Loxosceles chapadensis (Araneae: Sicariidae): a new recluse spider species of the gaucho group from Brazil

A new species of the medically important recluse spider genus Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe 1832 is described from the State of Bahia, Brazil. The species occurs between rocks and crevices, as well as in and around man-made structures. The new species belongs to the gaucho group, as evidenced by the spermathecal shape and color pattern. The presence of a long male palpal tibia is unusual in the gaucho group; thus, the inclusion of the new species in this group is discussed.

The gynoecium of male Anchietea pyrifolia (Violaceae): Preserved structure with a new function

Structure of inflorescences and flowers and flowering behaviour are reported for the woody liana Anchietea pyrifolia (Violaceae) from Brazil. The specimen studied is grown for some decades now in the greenhouses of Halle Botanical Garden and turned out unisexually male, which adds a further example of dioecism to the family Violaceae, in which this type of sex distribution is rarely encountered. The flowers are exceptional also for the strongly asymmetric anterior petal, which represents a rare case of a species with enantiomorphic flowers pollinated by Lepidoptera. They have a fully developed gynoecium with a complicated architecture comparable to the pistil of bisexual Violaceae flowers, though without ovules. The style head is capable to release viscose liquid on tactile stimulation or pressure, which is known to act as pollen-gathering mechanism in bisexual Violaceae species with usually dry pollen and buzz-pollination. This function has switched in male A. pyrifolia to a mechanism for efficient pollen release mediated by insect pollinators from its short-lived flowers. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Phylogenetic Validation of the Genera Angomonas and Strigomonas of Trypanosomatids Harboring Bacterial Endosymbionts with the Description of New Species of Trypanosomatids and of Proteobacterial Symbionts

We comparatively examined the nutritional, molecular and optical and electron microscopical characteristics of reference species and new isolates of trypanosomatids harboring bacterial endosymbionts. Sequencing of the V7V8 region of the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene distinguished six major genotypes among the 13 isolates examined. The entire sequences of the SSU rRNA and glycosomal glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) genes were obtained for phylogenetic analyses. In the resulting phylogenetic trees, the symbiont-harboring species clustered as a major clade comprising two subclades that corresponded to the proposed genera Angomonas and Strigomonas. The genus Angomonas comprised 10 flagellates including former Crithidia deanei and C. desouzai plus a new species. The genus Strigomonas included former Crithidia oncopelti and Blastocrithidia cuiicis plus a new species. Sequences from the internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) and size polymorphism of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles revealed considerable genetic heterogeneity within the genera Angomonas and Strigomonas. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rDNA and ITS rDNA sequences demonstrated that all of the endosymbionts belonged to the Betaproteobacteria and revealed three new species. The congruence of the phylogenetic trees of trypanosomatids and their symbionts support a co-divergent host-symbiont evolutionary history. (C) 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Observations on ponticocythereis tricristata (Brady, 1880) from the Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea and comments on quaternary ostracod evolution within the sw Pacific Ocean

The ostracod species originally described as Cythere tricristata Brady, 1880 from the Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea, appears to belong to the SW Pacific and Australasian genus Ponticocythereis McKenzie, 1967 (sensu Warne & Whatley 1996). This interpretation is based on the presence of some posterior pointing scale-like spines on the carapace surface of this species. SEM images of the type material for Ponticocythereis tricristara n. comb., which are presented here for the first time, enable the clear differentiation of this species from the very similar Ponticocythereis ichthyoderma (Brady, 1890), Ponticocythereis quadriserialis (Brady, 1890) and Ponticocythereis laingensis (Wouters, 1981). As a consequence of the subdued manifestation of scale-like or blade-like spines on adult specimens of P. tricristata, this species closely resembles juvenile rather than adult specimens of some other Ponticocythereis species. This ontogenetic/phylogenetic relationship suggests that paedomorphic processes were significant in the Quaternary evolutionary radiation of Ponticocythereis species within tropical SW Pacific and Australasian regions.

Calescharidae, a new family for the Tertiary to Recent Genera Caleschara MacGillivray and Tretosina Canu and Bassler (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata)

A new family of Cheilostomata, the Calescharidae, is introduced for the genus Caleschara MacGillivray and its Recent Australian typespecies, C. denticulata(MacGillivray), which is redefined from type and other material. The Australian Tertiary genus Tretosina Canu & Bassler and its type species,T. arcifera Canu & Bassler, are closely related,and are also assigned to the Calescharidae. The history and significance of family attributions of both genera are outlined, and RecentC. denticulata from Australian and other localities is distinguished from the Late Tertiary Victorian species C. parva Maplestone. Caleschara lithconis, sp. nov., from the Late Eocene of Victoria is one of the earliest known species: its morphology closely resembles a Recent form from the Philippines, C. junctifera Canu & Bassler. Another Recent species, Caleschara minuta (Maplestone) from the GilbertIslands, is a senior synonym of three other Indo-Pacific species,C. levinseni Harmer, C. laxa Canu & Bassler and Floridinella arculifera Canu & Bassler, and resembles the European Paleocene C. squamosa. Three other related species are briefly discussed. Close relationships to other families are problematic and are discussed; divergence in the early history of the cheilostomes is inferred.

Molecular phylogeny and zoogeography of the freshwater crayfish genus Cherax Erichson (Decapoda: Parastacidae) in Australia

The evolutionary history and biogeography of freshwater-dependent taxa in Australia is of intrinsic interest given the present-day aridity of this continent. Cherax is the most widespread and one of the most species-rich of Australia's nine freshwater crayfish genera. The phylogenetic relationships amongst 19 of the 23 Australian Cherax were established from mitochondrial DNA sequences representing the 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene regions. The relationships among species support an initial east–west separation, followed by a north–south divergence in eastern Australia. Molecular clock estimations suggest that these divergences date back to the Miocene. The phylogenetic relationships support endemic speciation within geographical regions and indicate that long-distance dispersal has not led to recent speciation as previously hypothesized. This new evolutionary scenario is consistent with the climatic history of Australia and the evolutionary history of other similarly distributed freshwater-dependent organisms in Australia.

The systematics of freshwater crayfish of the genus Cherax Erichson (Decapoda : Parastacidae) in eastern Australia re-examined using nucleotide sequences from 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes

Nucleotide sequence data were used to re-examine systematic relationships and species boundaries within the genus Cherax from eastern Australia. Partial sequences were amplified from the 12S (~365 bp) and 16S (~545 bp) rRNA mitochondrial gene regions. Levels of intra- and inter-specific divergence for Cherax species were very similar between the two gene regions and similar to that reported for other freshwater crayfish for 16S rRNA. Phylogenetic analyses using the combined data provided strong support for a monophyletic group containing 11 eastern Australian species and comprising three well-defined species-groups: the 'C. destructor' group containing three species, the 'C. cairnsensis' group containing four species and the 'C. cuspidatus' group containing two species. Cherax dispar and C. robustus are distinct from all other species and each other. In addition, two northern Australian and a New Guinean species were placed in the 'Astaconephrops' group, which is the sister-group to the eastern Australian Cherax lineage. Several relationships were clarified, including: the status of northern and southern C. cuspidatus as separate species; a close relationship between C. cairnsensis and C. depressus; the validity of C. rotundus and C. setosus as separate species and their close affinities with C. destructor; and the distinctiveness of the northern forms of Cherax. The analysis of the 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA data is highly concordant with the results of previous allozyme studies.

Observations of loxocythere (loxocythere) ouyenensis (chapman, 1914) (ostracoda) from the cenozoic of S.E. Australia with comments on species attributed to microcytherura müller, 1894 and hemiparvocythere hartmann, 1982 from Australian and New Zealand ma

The type material of Loxocythere (Loxocythere) ouyenensis (Chapman, 1914) from mid Cenozoic strata of the Mallee Bore No. 11 in the Murray Basin, S.E. Australia is partially redescribed and refigured. This species belongs to a discrete group of large elongate Cenozoic fossil and living Loxocythere species, the carapaces of which possess sub-rectangular inner margin outlines, and broadly rounded posterior extremities. Some much smaller but otherwise very similarly shaped species, that have previously been placed under the genus Microcytherura (i.e. Microcytherura? peterroyi Yassini and Jones, 1995) or the genus Hemiparvocythere Hartmann, 1982 (i.e. Hemiparvocythere Iagunicola Hartmann, 1982), are also known from marine Cenozoic strata and modern seas of the Australasian region. There is a marked difference in the shape of the inner margin between this group of small Australasian forms and European species of Microcytherura s.s .. The former have broadly rounded posterior inner margins, whilst the latter have acutely rounded posterior inner margins. The latter also usually present posterior extremities located well below mid carapace height. It is here argued that this difference in inner margin shape between smaller Australasian species such as Microcytherura? peterroyi, and European species of Microcytherura s.s ., suggests that there is not a direct phylogenetic relationship between these two species groups.

New species of the Bryozoan Genera Batopora and Lacrimula (Batoporidae) from Australia

Examination of samples of bryozoans from the south- eastern slope sediments of Australia ("Franklin" SLOPE Stations 6, 7), has revealed the presence of many specimens of several genera with species which have minute, rooted colony forms. Among these are new species of the genera Batopora Reuss (B. problematica) and Lacrimula Cook (L. affinis). The structure of colonies is briefly described. The family Batoporidae is considered to contain only these two genera, although they have relationships with the discoidal genus Orbitulipora, and similarities in colony form to the genera assigned to the Conescharellinidae.

Description of new species of Setosabatieria and Desmolaimus (Nematoda: Monhysterida) and a checklist of New Zealand free-living marine nematode species

Two new marine nematode species are described from intertidal sediments in southern New Zealand. Setosabatieria australis sp. nov. is characterised by an amphideal fovea with 3.5 turns, 7–9 small pre-cloacal supplements, and 2–5 sub-cephalic setae per file. Setosabatieria australis sp. nov. differs from all known species of the genus in having L-shaped spicules with a hollow median region, in contrast to the typical curved shape. Desmolaimus courti sp. nov. is characterised by the presence of four long (15 µm) cephalic setae, two cuticularised rings in the buccal cavity, and a lightly cuticularised pharyngeal lumen. It differs from other species of the genus by having eight sub-cephalic setae. A total of 116 marine species are included in the checklist of New Zealand free-living nematodes, with the majority of records from the coast of Campbell and Auckland islands from the early part of the 20th century. Most records were from habitats such as seaweed or sponge, which may explain the high proportion (>50%) of cosmopolitan species recorded in New Zealand to date. Little is known about the sediment nematode fauna, particularly in deeper waters (>120 m), from where there are no records to date.

A new Brachiopod fauna from the early to middle permian of Southern Qinghai Province, Northwest China

A new brachiopod fauna is described from the Early and Middle Permian of Zadoi and Zhidoi counties, southern Qinghai (Changdu block), northwest China. This fauna includes 13 species in nine genera with Spinomarginifera concentrica n. sp. and Transennatia waterhousei n. sp. The Early to Middle Permian brachiopod fauna from southern Qinghai is very similar to the contemporary Cathaysian faunas of South China with which the new fauna shares 70 per cent of its species. On the other hand, the Qinghai brachiopods also demonstrate a significant link with the Permian brachiopod fauna of the Sino-Mongolian-Japanese Province in northeast China, as suggested by Marginifera septentrionalis and Attenuatella. In particular, the occurrence of the bipolar brachiopod genus Attenuatella suggests that southern Qinghai may have played an important role as a biogeographic stepping stone in the marine faunal interchanges between the northern and southern hemispheres during the Early and Middle Permian.

Molecular systematic studies of freshwater crayfish of the the genus Cherax

This study investigated the molecular systematics and zoogeography of freshwater crayfish species (yabbies) of the genus Cherax throughout Australia. Using DNA sequencing of up to five gene regions and phylogenetic methods of analyses, this study provided new insights into the taxonomy and evolution of this important group of Australian freshwater invertebrates.

Ecological niche modelling and DNA sequencing support a new, morphologically cryptic beetle species unveiled by DNA barcoding

Background: DNA sequencing techniques used to estimate biodiversity, such as DNA barcoding, may reveal cryptic species. However, disagreements between barcoding and morphological data have already led to controversy. Species delimitation should therefore not be based on mtDNA alone. Here, we explore the use of nDNA and bioclimatic modelling in a new species of aquatic beetle revealed by mtDNA sequence data.

Methodology/Principal Findings: The aquatic beetle fauna of Australia is characterised by high degrees of endemism, including local radiations such as the genus Antiporus. Antiporus femoralis was previously considered to exist in two disjunct, but morphologically indistinguishable populations in south-western and south-eastern Australia. We constructed a phylogeny of Antiporus and detected a deep split between these populations. Diagnostic characters from the highly variable nuclear protein encoding arginine kinase gene confirmed the presence of two isolated populations. We then used ecological niche modelling to examine the climatic niche characteristics of the two populations. All results support the status of the two populations as distinct species. We describe the south-western species as Antiporus occidentalis sp.n.

Conclusion/Significance: In addition to nDNA sequence data and extended use of mitochondrial sequences, ecological niche modelling has great potential for delineating morphologically cryptic species. © 2011 Hawlitschek et al.

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.