Yagonia Roberts (brachiopoda : chonetidina) from the malimán formation, lower carboniferous of western Argentina : palaeobiogeographical implications

A new anoplid chonetid species, Yagonia furquei sp. nov., is described from the Lower Carboniferous (late Tournaisian–early Viséan) Malimán Formation of western Argentina. The associated temperate ‘Malimanian’ fauna is suggested to indicate an initial biotic segregation that took place in western Gondwana (southwestern South America), a palaeobiogeographic event that predated the late Viséan global cooling and associated major palaeolatitudinal biotic differentiation. Occurrences of Yagonia are here interpreted as evidence of a ‘south to north’ faunal migration pathway, here named the Austropanthalassic–Rheic oceanic corridor, established in western Gondwana during the late Early Carboniferous.

A new Ordovician nautiloid genus (Variabioceras) in the Xainza area, northern Tibet

The specimens described in the paper are part of the collection of nautiloid fossils from Zhakang east of the Taerma Bridge, Xainza County, Tibet. Three genera and six species are described, including one new genus Variabioceras gen. nov. and its three new species V. typicum gen. et sp. nov., V. zangbeiense gen. et sp. nov. and V. robustum gen. et sp. nov.

New material of coral fossils in Lower Devonian, Daerdong formation of Xainza, Tibet

The system described in the part of the coral fossils collected from Xainza area, northern Lower Devonian Dahl East group. Wrinkles coral genera and 5 species (including a new species Hunanaxonia xizangensis sp nov.) And two undetermined species; bedplate coral-shaped coral 4 4 species, including two new species the (Pachycanalicula sparcula sp nov. Paraheliolites zakangensis sp nov.) these coral fossil discovery will help to further understanding of the Early Devonian corals fauna symbiotic combination, evolution, and coral paleobiogeographic flora.

Systematics and palaeoecology of Changhsingian (Late Permian) Ambocoeliidae brachiopods from South China and implications for the end-Permian mass extinction

Four Ambocoeliidae brachiopod species including one new species (Crurithyris tazawai sp. nov., Crurithyris sp., Paracrurithyris pygmaea and Attenuatella mengi) are described from the Changhsingian (Late Permian) deep-water facies of South China. Analysis of the morphology, palaeoecology and palaeogeographical and temporal distributions of these species revealed that the presence of a delthyrium and/or the micro-ornaments among three of the four species (Crurithyris tazawai sp. nov., Paracrurithyris pygmaea and Attenuatella mengi) favoured an epifaunal (epiphytic) lifestyle. Morphological differences suggest that Paracrurithyris pygmaea may have been more effective metabolically in forming the shell compared with Attenuatella mengi and Crurithyris tazawai. The temporal and palaeogeographical distribution of Attenuatella suggests that A. mengi inhabited cool or cold deep waters. Both Crurithyris tazawai and Attenuatella mengi disappeared earlier in the stratigraphic record than Paracrurithyis pygmaea during the Permian–Triassic mass extinction. These differences in timing of extinction, morphology and palaeogeographical distributions suggest that oxygen deficiency and trophic resource limitation (a consequence of the changing composition of marine phytoplankton in the seas) may have contributed to the end-Permian mass extinction.

Specific status of populations on Madagascar referred to Miniopterus fraterculus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), with description of a new species

A new species of bat of the genus Miniopterus is described from Madagascar based on a series of specimens taken in the Central Highlands of the island. This new species previously was identified as M. fraterculus, which is widespread in portions of eastern and southern Africa. Comparisons between these 2 taxa were further complicated because M. fraterculus occurs in portions of its range in sympatry with a morphologically similar species, M. natalensis. Based on specimen material and associated tissue samples from near the type localities of M. natalensis and M. fraterculus, as well as access to some of the critical type specimens, morphological and genetic molecular analyses were used to determine that Malagasy specimens previously assigned to M. fraterculus represent a previously unrecognized species of Miniopterus endemic to the island. Given that the habitat used by Miniopterus sp. nov. is not necessarily associated with native forest, that it has a broad distribution across the Central Highlands, and that it has been found in synanthropic situations, this species is not considered a conservation concern.

Morphological, bioacoustical, and genetic variation in Miniopterus bats from eastern Madagascar, with the description of a new species

Recent molecular genetic work, combined with morphological comparisons, of Malagasy members of the bat genus Miniopterus (Family Miniopteridae), has revealed several cryptic species. Based on new specimens and associated tissues, we examine patterns of variation in the recently described species M. petersoni, the holotype of which comes from extreme southeastern Madagascar, and for which specimens from more northerly portions of eastern Madagascar were noted to show some morphological divergence from typical M. petersoni. On the basis of morphological and genetic (cytochrome b) characters we described a new species, M. egeri sp. nov. This taxon also shows bioacoustical differences from M. petersoni. Miniopterus egeri is widely distributed in the eastern portion of Madagascar across an elevational range from near sea level to 550 m. The specific status of moderately small Miniopterus from Montagne d'Ambre in the far north remains to be determined.

Constraints upon the response of fish and crayfish to environmental flow releases in a regulated headwater stream network

In dry climate zones, headwater streams are often regulated for water extraction causing intermittency in perennial streams and prolonged drying in intermittent streams. Regulation thereby reduces aquatic habitat downstream of weirs that also form barriers to migration by stream fauna. Environmental flow releases may restore streamflow in rivers, but are rarely applied to headwaters. We sampled fish and crayfish in four regulated headwater streams before and after the release of summer-autumn environmental flows, and in four nearby unregulated streams, to determine whether their abundances increased in response to flow releases. Historical data of fish and crayfish occurrence spanning a 30 year period was compared with contemporary data (electrofishing surveys, Victoria Range, Australia; summer 2008 to summer 2010) to assess the longer-term effects of regulation and drought. Although fish were recorded in regulated streams before 1996, they were not recorded in the present study upstream or downstream of weirs despite recent flow releases. Crayfish (Geocharax sp. nov. 1) remained in the regulated streams throughout the study, but did not become more abundant in response to flow releases. In contrast, native fish (Gadopsis marmoratus, Galaxias oliros, Galaxias maculatus) and crayfish remained present in unregulated streams, despite prolonged drought conditions during 2006-2010, and the assemblages of each of these streams remained essentially unchanged over the 30 year period. Flow release volumes may have been too small or have operated for an insufficient time to allow fish to recolonise regulated streams. Barriers to dispersal may also be preventing recolonisation. Indefinite continuation of annual flow releases, that prevent the unnatural cessation of flow caused by weirs, may eventually facilitate upstream movement of fish and crayfish in regulated channels; but other human-made dispersal barriers downstream need to be identified and ameliorated, to allow native fish to fulfil their life cycles in these headwater streams.

An early Permian brachiopod–gastropod fauna from the Calytrix Formation, Barbwire Terrace, Canning Basin, Western Australia

A small brachiopod–gastropod fauna from a core close to the base of the Calytrix Formation within the Grant Group includes the brachiopods Altiplecus decipiens (Hosking), Myodelthyrium dickinsi (Thomas), Brachythyrinella narsarhensis (Reed), Neochonetes (Sommeriella) obrieni Archbold, Tivertonia barbwirensis sp. nov. and the gastropod Peruvispira canningensis sp. nov. The fauna has affinities with that of the late Sakmarian‒early Artinskian Nura Nura Member directly overlying the Grant Group in other parts of the basin but, as with all lower Cisuralian (and Pennsylvanian) glacial strata in Western Australia, its precise age remains poorly constrained, especially in terms of correlation to international stages. Although the Calytrix fauna lies within the Pseudoreticulatispora confluens Palynozone, the only real constraint on its age (and that of the associated glacially influenced strata) is from Sakmarian (Sterlitamakian) and stratigraphically younger faunas. A brief review of radiometric ages from correlative strata elsewhere in Gondwana shows that those ages need to be updated. The presence of Asselian strata and the position of the Carboniferous‒Permian boundary remain unclear in Western Australia.Arturo César Taboada [ataboada@unpata.edu.ar], CONICET-Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Evolución y Biodiversidad (LIEB), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Sede Esquel, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ‘San Juan Bosco’, Edificio de Aulas, Ruta Nacional 259, km. 16,5, Esquel U9200, Chubut, Argentina; Arthur Mory [arthur.mory@dmp.wa.gov.au], Geological Survey of Western Australia, 100 Plain Street, East Perth, WA 6004, School of Earth and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; Guang R. Shi [grshi@deakin.edu.au], School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia; David W. Haig [david.haig@uwa.edu.au], School of Earth and Environment (M004), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; María Karina Pinilla [mkpinilla@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar], División Paleozoología Invertebrados, Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A new Changhsingian (Late Permian) brachiopod fauna from the Zhongzhai section (South China) Part 3: Productida

Zhang, Y., He, W.H., Shi, G.R., Zhang, K.X. & Wu, H.T., 26.2.2015. A new Changhsingian (Late Permian) brachiopod fauna from the Zhongzhai section (South China) Part 3: Productida. Alcheringa 39, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518. As the third and last part of a systematic palaeontological study of the brachiopod fauna from the Permian–Triassic boundary section at Zhongzhai in Guizhou Province (South China), this paper reports 15 species (including three new species: Tethyochonetes minor sp. nov., Neochonetes (Zhongyingia) transversa sp. nov., Paryphella acutula sp. nov.) in Order Productida. In addition, the morphological features and definitions of several key Changhsingian brachiopod taxa (e.g., Paryphella and Oldhamina interrupta) are clarified and revised.

First report of a phytogeographically mixed (transitional) Middle-Late Permian fossil wood assemblage from the Hami area, northwest China, and implications for Permian phytogeographical, paleogeographical and paleoclimatic evolution in central Asia

A diverse and well-preserved fossil wood assemblage is described, for the first time, from the Middle Permian Taerlang Formation and the Upper Permian Quanzijie Formation in the vicinity of the Tianshan Town, Hami City of northwestern China. On the basis of wood microstructure, the fossil woods are classified into three genera and five species, including one new genus: Prototianshanoxylon gen. nov. and two new species: Prototianshanoxylon erdaogouense sp. nov., Prototianshanoxylon hamiense sp. nov. The new genus is characterized by window-like cross-field pitting and mixed tracheid radial wall pitting that suggest a transitional type between araucarioid-type and protopinoid-type pittings.Phytogeographically, the fossil wood assemblage is characterized by an admixture of elements of both temperate Angaran (represented by wood specimens with moderately to well defined growth rings in their secondary xylem) and tropical-subtropical north subregion of the Cathaysian floras (with wood specimens lacking well-defined growth rings). Such a phytogeographically mixed fossil wood assemblage is interpreted to represent a transitional and complex climate condition between a cool temperate and tropical to subtropical zones, showing both seasonal variation and unstable climate conditions. Previously, similarly mixed floras have already been found to exist widely in northern China ranging in age from Early to Late Permian, but the mechanisms thought to be responsible for their formation were varied and remain controversial. In this study, the formation of these mixed Permian floras of North China is linked to the closure of the Tianshan-Hingan seaway coupled with the collision and amalgamation of Siberia with North China and the Tarim block, in a manner much like closing a pair of scissors with the closure of the seaway proceeding gradually and progressively from west to the east.

Revisão de grupo E. rufomarginata do gênero Edessa fabricius, 1803 (Heteroptera pentatomidae, Edessinae)

O gênero Edessa Fabricius, 1803 pertence à subfamília Edessinae de Pentatomidae e possui um grande número de esp��cies já descritas (259), sendo provavelmente o maior de Heteroptera e um dos menos estudados desta família. Neste trabalho foi revisado o grupo denominado Edessa rufomarginata com base em caracteres morfológicos, principalmente da genitália de ambos os sexos. Para análise cladística do grupo foi montada uma matriz de dados com 25 caracteres da morfologia geral e da genitália. A polarização dos caracteres foi realizada através do método de comparação com grupo externo. Para análise dos dados obtidos foi utilizado o programa Hennig86, os algoritimos empregados foram “ie*” e “ne”, sendo que como interface gráfica com Windows®, foi utilizado o programa Tree Gardener V.2.2. A metodologia empregada propiciou o estudo das variações morfológicas em Edessa rufomarginata (De Geer, 1773), o que resultou na revalidação de Edessa marginalis (Dallas, 1951) e Edessa albomarginatus (Stål, 1855). Estas esp��cies foram redescritas bem como outras cinco a saber: Edessa abdominalis Erichson, 1848; Edessa corallipes Erichson, 1848; Edessa aulacosterna Stål, 1872; Edessa ovalis Stål, 1872 e Edessa nigropunctata Berg, 1884. Sete novas esp��cies foram descritas: Edessa brasiliensis sp. nov., Edessa castaneolineata sp. nov., Edessa cerradensis sp. nov., Edessa chapadensis sp. nov., Edessa luteovenulata sp. nov., Edessa rufodorsata sp. nov. e Edessa viridisdorsata sp. nov. Na análise cladística um único cladograma foi obtido, com 45 passos; Índice de Consistência = 60 e Índice de Retenção = 80; a monofilia do grupo foi corroborada por sete sinapomorfias.

Filogenia e classificação dos percevejos-verdes do grupo Nezara Amyot & Serville (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae, Pentanominae)

Os percevejos-do-mato da família Pentatomidae formam um dos maiores grupos dentre os hemípteros-heterópteros, sendo encontrados principalmente nas regiões tropicais. São exclusivamente terrestres e a maioria das esp��cies têm hábitos fitófagos, algumas delas registradas como pragas de plantas. A atual classificação do grupo encontra-se em intenso debate, mas a definição de grupos monofiléticos e o estudo das relações entre esses grupos dentro de Pentatomidae ainda são relativamente escassos. Este trabalho aborda o estudo de um grupo de percevejos-verdes (Pentatomidae) historicamente relacionados ao gênero Nezara Amyot & Serville. A análise cladística incluíndo, incialmente, 28 esp��cies de 11 gêneros de Pentatominae e 53 caracteres morfológicos permitiu a definição de um grupo monofilético que inclui 8 gêneros (6 conhecidos e dois novos), aqui denominado grupo Nezara. As características diagnósticas para o grupo incluem duas sinapomorfias: lobo ventral do tubérculo antenífero desenvolvido e espessamento secundário das gonapófises 9 amplos. Os resultados indicam que o gênero Chinavia, como atualmente configurado, é polifilético. A seguinte classificação para o grupo Nezara, em notação parentética, é proposta: (Pseudoacrosternum((Aethemenes, Nezara) (Genêro1 (Porphyroptera (Neoacrosternum (Gênero2(Chinavia))))))) Os gêneros Glaucias, Acrosternum e Parachinavia não compartilham as sinapomorfias dos gêneros do grupo Nezara e os resultados indicam uma relação mais próxima com outros gêneros de Pentatominae. As esp��cies Parachinavia prunasis (Dallas) comb. nov. e Neoacrosternum varicornis (Dallas) comb. nov. são transferidas dos gêneros Acrosternum e Chinavia, respectivamente. Com base no padrão de distribuição dos táxons do grupo Nezara, é discutida uma hipótese sobre a origem e diversificação do grupo. Dois novos gêneros são propostos: Schoutedenia gen. nov., para incluir S. distans (Schouteden) comb. nov., e Afrochinavia gen. nov., para incluir A. rinapsa comb. nov. Uma chave dicotômica para identificação, a diagnose dos clados resultantes da análise cladística e a descrição atualizada dos gêneros do grupo Nezara são apresentadas Com base no exame dos holótipos das esp��cies de Chinavia, as seguintes sinonimias são propostas: Chinavia aequale (Linnavuori, 1975) é sinônimo júnior de Chinavia aliena (Schouteden, 1960); Chinavia amosi (Linnavuori, 1982) é sinônimo júnior de Chinavia kaisaka (Schouteden, 1960); Chinavia bella (Rolston, 1983) é sinônimo júnior de Chinavia nigrodorsata (Breddin, 1901); Chinavia gerstockeri (Bergroth, 1893) é sinônimo júnior de Chinavia pallidoconspersa (Stal, 1858); e Chinavia panizzi (Frey-da- Silva & Grazia, 2001) é sinônimo júnior de Chinavia obstinata (Stal, 1860). Uma lista remissiva das esp��cies incluídas é fornecida, incluíndo as seis novas esp��cies de Chinavia Orian descritas neste trabalho: Chinavia vanduzeei sp. nov. do Peru e Brasil (AM, PA); Chinavia schuhi sp. nov. do Peru, Colômbia e Brasil (AM); Chinavia sebastiaoi sp. nov. do Brasil (MS), Bolívia e Paraguai; Chinavia cearensis sp. nov., Chinavia tuiucauna sp. nov. e Chinavia rufitibia sp. nov. do Brasil (CE, BA e PR, respectivamente). No Brasil, são registradas 32 esp��cies de Chinavia, dentre as quais 18 endêmicas; uma chave pictórica para a identificação das esp��cies e a diagnose, dados de distribuição e, quando disponível, o registro das plantas hospedeiras de cada uma delas, são apresentados.

Description of a new species of skate of the genus Malacoraja Stehmann, 1970: the first species from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, with notes on generic monophyly and composition (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae)

O primeiro registro para o Atlântico Sul ocidental de uma esp��cie do gênero Malacoraja Stehmann, 1970 é feita com base na descrição de Malacoraja obscura, esp��cie nova, proveniente do talude continental do Sudeste brasileiro dos estados do Esp��rito Santo e Rio de Janeiro em profundidades de 808-1105 m. A esp��cie nova é conhecida através de cinco exemplares e é distinta de seus congêneres pela sua coloração dorsal composta por numerosas manchas esbranquiçadas e pequenas na região do disco e nadadeiras pélvicas, por apresentar uma fileira irregular de espinhos ao longo da superfície dorsal mediana da cauda a qual persiste em esp��cimes maiores (desde a base da cauda até dois-terços do seu comprimento numa fêmea de 680 mm de comprimento total, CT) e uma região pequena desprovida de dentículos na base ventral da cauda (estendendo somente até a margem distal da nadadeira pélvica). Outros caracteres diagnósticos em combinação incluem a ausência de espinhos escapulares em indivíduos maiores, número elevado de fileiras dentárias (64/62 fileiras num macho subadulto de 505 mm de CT e 76/74 numa fêmea de 680 mm de CT) e de vértebras (27-28 Vtr, 68-75 Vprd), coloração ventral do disco uniformemente castanha escura, duas fenestras pós-ventrais na cintura escapular, fenestra pós-ventral posterior grande, forame magno circular e dois forames para a carótida interna na placa basal ventral do neurocrânio. Machos adultos não são conhecidos, porém uma descrição anatômica de M. obscura, sp. nov., é fornecida. Comparações são realizadas com todo o material conhecido de M. kreffti, com a literatura sobre M. senta e com material abundante de M. spinacidermis da África do Sul; M. obscura, sp. nov., assemelha-se mais a M. spinacidermis do Atlântico Sul oriental em esqueleto dérmico, coloração e tamanho. Malacoraja é monofilético devido à sua espinulação e apêndices rostrais consp��cuos e é aparentemente composta por dois grupos de esp��cies, um para M. obscura e M. spinacidermis e outro para M. kreffti e M. senta, porém a elucidação das relações filogenéticas entre as esp��cies necessita de mais informações anatômicas, principalmente das duas últimas esp��cies.

A revision of the genus Pulaeus Den Heyer, with descriptions of a new genus and four new Brazilian species (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae)

A new genus, Lupaeus gen. nov., is created to contain part of the described species in the genus Pulaeus Den Heyer. A key to the genera of the tribe Pulaeini, to which these two genera belong, and one auxiliary key to the species of Brazil and South Africa, are provided. Four new species, viz. Pulaeus myrtaceus sp. nov., P. quadrisolenidius sp. nov., Lupaeus lectus sp. nov. and L. lobidorsalis sp. nov. are described and figured. P. martini Den Heyer, 1981 is designated as type species for the new genus. New nomenclatural combinations are reported.

A taxonomic review of Neogriphoneura Malloch, 1924 (Diptera : Lauxaniidae), with description of three new species

The status of the Lauxaniidae genus Rhabdolauxania Hendel, 1925 is reevaluated and is synonymized under Neogriphoneura Malloch, 1924. Three new combinations, N. immaculata (Hendel, 1933), comb. nov., N. laevifrons (Hendel, 1925), comb. nov., and N. schnusei (Hendel, 1925), comb. nov. are proposed. Two lectotypes are designated. Three new species of Neogriphoneura are described: N. bispoi sp. nov., from Santa Catarina, Brazil, N. pacata sp. nov., from La Paz, Bolivia, and N. corrugata sp. nov. from British Virgin Islands. Illustrations of the head, wing, male and female terminalia are provided for the new species. This raises the number of species in the genus from the present five to eleven. A key is provided for the species of the genus.