First record of a chiton from the Palaeocene of Denmark (Polyplacophora : Leptochitonidae) and its phylogenetic affinities

Anew species of fossil polyplacophoran from the Danian (Lower Palaeocene) of Denmark is described from over 450 individual disarticulated plates. The polyplacophorans originate from the 'nose-chalk' in the classical Danish locality of Fakse Quarry, an unconsolidated coral limestone in which aragonitic mollusc shells are preserved through transformation into calcite. In plate architecture and sculpture, the new Danish material is similar to Recent Leptochiton spp., but differs in its underdeveloped apophyses and high dorsal elevation (height/width ca. 0.54). Cladistic analysis of 55 original shell characters coded for more than loo Recent and fossil species in the order Lepiclopleurida shows very high resolution of interspecific relationships, but does not consistently recover traditional genera or subgenera. Inter-relationships within the suborder Lepidopleurina are of particular interest as it is often considered the most 'basal' neoloricate lineage. In a local context, the presence of chitons in the faunal assemblage of Fakse contributes evidence of shallow depositional depth for at least some elements of this Palaeocene seabed, a well-studied formation of azooxanthellic coral limestones. This new record for Denmark represents a well-dated and ecologically well-understood fossil chiton with potential value for understanding the radiation of the Neotoricata.

First record of greater white-toothed shrew Crocidura russula in Ireland

1. Skeletal remains of greater white-toothed shrew Crocidura russula were recovered from barn owl Tyto alba and kestrel Falco tinnunculus pellets collected at 15 locations in Counties Tipperary and Limerick in Ireland in September 2007 and March 2008. Seven greater white-toothed shrews were trapped at four locations in Tipperary in March 2008. This is the first Irish record of C. russula and compelling evidence that the species is established in Ireland.

Vivipary in Alternanthera littoralis var. maritima - first record for the Amaranthaceae

This first record of vivipary in the Amaranthaceae is reported for the foredune plant Alternanthera littoralis var. maritima (July 2008, northern coast of Brazil). Vivipary is the precocious and uninterrupted growth of the seedlings while still attached to the maternal body. We propose a hypothesis for the viviparous germination of this species based on field observations. Our record adds new perspectives to the reproductive biology of the Amaranthaceae.

First record of Stygnidae for the state of Espirito Santo and description of a new Protimesius (Arachnida : Opiliones : Laniatores)

Protimesius osvaldoi sp. nov. is described from the Reserva Biologica de Sooretama, state of Espirito Santo, Southeastern Brazil, being the First record of Stygnidae from this State and the southernmost record of the family in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (hitherto, the family was recorded down to Bahia only), extending in 210 km south of the previously known distribution. This is a large species, with armature of leg IV very reduced and penial morphology differing from the closest counterparts mainly in the ventral plate, which recedes deeply at the lateral borders and has the distal margin curved ventrally and by the presence of two small intermediate setae. Protimesius Roewer, 1913 consisted hitherto of 17 species, recorded from northern/northeastern Brazil and Amazonia of adjacent Countries. A key is given for the 17 species of Protimesius for which males are known.

Revision of the Asian spider genus Pandava Lehtinen (Araneae: Titanoecidae): description of five new species and first record of Titanoecidae from Africa

The spider genus Pandava Lehtinen previously included two species, P. laminata (Thorell) and P. hunanensis Yin and Bao, known from Asia and the Pacific Islands. The genus is diagnosed by the reduced tegular process on the male palp and the anterior position of the copulatory openings on the female epigynum. In this paper, we present updated descriptions for the known species of Pandava and we describe five new species: Pandava shiva sp. nov. from Pakistan, Pandava sarasvati sp. nov. from Myanmar; Pandava ganesha sp. nov., Pandava kama sp. nov. and Pandava ganga sp. nov., all from India. We also update the generic distribution including the first records of Titanoecidae from Africa.

First record of molluscs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen, 1935) (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae) in Brazil

Seeking the identification of Angiostrongylus cantonensis as a potential etiological agent of three clinical cases of eosinophilic meningitis, mollusc specimens were collected in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The snails were identified as Sarasinula marginata (45 specimens), Subulina octona (157), Achatina fulica (45) and Bradybaena similaris (23). Larvae obtained were submitted to polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism diagnosis. Their genetic profile were corresponded to A. cantonensis. Rattus norvegicus experimentally infected with third-stage larvae, developed menigoencephalitis, and parasites became sexually mature in the lungs. Additionally, larvae obtained from A. fulica snails, from São Vicente, state of São Paulo, also showed genetic profiles of this nematode. This is the first record of Brazilian molluscs infected with this nematode species.

First record of Trypanosoma sp. (Protozoa: Kinetoplastida) in tuvira (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) in the Pantanal wetland, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

O objetivo do presente estudo foi reportar a infecção por Trypanosoma sp. em tuviras (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) oriundas do Pantanal Sul-mato-grossense, Brasil. Dez peixes provenientes do rio Paraguai, Pantanal Sul-mato-grossense, foram avaliados quanto à presença de hemoflagelados. Tripomastigotas de Trypanosoma sp. foram observados nas extensões sanguíneas de três peixes (30% de prevalência), e algumas formas encontravam-se em divisão. Por meio do exame a fresco e da centrifugação do sangue em capilar de hematócrito como métodos para diagnóstico, a taxa de prevalência foi de 80%. Esse é o primeiro relato de Trypanosoma sp. em tuviras no Brasil.

NOTES on THE BIOLOGY and BEHAVIOUR of THE JEWEL WASP, AMPULEX COMPRESSA (FABRICIUS, 1781) (HYMENOPTERA; AMPULICIDAE), IN THE LABORATORY, INCLUDING FIRST RECORD of GREGARIOUS REPRODUCTION

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

First record of Tuxophorus caligodes (Siphonostomatoida, Tuxophoridae) in sea-farmed cobia, Rachycentron canadum, in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

First Record of a Native Heteropteran Preying on the Introduced Eucalyptus Pest, Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae), in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Actinopterygii, Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Loricariichthys platymetopon Isbrucker and Nijssen, 1979: first record in Reservoir of Canoas II, Middle Paranapanema River, border of the states of São Paulo and Parana, Brazil.

First record of the cascudo, Loricariichthys platymetopon Isbrucker and Nijssen, 1979 in Canoas II Reservoir (Middle Paranapanema River, border of the states of São Paulo and Parana, Brazil). Its occurrence is due to the flooding of Sete Quedas waterfall, as a result of the construction of Itaipu Reservoir. Furthermore, there is absence or low abundance of natural predators, like Salminus brasiliensis, since this species has difficulties to adapt or even survive in reservoirs.

First record of Amblyomma rotundatum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing Paleosuchus palpebrosus Cuvier, 1807 (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), in the western border of Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

This is the first record of Amblyomma rotundatum parasitizing Paleosuchus palpebrosus. This record was made during a herpetofaunal study carried out in high-elevation habitats that are under protection in the mountain range "Serra do Amolar", located in the western border of Brazilian Pantanal, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.