Showing papers in "Zootaxa in 2010"
TL;DR: This work is intended as a consensus list of valid tick names, following recent revisionary studies, wherein it recognizes 896 species of ticks in 3 families.
Abstract: This work is intended as a consensus list of valid tick names, following recent revisionary studies, wherein we recognize 896 species of ticks in 3 families. The Nuttalliellidae is monotypic, containing the single entity Nuttalliella namaqua. The Argasidae consists of 193 species, but there is widespread disagreement concerning the genera in this family, and fully 133 argasids will have to be further studied before any consensus can be reached on the issue of genus-level classification. The Ixodidae comprises 702 species in 14 genera: Amblyomma (130 species, of which 17 were formerly included in Aponomma, a genus that is still considered valid by some authors), Anomalohimalaya (3), Bothriocroton (7, all previously included in Aponomma), Cosmiomma (1), Cornupalpatum (1), Compluriscutula (1), Dermacentor (34, including the single member of the former genus Anocentor, which is still considered valid by some authors), Haemaphysalis (166), Hyalomma (27), Ixodes (243), Margaropus (3), Nosomma (2), Rhipicentor (2) and Rhipicephalus (82, including 5 species from the former genus Boophilus, which is still considered valid by some authors). We regard six names as invalid: Amblyomma laticaudae Warburton, 1933 is a synonym of Amblyomma nitidum Hirst & Hirst, 1910; Bothriocroton decorosum (Koch, 1867) is a synonym of B. undatum (Fabricius, 1775); Haemaphysalis vietnamensis Hoogstraal & Wilson, 1966 is a synonym of H. colasbelcouri (Santos Dias, 1958); Haemaphysalis xinjiangensis Teng, 1980 is a synonym of H. danieli C erný & Hoogstraal, 1977; Hyalomma erythraeum Tonelli-Rondelli, 1932 is a synonym of H. impeltatum Schulze and Schlottke, 1930 and Rhipicephalus hoogstraali Kolonin, 2009 was not described according to the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
487 citations
TL;DR: The first complete World Catalog of sawflies (Hymenoptera, suborder Symphyta) for over 100 years is presented and contains references to the original descriptions and provides brief distributional data for 803 genera, 8353 species and 161 subspecies in addition to the nominal subspecies.
Abstract: The first complete World Catalog of sawflies (Hymenoptera, suborder Symphyta) for over 100 years is presented. It contains references to the original descriptions and provides brief distributional data for 803 genera, 8353 species (123 with two or more subspecies) and 161 subspecies in addition to the nominal subspecies. 15245 proposed names are treated, including replacement names, infrasubspecific names and nomina nuda, of which only 22 could not be checked in the original publications. Current taxonomic placement of genera and species and occurrence in zoogeographic regions are indicated. The list of names contains 31245 name combinations, variant spellings and family-group names. The authors attempted to consult all publications with taxonomic content referring to Symphyta that have appeared up to 31.12.2009. The 2960 cited references include all those that are known to contain original descriptions of taxa. Short biographical data and portraits of 168 symphytologists as well as images of representatives of extant sawfly taxa are included.
256 citations
TL;DR: A new monotypic genus, Bloszykiella africana gen. nov., sp.
Abstract: A new monotypic genus, Bloszykiella africana gen. nov., sp. nov. (Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Uropodidae) is described on the basis of two females and one deutonymph found in soil samples from Tanzania. The new genus is unusual among Uropodina in having large strongly dentate chelicerae.
166 citations
TL;DR: A new and updated checklist of the fishes of the Red Sea is presented and an annotated list is provided for all those species that were recorded unjustifiably and were included in CLOFRES II and in subsequent publications.
Abstract: A new and updated checklist of the fishes of the Red Sea is presented. A total of 1078 species belonging to154 families, 25 orders and two classes are listed. The number of species is considerably lower than that given in the last checklist (CLOFRES II, Goren and Dor, 1994) which included all records, "quotations" and distribution maps without distinguishing between substantiated and unsubstantiated records. In addition, an annotated list is provided for all those species that were recorded unjustifiably and were included in CLOFRES II and in subsequent publications.
164 citations
TL;DR: A taxonomic revision of the metallic species of Canadian Dialictus has been completed which resolves many of the difficulties of these bees.
Abstract: The bee subgenus Dialictus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Lasioglossum) comprises the most commonly collected bees in North America and have the most diverse social systems of any equivalent group of insects. Despite their importance, as pollinators and as model organisms for studying the evolution of social behaviour, Dialictus remain one of the greatest challenges in bee taxonomy. A taxonomic revision of the metallic species of Canadian Dialictus has been completed which resolves many of the difficulties of these bees. Complete species descriptions with illustrations are provided for 84 metallic Dialictus in Canada along with keys to identify males and females. The following nineteen new species are described: Lasioglossum (Dialictus) abundipunctum new species, L. (D.) atwoodi new species, L. (D.) dashwoodi new species, L. (D.) ebmerellum new species, L. (D.) ephialtum new species, L. (D.) imbrex new species, L. (D.) knereri new species, L. (D.) lilliputense new species, L. (D.) macroprosopum new species, L. (D.) packeri new species, L. (D.) prasinogaster new species, L. (D.) reasbeckae new species, L. (D.) sablense new species, L. (D.) sandhousiellum new species, L. (D.) sheffieldi new species, L. (D.) sitocleptum new species, L. (D.) taylorae new species, L. (D.) timothyi new species, and L. (D.) yukonae Gibbs, new species. Lasioglossum (D.) mitchelli is proposed as a replacement name for L. atlanticum (Mitchell) due to secondary homonymy with Halictus interruptus atlanticus Cockerell, a junior subjective synonym of L. interruptum (Panzer).The following forty-three new synonymies are proposed: L. (D.) admirandum (Sandhouse) (= D. perspicuus Knerer and Atwood); L. (D.) albipenne (Robertson) (= Halictus palustris Robertson, = H. (Chloralictus) lactineus Sandhouse, = H. (C.) basilicus Sandhouse); L. (D.) albohirtum (Crawford) (= H. pilosellus Cockerell); L. (D.) brunneiventre (Crawford) (= H. pilosicaudus Cockerell); L. cattellae (Ellis) (=D. alternatus Mitchell); L. connexum (Cresson) (= H. (C.) politissi- mus Cockerell); L. (D.) cressonii (Robertson) (= D. delectatus Mitchell); L. floridanum (Robertson) (= D. intrepidus Mitchell); L. (D.) foveolatum (Robertson) (= D. supraclypeatus Mitchell); L. (D.) imitatum (Smith) (= H. (C.) insolitus Sandhouse, = D. lectus Mitchell); L. (D.) incompletum (Crawford) (= D. ornduffi Hurd); L. (D.) laevissimum (Smith) (= H. (C.) astutus Sandhouse, = H. (C.) abundus Sandhouse, = H. (C.) jamesae Cockerell, = H. (C.) phaceliarum Cockerell, = H. (C.) praepes Sandhouse, = D. solidaginis Mitchell, = H. (C.) tranquillus Sandhouse); L. (D.) lineatulum (Crawford) (= H. (C.) latus Sandhouse); L. (D.) nigroviride (Graenicher) (= H. (C.) richardsoni Cockerell); L. (D.) obscurum (Robertson) (= D. orbitatus Mitchell); L. (D.) occidentale (Crawford) (= D. theodori Crawford); L. (D). oceanicum (Cockerell) (= D. advertus Mitchell); L. (D.) pavoninum (Ellis) (= H. (C.) evestigatus Sandhouse, = H. (C.) pikei Sandhouse, = H. (C.) abietum Michener); L. (D.) perpunctatum (Ellis) (= D. highlandicus Mitchell, = D. junaluskensis Mitchell); L. (D.) sagax (Sandhouse) (= Halictus (C.) accentus Sandhouse); L. (D.) semibrunneum (Cockerell) (= Halictus oleosus Cockerell); L. (D.) semicaeruleum (Cockerell) (= H. pruinosiformis Crawford, = H. (C.) actuarius Sandhouse); L. (D.) subversans (Mitchell) (= D. perpunctatulus Knerer and Atwood); L. (D.) tenax (Sandhouse) (= H. (C.) meritus Sandhouse, = D. disabanci Knerer and Atwood); L. (D.) versans (Lovell) (= H. (C.) brevibasis Cockerell); L. (D.) versatum (Robertson) (= H. (C.) apertus Sandhouse, = H. (C.) genuinus Sandhouse, = H. subconnexus rohweri Ellis); L. (D.) zephyrum (Smith) (= H. (C.) academicus Sandhouse). Halictus (C.) unicus Sandhouse is again treated as a junior synonym of L. lineatulum. Eleven subgeneric names recently proposed by Pesenko are treated as synonymies of Dialictus. Some species names are used here in a sense different from those of most previous authors (e.g. H. nymphaearus, H. versatus). Names have often been misapplied in past usage sometimes subsuming multiple species. In some cases, even paratypes do not correspond to the same species as the name bearing type. The following three species are resurrected from synonymy: L. (D.) leucocomum (Lovell) new combinaton, L. (D.) oceanicum (Cockerell) new combination, and L. (D.) planatum. The species L. (D.) atriventre (Crawford) is considered a nomen dubium. The following twelve new records for Canada are reported: L. (D.) achilleae (Mitchell), L. (D.) brunneiventre (Crawford), L. (D.) callidum (Sandhouse), L. (D.) incompletum (Crawford), L. (D.) hudsoniellum (Cockerell), L. (D.) marinense (Michener), L. (D.) pacatum (Sandhouse), L. (D.) pallidellum (Ellis), L. (D.) punctatoventre (Crawford), L. (D). sagax (Sandhouse), L. (D.) weemsi (Mitchell) and L. (D.) zophops (Ellis). The Canadian records of two species, L. (D.) disparile (Cresson) and L. (D.) ceanothi (Mitchell), do not seem reliable and these species are not included in the revision. Two species, L. testaceum (Robertson) and L. rufulipes (Cockerell), are transferred from the L. (Dialictus) to L. (Evylaeus) sensu stricto.
135 citations
TL;DR: An updated phylogenetic classification of the currently recognized lizards of the family Liolaemidae is provided, which is based on a consensus of studies published since the first phylogenetic major revision of the clade in 1995.
Abstract: We provide a critical review of a recent taxonomic revision of Chilean Liolaemus lizards (Iguania: Liolaemidae) by Pincheira-Donoso and Nunez (2005) and a recent paper (PincheiraDonoso et al. 2008), which proposed several new taxonomic and phylogenetic arrangements. We document fundamental problems with many of the proposed taxonomic revisions in both publications, which if followed, could lead to serious taxonomic confusion. In Pincheira-Donoso and Nunez (2005) a subgeneric classification is erected, which was produced by outdated methods (phenetic analyses), cannot be replicated (no matrix is presented), and is taxonomically untenable (some of the subgenera are nested within other subgenera). Most of the taxonomic groups that are proposed have been previously proposed, albeit differently constituted, yet often previous research is not given attribution; when findings are different, the research of others is either overlooked or dismissed without comment. The diagnoses of species and subspecies (including several newly proposed taxa) are often written in an authoritative manner (without supporting data or information), making them insufficient for distinguishing the focal taxon from others belonging to the same group, finally leading to uncertainty regarding the validity of several of the newly proposed taxa, combinations, or synonymies. We also describe less egregious errors of omission and commission. In Pincheira-Donoso et al. (2008), most of the proposals follow the Pincheira-Donoso and Nunez (2005) revisions, some species are allocated to groups without consistent cladistic support and other proposed relationships are based on incomplete evidence from other studies dismissing the limitations of the arrangement. Critical species are not identified in a list of material examined. Finally, Pincheira-Donoso et al. (2008) present a somewhat outdated and biased discussion of the relative value of using molecules or morphology in systematics. In light of these limitations, and in an effort to stabilize and prevent further taxonomic confusion, we provide an updated phylogenetic classification of the currently recognized lizards of the family Liolaemidae (Ctenoblepharys, Liolaemus, and Phymaturus), which is based on a consensus of studies published since the first phylogenetic major revision of the clade in 1995.
124 citations
TL;DR: The high level classification of the Galatheoidea, popularly known as squat lobsters, has been relatively stable for almost a century, but multiple recent studies of their interrelationships have revealed significant incongruities between the traditional classification and phylogeny.
Abstract: The high level classification of the Galatheoidea, popularly known as squat lobsters, has been relatively stable for almost a century Multiple recent studies of their interrelationships, however, have revealed significant incongruities between the traditional classification and phylogeny The Aeglidae, Chirostylidae and Kiwaidae were recently removed to other superfamilies On the basis of previous phylogenetic analyses, we herein revise the higher classification of the remaining Galatheoidea to comprise four families: Galatheidae, Munididae fam nov, Munidopsidae, and Porcellanidae The galatheoid families are both morphologically and ecologically distinct Members of the Munidopsidae are distinguished by the absence or reduction of the maxilliped 1 flagellum and usually occur in outer slope or abyssal habitats Members of the Munididae fam nov are united by the trifid or trispinous anterior margin of the carapace and usually occur at outer shelf or slope depths The Galatheidae includes primarily shallow water species, united by a broad, triangular rostrum, and is most closely related to the porcelain crabs, Porcellanidae The families of the Galatheoidea are diagnosed and a diagnostic key provided Extant and fossil genera are listed for each galatheoid squat lobster family
123 citations
TL;DR: The systematic arrangement of the Eutardigrada has radically changed since 1969 due to the new evaluation of characteristics of the claws and of the bucco-pharyngeal apparatus and the use of some characters overlooked before.
Abstract: The systematic arrangement of the Eutardigrada has radically changed since 1969 due to the new evaluation of characteristics of the claws and of the bucco-pharyngeal apparatus and the use of some characters overlooked before. After that date, as a consequence, four new families and 40 genera have been instituted. Given the changes and number of novelties, the authors have updated the definitions of all familial and generic taxa and have provided keys to aid identification.
123 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that the move away from providing character evidence with phylogenies has diminished fish systematics and systematics in general, and amounts to a crisis, and suggest four measures that need reintroduction to phylogenetic practice in order to bring systematics back to its fundamental principles.
Abstract: We contend that the move away from providing character evidence with phylogenies has diminished fish systematics and systematics in general, and amounts to a crisis. Present practices focus on solutions to matrices rather than on character homology, and rely on algorithms and statistics rather than biology to determine relationships. Optimization procedures in tree-building programs are phenetic and no longer employ homology, the original foundation of cladistics. Evidence for phylogenies is presented in a manner that obscures character conflict and makes meaningful debate difficult. The role of morphological characters has largely been reduced to their optimization and reinterpretation on the revealed “truth” of molecule-based topologies. All of this has resulted in a schism between molecular and morphological phylogeneticists. We examine several examples, focusing on Percomorpha and Gobioidei, to illustrate the shortcomings of recent approaches. We feel that phylogenetics can only move forward by recognizing that molecules are small-scale morphology; molecular data are not substantively different from larger-scale morphological data and should be treated in much the same manner. Careful investigation of homology and transparent presentation of evidence will keep our work and our science relevant. We suggest four measures that need reintroduction to phylogenetic practice in order to bring systematics back to its fundamental principles: (1) examine data quality, character distribution, and evidence; plot characters to identify and examine character conflict, and weigh evidence for homology, (2) explore the nature of character information—data become characters only after they are understood, (3) question assumptions of methods, common practice is not necessarily indicative of the ideal analysis, (4) in particular, question and investigate optimization as a method and what its impact is on character homology and the meaning of synapomorphies; use biology, not algorithms to make homology decisions.
120 citations
TL;DR: It is found that Squalus suckleyi is resurrected and a neotype for this endemic North Pacific Squalus species is designated, based on the following morphological and meristic characteristics.
Abstract: A taxonomic re-evaluation of the status of the North Pacific Squalus suckleyi (Girard, 1854) combining the use of meristic, morphological and molecular data reveal this species to be clearly distinct from the widespread Squalus acanthias (Linneaus, 1758). Differences in the external morphology between S. acanthias and S. suckleyi are subtle and are likely to be masked by intraspecific variation within individuals. However, we found S. suckleyi to differ from S. acanthias based on the following morphological and meristic characteristics: a short, broadly-rounded to acute snout; first dorsal-fin midpoint more posterior to pectoral-fin insertion; pelvic-fin origin closer to second dorsal fin than first dorsal fin; total vertebral counts average 99 (97–106). Molecular analysis of approximately 650 bp of the CO1 mitochondrial gene (DNA barcode region) showed separation of S. suckleyi and S. acanthias into two distinct genetic clades with 98% bootstrap support. Within species genetic diversities were 0.109±0.036% and 0.176±0.041% for S. suckleyi and S. acanthias respectively; between species diversity was 5– 6 fold greater at 0.765+0.307%. Squalus suckleyi is thus resurrected and a neotype for this endemic North Pacific Squalus species is designated.
111 citations
TL;DR: A critical review of recent changes in the taxonomy of European amphibians and reptiles is provided and a tentative species list is drawn up.
Abstract: Research on the taxonomy of European amphibians and reptiles has increased noticeably over the last few decades, indicating the need for recognition of new species and the cancellation of others. This paper provides a critical review of recent changes and draws up a tentative species list.
TL;DR: The opportunity of the International Polar Year 2007–08 is presented to present an updated check-list of the fishes of Greenland and discuss whether the growing diversity can be explained by global warming.
Abstract: Although the Greenland fish fauna has been studied for more than 200 years, new species continue to be discovered. We here take the opportunity of the International Polar Year 2007–08 (IPY) to present an updated check-list of the fishes of Greenland and discuss whether the growing diversity can be explained by global warming. A total of 269 species from 80 families are known from the Greenland Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), based on published literature and specimens in museum collections. Since the latest publication covering all known Greenland fishes [Nielsen & Bertelsen 1992], 57 species have been added. Nineteen of these ( Harriotta raleighana , Centroscymnus coelolepis, Bathytroctes microlepis , Einara edentula, Ceratoscopelus maderensis, Argyropelecus gigas, Maurolicus muelleri , Polyipnus asteroides, Nansenia oblita, Melanostomias bartonbeani , Polymetme corythaeola , Coryphaenoides mediterraneus , Merlangius merlangus, Guttigadus latifrons, Entelurus aequoreus, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Epigonus telescopus , Lophius piscatorius, Linophryne bicornis ) are reported here for the first time. Twenty-nine of the species were added on the basis of taxonomic revisions and/ or identification of specimens caught before 1992, whereas 28 species have been caught in Greenland waters for the first time since 1992. Ten species were new to science described since 1992. Only five of the added species are Arctic – i.e . mainly caught north of the Davis and Denmark Straits. Of the 28 species caught after 1992, five species ( Maurolicus muelleri , Merlangius merlangus, Helicolenus dactylopterus , Lophius piscatorius , Entelurus aequoreus ) from the southern regions (Atlantic) are mainly from shallow waters ( 1500 m), however, remain almost unstudied.
TL;DR: The phylogenetic hypothesis indicates that the genus Chrysaora forms a monophyletic group, with C. achlyos having a basal position in the phylogeny.
Abstract: Revision of the scyphozoan genus Chrysaora Peron & Lesueur, 1810 was undertaken from observations on museum material (Brazil, Europe, and USA), on living specimens in nature, and on life-cycles of some species cultured under laboratory conditions. A total of 168 museum lots, some of them having many medusae, were inspected. Included amongst these were nine type specimens. The genus comprises 13 valid species (Chrysaora achlyos, C. chinensis, C. colorata, C. fulgida, C. fuscescens, C. hysoscella, C. lactea, C. melanaster, C. pacifica, C. pentastoma, C. plocamia, and C. quinquecirrha), one species inquirenda (Chrysaora caliparea), and two doubtful species (C. kynthia and C. wurlerra). Differentiation of species is based mostly on tentacle number, shape of radial septa, order of tentacle development, colouration, and measurements of nematocysts. We resurrect C. chinensis for specimens from southeast Asia. Chrysaora pacifica is considered valid and distinct from C. melanaster based on tentacle number and nematocyst complement. Mediterranean specimens assigned to C. hysoscella are hermaphroditic and thereby considered distinct from those of C. fulgida from west Africa. Chrysaora achlyos (northeast Pacific) and C. plocamia (southeast Pacific and southwest Atlantic) are geographically isolated but morphologically identical, being distinguished only by colour pattern. The recently described C. southcotti is considered a junior synonym of C. pentastoma. The Australian C. kynthia and C. wurlerra, here considered nomina dubia, merit further study. Our phylogenetic hypothesis indicates that the genus Chrysaora forms a monophyletic group, with C. colorata, C. plocamia, and C. achlyos having a basal position in the phylogeny. Species with more than 24 tentacles (formerly assigned to the genus Dactylometra) form a clade with a derived position.
TL;DR: The term “genetype” is proposed as a label for any sequence data from types (including from holotypes, secondary types, topotypes, etc.) to bring awareness to the situation.
Abstract: In order to better integrate molecular phylogenetics and taxonomy, genetic sequences from type materials should be explicitly identified in publications using a consistent nomenclature. Despite relatively frequent sampling of sequences from types (particularly topotypes—samples from the type locality), the practice of explicitly noting that these materials were sampled is uncommon. Because of the lack of an explicit nomenclature tied to taxonomy, the existence of genetic “type sequences” is obscured. Also hindering progress in taxonomy is the increasingly uncommon practice of reporting locality and voucher information (e.g., GPS coordinates, museum catalog numbers) on repositories such as GenBank. To remedy this problem and bring awareness to the situation, I propose the use of the term “genetype” as a label for any sequence data from types (including from holotypes, secondary types, topotypes, etc.).
TL;DR: Analysis of Alona taxonomy based on the checklist shows historical trends and long periods of instability in the systematics of these micro-crustaceans.
Abstract: We discuss current progress with the revision of Alona Baird, 1843 (Crustacea: Cladocera: Chydoridae), the largest cladoceran lump genus. We present the first inventory of these Aloninae since the 1970’s and include an updated checklist of names, with comments on the current status and position of each taxon. We discuss validity, affinities and synonymy of ca. 240 names, including subspecies and varieties. Recent taxonomic shifts have lead to a better delineation of natural groups in the Aloninae but the Alona puzzle remains incomplete. The majority of taxa are grouped into species-complexes or separate genera. We count 14 Aloninae genera, now considered valid, that were split from Alona. The status of a significant portion remains unclear, due to poor original descriptions and/or loss of type material. Even with detailed morphological descriptions, the phylogenetic position of many Aloninae remains unsettled. Analysis of Alona taxonomy based on the checklist shows historical trends and long periods of instability in the systematics of these micro-crustaceans.
TL;DR: Calliphora maestrica Peris et al. is redescribed and the male of the species is described for the first time.
Abstract: Keys to 11 genera and 21 species of Calliphoridae found or likely to be found in the West Indies are given. Species distributions and key characters are discussed. Lucilia fayeae sp. nov. is described from numerous specimens from Dominica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. Calliphora maestrica Peris et al. is redescribed and the male of the species is described for the first time.
TL;DR: Ten new species of treefrogs assigned to the genus Boophis are described and two species from synonymy are resurrected based on materials collected during fieldwork in Madagascar, based on molecular, bioacoustic and morphological evidence.
Abstract: We describe ten new species of treefrogs assigned to the genus Boophis (Anura: Mantellidae) and resurrect two species from synonymy, based on materials collected during fieldwork in Madagascar, carried out mainly between 2000 and 2007. Our comparative database assembled over the past years comprises fresh material for molecular analysis from all 58 nominal Boophis species, and advertisement call recordings from all except three species. We follow an integrative approach and combine molecular, bioacoustic and morphological evidence to diagnose the new species. In most cases, the new species have uncorrected molecular divergences of over 4–5% in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene to their closest relatives. In some cases the divergences are lower (2–2.5%) but are then accompanied by distinct differences in advertisement calls or morphology. Boophis piperatus sp. nov. from Ranomafana National Park is a small brown species assigned to the B. majori group that is similar to B. miniatus but differs in morphology and advertisement calls. Boophis arcanus sp. nov. is assigned to the B. majori group as well and is known from only two female specimens from a site close to Ranomafana; it is described mainly based on its strong genetic differentiation (> 7.2% to all other species). Boophis entingae sp. nov. is a species of the Boophis goudoti group occurring in northern Madagascar, similar to and sympatric with B. brachychir, but with a strongly different advertisement call. Boophis roseipalmatus sp. nov. belongs to the B. goudoti group, is similar to B. madagascariensis, and appears to replace this species in most of northern Madagascar, with possible areas of sympatry in the north east. Boophis spinophis sp. nov. is an enigmatic, morphologically highly divergent species from Ranomafana National Park that belongs into the B. goudoti group but differs from all other spe-4 · Zootaxa 2383 © 2010 Magnolia Presscies in the group by having distinct dermal tubercles along the lateral parts of the shank and around the elbow. Boophis praedictus sp. nov. is a sibling species of B. albilabris in the B. albilabris group, diagnosable by its red iris periphery and distributed in rainforest along the east coast. Boophis sandrae sp. nov. belongs to the B. luteus group and is superficially similar to the sympatric B. elenae, but has a faster call and smaller body size. Boophis miadana sp. nov. and B. haingana sp. nov., both in the B. albipunctatus group and syntopically occurring at Andohahela National Park, are related to B. ankaratra and B. schuboeae and differ mainly by their advertisement calls. Boophis luciae sp. nov., also in the B. albipunctatus group, differs from the sympatric B. albipunctatus and B. sibilans by having slightly smaller body size and different advertisement calls. We furthermore resurrect Rhacophorus obscurus Boettger, 1913 (as Boophis obscurus in the B. goudoti group) from the synonymy of Boophis goudoti as well as Rhacophorus andrangoloaka Ahl, 1928 (as Boophis andrangoloaka in the B. microtympanum group) from the synonymy of Boophis rhodoscelis, and propose to consider Rhacophorus brevirostris Ahl, 1928 as junior synonym of Boophis andrangoloaka. We discuss our integrative methodological approach and the different lines of evidence used to delimitate the species described or resurrected herein. By applying IUCN Redlist criteria, we evaluate the threat status of the species considered: six species are classified Data Deficient (B. arcanus, B. haingana, B. miadana, B. piperatus, B. praedictus, B. spinophis), four Vulnerable (B. andrangoloaka, B. entingae, B. roseipalmatus, B. sandrae), and two Least Concern (B. luciae, B. obscurus).
TL;DR: This paper calls upon the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to incorporate effective measures into the Code to prevent the destabilizing influence of the proliferation of names for taxa that have not been established as real biological entities through the normal processes of peer reviewed publication.
Abstract: There have been many substantial advances in our knowledge of Australasian freshwater turtle biodiversity in the last three decades, but the classification of genera and species is in dire need of review. The proliferation of names in unpublished manuscripts and in taxonomic works published in ephemeral (often privately printed) magazines, journals or books, without the benefits of peer review and often with little justification and scant diagnoses, many of which are not allowable nomenclatural actions under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, has led to considerable confusion. Taxonomy is punctuated by timely and rigorous revisions that bring a check on the proliferation of names for unsubstantiated taxa. This paper is not a comprehensive revision, but in it we provide an assessment of the current taxonomy of Australasian freshwater turtles, focusing on information available to establish the validity of taxa as biological entities (as opposed to the validity of the names). We include an annotated list of species, an outline of the taxonomic issues for those taxa that are controversial (leading in some cases to synonymies), keys to the identification of genera and species, and updated information on their distributions. We call upon the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to incorporate effective measures into the Code to prevent the destabilizing influence of the proliferation of names for taxa that have not been established as real biological entities through the normal processes of peer reviewed publication. The provision by the ICZN of a list of journals in which nomenclatural acts must appear in order to be valid, in addition to meeting the other provisions of the Code, is suggested as such a measure. Without such action, destabilization of our taxonomy will continue, the traditional Linnaean binominal nomenclature will be undermined, and credibility will build for other forms of nomenclature that are on a firmer scientific footing, but in other ways inferior.
TL;DR: A new key to oak gallwasp genera of the Palaearctic is provided and keys to all species of genera associated with Cerris section oaks are provided.
Abstract: We discuss the taxonomy of oak gallwasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) whose lifecycle involves only Palaearctic oaks (Quercus subgen Quercus) in the section Cerris Recent phylogenetic reconstructions support a deep split between such Cerris-associated species in the genera Aphelonyx, Dryocosmus, Plagiotrochus, Neuroterus, Pseudoneuroterus and species and genera associated with oaks in the section Quercus sensu stricto We reappraise the generic limits of the Cerris-associated genera, proposing new limits for Dryocosmus, Pseudoneuroterus and Neuroterus, establishing a new genus Cerroneuroterus, elevating Latuspina to a genus level, reestablishing the genera Chilaspis and Trichagalma and proposed new species name combinations We provide a new key to oak gallwasp genera of the Palaearctic and keys to all species of genera associated with Cerris section oaks We describe five new species, Aphelonyx kordestanica, Trichagalma formosana, Dryocosmus jungalii, Pseudoneuroterus mazandarani, and P nichollsi
TL;DR: While it took 80 years to reach the first 1000 species in 1838, species descriptions since then have been added roughly at the rate of 1000 new species every 20 years, with a significant acceleration only during the past two decades.
Abstract: By September 2009 an estimated 9084 species of extant reptiles have been described by a total of 4579 papers and books which are listed in a supplementary file. In this review I summarize the history of these species beginning with Linnaeus in 1758. While it took 80 years to reach the first 1000 species in 1838, species descriptions since then have been added roughly at the rate of 1000 new species every 20 years, with a significant acceleration only during the past two decades. The top 40 most productive herpetologists (in terms of “species output”) have described 4780 species, amounting to over half of all species. George Albert Boulenger leads this elite list with 573 species that are still recognized today. Historically, 18 classic works of the 18 th and 19 th century can be singled out, describing almost 1000 species still recognized, including the Erpetologie Generale, published between 1834 and 1854 in nine volumes. The top 25 journals have published more than 3600 species descriptions in the past 250 years (including 169 in Zootaxa, ranked sixth), corresponding to about 40% of all species.
TL;DR: A number of cranial and dental features seen in L. exquisitus and T. mangas suggest that these two taxa are probably intermediate in systematic position between known basal and derived dromaeosaurids, and the discovery of Linheraptor exquis Titus is thus important for understanding the evolution of some salient feature seen in the derived dronaeosaurusids.
Abstract: We describe a new dromaeosaurid theropod from the Upper Cretaceous Wulansuhai Formation of Bayan Mandahu, Inner Mongolia. The new taxon, Linheraptor exquisitus gen. et sp. nov., is based on an exceptionally well-preserved, nearly complete skeleton. This specimen represents the fifth dromaeosaurid taxon recovered from the Upper Cretaceous Djadokhta Formation and its laterally equivalent strata, which include the Wulansuhai Formation, and adds to the known diversity of Late Cretaceous dromaeosaurids. Linheraptor exquisitus closely resembles the recently reported Tsaagan mangas. Uniquely among dromaeosaurids, the two taxa share a large, anteriorly located maxillary fenestra and a contact between the jugal and the squamosal that excludes the postorbital from the infratemporal fenestra. These features suggest a sister-taxon relationship between L. exquisitus and T. mangas, which indicates the presence of a unique dromaeosaurid lineage in the Late Cretaceous of Asia. A number of cranial and dental features seen in L. exquisitus and T. mangas, and particularly some postcranial features of L. exquisitus, suggest that these two taxa are probably intermediate in systematic position between known basal and derived dromaeosaurids. The discovery of Linheraptor exquisitus is thus important for understanding the evolution of some salient features seen in the derived dromaeosaurids.
TL;DR: Analysis of meristic and morphometric data taken from samples collected from Venezuela to Argentina, clearly indicates that there is only one species of lebranche mullet in the Caribbean Sea region and the Atlantic coast of South America and that Mugil liza is the appropriate name.
Abstract: The identification of the lebranche mullet in the western south Atlantic has long been problematical. In most recent works either Mugil liza Valenciennes and M. platanus Gunther, 1880 or M. liza and M. cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 were recognized from the region and more rarely the occurrence of only one species has been proposed but without sufficient morphological, biochemical or molecular data to allow the designation of the taxonomically appropriate name. Analysis of meristic and morphometric data taken from samples collected from Venezuela to Argentina, clearly indicates that there is only one species of lebranche mullet in the Caribbean Sea region and the Atlantic coast of South America and that Mugil liza is the appropriate name. The comparison of the combined data from all the samples of M. liza with the data taken from one sample of M. cephalus that originated in the Mediterranean, the possible locality from which type specimens were collected (Eschmeyer and Fricke, 2009), revealed significant differences indicating that they are different species. It is also suggested that individuals from the western north Atlantic identified as M. cephalus might represent a population of M. liza in this region.
TL;DR: An annotated checklist of the marine fishes from Galician waters is presented and a total of 42 species have been included as new records for the study area, and 3 records have been identified as doubtful.
Abstract: An annotated checklist of the marine fishes from Galician waters is presented. The list is based on historical both literature records and on new revisions. The ichthyofauna list is composed by 398 species. It is diversified in 2 superclasses, 3 class, 35 orders, 139 families and 288 genuses. Perciformes is the most diverse order with 37 families, 91 genus and 136 species. Gobiidae (19 species) and Sparidae (19 species) are the richest families. Biogeographically, the Lusitanian is the most important group including 204 species (51.3%), followed by the Atlantic group with 149 species (37.4%), the Boreal group with 28 species (7%) and the 17 species (4.3%) of the African group. A total of 42 species have been included as new records for the study area, and 3 records have been identified as doubtful. Identification and registration of errors from previous studies have been also indicated.
TL;DR: A key to the Atlantic Forest Atractus is provided and three new species groups are proposed for some cisAndean Atracts, mainly on the basis of hemipenial morphology: the A. emmeli, A. maculatus, and A. pantostictus species groups.
Abstract: Dipsadine snakes of the genus Atractus are endemic to the Neotropical region, occurring from Panama to Argentina. Currently, the taxonomic status of most species of the genus is unclear and previous attempts of taxonomic revisions have been local in scale. In this paper we evaluate the taxonomic status of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest species of Atractus based on meristic, morphometric, maxillary dentition, and hemipenis characters. Quantitative and qualitative analyses suggest the recognition of one new species (A. caete sp. nov.) from the state of Alagoas, another (A. francoi sp. nov.) from the mountainous regions of the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and the synonymy of A. kangueryensis with A. thalesdelemai. Specimens previously assigned to A. taeniatus in Argentina and Brazil are here considered A. paraguayensis. A key to the Atlantic Forest Atractus is provided and three new species groups are proposed for some cisAndean Atractus, mainly on the basis of hemipenial morphology: the A. emmeli, A. maculatus, and A. pantostictus species groups.
TL;DR: The ample host-range of these tick species may partly explain their wide distribution from southern U.S. to northern Argentina, but there are also chances that more than one species are represented under the names A. dissimile and A. rotundatum.
Abstract: Host records of Amblyomma dissimile Koch, 1844 and Amblyomma rotundatum Koch, 1844 from the literature were critically reviewed. A total of 417 records on 101 species of tetrapods, and 193 records in 74 species of tetrapods were determined for A. dissimile and A. rotundatum, respectively. Aves have been found only once infested with A. dissimile. This tick has been detected on four species of Bufonidae, while A. rotundatum has been recorded on 13 species from six families of Anura. Crocodilia has been recorded infested by A. rotundatum (captive host, one species) and A. dissimile (two species). Sixteen species of Mammalia from ten families and eight species from eight families have been found infested with A. dissimile and A. rotundatum, including humans, respectively. A total of 63 species of Squamata (10 families) were found infested with A. dissimile, while the corresponding numbers for A. rotundatum are 45 species in nine families. A total of 15 species of Testudines (four families) and nine species (three families) have been found infested with A. dissimile and A. rotundatum, respectively. When infestation on captive and laboratory hosts were excluded from the analysis the number of species naturally infested with A. dissimile diminished to 88 and 58 for A. rotundatum. However, natural hosts infested with larvae, nymphs and adults of A. dissimile are Bufo marinus (Linnaeus), Bufo peltocephalus Tschudi, Proechimys semispinosus (Tomes), Boa constrictor Linnaeus, Epicrates striatus (Fischer), Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler), Cyclura cychlura (Cuvier), Iguana iguana (Linnaeus), Tupinambis teguixin (Linnaeus) and Trachemys scripta (Thunberg), but the commonest hosts harbouring all parasitic stages are B. marinus, B. constrictor and I. iguana. Hosts for all parasitic stages of A. rotundatum are B. marinus, Bufo schneideri Werner and B. constrictor, although records on B. marinus are considerably higher than the records on the other two hosts. The contribution of sheep and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Linnaeus) as hosts of A. dissimile, and Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus as host of A. rotundatum, were overestimated in previous studies. The ample host-range of these tick species may partly explain their wide distribution from southern U.S.A. to northern Argentina, but there are also chances that more than one species are represented under the names A. dissimile and A. rotundatum.
TL;DR: Marine Gastrotricha, both Macrodasyida and Chaetonotida, are the subject of an analytic review, citing taxonomic status of names, authorships of taxa, and those responsible for changes, in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, 4 th ed.
Abstract: Marine Gastrotricha, both Macrodasyida and Chaetonotida, are the subject of an analytic review, citing taxonomic status of names, authorships of taxa, and those responsible for changes, in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, 4 th ed. (1999). Notes are included with regard to taxonomic usage so as to guide workers in the future. Among the proposed novelties are: within Macrodasyida, to restrict the family Lepidodasyidae Remane, 1927 to the genus Lepidodasys Remane, 1926, and to establish a new family, Cephalodasyidae with Cephalodasys Remane, 1926 as its type-species to house the remaining genera and species that have been contained in the polyphyletic family Lepidodasyidae. Hemidasys agaso Claparede, 1867 is considered extinct, and the new name Tetranchyroderma antenniphorum is proposed for Tetranchyroderma antennatum Luporini, Magagnini & Tongiorgi, 1973; in addition, five species are here considered to be species inquirendae: Dactylopodola weilli d'Hondt, 1965, Paradasys nipponensis Sudzuki, 1976, Macrodasys indicus Kutty & Nair, 1969. Tetranchyroderma forceps d’Hondt & Balsamo, 2009 and Turbanella plana (Giard, 1904b). Among Chaetonotida: the Xenotrichula velox-species group Ruppert, 1979 and the Xenotrichula intermedia-species group Ruppert, 1979 were given each the rank of subgenus. Chaetonotus pleuracanthus Remane, 1926 is rejected as a synonym for Chaetonotus marinus Giard, 1904; Chaetonotus somniculosus Mock, 1979 is transferred to the genus Halichaetonotus, the new name Halichaetonotus euromarinus is proposed for Halichaetonotus spinosus Mock, 1979, and Xenotrichula carolinensis Ruppert, 1979 is re-established. Heteroxenotrichula variocirrata d'Hondt, 1966 is here considered to be species inquirenda.
TL;DR: Pentalonia nigronervosa (sensu Hardy 1931) samples from banana and from Zingiberaceae and Araceae species exhibit fixed differences in DNA sequence in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (“DNA barcode”) and in the nuclear gene elongation factor 1α, and have morphometric differences, including non-overlapping ranges in the length of the distal rostral segment.
Abstract: Pentalonia nigronervosa (sensu Hardy 1931) samples from banana and from Zingiberaceae and Araceae species exhibit fixed differences in DNA sequence in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (“DNA barcode”) and in the nuclear gene elongation factor 1α, and have morphometric differences, including non-overlapping ranges in the length of the distal rostral segment. It is thus proposed that the name P. nigronervosa Coquerel be restricted to banana-feeding ‘nigronervosa’ specimens, and that the name Pentalonia caladii van der Goot be restored to full species status for specimens typically feeding on Zingiberaceae and Araceae.
TL;DR: It is suggested that Caspiconcha, Paskentana, and hokkaidoconchids constitute the core of a seeprestricted fauna that inhabited seeps worldwide from (at least) late Jurassic to early Cretaceous time.
Abstract: Twelve mollusk species from late Jurassic to Oligocene cold seep deposits are described and illustrated. Nine of them are new, two have already been named, two new genera are introduced, and one species is described only in open nomenclature. Puncturella (sensu lato) mcleani sp. nov. and Fissurella (sensu lato) bipunctata Stanton, 1895 are the only confirmed fissurellids in fossil cold seeps. The sutilizonid Triassurella goederti sp. nov. is similar to the modern ventinhabiting Sutilizona and the Late Triassic shallow-water reef-inhabitant Triassurella carnica. A smooth, late Jurassic neritid is the oldest neritid from fossil seeps and probably represents an independent neritid radiation into the seep environment, without close phylogenetic connection to the modern Bathynerita. The four new abyssochrysoid caenogastropods Humptulipsia macsotayi, Hokkaidoconcha novacula, Paskentana anistratenkorum, and P. umbilicata significantly extend the stratigraphic and geographic ranges of these apparently seep-restricted genera. Four bivalves are described, including the new modiomorphid Caspiconcha rubani from the early Cretaceous and the new bathymodioline Bathymodiolus (s.l.) palmarensis from the Oligocene. Among the lucinids, the oldest seep-inhabiting lucinid (late Jurassic) is described as Beauvoisina carinata gen. et sp. nov.; the new genus Cubatea is introduced for an Oligocene lucinid from Cuba. It is suggested that Caspiconcha, Paskentana, and hokkaidoconchids constitute the core of a seeprestricted fauna that inhabited seeps worldwide from (at least) late Jurassic to early Cretaceous time. These taxa are, at the family level, phylogenetically unrelated to the modern vent and seep fauna.
TL;DR: Pseudophilothrips is here recognized as a weakly defined genus comprising 13 described species from the Americas, presumably derived from within, rather than sister-genus to, the worldwide genus LiothRIps of leaf-feeding species.
Abstract: Molecular and morphological evidence is presented to support the description of a second species of Pseudophilothrips from Brazil in association with Schinus terebinthifolius, an invasive weedy tree in North America. Pseudophilothrips is here recognized as a weakly defined genus comprising 13 described species from the Americas. This genus is presumably derived from within, rather than sister-genus to, the worldwide genus Liothrips of leaf-feeding species.
TL;DR: Three new species of Aloninae cladocera from Central and South Brazil are described, two of them previously recorded from the area as European taxa Acroperus harpae and Alona quadrangularis.
Abstract: Three new species of Aloninae cladocera from Central and South Brazil are described. Two of them, Acroperus tupinamba sp. n. and Alona yara sp. n., were previously recorded from the area as European taxa Acroperus harpae (Baird, 1834) and Alona quadrangularis (O.F. Muller, 1776), respectively. Acroperus tupinamba differs from the other species of Acroperus in smaller size, long posterior setae of the valves, shorter and wider postabdomen, short setules near the base of postabdominal claw, long apical spines of antenna, and peculiar morphology of limb IV exopodite. Alona yara differs from A. quadrangularis and A. kolweizii Van Damme & Dumont, 2008 in the number of ventral setules on ventral face of limb I, from A. boliviana Sinev et Coronel, 2006 in the shape of the body and postabdomen, narrow labral keel, and absence of projections on epipodites IV–V. The third new species, Celsinotum candango sp.n. differs from all other species of the genus in proportions of postabdomen. It differs from Australian species (C. hypsophilum Frey, 1991, C parooensis Frey, 1991, and C. platamoides Frey, 1991) in a less developed dorsal keel, lateral head pores located close to midline, longer spine on basal segment of antennal exopodite, and in the presence of extremely large projections on exopodites IV–V. Celsinotum candango differs from Brazilian C. laticaudatum Smirnov & Santos-Silva, 1995 in a shorter spine on basal segment of antenna exopodite, in the shape of postabdomen and in morphology of postabdominal denticles. At present, Aloninae fauna of Brazil includes 35 species, and true diversity is undoubtedly higher, with more new species to be expected in the country.