Descriptions of larval, prejuvenile, and juvenile finescale menhaden (Brevoortia gunteri) (family Clupeidae), and comparisons to gulf menhaden (B. patronus)

Larval and juvenile development of finescale menhaden (Brevoortia gunteri) is described for the first time by using wild-caught individuals from Nueces Bay, Texas, and is compared with larval and juvenile development of co-occurring gulf menhaden (B. patronus). Meristics, morphometrics, and pigmentation patterns were examined as development proceeded. An illustrated series of finescale menhaden is presented to show changes that occurred during development. For finescale menhaden, transformation to the juvenile stage was completed by 17−19 mm standard length (SL). By contrast, transformation to the juvenile stage for gulf menhaden was not complete until 23−25 mm SL. Characteristics useful for separating larval and juvenile finescale menhaden from gulf menhaden included 1) the presence or absence of pigment at the base of the insertion of the pelvic fins; 2) the standard length at which medial predorsal pigment occurs; 3) differences in the number of dorsal fin ray elements; and, 4) the number of vertebrae.

Study on the genus Euops Schoenherr (Coleoptera : Attelabidae) from China, with descriptions of a new subgenus and six new species

The present paper deals with 19 species in four subgenera of the attelabid genus Euops from China (including Taiwan), of which six species and a subgenus are new to science. The subgenus Synaptops is newly divided into three species-groups. A key to species, with photographs and line illustrations of important features of new species is provided.

A review of the cyprinoid fish genus Barbodes Bleeker, 1859, from Yunnan, China, with descriptions of two new species

Fishes of the genus Barbodes in Yunnan have been reviewed and 2 new species are described on the basis of specimens deposited in Kunming institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Counts and measurements follow Chu and Chen (1989). Barbodes heterostomus is distinguished by its terminal mouth, with gape being horizontal in the male, and acclivitous in the female, last unbranched dorsal ray smooth with upper 1/3 articulated; dorsal fin origin anterior to pelvic fin origin; no dark lateral band on sides of body; gill rakers 13-19; lateral line scales 24-29; longest caudal ray length about 2 times that of shortest. It is distributed in Longchuanjiang and Dayingjiang (upper Irrawaddy). Barbodes baoshanensis is distinguished by its smooth last unbranched dorsal ray with upper 1/3-1/2 articulated; dorsal fin origin anterior to pelvic fin origin; sides of body with a dark longitudinal band; gill rakers 13-14; lateral line scales 23-28. It occurs in Nujiang (upper Salween) and Longchuanjiang. A key to the species of Barbodes in Yunnan is provided.

The nominal invalidity of the cyprinid genus, Parasinilabeo, with descriptions of a new genus and species

The nominal invalidity of the cyprinid genus, Parasinilabeo, with descriptions of a new genus and species. Zoological Studies 40(2): 134-140. A new genus, Pararectoris Su, Yang and Cui, is designated based on the type species, Pararectoris assimilis (Wu a

A review of the Nemacheilinae genus Oreonectes Gunther with descriptions of two new species (Teleostei : Balitoridae)

The loach genus Oreonectes is reviewed in this study. Six valid species are recognized, including two new species. Oreonectes polystigmus sp. nov., and Oreonectes microphthalmus sp. nov. are described from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Amon

The identity of Schizothorax griseus Pellegrin, 1931, with descriptions of three new species of schizothoracine fishes (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from China

The identity of Schizothorax griseus Pellegrin, 1931, is clarified and the species redescribed. Three new species previously identified as S. griseus are described: S. nudiventris, from the Lancang Jiang, China; S. heterophysallidos, from the Nanpan Jiang

Stegana (Oxyphortica) nigripennis species-group, with descriptions of four new species from southeast Asia (Insecta : Diptera : Drosophilidae)

The nigripennis species-group is established within the subgenus Stegana (Oxyphortica), consisting of five species distributed in the Oriental Region, Stegana (O.) nigripennis (Hendel) from southern Japan, S. (O.) aotsukai, new species and S. (O.) prigenti, new species from southern China and Thailand, and S. (O.) trisetosa, new species and S. (O.) yapingi, new species, from eastern Malaysia. A key to all the species in this group is provided.

The diverse Grania fauna (Clitellata : Enchytraeidae) of the Esperance area, Western Australia, with descriptions of two new species

Seven species of the marine enchytraeid genus Grania Southern, 1913 are described from sediments sampled during the 2003 International Workshop on the Marine Flora and Fauna of Esperance Bay and the Recherche Archipelago, on the southern coast of Western Australia. Two species are new to science, the euryhaline Tasmanian G. dolichura Rota and Erseus, 2000 represents a new record for the state, and the remaining four species were known from other parts of Western Australia. Grania quaerens sp. n. is recognized by having a high chaetal index (= 5 short chaetal foot), small coelomocytes, penial apparati with long whip-like terminal stylets, conspicuous spermathecae with ectally bulbous ducts, and ectally granulated ampullae housing sperm rings in their ental region. Grania sperantia sp. n. is readily distinguishable by the complete lack of lateral chaetae, a multiple-banded pattern of the clitellum, extremely long sperm funnels, and the intrasegmental location of the spermathecal pores. The latter new species and four others in the collection (G. bykane Coates, 1990, G. crassiducta Coates, 1990, G. dolichura, and G. ersei Coates, 1990) are remarkable in possessing the head organ, a sensory structure unique to Grania that was not noted previously in Western Australian species. When considering the whole genus, the geographic pattern of the head organ appears southern-centred: of the 17 species of Grania reported to possess it, as many as 13 inhabit the southern latitudes. The seventh species of the Esperance collection, G. vacivasa Coates and Stacey, 1993, is notable for the kind of items found in its gut and the unusual appearance of its pygidium.

Inland free-living nematodes in China: A historical review of taxonomic studies with descriptions of Aphanonchus orientalis sp nov (Chromadorida : Leptolaimidae) and Daptonema limnobia sp nov (Monhysterida : Xyalidae)

The study of inland free-living nematodes is relatively imperfect in China, only seventeen papers were previously published. Since the early researches in 20-30s, few works have been accomplished until 80s. Altogether 171 taxa were formerly recorded, among which, over eighty species have been re-combined. A checklist of the former records with notes on their distribution is presented in this paper. Recently, the function of free-living nematodes has received much attention from Chinese zoologists. Hence, the present authors carried out their studies with emphasis on taxonomy of inland nematodes. During the survey of freshwater lakes, two species are found to be nem to science. Aphanonchus orientalis sp. nov. is characterized by having sclerotized vagina, the presence of 10-11 tubular supplements and 42-62 alveoli supplements in males, but no alveoli in females. Daptonema limnobia sp, nov. is distinguished from other species of the genus in the presence of larger and more anteriorly located amphids, shorter bifurcated spicules, smaller apophysis of gubernaculum, shorter terminal setae, and postvulval uterine sac in females.