information on deep-sea echinoderms from the middle and lower slopes of the Mediterranean Sea, with the aim of providing a unified source of information on the taxonomy of this group. Previous records of species are updated with new data obtained from 223 trawl hauls conducted in 11 cruises within the northwestern Mediterranean Sea between 800 m and 2845 m depth. Valid names, bathymetric ranges and geographic distributions are given for all species. The new data report, for the first time, the presence of the Atlantic echinoid Gracilechinus elegans (Duben and Koren, 1844) in the Mediterranean Sea. We also report the presence of the endemic holothurians Hedingia mediterranea (Bartolini Baldelli, 1914), dredged only once previously in 1914 in the Tyrrhenian Sea, and Penilpidia ludwigi (von Marenzeller, 1893), known previously only from three samples, two in the Aegean Sea and one in the Balearic Sea. Additionally, the deeper limits of the bathymetric distribution of four species have been expanded: the asteroid Ceramaster grenadensis (Perrier, 1881) to 2845 m; the echinoid Brissopsis lyrifera (Forbes, 1841) to 2250 m; and the holothurians Hedingia mediterranea and Holothuria (Panningothuria) forskali Delle Chiaje, 1823, to 1500 m and 850 m, respectively.

Holothurians of the genus Molpadia Risso, 1826 (Molpadiida: Molpadiidae) from the shelf of Kamchatka and the Kurile islands

Two species of holothurians of the order Molpadiida were found on the shelf of Kamchatka and the Kurile Islands: Molpadia orientalis (Saveljeva, 1933) comb. nov. and M. roretzi (von Marenzeller, 1877). Molpadiid holothurians were not previously recorded in waters near Kamchatka and the Kurile Islands. Brief descriptions of the morphology of the two species, distribution and ecology data, as well as figures depicting calcareous rings and body skin ossicles, are provided.

Penilidia desbarresi sp. nov. (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Elasipodida) from the upper slope of Newfoundland and re-description of P. ludwigi (von Marenzeller, 1893)

Penilpidia desbarresi sp. nov. was collected in the Desbarres Canyon at a depth of 525 m, off the southeastern coast of insular Newfoundland, eastern Canada. The new species differs from the type species Penilpidia ludwigi (von Marenzeller, 1983) in having larger middle spines on arched rod-type ossicles on the dorsum and by having the lobe around the posterior body end formed by six pairs of very small tube feet. Penilpidia desbarresi sp. nov was photographed in situ and sampled on a single occasion in July 2007. This gonochoric species (~1–2 cm long) was found on a muddy substrate and individuals were aggregated, reaching a density of ~50 ind. m−2 . Preliminary evidence points to brooding, which would be a first for the family Elpidiidae. Penilpidia ludwigi, not recorded for more than 100 years after its first description, is re-described.

Revision of Sternaspis Otto, 1821 (Polychaeta, Sternaspidae)

To the memory of William Ronald Sendall Sternaspid polychaetes are common and often abundant in soft bottoms in the world oceans. Some authors suggest that only one species should be recognized, whereas others regard a few species as widely distributed in many seas and variable depths from the low intertidal to about 4400 m. There are some problems with species delineation and the distinctive ventro-caudal shield has been disregarded or barely used for identifying species. In order to clarify these issues, the ventral shield is evaluated in specimens from the same locality and its diagnostic potential is confirmed. On this basis, a revision of Sternaspis Otto, 1821 (Polychaeta: Sternaspidae) is presented based upon type materials, or material collected from type localities. The sternaspid body, introvert hooks and shield show three distinct patterns, two genera have seven abdominal segments and tapered introvert hooks, and one genus has eight abdominal segments and spatulate introvert hooks. The ventro-caudal shield has three different patterns: stiff with ribs, and sometimes concentric lines, stiff with feebly-defined ribs but no concentric lines, and soft with firmly adhered sediment particles. Sternaspis is restricted to include species with seven abdominal segments, falcate introvert hooks, and stiff shields, often exhibiting radial ribs, concentric lines or both. Sternaspis includes, besides the type species, Sternaspis thalassemoides Otto, 1821 from the Mediterranean Sea, Sternaspis affinis Stimpson, 1864 from the Northeastern Pacific, Sternaspis africana Augener, 1918, stat. n. from Western Africa, Sternaspis andamanensis sp. n. from the Andaman Sea, Sternaspis costata von Marenzeller, 1879 from Japan, Sternaspis fossor Stimpson, 1853 from the Northwestern Atlantic, Sternaspis islandica Malmgren, 1867 from Iceland, Sternaspis maior Chamberlin, 1919 from the Gulf of California, Sternaspis princeps Selenka, 1885 from New Zealand, Sternaspis rietschi Caullery, 1944 from abyssal depths around Indonesia, Sternaspis scutata (Ranzani, 1817) from the Mediterranean Sea, Sternaspis spinosa Sluiter, 1882 from Indonesia, and Sternaspis thorsoni sp. n. from the Iranian Gulf. Two genera are newly proposed to incorporate the remaining species: Caulleryaspis and Petersenaspis. Caulleryaspis gen. n. is defined by the presence of falcate introvert hooks, seven abdominal segments, and soft shields with sediment particles firmly adhered on them; it includes two species: Caulleryaspis gudmundssoni sp. n. from Iceland and Caulleryaspis laevis (Caullery, 1944) comb. n. from Indonesia. Petersenaspis gen. n. is defined by the presence of spatulate introvert hooks, eight abdominal segments, and stiff shields with poorly defined ribs but no concentric line; it includes Petersenaspis capillata (Nonato, 1966) from Brazil and Petersenaspis palpallatoci sp. n. from the Philippines. Neotypes are proposed for eight species: Sternaspis thalassemoides, Sternaspis affinis, Sternaspis africana, Sternaspis costata, Sternaspis fossor, Sternaspis maior, Sternaspis scutata and Sternaspis spinosa, to stabilize these species-group names, and a lectotype is designated for Sternaspis laevis which is transferred to Caulleryaspis gen. n. The geographic range of most species appears to be much smaller than previously indicated, and for some species additional material in good condition is needed to clarify their distributions. Keys to genera and to all species are also included.

Revision of Diplocirrus Haase, 1915, including Bradiella Rullier, 1965, and Diversibranchius Buzhinskaja, 1993 (Polychaeta, Flabelligeridae)

Diplocirrus Haase, 1915, includes flabelligerids having cylindrical to club-shaped bodies, with cirriform papillae, multiarticulate chaetae in both parapodial rami, 8 branchial filaments of two types (thick and rarely lamellate, or cirriform), gonopodial lobes in chaetigers 5 or 6, or multiple gonopores along some anterior chaetigers. Bradiella Rullier, 1965, has included only the type species: Bradiella branchiata Rullier, 1965, described from Eastern Australia. The original description has been overlooked and it lacked enough details on branchial and chaetal features. Diversibranchius Buzhinskaja, 1993, with Diplocirrus nicolaji Buzhinskaja, 1994, as the type species, was introduced for a similar species from the Japan Sea. These two monotypic genera share the same morphologic features with Diplocirrus, and are herein regarded as its junior synonyms. As herein redefined, Diplocirrus includes, besides its type species, Diplocirrus glaucus (Malmgren, 1867)from Scandinavia : Diplocirrus branchiatus (Rullier, 1965), comb. n. from Queensland, Australia, Diplocirrus capensis Day, 1961 from South Africa, Diplocirrus erythroporus Gallardo, 1968 from Vietnam, Diplocirrus hirsutus (Hansen, 1882) from Arctic and subarctic regions, Diplocirrus incognitus Darbyshire & Mackie, 2009 from South Africa, Diplocirrus kudenovi sp. n. from off Western Mexico, Diplocirrus longisetosus (von Marenzeller, 1890) restricted to the Bering Sea, Diplocirrus micans Fauchald, 1972 from deep water off Oregon and Western Mexico, Diplocirrus nicolaji (Buzhinskaja, 1994), comb. n. from the Japan Sea, Diplocirrus normani (McIntosh, 1908), comb. n. from Scandinavia, Diplocirrus octobranchus (Hartman, 1965), comb. n. from off New England, and Diplocirrus stopbowitzi Darbyshire & Mackie, 2009 from the Irish Sea.

An epoxysterol and other constituents of Tanzania soft corals

Three biologically active Lobophytum species, L. crassum von Marenzeller (1886), L. rotundum Tixier- Durivault (1957) and L. venustum Tixier-Durivault (1957) and one Sinularia species were phytochemically investigated. Lobophytum rotundum afforded an epoxysterol (1), cembraolide (2), and fatty acid ester (4), and ether glycerols (6 and 7). Compound 2 was also isolated in L. crassum together with another fatty acid ester (5). Lobophytum venustum produced epoxycembrene 3 and compound 4. Two ether glycerols (6 and 8) were isolated from the Sinularia species. This paper reports the isolation and structure elucidation of compounds 1, and 4-8. Keywords : Marine sterols, Cnidaria, soft corals.

Remarks on Echinodermata from the South Central Mediterranean Sea based upon collections made during the MARCOS cruise (10 to 20th April, 2007)

The MARCOS cruise, which took place in the South Central Mediterranean Sea on board the RV ‘Urania’, resulted in the collection of 27 species of Echinodermata from shallow to bathyal depths, many from around Malta (the Fisheries Management Zone). The fauna is represented by common to rare taxa already reported from the Mediterranean with the exception of the amphi-Atlantic ophiuroid Ophiotreta valenciennesi rufescens (Koehler, 1896), recorded from the Mediterranean Basin for the first time. Odontaster mediterraneus (von Marenzeller, 1893) and Luidia sarsi Lutken, 1858 are also first records for the Maltese Islands.

High occurrence of the elasipodid holothurian Penilpidia ludwigi (von Marenzeller, 1893) in bathyal sediment traps moored in a western Mediterranean submarine canyon

One hundred and fifty specimens of the elasipod holothurian Penilpidia ludwigi (von Marenzeller, 1893) were collected in sediment traps moored near the seabed in the La Fonera Canyon (Catalan Sea, north-western Mediterranean) and on the adjacent continental slope. These provide the third record of this apparently endemic Mediterranean species and the first record from the western Mediterranean. This was the only holothurian species trapped and the most abundant macroscopic organism found in the traps between 1200 and 1700 m depth over the whole sampling period (March–November 2001). It was particularly abundant in spring during the main flux of organic particles in the canyon. This coupling suggests that Penilpidia may aggregate at the seafloor during these events, making food availability a plausible explanation of the seasonal occurrence. Lateral transport of material re-suspended locally or up-canyon by near bottom currents appear to be the mechanism behind this uncommon occurrence, although in situ observations have recently been made on the swimming capability of this holothurian. The occurrence of benthic organisms in sediment traps set close to the seabed can provide information on bathyal benthic and benthopelagic populations.

Chemical aspects of mass spawning in corals. II. (-)-Epi-thunbergol, the sperm attractant in the eggs of the soft coral Lobophytum crassum (Cnidaria: Octocorallia)

The eggs of Lobophytum crassum Von Marenzeller, 1886, collected at Magnetic Island (19°10′S; 146°52′E) in October or November between 1983 and 1993, contained significant amounts (6% dry weight) of (-)-epi-thunbergol, in addition to other terpenoid metabolites also present in the parent colony. (-)-Epi-thunbergol was not present in the tissues of the releasing colony. Using fluorocarbon droplets impregnated with the chemotactic molecules and a videomicroscopic technique for the direct observation of sperm under the influence of attractant molecules, we showed that (-)-epi-thunbergol, whether isolated from L. crassum or from a gorgonian octocoral (Briareum sp.), significantly attracts sperm from L. crassum colonies. Attraction could be detected using direct observation at concentrations as low as 3.25 μg ml-1. This is the first evidence for sperm chemotaxis in the Alcyonacea. Eggs from L compactum, a common alcyonacean coral at Orpheus Island (18°36′S; 146°29′E) contained (-)-thunbergol as the egg-specific compound. L. compactum was not found at Magnetic Island. (-)-Thunbergol from L. compactum and (+)-thunbergol from a Douglas fir tree both showed levels of attraction similar to (-)-epi-thunbergol against L. crassum sperm. Although L. crassum sperm were apparently neither stereo- nor enantio-specific in their selectivity for chemotactic molecules, (-)-epi-thunbergol was identified as the natural sperm attractant in the eggs of L. crassum.

The culture, experimental taxonomy, and comparative morphology of the planktonic stages of Norfolk autolytoids (Polychaeta: Syllidae: Autolytinae)

Stocks of two species were cultured as described to yield stolons for mating trials with one another and with planktonic stolons of unknown origins, which were progressively linked to known taxa by mating reactions and/or morphological comparisons. The most hardy and sexually vigorous species in culture was the low-intertidal Proceraea cornuta (Agassiz); fewer results were obtained with the much less hardy and principally offshore Autolytus brachycephalus (von Marenzeller), and mating was seen once in A. alexandri Malmgren. Healthy males of each species showed all or part of a consistent pattern of mating responses to a pheromone from preovulatory (= virgin) or newly postovulatory homospecific females, but none whatever to heterospecific females. Planktonic males, possibly of A. langerhansi Gidholm, reacted anomalously to virgin females of the closely allied A. brachycephalus. The stolons of both sexes fell into three groups, with respectively 14 (A. alexandri only), 6 (the genera Proceraea and Procerastea, distinguished from each other by the degree of development of the dorsal cirri and the number of eggbags in the female), and 3 or fewer (Autolytus of the prolifer-group) setigers in the front region. These groups also have different arrangements of the appendages on and immediately behind the stolon head; the numbers of setigers in their middle regions and tails show variations which are not statistically significant. The sexual stages in North Norfolk plankton comprise two species found only in winter and spring (Proceraea prismatica and A. alexandri), one found all year but mainly in spring (P. cornuta), one from late spring to early autumn (A. brachycephalus), and two found only in summer (Procerastea halleziana and A. ?langerhansi); the relationship between seasonally, zoogeography, and water-temperature is briefly discussed.

Scientific Serials

THE Verhandlungen der k. k. zoologisch botanischen Gesell-schaft in Wien (1878, part ii., and 1879, part i.), contain the following papers:—On the shrub-lichens of Lower Austria; a catalogue of all the species observed in this province, by J. Eman Hibsch.—Mycological researches, by Steph. Schulzer von Müggenburg (3rd paper).—On the diptera-genera Argyra macq. and Leucostola leu., by Ferdinand Kowarz.—Account of a coleopterological excursion through Carniola, Carinthia, and Styria, undertaken during the summer of 1878, by Ludwig Miller.—On Thysa pythonissæ formis, Kempelen, by Otto Hermann.—On Amphipogon spectrum, Whlb., and its position in systematic zoology, by Josef Mik.—On a method for drying freshly collected insects, by Brunner von Wattenwyl.—Review of the arachnida collected by Dr. Otto Finsch in Western Siberia, by Dr. L. Koch.—Bibliographica ornithologica, by Victor von Tschusi Schmidhofifen. This forms a complete catalogue of the whole ornithological literature of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.—On a copious appearance of centipedes, by Josef Paszlavszky.—Researches on æolidiadse, by Dr. Rudolph Bergh (6th paper).—On the systematics of psyllodæ, by Dr. Franz Löw.—New researches on the fungus-flora of Vienna, by Felix von Thümen, and Wilhelm Voss.—Dipterological notes, by Josef Mik. These papers contain a treatise on Trochobola cæsarea, O. S., on Cyrtopogon meyer dürü, Mik., and on Hypocharassus gladiator the latter being a new species of dolichopodidæ from North America.—On the comparative flora of Wisconsin (2nd supplement), by Th, A. Bruhin.—Researches on the ant-fauna of Asia, by Dr. Gustav Mayr.—On the cultivation of bathing sponges, by Dr. Emil von Marenzeller.—On the history of evolution of the prothallium of Scolopendrium, by Dr. Günther Beck.—Researches on the literature and distribution of Hepaticæ in Bohemia, by Jos. Dedecek.—Coleopterological results of an excursion to Croatia and Slavonia, by Edmund Reitter, Dr. Eppelsheim, and Dr. von Heyden.—Synonymical observations referring to Bolivar's “Catalogus Orthopterorum Europæ,” by Dr. Hermann Krauss.—Researches on two Pemphigus species, by Dr. Franz Löw.—Classification tables of European Coleoptera, (first paper containing Cucujidæ, Telmatophilidæ, Tritomidæ, Mycetædæ, Endomychidæ, Lyctidæ, and Sphindidæ.—On the first stages of two turnip flies, (1) the metamorphosis of Lonchæa chorea Meigen, (2) the turnip fly Antkomyia conformis, Nödlinger.—Zoological account of the expedition to Western Siberia in 1876, undertaken by order of the Bremen Society for North Polar Expeditions, by Dr. Otto Finsch, Dr. A. Brehm and Count Kaii von Waldburg-Zeil-Trauchburg. This elaborate paper treats of the mammals, birds, amphibia and fishes of Western Siberia.—On some new American spiders, by Count Eugen Keyserling.—Lichenological excursions in the Tyrol (20th chapter, Prendazzo), by Dr. F. Arnold.—On some new Tyrolese Sphegidæ, by Franz Friedrich Kohl.