A New Species of Myxidium (Myxosporea: Myxidiidae), from the Western Chorus Frog, Pseudacris triseriata triseriata, and Blanchard's Cricket Frog, Acris crepitans blanchardi (Hylidae), from Eastern Nebraska: Morphology, Phylogeny, and Critical Comments on Amphibian Myxidium Taxonomy

During March 2001-April 2004, 164 adult anurans of 6 species (47 Rana blairi, 35 Rana catesbeiana, 31 Hyla chrysoscelis, 31 Pseudacris triseriata triseriata, 11 Bufo woodhousii, and 9 Acris crepitans blanchardi) from Pawnee Lake, Lancaster County, Nebraska, were surveyed for myxozoan parasites. Of these, 20 of 31 (65%) P. triseriata triseriata and 1 of 9 (11%) A. crepitans blanchardi were infected with a new species of Myxidium. Myxidium melleni n. sp. (Myxosporea) is described from the gallbladder of the western chorus frog, P. triseriata triseriata (Hylidae). This is the second species of Myxidium described from North American amphibians. Mature plasmodia are disc-shaped or elliptical 691 (400-1,375) × 499 (230-1,200) × 23 (16-35) μm, polysporic, producing many disporic pansporoblasts. The mature spores, 12.3 (12.0-13.5) × 7.6 (7.0-9.0) × 6.6 (6.0-8.0) μm, containing a single binucleated sporoplasm, are broadly elliptical, with 2-5 transverse grooves on each valve, and contain two equal polar capsules 5.2 (4.8-5.5) × 4.2 (3.8-4.5) μm positioned at opposite ends of the spore. Myxidium melleni n. sp. is morphologically consistent with other members of Myxidium. However, M. melleni n. sp. was phylogenetically distinct from other Myxidium species for which DNA sequences are available. Only with improved morphological analyses, accompanied by molecular data, and the deposit of type specimens, can the ambiguous nature of Myxidium be resolved. Guidelines for descriptions of new species of Myxidium are provided.

Cathetocephalus thatcheri gen. et sp. n. (Tetraphyllidea: Cathetocephalidae) fam. n. from the Bull Shark

Cathetocephalus thatcheri gen. et sp. n. is described from the spiral valve of the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas (Valenciennes), taken in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of Florida. A new family is erected for the new genus. The species most closely resembles Pillersium owenium Southwell, 1927, in that both possess a scolex which is perpendicular to the long axis of the strobila. It differs, however, in having a single neck and holdfast organ rather than a bifurcate neck with two bothridia. Also, the surfaces of the scolex differ from those of P. owenium by possessing fleshy papilliform structures on the leading and trailing edges rather than leaflike folds. Specimens with several strobilae are figured and discussed.

Mesodictyon, A New Fossil Genus of the Centric Diatom Family Thalassiosiraceae from the Miocene Chalk Hills Formation, Western Snake River Plain, Idaho

Three new centric diatom species assigned to a new genus are described from Miocene lacustrine deposits of Idaho. Species of the new genus, Mesodictyon, have the areola cribrum in the middle of the loculus, strutted processes and radiating, non-fasciculated striae. The strutted processes of M. magnum (diameter 60-150 μm) have long (2-3 μm) tubular extensions. The strutted processes of M. fovis (diameter 14-80 μm) are in distinct pits near the junction of the face and mantle. The valve face of M. undulatum (diameter 10-44 μm) is weakly tangentially undulate. Preliminary evidence indicates that Mesodictyon has a wide geographic distribution and may be a useful biostratigraphic marker.