Showing papers in "Zootaxa in 2017"
TL;DR: It is shown that small-sized frogs often emit calls with frequency components in the ultrasound spectrum, although it is unlikely that these high frequencies are of biological relevance for the majority of them, and it is illustrated that detection of upper harmonics depends also on recording distance because higher frequencies are attenuated more strongly.
Abstract: Vocalizations of anuran amphibians have received much attention in studies of behavioral ecology and physiology, but also provide informative characters for identifying and delimiting species. We here review the terminology and variation of frog calls from a perspective of integrative taxonomy, and provide hands-on protocols for recording, analyzing, comparing, interpreting and describing these sounds. Our focus is on advertisement calls, which serve as premating isolation mechanisms and, therefore, convey important taxonomic information. We provide recommendations for terminology of frog vocalizations, with call, note and pulse being the fundamental subunits to be used in descriptions and comparisons. However, due to the complexity and diversity of these signals, an unequivocal application of the terms call and note can be challenging. We therefore provide two coherent concepts that either follow a note-centered approach (defining uninterrupted units of sound as notes, and their entirety as call) or a call-centered approach (defining uninterrupted units as call whenever they are separated by long silent intervals) in terminology. Based on surveys of literature, we show that numerous call traits can be highly variable within and between individuals of one species. Despite idiosyncrasies of species and higher taxa, the duration of calls or notes, pulse rate within notes, and number of pulses per note appear to be more static within individuals and somewhat less affected by temperature. Therefore, these variables might often be preferable as taxonomic characters over call rate or note rate, which are heavily influenced by various factors. Dominant frequency is also comparatively static and only weakly affected by temperature, but depends strongly on body size. As with other taxonomic characters, strong call divergence is typically indicative of species-level differences, whereas call similarities of two populations are no evidence for them being conspecific. Taxonomic conclusions can especially be drawn when the general advertisement call structure of two candidate species is radically different and qualitative call differences are thus observed. On the other hand, quantitative differences in call traits might substantially vary within and among conspecific populations, and require careful evaluation and analysis. We provide guidelines for the taxonomic interpretation of advertisement call differences in sympatric and allopatric situations, and emphasize the need for an integrative use of multiple datasets (bio-acoustics, morphology, genetics), particularly for allopatric scenarios. We show that small-sized frogs often emit calls with frequency components in the ultrasound spectrum, although it is unlikely that these high frequencies are of biological relevance for the majority of them, and we illustrate that detection of upper harmonics depends also on recording distance because higher frequencies are attenuated more strongly. Bioacoustics remains a prime approach in integrative taxonomy of anurans if uncertainty due to possible intraspecific variation and technical artifacts is adequately considered and acknowledged.
336 citations
TL;DR: A map of the 14 biogeographic provinces of Mexico based on the ecoregions recognized for the country, which combine climatic, geological and biotic criteria, is provided.
Abstract: We provide a map of the 14 biogeographic provinces of Mexico based on the ecoregions recognized for the country, which combine climatic, geological and biotic criteria. These provinces belong to the Nearctic region (Californian, Baja Californian, Sonoran, Chihuahuan Desert and Tamaulipas provinces), Neotropical region (Pacific Lowlands, Balsas Basin, Veracruzan and Yucatan Peninsula provinces) and the Mexican transition zone (Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, Transmexican Volcanic Belt, Sierra Madre del Sur and Chiapas Highlands provinces). In order to facilitate future biogeographic analyses, we provide a file of the biogeographical regionalisation of Mexico by converting the map into a polygon shapefile and a raster file with all provinces. We also separately provide each of the provinces in vector and raster format. All the maps are in geographical and Lambert Conformal Conic projections.
160 citations
TL;DR: A checklist of longhorn beetles within the present geographical frontier of Indian subcontinent up to 2016 is provided and accepted nomenclature followed by all relevant works reporting systematics, distribution and ecology of Indian l Longhorn beetles is provided.
Abstract: A checklist of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) within the present geographical frontier of Indian subcontinent up to 2016 is provided. As per the current checklist prepared, there are 1536 species, classified under 440 genera, 72 tribes, and seven subfamilies of Cerambycidae (Parandrinae is not present in India). The report is accounted for 4.2 per cent of species, 7.94 per cent of genera and 28.24 per cent of tribes from India as compared to global record. For each species, accepted nomenclature followed by all relevant works reporting systematics, distribution and ecology of Indian longhorn beetles is provided along with synonyms, type locality and distribution within and outside India.
124 citations
TL;DR: The Mexican transition zone (MTZ) is the complex area where the Neotropical and Nearctic biotas overlap, including south-western United States, Mexico and a large part of Central America extending to the Nicaraguan lowlands, according to Halffter's theory explaining the biotic evolution of the MTZ.
Abstract: The Mexican transition zone (MTZ) is the complex area where the Neotropical and Nearctic biotas overlap, including south-western United States, Mexico and a large part of Central America extending to the Nicaraguan lowlands. In a strict sense, it corresponds to the mountain highlands of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. We review Halffter's theory explaining the biotic evolution of the MTZ, including the description and discussion of the distributional patterns and cenocrons recognized within it. Distributional patterns are generalizations that help analyse and compare distributions of different taxa. Cenocrons correspond to sets of taxa that share the same biogeographic history, constituting identifiable subsets within the transitional biota by their common biotic origin and evolutionary history. The heuristic value of distributional patterns and cenocrons lies in their application to formulate hypotheses on biotic assembly in the geographical-ecological space, to analyse the ecological response to anthropic impact, to analyse altitudinal patterns and to undertake time-slicing in cladistic biogeography. Three case studies are analysed with some detail: the Neotropical genus Canthon and the tribe Phanaeini and the Holarctic/Nearctic subfamily Geotrupinae. The Paleoamerican and Mexican Plateau cenocrons define the approximate boundaries of the MTZ, whereas the Mountain Mesoamerican, Nearctic and Typical Neotropical cenocrons correspond to the more conventional boundaries of the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The biotic assembly of the MTZ is summarized into five stages: in the Jurassic-Cretaceous, the Paleoamerican cenocron (later diversified into five varieties) extended in Mexico; in the Late Cretaceous-Palaeocene, the Mexican Plateau cenocron dispersed from South America; in the Oligocene-Miocene, the Mountain Mesoamerican cenocron dispersed from the Central American Nucleus; in the Miocene-Pliocene, the Nearctic cenocron dispersed from northern North America; and in the Pleistocene, the Typical Neotropical cenocron dispersed from South America. Finally, we review the impact of Halffter's MTZ, with particular reference to dispersal, track, cladistic biogeographic, endemicity and phylogeographic analyses, as well as biogeographic regionalization.
107 citations
TL;DR: A cladistic tree, based on morphology, is presented illustrating the relationships of the Amphipoda at parvorder level.
Abstract: A classification is proposed for the order Amphipoda. The Amphipoda includes six suborders, the Pseudingolfiellidea, Hyperiidea, Colomastigidea, Hyperiopsidea, Senticaudata (described in a previous contribution (Lowry & Myers 2013)) and Amphilochidea. The suborder Ingolfiellidea is raised to order status. A cladistic tree, based on morphology, is presented illustrating the relationships of the Amphipoda at parvorder level. A tree for the families of the Physomatidira and Physocephalatidira, a tree for the Maxillipiidira, Oedicerotidira, Eusiridira and Amphilochidira and a tree for the Synopiidira, Haustoriidira and Lysianassidira, are provided. Families are listed together with their included genera. New families are diagnosed.
84 citations
TL;DR: This paper proposes a refined set of characters that are hoped to elucidate the taxonomic status of the hufelandi group and proposes a unified nomenclature for the crucial morphological traits and clar.
Abstract: Species of the Macrobiotus hufelandi group are one of the most often recorded tardigrades throughout the globe. For over a century M. hufelandi has been considered cosmopolitan but in recent decades numerous species of similar morphologies have been described from various continents, which suggests that what was originally defined as a single taxon is, in fact, a complex of species. The definition of the hufelandi group is subject to a long-standing discussion and in this paper we propose a refined set of characters that are hoped to elucidate the taxonomic status of the group. In order to aid interspecific comparisons, we also propose a unified nomenclature for the crucial morphological traits and clar
73 citations
TL;DR: The objective of this study was to assess the morphological, genetic, ecological and biological data to determine the taxonomic relationships of the Dingo with the aim of confirming the correct scientific name.
Abstract: The taxonomic identity and status of the Australian Dingo has been unsettled and controversial since its initial description in 1792. Since that time it has been referred to by various names including Canis dingo , Canis lupus dingo , Canis familiaris and Canis familiaris dingo . Of these names C . l . dingo and C . f . dingo have been most often used, but it has recently been proposed that the Australian Dingo should be once again recognized as a full species— Canis dingo . There is an urgent need to address the instability of the names referring to the Dingo because of the consequences for management and policy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the morphological, genetic, ecological and biological data to determine the taxonomic relationships of the Dingo with the aim of confirming the correct scientific name. The recent proposal for Canis dingo as the most appropriate name is not sustainable under zoological nomenclature protocols nor based on the genetic and morphological evidence. Instead we proffer the name C . familiaris for all free-ranging dogs, regardless of breed and location throughout the world, including the Australian Dingo. The suggested nomenclature also provides a framework for managing free-ranging dogs including Dingoes, under Australian legislation and policy. The broad principles of nomenclature we discuss here apply to all free-roaming dogs that coexist with their hybrids, including the New Guinea Singing Dog.
71 citations
TL;DR: The genus Brueelia Keler, 1936a forms the core of the so-called “Brueelia -complex”, one of the largest and most heterogeneous groups of lice (Phthiraptera) and a revision of this group is presented.
Abstract: The genus Brueelia Keler, 1936a forms the core of the so-called “ Brueelia -complex”, one of the largest and most heterogeneous groups of lice (Phthiraptera). Here we introduce the taxonomic history and present a revision of this group. The limits of the Brueelia-compl ex are discussed. We resurrect the genera Acronirmus Eichler, 1953, Corvonirmus Eichler, 1944, Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949, Maculinirmus Zlotorzycka, 1964a, Meropsiella Conci, 1941a, Olivinirmus Zlotorzycka, 1964a, Osculonirmus Mey, 1982a, Rostrinirmus Zlotorzycka, 1964a, Traihoriella Ansari, 1947, and Turdinirmus Eichler, 1951. We describe the following new genera: Anarchonirmus n. gen., Aporisticeras n. gen., Aratricerca n. gen., Buphagoecus n. gen., Ceratocista n. gen., Sychraella n. gen., Couala n. gen., Harpactrox n. gen., Hecatrishula n. gen., Indoceoplanetes n. gen., Manucodicola n. gen., Mirandofures n. gen., Nemuus n. gen., Priceiella n. gen., Psammonirmus n. gen., Resartor n. gen., Saepocephalum n. gen., Schizosairhynchus n. gen., Teinomordeus n. gen., Titanomessor n. gen., and Turdinirmoides n. gen.; and the following new subgenera: Camurnirmus n. subgen., Thescelovora n. subgen., Torosinirmus n. subgen., and Capnodella n. subgen. The following 37 new species are described: Anarchonirmus albovittatus n. sp. ex Pomatostomus temporalis strepitans (Mayr & Rand, 1935); Brueelia aguilarae n. sp. ex Euplectes franciscanus pusillus (Hartert, 1901); Brueelia phasmasoma n. sp. ex Coereba flaveola luteola (Cabanis, 1850); Brueelia pseudognatha n. sp. ex Pycnonotus nigricans superior Clancey, 1959; Sychraella sinsutura n. sp. ex Pomatostomus isidorei isidorei Lesson, 1827; Couala dodekopter n. sp. ex Coua cristata pyropyga Grandidier, 1867; Guimaraesiella pandolura n. sp. ex Pericrocotus flammeus semiruber Whistler & Kinnear, 1933; Harpactrox geminodus n. sp. ex Harpactes erythorcephalus erythrocephalus (Gould, 1834); Harpactrox loeiensis n. sp. ex Harpactes erythrorhynchus annamensis (Robinson & Kloss, 1919); Harpactrox pontifrons n. sp. ex Harpactes ardens ardens (Temminck, 1824); Indoceoplanetes ( Capnodella ) loboccupatrix n. sp. ex Lobotos oriolinus Bates, 1909; Indoceoplanetes ( Capnodella ) laurocorythes n. sp. ex Edolisoma holopolium holopolium (Sharpe, 1888); Maculinirmus ljosalfar n. sp. ex Oriolus chinensis diffusus Sharpe, 1877; Manucodicola acantharx n. sp. ex Manucodia ater ater (Lesson, 1830); Manucodicola semiramisae n. sp. ex Phonygammus keraudrenii purpureoviolaceus (Meyer, 1885); Meropoecus balisong n. sp. ex Merops americanus Muller, 1776; Meropoecus bartlowi n. sp. ex Merops ornatus Latham, 1802; Mirandofures altoguineae n. sp. ex Oreostruthus fuliginosus De Vis, 1898; Mirandofures kamena n. sp. ex Erythrura trichroa sigillifer (De Vis, 1897); Nemuus hoedhri n. sp. ex Artamus fuscus Vieillot, 1817; Nemuus imperator n. sp. ex Artamus maximus Meyer, 1874; Priceiella ( Camurnirmus ) hwameicola n. sp. ex Garrulax taewanus Swinhoe, 1859; Priceiella ( Camurnirmus ) paulbrowni n. sp. ex Garrulax leucolophus diardi (Lesson, 1831); Priceiella ( Thescelovora ) alliocephala n. sp. ex Platylophus galericulatus ardesiacus (Bonaparte, 1850); Priceiella ( Torosinirmus ) koka n. sp. ex Turdoides tenebrosa (Hartlaub, 1883); Psammonirmus lunatipectus n. sp. ex Serilophus lunatus lunatus (Gould, 1834); Aratricerca cirithra n. sp. ex Ptiloprora guisei guisei (De Vis, 1894); Saepocephalum stephenfryi n. sp. ex Corcorax melanoramphos (Vieillot, 1817); Schizosairhynchus erysichthoni n. sp. ex Aplonis metallica metallica (Temminck, 1824) and Aplonis metallica nitida (Grey, 1858); Schizosairhynchus minovenator n. sp. ex Mino dumontii Lesson, 1827; Sturnidoecus australafricanus n. sp. ex Corvinella melanoleuca ex pressa Clancey, 1961; Sturnidoecus mon n. sp. ex Euplectes hordeaceus (Linnaeus, 1758); Sturnidoecus porphyrogenitus n. sp. ex Cinnyricinclus leucogaster verreauxi (Bocage, 1870); Sturnidoecus somnodraco n. sp. ex Quelea quelea quelea (Linnaeus, 1758) and Qualea quelea lathami (Smith, 1836); Teinomordeus entelosetus n. sp. ex Eurocephalus rueppelli Bonaparte, 1853; Titanomessor sexloba n. sp. ex Laniarius erythrogaster (Cretzschmar, 1829); and Turdinirmus australissimus n. sp. ex Zoothera lunulata lunulata (Latham, 1802). The name Olivinirmus paraffinis nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement for the preoccupied Brueelia affinis Carriker, 1963. We place 23 names in synonymy, and we consider 6 species as incertae sedis , 2 names as nomina nuda , and transfer 14 species names to genera not belonging to the Brueelia -complex. We redescribe and illustrate most of the type species of the genera or subgenera included in this revision. Keys to genera, subgenera, and species groups are given, together with updated louse-host and host-louse checklists for 426 species of lice currently placed in the Brueelia -complex, including 183 new host-louse records.
67 citations
TL;DR: This data indicates that the sexually reproducing slough crayfish, Procambarus virginalis sp.
Abstract: Marbled crayfish are a globally expanding population of parthenogenetically reproducing freshwater decapods. They are closely related to the sexually reproducing slough crayfish, Procambarus fallax, which is native to the southeastern United States. Previous studies have shown that marbled crayfish are morphologically very similar to P. fallax. However, different fitness traits, reproductive incompatibility and substantial genetic differences suggest that the marbled crayfish should be considered an independent species. This article provides its formal description and scientific name, Procambarus virginalis sp. nov.
57 citations
TL;DR: A rich bee fauna is documented that includes geographically-restricted species, rare and regionally-declining species, and economically-important species, providing information for ongoing conservation planning and future analysis of trends in bee populations.
Abstract: The state of Michigan occupies an area between the Great Plains and the northeastern United States, bordering four Great Lakes, with diverse biogeographical regions. Michigan also has the second most diverse agriculture in the country, with many crops that depend on bees for pollination. This unique combination provides a wide range of opportunities for bees to persist, yet there is no current published checklist of these important insects. This study was conducted to provide the first annotated checklist of the bee (Apoidea: Anthophila) fauna of Michigan, summarizing aspects of their taxonomy and behavior and to provide provisional conservation assessment. The list was compiled from a critical review of published literature, museum specimens, and database records, supplemented by new collections. In total, 465 species are included in the checklist, including 38 new records, however evidence for 13 species is poor, several more species require taxonomic revision, and the presence of additional species is expected. The exotic megachilid species Megachile apicalis Spinola, M. pusilla Perez (=concinna Smith, auct.) and Osmia taurus Smith are reported from Michigan for the first time. New state records of native species include Anthidium tenuiflorae Cockerell and Nomada alpha alpha Cockerell, both previously undocumented from eastern North America, and Nomada sphaerogaster Cockerell, which has rarely been recognized. The taxonomy of some bee species is clarified by the formal publication of 11 new synonymies (some previously reported online or in manuscripts). The following list cites junior synonyms first followed by the valid name: Andrena chippewaensis Mitchell 1960 = A. (Simandrena) wheeleri Graenicher 1904; Osmia hendersoni Cockerell 1907 = O. (Melanosmia) tarsata Provancher 1888; Osmia michiganensis Mitchell 1962 = O. (M.) subarctica Cockerell 1912 (new status, removed from synonymy with O. (M.) tersula Cockerell 1912); Sphecodes persimilis Lovell and Cockerell 1907 = S. davisii Robertson 1897; Sphecodes knetschi Cockerell 1898 = S. dichrous Smith 1853; Sphecodes carolinus Mitchell 1956 = S. coronus Mitchell 1956; Sphecodes stygius Robertson 1893 = S. mandibularis Cresson 1872; Sphecodes prostygius Mitchell 1960 = S. fattigi Mitchell 1956; Stelis vernalis Mitchell 1962 = S. coarctatus Crawford 1916; and Stelis michiganensis Mitchell 1962 = S. foederalis Smith 1854. Poorly known Andrena (Cnemidandrena) are discussed, including A. parnassiae Cockerell, a new state record, A. robervalensis Mitchell, and the extralimital A. runcinatae Cockerell. Of these, only A. robervalensis was considered in the subgeneric revision, but we recognize all three as valid species pending further study. Nomada binotata (Robertson 1903) and N. quadrimaculata (Robertson 1903) are removed from synonymy with N. ovata (Robertson 1903), based on examination of the lectotypes. A new species, Triepeolus eliseae Rightmyer, the eastern representative of the verbesinae species group, is described. A putative undescribed species, Osmia aff. trevoris, is documented, but requires additional study for its status to be fully resolved. A rich bee fauna is documented that includes geographically-restricted species, rare and regionally-declining species, and economically-important species, providing information for ongoing conservation planning and future analysis of trends in bee populations.
56 citations
TL;DR: GC did not consider important practical aspects of what they term taxonomic anarchy, most significantly the participation of conservationists as authors of taxonomic works, and the importance of alternative management units, a well-established discussion in conservation biology.
Abstract: Responding to purported taxonomic anarchy, in an article published in the widely read journal Nature , Garnett & Christidis (2017) [hereafter GC] opined on the need for “ standardized global species lists ”, at the behest of conservationists, and proposed the construction of a judicial committee to “ restrict … freedom of taxonomic action ” and promote taxonomic stability. Here we reflect on this perspective and contest that the view of GC conflicts with some basic and indisputable principles underpinning the philosophy of science, most notably: it must be free. They appear to believe that taxonomic revisions should be based on political, economic and conservation concerns, and they treat species as fixed real entities, instead of refutable scientific hypotheses. In addition to such theoretical misconceptions, GC did not consider important practical aspects of what they term taxonomic anarchy, most significantly the participation of conservationists as authors of taxonomic works, and the importance of alternative management units, a well-established discussion in conservation biology.
TL;DR: This work provides a comprehensive list of non-marine tardigrades recorded from Africa, providing an updated and revised taxonomy accompanied by geographic co-ordinates, habitat, and biogeographic comments.
Abstract: This paper is the fourth monograph in a series that describes the global records of limno-terrestrial water bears (Tardigrada). Here, we provide a comprehensive list of non-marine tardigrades recorded from Africa, providing an updated and revised taxonomy accompanied by geographic co-ordinates, habitat, and biogeographic comments. It is hoped this work will serve as a reference point and background for further zoogeographical and taxonomical studies.
TL;DR: The study has shown that the extreme eggshell variability in this species is observed both in natural and laboratory environments and has expanded some of R. subanomalus morphometric traits ranges; compared with those provided in the original description.
Abstract: A population of Ramazzottius subanomalus (Biserov, 1985) was found in a moss sample collected from concrete wall in Poznan, western Poland. Animals were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy and for DNA sequencing to provide an integrative description of the species that was originally described only by means of classical alpha taxonomy. As a result of our studies, we provide the first ever SEM photomicrographs of Ramazzottius subanomalus individuals and their buccal apparatuses. Additionally, we present new DNA sequences as well as new morphometric data for R. subanomalus. The molecular data comprise sequences for three DNA fragments, one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA). As a result of being able to analyse a considerable number of animals and eggs, our study has expanded some of R. subanomalus morphometric traits ranges; compared with those provided in the original description. The spine-shaped egg processes as well as qualitative and quantitative characters of adults show R. subanomalus is most similar to Ramazzottius anomalus (Ramazzotti, 1962). However, our study has shown that R. subanomalus differs from R. anomalus by the lack of fine granulation on eggshell surface as well as by three other morphometric characters: longer buccal tube and two aspects of the placoids. We also discuss the validity of the R. anomalus record in Poland in the light of our findings. Finally, we show that the extreme eggshell variability in this species is observed both in natural and laboratory environments.
TL;DR: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the diversity and distribution of fishes of the region within a standardised nomenclatural framework and summarises the outcomes of recent phylogeographic and phylogenetic research using molecular technologies to identify where issues of taxonomy may need further scrutiny.
Abstract: Northern Australia is biologically diverse and of national and global conservation signicance. Its ancient landscape contains the world’s largest area of savannah ecosystem in good ecological condition and its rivers are largely free-flowing. Agriculture, previously confined largely to open range-land grazing, is set to expand in extent and to focus much more on irrigated cropping and horticulture. Demands on the water resources of the region are thus, inevitably increasing. Reliable information is required to guide and inform development and help plan for a sustainable future for the region which includes healthy rivers that contain diverse fish assemblages. Based on a range of information sources, including the outcomes of recent and extensive new field surveys, this study maps the distribution of the 111 freshwater fishes (excluding elasmobranches) and 42 estuarine vagrants recorded from freshwater habitats of the region. We classify the habitat use and migratory biology of each species. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the diversity and distribution of fishes of the region within a standardised nomenclatural framework. In addition, we summarise the outcomes of recent phylogeographic and phylogenetic research using molecular technologies to identify where issues of taxonomy may need further scrutiny. The study provides an informed basis for further research on the spatial arrangement of biodiversity and its relationship to environmental factors (e.g. hydrology), conservation planning and phylogentic variation within individual taxa.
TL;DR: The paper contains a review of coleopteran genera known from Baltic, Bitterfeld and Rovno amber localities and the simplified Mutual Climatic Range (MCR) method was used for palaeoclimate reconstruction based on fossil beetles.
Abstract: The paper contains a review of coleopteran genera known from Baltic, Bitterfeld and Rovno amber localities. Altogether 420 genera (191 extinct and 229 extant) from 78 families are listed from these three Lagerstatten (as of 7 March 2017). The listed beetles were analyzed zoogeographically and distributional maps for 72 genera were compiled. One-quarter (56) of the genera that have survived since the Eocene have cosmopolitan ranges at present; 35 extant genera have been extripated from the Palaearctic since the Eocene. Approximately 40% of beetle genera from the middle-upper Eocene European ambers can be encountered in the wild in present-day Europe, while 5 of these genera are supposed to be European relict endemics originating in Fennosarmatia. The general similarity of the Baltic amber ( s.l. ) beetle assemblage to modern south Palaearctic fauna is the strongest, the Nearctic elements are more numerous in the middle-upper Eocene European ambers than the Oriental taxa. The simplified Mutual Climatic Range (MCR) method was used for palaeoclimate reconstruction based on fossil beetles. The coleopteran assemblage of Baltic amber is interpreted as indicative of warm temperate, humid, equable climate with reduced thermal seasonality [annual average temperatures range from +10–20˚C; mean of the coldest month temperatures around +10˚C; mean of the hottest month temperature around +20–24˚C; annual precipitation around 750–1500 mm]. The primary importance of high humidity for existence of the Eocene biota is pointed out.
TL;DR: This map provides a map of the 15 biogeographic provinces of Argentina based on the ecoregions recognized for the country, combining climatic, geological and biotic criteria using the World Geodetic Survey 1984.
Abstract: Fil: Arana, Marcelo Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisico-Quimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina
TL;DR: The total number of scale insect species recorded from Greece is increased to 253, with forty-eight species, including two species new to science, being new to the Greek fauna.
Abstract: Surveys of the scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) fauna of Greece were carried out in 2013 and 2014. Altogether 93 scale insect species were collected, belonging to 11 families. Thirty-eight species (41%) proved to be new to the Greek fauna, including two species new to science ( Anophococcus hellenicus Kaydan & Szita sp. n. (Acanthococcidae) and Iberococcus attikus Szita & Fetyko sp. n. (Pseudococcidae)), and two introduced invasive species ( Phenacoccus graminicola Leonardi and Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana), both Pseudococcidae). The rest of the species seem to be native to the Greek fauna. The total number of scale insect species recorded from Greece is increased to 253.
TL;DR: A wide range of aspects concerning microscope slides, their preparation, long-time storage, curatorial measures in collections, deterioration, restoration, and study is summarized based on more than 600 references from the 19 th century until 2016, 15 patents, and about 100 Materials Safety Data Sheets.
Abstract: A wide range of aspects concerning microscope slides, their preparation, long-time storage, curatorial measures in collections, deterioration, restoration, and study is summarized based on our own data and by analyzing more than 600 references from the 19 th century until 2016, 15 patents, and about 100 Materials Safety Data Sheets. Information from systematic zoology, conservation sciences, chemistry, forensic sciences, pathology, paleopathology, applied sciences like food industry, and most recent advances in digital imaging are put together in order to obtain a better understanding of which and possibly why mounting media and coverslip seals deteriorate, how slides can be salvaged, which studies may be necessary to identify a range of ideal mounting media, and how microscope studies can benefit from improvements in developmental biology and related fields. We also elaborate on confusing usage of concepts like that of maceration and of clearing. The chemical ingredients of a range of mounting media and coverslip seals are identified as much as possible from published data, but this information suffers in so far as the composition of a medium is often proprietary of the manufacturer and may vary over time. Advantages, disadvantages, and signs of deterioration are documented extensively for these media both from references and from our own observations. It turns out that many media degrade within a few years, or decades at the latest, except Canada balsam with a documented life-time of 150 years, Euparal with a documented life-time of 50 years, and glycerol-paraffin mounts sealed with Glyceel, which represents almost the only non-deteriorating and easily reversible mount. Deterioration reveals itself as a yellowing in natural resins and as cracking, crystallization, shrinkage on drying or possibly on loss of a plasticizer, detachment of the coverslip, segregation of the ingredients in synthetic polymers, as well as continued maceration of a specimen to a degree that the specimen virtually disappears. Confusingly, decay does not always appear equally within a collection of slides mounted at the same time in the same medium. The reasons for the deteriorative processes have been discussed but are controversial especially for gum-chloral media. Comparing data from conservation sciences, chemical handbooks, and documented ingredients, we discuss here how far chemical and physical deterioration probably are inherent to many media and are caused by the chemical and physical properties of their components and by chemicals dragged along from previous preparation steps like fixation, chemical maceration, and physical clearing. Some recipes even contain a macerating agent, which proceeds with its destructive work. We provide permeability data for oxygen and water vapor of several polymers contained in mounting media and coverslip seals. Calculation of the penetration rate of moisture in one example reveals that water molecules reach a specimen within a few days up to about a month; this lays to rest extensive discussions about the permanent protection of a mounted specimen by a mounting medium and a coverslip seal. Based on the ever growing evidence of the unsuitable composition and application of many, and possibly almost all, mounting media, we strongly encourage changing the perspective on microscope slides from immediate usability and convenience of preparation towards durability and reversibility, concepts taken from conservation sciences. Such a change has already been suggested by Upton (1993) more than 20 years ago for gum-chloral media, but these media are still encouraged nowadays by scientists. Without a new perspective, taxonomic biology will certainly lose a large amount of its specimen basis for its research within the next few decades. Modern non-invasive techniques like Raman spectroscopy may help to identify mounting media and coverslip seals on a given slide as well as to understand ageing of the media. An outlook is given on potential future studies. In order to improve the situation of existing collections of microscope slides, we transfer concepts as per the Smithsonian Collections Standards and Profiling System, developed for insect collections more than 25 years ago, to collections of slides. We describe historical and current properties and usage of glass slides, coverslips, labels, and adhesives under conservational aspects. In addition, we summarize and argue from published and our own experimental information about restorative procedures, including re-hydration of dried-up specimens previously mounted in a fluid medium. Alternatives to microscope slides are considered. We also extract practical suggestions from the literature concerning microscope equipment, cleaning of optical surfaces, health risks of immersion oil, and recent improvements of temporary observation media especially in connection with new developments in digital software.
TL;DR: Genus-level taxa in the oribatid mite superfamily Galumnoidea are revised based on morphology of adults and a previously published phylogenetic analysis to give a concise overview of the general morphology of Galum noidea, diagnoses and a key for families, genera, and subgenera.
Abstract: Genus-level taxa in the oribatid mite superfamily Galumnoidea (Acari, Oribatida) are revised based on morphology of adults and a previously published phylogenetic analysis. We give a concise overview of the general morphology of Galumnoidea, diagnoses and a key for families, genera, and subgenera, and a taxonomic list with two families, 39 genera, 9 non-nominal subgenera, and 590 species. The following nomenclatorial changes to genus-group taxa resulted from our revision: Allogalumna ( Allogalumna ) Grandjean, 1936 (= Xenogalumna Balogh, 1960( b ) syn. nov.), Flagellozetes ( Cosmogalumna ) Aoki, 1988 comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), Flagellozetes ( Variogalumna ) Mahunka, 1995 stat. nov., Galumna ( Galumna ) Heyden, 1826 (= Rostrogalumna Engelbrecht, 1973 syn. nov.), Pilogalumna Grandjean, 1956( a ) (= Disparagalumna Hammer, 1973 syn. nov.), Trichogalumna ( Tanzanycha ) Kocak & Kemal, 2008 stat. nov., Galumnella Berlese, 1916( a ) (= Monogalumnella Mahunka, 1986 syn. nov. = Trichogalumnella Mahunka, 1992 syn. nov., = Bigalumnella Mahunka, 1994 syn. nov.). The following changes are made to species-group nomenclature: Angulogalumna areolata (Starý, 2005) comb. nov. (from Cuspidogalumna ) et stat. ressur. (= Galumna ( Angulogalumna ) staryi Subias, 2010 syn. nov. replacement name for secondary homonym Galumna ( Angulogalumna ) areolata (Starý, 2005)), Allogalumna ( Allogalumna ) longula (Balogh, 1960( b )) comb. nov. (from Xenogalumna ), Flagellozetes ( Cosmogalumna ) areticulata (Ermilov, Sandmann, Klarner, Widyastuti & Scheu, 2015( d )) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), F. ( C. ) dongnaiensis (Ermilov & Anichkin, 2013) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), F. ( C. ) ekaterinae (Ermilov & Friedrich, 2016( b )) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), F. ( C. ) hiroyoshii (Nakamura & Fujikawa, 2004) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), F. ( C. ) ornata (Aoki, 1988) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), F. ( C. ) imperfectus (Aoki & Hu, 1993) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )) and stat. ressur., (= Galumna ( Cosmogalumna ) praeoccupata Subias, 2004 syn. nov. replacement name for secondary homonym Galumna ( Cosmogalumna ) imperfecta (Aoki & Hu, 1993)), F. ( C. ) sumatrensis (Ermilov, Sandmann, Klarner, Widyastuti & Scheu, 2015( d )) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), F. ( C. ) tenensis (Ermilov, Vu & Nguyen, 2011) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), F. ( C. ) vladopesici (Ermilov & Corpuz-Raros, 2015( c )) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), F. ( C. ) yonaguniensis (Aoki, 2009) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Cosmogalumna )), Flagellozetes ( Variogalumna ) singularis (Mahunka, 1995) comb. nov. (from Variogalumna ), Galumna ( Galumna ) chrisengelbrechti Ermilov & Klimov, 2017 nom. nov. (= Rostrogalumna rostrata Engelbrecht, 1973, preoccupied by Sellnick (1922)), Galumna ( Galumna ) teuri Ermilov & Klimov, 2017 nom. nov. for Galumna imperfecta Hammer, 1972 (preoc. Banks, 1906), Pilogalumna tongaensis (Hammer, 1973) comb. nov. (from Disparagalumna ), P. rostrata (Fujikawa, 2008) comb. nov. (from Disparagalumna ), Setogalumna ambigua (Wallwork, 1977) comb. nov. (from Galumna ( Galumna )), Trichogalumna ( Tanzanycha ) hesperis (Mahunka, 1984) comb. nov. (from Tanzanycha ), Galumnella pulchella (Aoki & Hu, 1993) comb. nov. (from Porogalumnella ), G. csavasorum (Mahunka, 1994) comb. nov. (from Bigalumnella ), G. hauseri (Mahunka, 1992) comb. nov. (from Trichogalumnella ), G. neotricha (Mahunka, 1986) comb. nov. (from Monogalumnella ). In addition, Galumna pyramidalis Tseng, 1984 was removed from Galumnoidea and transferred to Neoribates (Oripodoidea, Parakalummidae): N. ( Neoribates ) pyramidalis (Tseng, 1984) comb. nov. (from Galumna ).
TL;DR: Pseudoliparis swirei sp.
Abstract: Pseudoliparis swirei sp. nov. is described from 37 individuals collected in the Mariana Trench at depths 6898–7966 m. The collection of this new species is the deepest benthic capture of a vertebrate with corroborated depth data. Here, we describe P. swirei sp. nov. and discuss aspects of its morphology, biology, distribution, and phylogenetic relationships to other hadal liparids based on analysis of three mitochondrial genes. Pseudoliparis swirei sp. nov. is almost certainly endemic to the Mariana Trench, as other hadal liparids appear isolated to a single trench/ trench system in the Kermadec, Macquarie, South Sandwich, South Orkney, Peru-Chile, Kurile-Kamchatka and Japan trenches. The discovery of another hadal liparid species, apparently abundant at depths where other fish species are few and only found in low numbers, provides further evidence for the dominance of this family among the hadal fish fauna.
TL;DR: An annotated and photographically illustrated checklist with DNA barcodes of the species of bony fishes collected during a month-long research cruise of the Spanish Research vessel B/O Miguel Oliver is presented, indicating that there is still much to learn about the composition and geographical and depth distributions of the fish fauna of the shelf edge and continental slope of this region.
Abstract: An annotated and photographically illustrated checklist with DNA barcodes of the species of bony fishes collected during a month-long research cruise of the Spanish Research vessel B/O Miguel Oliver is presented. The vessel made trawls on the continental shelf of the Pacific coast of Central America, in November-December 2010, at depths of 108–1625 m. This list, based on 707 specimens (of a total of 876 specimens collected during the whole expedition), includes 129 species belonging to 15 orders, 61 families, and 97 genera. New information is presented on the geographical distributions of more than a third of those species, with 29 species (22.4%) representing new records from Central American waters and 17 species (13.2%) having expanded latitudinal ranges. Data on capture depths demonstrate increased depth ranges due to new minimum and/or maximum known depths for 31 species, i.e. 24% of those captured. Tissue samples from frozen specimens were used to obtain DNA barcodes of 682 (96.5%) individuals belonging to 118 species (91.4% of those recorded here), which have been made publically available in Genbank. Those data include barcodes for 84 species (65.1% of the total collected, and 77.1% of those for which barcodes were obtained) and 30 genera (30.9% of those collected) for which no species barcodes have been previously published. Barcodes of 54 species represent the first genetic sequences of any type published for those species. The abundance of new data indicate that there is still much to learn about the composition and geographical and depth distributions of the fish fauna of the shelf edge and continental slope of this region.
TL;DR: Thirtysix species were found to be new to science, excluding the first Central West Atlantic record of the genus Halicnemia, not named at the species level because of lack of sufficient material.
Abstract: Sponges collected on the Guyana Shelf, predominantly in Suriname offshore waters, by Dutch HMS ‘Snellius’ O.C.P.S. 1966, HMS ’Luymes’ O.C.P.S. II 1969, and HMS ‘Luymes’ Guyana Shelf 1970 expeditions are described in this study. Sponges were obtained by trawling, dredging or grabbing on sandy, muddy, shelly, and fossil reef bottoms at 88 stations between 19 and 681 m depth. A total of 351 samples were identified to species level, each consisting of one or more specimens of a given species from each individual station (together comprising 547 individuals and fragments). The collection yielded 119 species together belonging to all sponge classes, but in large majority are Demospongiae. All species are identified to species level, occasionally tentatively, and all are described and illustrated. A new subgenus is proposed, Tedania (Stylotedania) subgen. nov. and a previously synonymized genus, Tylosigma Topsent, 1894 is revived. Thirtysix species were found to be new to science, excluding the first Central West Atlantic record of the genus Halicnemia , not named at the species level because of lack of sufficient material. The new species erected are, in alphabetical order: Amphoriscus ancora sp. nov., Biemna rhabdotylostylota sp. nov., Callyspongia (Callyspongia) scutica sp. nov., Chelonaplysilla americana sp. nov., Cladocroce guyanensis sp. nov., Clathria (Axosuberites) riosae sp. nov., Clathria (Clathria) gomezae sp. nov., Clathria (Microciona) snelliusae sp. nov., Clathria (Thalysias) complanata sp. nov., Clathria (Thalysias) zeai sp. nov., Coelosphaera (Coelosphaera) lissodendoryxoides sp. nov. , Craniella crustocorticata sp. nov., Diplastrella spirastrelloides sp. nov., Epipolasis tubulata sp. nov., Erylus rhabdocoronatus sp. nov., Erylus surinamensis sp. nov., Geodia pocillum sp. nov., Geodia sulcata sp. nov., Hemiasterella camelus sp. nov., Hymedesmia (Stylopus ) alcoladoi sp. nov., Hymenancora cristoboi sp. nov., Penares sineastra sp. nov., Hymerhabdia kobluki sp. nov., Leucosolenia salpinx sp. nov., Petrosia (Strongylophora) devoogdae sp. nov., Placospongia ruetzleri sp. nov., Pyloderma tropicale sp. nov., Raspailia (Parasyringella) thamnopilosa sp. nov., Raspailia (Raspailia) johnhooperi sp. nov., Sphaerotylus bouryesnaultae sp. nov., Spirastrella erylicola sp. nov., Stelletta vervoorti sp. nov., Suberites crispolobatus sp. nov., Tedania (Stylotedania) folium subgen. nov. sp. nov., Timea tylasterina sp. nov., and Tylosigma ostreicola sp. nov. Two new combinations are proposed: Amphimedon nanaspiculata (Hartman, 1955) comb. nov. and Oceanapia ascidia (Schmidt, 1870) comb. nov. In addition, for two preoccupied combinations, new names, Coelosphaera (Coelosphaera) barbadensis nom. nov. and Hymedesmia (Hymedesmia) rowi nom. nov., are erected. The spatial distribution of the collected specimens over the Guyana Shelf was traced and the results were compared with existing information on bottom conditions. There was a convincing correlation between the location of fossil reefs and other hard substrates such as shell ridges with peaks in the occurrence of species diversity and specimen numbers. Stations made on sand and mud bottoms away from these zones of hard substrates were generally poor in species, but some were found to be rich in individuals of specialized soft bottom dwellers such as Tetilla pentatriaena , Tribrachium schmidtii , Fangophilina submersa , and Oceanapia species. The species composition of the Guyana Shelf was compared with that of neighbouring regions of the Caribbean and from North and East Brazil (Diaz in Miloslavich et al. 2010; Muricy et al. 2011). About 35% of the species encountered are widespread in the Central West Atlantic, occurring both to the north and to the south. Indications that the Guyana Shelf sponge fauna is clearly transitional are southernmost occurrences for Caribbean species (about 30%), and northernmost occurrences of Brazilian species (13%), with a high proportion (25%) of new species, which may be expected to have distributions extending to the Caribbean, to Brazil or both regions.
TL;DR: A revision of the cis-andean species of Brycon, with the exception of the Brycon pesu species-complex, is presented.
Abstract: A revision of the cis-andean species of Brycon, with the exception of the Brycon pesu species-complex, is presented. Twenty-one Brycon species (including B. pesu) are recognized from cis-andean river systems: Brycon stolzmanni Steindachner, from the upper Rio Maranon basin, Peru; Brycon coxeyi Fowler, from the Rio Maranon basin, Ecuador and Peru; Brycon polylepis Mosco Morales, from the Lago de Maracaibo, Rio Orinoco, upper rio Amazonas, and rio Tocantins basins, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil; Brycon coquenani Steindachner, from the upper Rio Caroni, Rio Orinoco basin, Venezuela; Brycon insignis Steindachner, from the rio Paraiba do Sul and small adjacent coastal river basins of eastern Brazil; Brycon vermelha Lima & Castro, endemic from the rio Mucuri basin, eastern Brazil; Brycon howesi new species, endemic from the rio Jequitinhonha basin, Brazil; Brycon dulcis new species, endemic from the rio Doce basin, eastern Brazil; Brycon ferox Steindachner, from several small coastal river systems, including the rio Mucuri basin in eastern Brazil; Brycon vonoi new species, from the rio Pardo basin and apparently also from a adjacent river system, the rio Una, in eastern Brazil; Brycon opalinus (Cuvier), from the headwaters of the rio Paraiba do Sul and rio Doce basins, eastern Brazil; Brycon nattereri Gunther, from the headwaters of the upper rio Parana, rio Sao Francisco, and upper rio Tocantins basins, Brazil; Brycon orthotaenia Gunther, endemic from the rio Sao Francisco basin, Brazil; Brycon orbignyanus (Valenciennes), from the rio Parana and rio Uruguai basins, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay; Brycon hilarii (Valenciennes), from the rio Paraguai, middle rio Parana, and upper rio Amazonas basins, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador; Brycon whitei Myers & Weitzman, from the Rio Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela; Brycon amazonicus (Agassiz), from the Rio Amazonas and Rio Orinoco basins, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Guyana; Brycon gouldingi Lima, endemic from the rio Tocantins basin, Brazil; Brycon melanopterus (Cope), from the western and central rio Amazonas basin, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia; and Brycon falcatus Muller & Troschel, widespread in the the rio Amazonas and Rio Orinoco basins, and several guyanese river systems, in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. All species are redescribed and illustrated, and a key to the species is provided. Comments on the diagnosis of the genus Brycon, the biogeography of the cis-andean species, and their current conservation status, are presented.
TL;DR: All known butterfly fossils, consisting of 49 taxa, are critically reviewed and their relationship to extant taxa is discussed as an aid for correctly calibrating a molecular clock for papilionoid Lepidoptera.
Abstract: Fossil butterflies are extremely rare Yet, they are the only direct evidence of the first appearance of particular characters and as such, they are crucial for calibrating a molecular clock, from which divergence ages are estimated In turn, these estimates, in combination with paleogeographic information, are most important in paleobiogeographic considerations The key issue here is the correct allocation of fossils on the phylogenetic tree from which the molecular clock is calibratedThe allocation of a fossil on a tree should be based on an apomorphic character found in a tree based on extant species, similar to the allocation of a new extant species In practice, the latter is not done, at least not explicitly, on the basis of apomorphy, but rather on overall similarity or on a phylogenetic analysis, which is not possible for most butterfly fossils since they usually are very fragmentary Characters most often preserved are in the venation of the wings Therefore, special attention is given to possible apomorphies in venational characters in extant butterflies For estimation of divergence times, not only the correct allocation of the fossil on the tree is important, but also the tree itself influences the outcome as well as the correct determination of the age of the fossil These three aspects are discussed All known butterfly fossils, consisting of 49 taxa, are critically reviewed and their relationship to extant taxa is discussed as an aid for correctly calibrating a molecular clock for papilionoid Lepidoptera In this context some aspects of age estimation and biogeographic conclusions are briefly mentioned in review Specific information has been summarized in four appendices
TL;DR: The “ Eolis ” pustulata species complex is particularly investigated, including description of a new ontogenetically different species Zelentia ninel sp.
Abstract: The taxonomy of aeolidacean nudibranchs of the traditional group previously known as Tergipedidae is discussed. To integrate the diverse molecular phylogenetic pattern and morphological disparity in a broadly ontogenetic context a revised classification at the family level is presented. The families Calmidae Iredale & O'Donoghue, 1923, Eubranchidae Odhner, 1934, Fionidae Gray, 1857 s. str. (restricted, with the genus Fiona only), and Tergipedidae Bergh, 1889 s.str. (restricted, with inclusion of the genus Tergipes only) are restored. The families Cuthonidae Odhner, 1934 s.str. (restricted, with only single genus Cuthona ), Cuthonellidae Miller, 1971, stat. nov., and Trinchesiidae Nordsieck, 1972 (with inclusion of the genera Catriona , Diaphoreolis , Phestilla , Tenellia , Trinchesia ) are reinstated. At the genus level, the family Trinchesiidae appears as a most diverse assemblage that needs to be further divided. In the present study, the “ Eolis ” pustulata species complex is particularly investigated, including description of a new ontogenetically different species Zelentia ninel sp. nov. “ Eolis” pustulata Alder & Hancock, 1854 and two closely related species are morphologically well separated from Trinchesia s. str. (absence of foot corners, narrow radular teeth) and form a distinct molecular phylogenetic clade basal to all the other Trinchesiidae. Therefore, this group is a distinct unit according to both morphological and molecular data and is separated here as a new genus, Zelentia gen. nov. The genus Catriona is also briefly discussed and the valid status of the species Catriona aurantia (Alder et Hancock, 1842) stat. nov. is confirmed.
TL;DR: The wealth of the biodiversity of black flies in Vietnam is confirmed on the basis of the results of the recent investigations, though limited to five provinces in the country, and 22 species are described as new, including one in the newly recorded subgenus Montisimulium Rubtsov, and three species are recognized as new records from Vietnam.
Abstract: The biodiversity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae), which are biting insects of medical and veterinary importance, is strikingly high in Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. In 2013, we began to explore the fauna of black flies in Vietnam, which has so far been poorly studied. In this monograph, the wealth of the biodiversity of black flies in Vietnam is also confirmed on the basis of the results of our recent investigations, though limited to five provinces in the country. Morphotaxonomic studies of black flies obtained from Sapa, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, in 2014 and Nghe An Province, northern Vietnam, in 2015, and reexaminations of black flies collected from Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc Province, northern Vietnam, in 2013, Thua Thien Hue Province, central Vietnam, in 2014, and Lam Dong Province, southern Vietnam, in 2014, were conducted. A total of 22 species are described as new, including one in the newly recorded subgenus Montisimulium Rubtsov, and three species are recognized as new records from Vietnam. This investigation brings the number of species of black flies known in Vietnam to 70, all of which are assigned to the genus Simulium Latreille, and are placed in four subgenera (25 in Gomphostilbia Enderlein, one in Montisimulium , seven in Nevermannia Enderlein, and 37 in Simulium Latreille s. str.). The numbers of species-groups recognized include seven in Gomphostilbia , three in Nevermannia and nine in Simulium , indicating a high diversity of putative phylogenetic lineages. New species include S . ( G .) sanchayense sp. nov . (= the species formerly regarded as S . ( G .) brinchangense Takaoka, Sofian-Azirun & Hashim), S . ( S .) lowi sp. nov . (= the species formerly regarded as S . ( S .) brevipar Takaoka & Davies), S . ( S .) fuscicoxae sp. nov . [= the species formerly regarded as S . ( S. ) rufibasis Brunetti (in part)], S . ( S .) suoivangense sp. nov . [= morphoform ‘b’ of the S . ( S .) tani Takaoka & Davies (complex)]. Newly recorded species are S . ( G .) parahiyangum Takaoka & Sigit, S . ( N .) maeaiense Takaoka & Srisuka, and S . ( S .) doipuiense Takaoka & Choochote (complex) [= the species formerly regarded as S . ( S. ) rufibasis Brunetti (in part)]. The substitute name, S. ( S. ) huense , is given for the species that was described under the name of S. ( S. ) cavum from southern Vietnam. A redescription of the female, male, pupa and larva of S . ( G .) asakoae Takaoka & Davies is presented, and the female and larva of S . ( G .) hongthaii Takaoka, Sofian-Azirun & Ya’cob are described for the first time. Keys to 10 subgenera in the Oriental Region and all 70 species recorded from Vietnam are provided for females, males, pupae and mature larvae. As investigations extend nationwide in all the provinces in Vietnam, more new species and records are expected to be discovered. It is hoped that this monograph will be useful as a baseline taxonomic reference for future studies of black flies in Vietnam and neighbouring countries.
TL;DR: This is an identification guide to the 47 currently described genera of marine heterotardigrades, providing clear definitions and illustrations of relevant anatomy and an easy to use dichotomous key.
Abstract: This is an identification guide to the 47 currently described genera of marine heterotardigrades. We provide clear definitions and illustrations of relevant anatomy and an easy to use dichotomous key. The aim of the present contribution is to enable more people to identify collected specimens of marine heterotardigrades, and hopefully, encourage more people to study this intriguing group of animals. The paper is divided into three parts. The first part gives a brief introduction to heterotardigrade morphology with special emphasis on taxonomically important characters. The second part is the actual key, which is accompanied by illustrations of both habitus and detailed foot morphology of the marine heterotardigrade genera. The third part provides up to date diagnoses of the orders, families, subfamilies and genera of marine heterotardigrades according to the most recent emendments. With the generic diagnoses, we provide a bibliography with selected literature that relates to each specific genus.
TL;DR: The results reveal that N. spinosus s.l. is a monophyletic group, and morphological and molecular results indicate that Neacomys is still far from being completely known, and proposes three species groups within Neacumys: "paracou", "tenuipes" and "spinosus".
Abstract: The large spiny mouse Neacomys spinosus (Thomas, 1882) has been considered the widest ranging species of the genus, occurring in southern Colombia, eastern Peru, western Brazil and northern Bolivia. The morphological variation between subspecies and populations of N. spinosus has been noted; nonetheless, this variation has not been assessed in a morphological or molecular context. Here, we present a taxonomic revision of Neacomys spinosus s.l. using qualitative and quantitative morphological analyses. These analyses were complemented with molecular analysis to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among species of Neacomys , based on sequences of the cytochrome b gene. Our results reveal that N. spinosus s.l. is a monophyletic group, and morphological and molecular evidence to differentiate three taxa: N. spinosus s.s., an endemic species from mountain cloud forests in Peru; N. amoenus s.l. from the Cerrado between Bolivia and Brazil to the Amazonia between Ecuador and northern Peru, and Neacomys sp. nov. from mountain cloud forests from southern Peru to Bolivia. Also, our molecular results indicate that Neacomys is still far from being completely known. For instance, there are three candidate species pending of taxonomic revision. Finally, we propose three species groups within Neacomys : “ paracou ”, “ tenuipes ” and “ spinosus ”, and discuss biogeographical scenarios of the genus within South America.
TL;DR: A taxonomic revision of the subgenus Chthonius in the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands and Macaronesia is presented, showing new and previously insufficiently studied characteristics to be taxonomically useful, such as the chelal lyrifissures patterns, chaetotaxy and condylar complex.
Abstract: A taxonomic revision of the subgenus Chthonius ( Ephippiochthonius ) in the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands and Macaronesia is presented. New and previously insufficiently studied characteristics are shown to be taxonomically useful, such as the chelal lyrifissures patterns, chaetotaxy and condylar complex. Three taxa previously treated as subgenera of Chthonius are here raised to generic rank: Ephippiochthonius n. stat., Globochthonius n. stat., and Hesperochthonius n. stat. Two new genera are described: Cantabrochthonius n. gen. and Occidenchthonius n. gen. Thirty-five new species are described: Ephippiochthonius aini n. sp., E. andalucia n. sp., E. aurouxi n. sp., E. benimaquia n. sp., E. caceresi n. sp., E. castellonensis n. sp., E. comasi n. sp., E. fadriquei n. sp., E. galcerani n. sp., E. gonzalezi n. sp., E. henderickxi n. sp., E. ibiza n. sp., E. masoae n. sp., E. portugalensis n. sp., E. riberai n. sp., E. serengei n. sp., E. sevai n. sp., E. tarraconensis n. sp., E. vicenae n. sp., E. zaballosi n. sp., Occidenchthonius anae n. sp., O. beieri n. sp., O. ebo n. sp., O. felgueraorum n. sp., O. gardinii n. sp., O. hoerwegi n. sp., O. lencinai n. sp., O. mahnerti n. sp., O. mateui n. sp., O. montagudi n. sp., O. murcia n. sp., O. oromii n. sp., O. ortunoi n. sp., O. riopar n. sp. and O. serranoi n. sp. A neotype is designated for Ephippiochthonius catalonicus (Beier, 1939), n. comb. As result of the changes in generic rank, 45 new combinations for species are proposed.
TL;DR: The present integrated approach confirms the validity of the classification by Zhadin (1952) and rejects the complex classifications of Starobogatov et al .
Abstract: The taxonomy of species within the genus Unio (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Unioninae) in Russia and Ukraine has been contentious due to the lack of correspondence between three concurrent yet divergent classifications. In order to clarify which classification system best reflects the evolutionary relationships among these taxa, we performed detailed morphological analyses on 720 Ukrainian and Russian specimens, complemented with molecular data (COI) from a selected number of specimens. The morphological character data set shows the existence of only three widespread species with slight eco-morphological variations. Statistical analyses of shell morphometric parameters and molecular analyses based on mtDNA COI gene fragment sequences confirm the existence of the same three species within a single genus, Unio , in Russia and Ukraine, that is U. pictorum, U. tumidus and U. crassus . Results from molecular analyses suggest the existence of an additional subgroup within the U. crassus lineage, U. crassus cf. courtilieri that deserves further research. The present integrated approach confirms the validity of the classification by Zhadin (1952) and rejects the complex classifications of Starobogatov et al . (2004) and Bogatov & Kijashko (2016).