Contribution towards the knowledge of Rhinotragini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). V. Reconsideration of Rhopalessa rubroscutellaris (Tippmann, 1960)

Corrections to the revision of Rhopalessa Bates, 1873 (Clarke et al. 2011), with the transfer of two species to a new genus, Rashelapso: R. durantoni (Peñaherrera-Leiva & Tavakilian, 2004) comb. nov., and R. schmidi sp. nov. (previously considered to be conspecific with Ommata (Rhopalessa) rubroscutellaris Tippmann, 1960 by the authors). Ommata (Rhopalessa) rubroscutellaris is now considered a junior synonym of Laedorcari fulvicollis (Lacordaire, 1868).

Calcareous dinoflagellates in Cretaceous to Recent sediments of DSDP Hole 39-356

Calcareous dinoflagellates often dominate the dinoflagellate cyst assemblage in Cretaceous to Recent oceanic sediments. However, their distribution in Paleogene sediments has scarcely been studied. The investigation of samples from DSDP Site 356 for their calcareous dinoflagellate content revealed 35 mainly long-ranging taxa. The associations and characteristic wall types (pithonelloid, oblique, radial, tangential) fluctuate quantitatively and qualitatively in distinct stratigraphic patterns. Significant shifts, primarily at the K/T boundary and the Paleocene/Eocene boundary, reflect changes in environmental conditions. Certain dinoflagellates forming calcareous cysts, such as Operculodinella operculata, were well adapted to the relatively rapid change of environmental conditions at the K/T boundary, thus blooming to dominate the carbonate flux to the ocean floor. In contrast to the stable Paleocene associations, Eocene calcareous dinoflagellates show fluctuations in relative abundances. These fluctuations can possibly be attributed to redeposition related to increased seaward transport of specimens, due to strengthened western boundary currents. The flora includes two new genera, one new species, and two new forms: Retesphaera diadema Hildebrand-Habel, Willems et Versteegh, gen. et. sp. nov., Cervisiella saxea (Stradner, 1961) Hildebrand-Habel, Willems et Versteegh, gen. et comb. nov., Sphaerodinella? tuberosa forma elongata Hildebrand-Habel, Willems et Versteegh, comb. et forma nov., Sphaerodinella? tuberosa forma variospinosa Hildebrand-Habel, Willems et Versteegh, comb. et forma nov. Three new combinations are proposed: Cervisiella saxea (Stradner, 1961) Hildebrand-Habel, Willems et Versteegh, gen. et comb. nov., Operculodinella operculata (Bramlette et Martini, 1964) Hildebrand-Habel, Willems et Versteegh, comb. nov., and Sphaerodinella? tuberosa (Kamptner, 1963) Hildebrand-Habel, Willems et Versteegh, comb. nov. The genus Operculodinella Kienel, 1994 is emended.

Diatoms in Paleocene sediments of the southwestern South Atlantic

The taxonomy and stratigraphy of pelagic Paleocene diatoms from ODP Sites 698, 700, and 702 and DSDP Site 524 in the South Atlantic and DSDP Site 214 in the Indian Ocean are presented, as well as paleogeographic and paleoecologic implications. Eleven new species and one new variety are described and one new combination is proposed: Coscinodiscus cruxii sp. nov. Grunowiella palaeocaenica var. alternans var. nov. Hemiaulusl beatus sp. nov. Hemiaulusl ciesielskii sp. nov. Hemiaulusl conicus sp. nov. Hemiaulus kristoffersenii sp. nov. Hemiaulus nocchiae sp. nov. Hemiaulusl oonkii sp. nov. Hemiaulusl velatus sp. nov. Triceratium gombosii sp. nov. Trochosira gracillima comb. nov. Trochosira marginata sp. nov. Trochosira radiata sp. nov. Hole 700B provides one of the most continuous diatomaceous Paleocene profiles known. Stratigraphic ranges of diatom species from this and other Southern Hemisphere sites are calibrated against calcareous microfossil zones. The first-appearance datums of Triceratium gombosii, Hemiaulus incurvus, and Triceratium mirabile in Paleocene deep-sea sediments are useful for regional stratigraphic correlations. Quantitative analysis of the biosiliceous microfossil groups (diatoms, silicoflagellates, radiolarians, and archaeomonadaceae) shows that preservation of diatoms is confined primarily to the upper Paleocene (planktonic foraminifer Zones P3 and P4 and calcareous nannofossil Zones upper NP5 to lower NP9). In the lower Paleocene only short intervals in Hole 700B are diatomaceous. A correlation between the degree of silica diagenesis and the calcium carbonate content of the sediment is not obvious. Diatom species analysis reflects changes in the paleoenvironment between island-related upwelling conditions with highly diverse and well-preserved diatom assemblages and less productive periods resulting in less wellpreserved diatom assemblages with a higher content of robust neritic diatoms.

Diatom abundances in ODP Leg 114 holes

The practically continuous, paleomagnetically dated late Gauss-Brunhes sediment profiles of ODP Sites 699 and 701, south of the present Polar Front Zone (PFZ), and Site 704, north of the present PFZ, are used for a high-resolution study of abundance fluctuations of eight stratigraphic marker species in space and time. Ecological restrictions and preferences of the diatom species Hemidiscus karstenii, Actinocyclus ingens f. planus, Thalassiosira elliptipora, Thalassiosira kolbei, Thalassiosira vulnifica, Simonseniella barboi, Cosmiodiscus insignis, and Nitzschia weaveri are deduced. The ages of their first abundant appearance datums (FAAD), last-appearance datums (LAD), and last abundant appearance datums (LAAD) at the three sites are determined. The interpolated datum ages agree relatively well with those determined by other authors, if one interprets most of their LADs as LAADs. FAADs and LAADs produce more accurate datums than LADs. For the late Matuyama (younger than approximately 2.0 Ma), when PFZ fluctuations effected all three site sites, the datum ages determined agree within the methodically caused limits of accuracy for each datum. For the early Matuyama (older than approximately 2.0 Ma) the results can be interpreted as either that the ages of the FAAD of T. kolbei and LAAD of T. vulnifica datums determined at Sites 699 and 701 are more reliable or that these datums are diachronous between these two sites and Site 704. Such a diachroneity could be caused by different paleoceanographic conditions (stable subantarctic conditions over Site 704 and stable antarctic conditions over Sites 699 and 701). A few taxonomic changes were necessary. One new genus is defined (Simonseniella gen. nov.) and five new combinations are proposed: Simonseniella barboi (Brun) comb, nov., Simonseniella praebarboi (Schrader) comb, nov., Simonseniella curvirostris (Jousé) comb, nov., Thalassiosira elliptipora (Donahue) comb, nov., and Thalassiosira vulnifica (Gombos) comb. nov.

20 movies of x-ray tomograms of different Alpinia fossils

The fossil floras described by Dieter MAI and Harald WALTHER are invaluable for understanding the past plant diversity in Europe, and provide important information on the occurrence of taxa in the fossil record that is critical for evolutionary studies. Among the taxa they recognized were seeds assigned to the extant genus Alpinia ROXB. (Zingiberaceae, Zingiberales). We reinvestigated 28 specimens that were assigned to Alpinia arnensis (CHANDLER) MAI, Alpinia cf. arnensis, and Alpinia bivascularis MAI from the Ypresian (lower Eocene) of the UK, upper Eocene of Germany, and lower Miocene of Germany using non-destructive synchrotron-based X-ray tomography to reveal internal anatomy. None of the samples studied show an anatomy consistent with extant Alpinia or even Zingiberales. The fossils lack the globose shape, often striate external surface, seed coat structure, operculum, and micropylar collar seen in all Alpinia, and lack the chalazal chamber seen in many Alpinia species. Two specimens from the lower Miocene of Germany showed the structure of fruits of Caricoidea CHANDLER (Cyperaceae) with a single-layered exocarp, thick mesocarp, and sclerified endocarp. The other specimens are recognized as Carpolithes albolutum nom. nov. (incertae sedis) from the Ypresian of the UK, C. phoenixnordensis sp. nov. (incertae sedis) from the upper Eocene of Germany, C. bivascularis comb. nov. (incertae sedis) from the lower Miocene of Germany as well as indeterminate tegmens from the lower Miocene of Germany. This reinvestigation demonstrates that there is, as yet, no confirmed fossil record for the extant genus Alpinia. Furthermore, at least four different taxa are recognized from what had been two extinct species, enhancing our understanding of these important European Cenozoic carpofloras.

Eocene-Oligocene diatoms in the western Indian Ocean

The occurrence of diatom species in the Eocene-Oligocene sections of Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 115 sites and Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Sites 219 and 236 in the low-latitude Indian Ocean are investigated. Diatoms are generally rare and poorly preserved in the Paleogene sequences we studied. The best-preserved assemblages are found close to ash layers in early Oligocene sediments. The low-latitude diatom zonation established for the Atlantic region by Fenner in 1984 is fully applicable to the Paleogene sequences of the western Indian Ocean. Correlation of the diatom zones to the calcareous nannofossil stratigraphy of the sites places the Coscinodiscus excavatus Zone of Fenner within calcareous nannofossil Subzone CP16b. For the Mascarene Plateau and the Chagos Ridge, the times when the sites studied, together with the areas upslope from them, subsided to below the euphotic zone are deduced from changes in the relative abundance between the group of benthic, shallow-water species and Grammatophora spp. vs. the group of fully planktonic diatom species. The Eocene section of Site 707, on the Mascarene Plateau, is characterized by the occurrence of benthic diatoms (approximately 10% of the diatom assemblage). These allochthonous diatoms must have originated from shallow-water environments around volcanic islands that existed upslope from ODP Site 707 in Eocene times. In Oligocene and younger sediments of Sites 707 and 706, occurrences of benthic diatoms are rare and sporadic and interpreted as reworked from older sediments. This indicates that the area upslope from these two Mascarene Plateau sites had subsided below the euphotic zone by the early Oligocene. Only Grammatophora spp., for which a neritic but not benthic habitat is assumed, continues to be abundant throughout the Oligocene sequences. The area of the Madingley Rise sites (Sites 709-710) and nearby shallower areas subsided below the euphotic zone already in middle Eocene times, as benthic diatoms are almost absent from these Eocene sections. Only sites located on abyssal plains, and which intermittently received turbidite sediments (e.g., Sites 708 and 711), contain occasionally single, benthic diatoms of Oligocene age. The occurrence of the freshwater diatom Aulacosira granulata in a few samples of late early Oligocene and late Oligocene age at Sites 707, 709, and 714 is interpreted as windblown. Their presence indicates at least seasonally arid conditions for these periods in the source areas of eastern Africa and India. Three new species and two new combinations are defined: Chaetoceros asymmetricus Fenner sp. nov.; Hemiaulus gracilis Fenner, sp. nov.; Kozloviella meniscosa Fenner, sp. nov.; Cestodiscus demergitus (Fenner) Fenner comb, nov.; and Rocella princeps (Jouse) Fenner comb. nov.

Three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of an exceptionally well preserved ichnological assemblage from the Stainmore Foundation, Carboniferous, UK

This Ph.D. thesis addresses current issues with ichnotaxonomic practice, and characterizes an exceptionally well preserved ichnological assemblage from the Carboniferous Stainmore Formation, Northumberland, United Kingdom. Samples were collected from closely localized float representative of various units throughout the succession, which was deposited in a storm-dominated marine shoreface. Three dominant ichnotaxa were selected for three-dimensional morphological analysis due to their complicated morphology and/or unclear taxonomic status: 1) Dactyloidites jordii isp. nov.; 2) Beaconites capronus, and; 3) Neoeione moniliformis comb. nov. Using serial grinding and photography, these ichnotaxa were ground and modelled in true colour. High-resolution models of three taxa produced in this study are the basis of the first complete three-dimensional consideration of the traces, and forms the basis for refined palaeobiological and ethological analysis of these taxa. Dactyloidites jordii isp. nov. is a stellate to palmate burrow composed of numerous long, narrow rays that exhibit three orders of branching arranged into tiered galleries radiating from a central shaft. It is considered to be the feeding structure produced by a vermiform organism. Beaconites capronus is a winding trace with distinctly chevron-shaped, meniscate backfill demonstrated herein to backfill the vertical shafts associated with its burrows in a comparable fashion to the horizontal portion of the burrow. This lack of a surface connection would result in the trace making organism being exposed to low-oxygen porewater. Coping with this porewater dysoxia could be approached by burrowing organisms in a number of ways: 1) revisiting the sediment-water interface; 2) creating periodic shafts; or 3) employing anaerobic metabolism. Neoeione moniliformis was originally introduced as Eione moniliformis, however, the genus Eione Tate, 1859 is a junior homonym of Eione Rafinesque, 1814. This led to the transfer of Eione moniliformis to Parataenidium. Through careful examination and three-dimensional characterization of topotypes, the transfer to Parataenidium moniliformis is demonstrated herein to be problematic, as Parataenidium refers to primarily horizontal burrows with two distinct layers and Eione moniliformis is composed of one distinct level. As such, the new ichnogenus Neoeione is created to accommodate Neoeione moniliformis.

Dinoflagellate cysts in surface sediments

Surface sediments at 439 sites throughout the North Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas have been analyzed for dinoflagellate cysts in order to establish a reference database from which paleoenvironmental transfer functions can be developed. Laboratory procedures and systematics were standardized in order to avoid bias introduced by the selective loss of taxa and to facilitate site to site comparison. 371 sites were retained to develop the database that includes 41 taxa, some of which were grouped using morphological and/or ecological criteria. 27 taxa were retained for statistical purposes. Distribution maps of these latter taxa have been plotted on the basis of their relative abundance. Principal component analyses were performed in order to describe the distribution of assemblages. The relation between the assemblages, as well as the relative abundance of individual taxa, and selected sea-surface parameters are illustrated. The parameters which were considered include temperature and salinity for winter (February) and summer (August) together with the duration of sea-ice cover. Transfer functions using the best analogue method have been tested with a view to reconstruct past sea-surface parameters. Validation procedures on this transfer function demonstrate that more than 95% of the reconstructions are included within the interannual variability of modern sea-surface conditions. Therefore, these transfer functions give accurate results and can be applied to reconstructing paleo-temperatures and -salinities from analogous assemblages in Quaternary sedimentary sequences. Protoperidinium stellatum (Wall in Wall & Dale, 1968) Head, comb. nov. (basionym = Peridinium stellatum) is proposed as new, and Algidasphaeridium? minutum var. cezare de Vernal et al., 1989 ex de Vernal et al. is newly validated.

Distribution of desmoscolecida (Nematoda) in surface sediments of the Iberian Deep-Sea, North Atlantic (Table 1)

1. Desmoscolecida from the continental slope and the deep-sea bottom (59-4354 m) off the Portuguese and Moroccan coasts are described. 18 species were identified: Desmoscolex bathyalis sp. nov., D. chaetalatus sp. nov., D. eftus sp. nov., D. galeatus sp. nov., D. lapilliferus sp. nov., D. longisetosus Timm, 1970, D. lorenzeni sp. nov., D. perspicuus sp. nov., D. pustulatus sp. nov., Quadricoma angulocephala sp. nov., Q. brevichaeta sp. nov., Q. iberica sp. nov., Q. loricatoides sp. nov., Tricoma atlantica sp. nov., T. bathycola sp. nov., T. beata sp. nov., T. incomposita sp. nov., T. meteora sp. nov., T. mauretania sp. nov. 2. The following new terms are proposed: "Desmos" (ring-shaped concretions consisting of secretion and concretion particles), "desmoscolecoid" and "tricomoid" arrangement of the somatic setae, "regelmaessige" (regular), "unregelmaessige" (irregular), "vollstaendige" (complete) and "unvollstaendige" (incomplete) arrangement of somatic seta (variations in the desmoscolecoid arrangement of the somatic setae). The length of the somatic setae is given in the setal pattern. 3. Desmoscolecida identical as to genus and species exhibit no morphological differences even if forthcoming from different bathymetrical zones (deep sea, sublitoral, litoral) or different environments (marin, freshwater, coastal subsoil water, terrestrial environment). 4. Lorenzen's (1969) contention that thearrangement of the somatic setae is more significant for the natural relationships between the different genera of Desmoscolecida than other characteristics is further confirmed. Species with tricomoid arrangement of somatic setae are regarded as primitive, species with desmoscolecoid arrangement of somatic setae are regarded as more advanced. 5. Three new genus are established: Desmogerlachia gen. nov., Desmolorenzenia gen. nov. and Desmofimmia gen. nov. - Protricoma Timm, 1970 is synonymized with Paratricoma Gerlach, 1964 and Protodesmoscolex Timm, 1970 is synonymized with Desmoscolex Claparede,1863. 6. Checklists of all species of the order Desmoscolecida and keys to species of the subfamilies Tricominae and Desmoscolecinae are provided. 7. The following nomenclatorial changes are suggested: Desmogerlachia papillifer (Gerlach, 1956) comb. nov., D .pratensis (Lorenz, 1969) comb. nov., Desmotimmia mirabilis (Timm, 1970) comb. nov., Paratricoma squamosa (Timm, 1970) comb. nov., Desmolorenzenia crassicauda (Timm, 1970) comb. nov., D. desmoscolecoides (Timm, 1970) comb. nov., D. eurycricus (Filipjev, 1922) comb. nov., D. frontalis (Gerlach, 1952) comb. nov., D. hupferi (Steiner, 1916) comb. nov., D. longicauda (Timm, 1970) comb. nov., D. parva (Timm, 1970) comb. nov., D. platycricus (Steiner, 1916) comb. nov., D. viffata (Lorenzen, 1969) comb. nov., Desmoscolex anfarcficos (Timm, 1970) comb. nov.

Benthic freshwater diatom abundance in streams and seepage areas of northern James Ross Island between 2004-2009

Background and aim - The non-marine diatom communities in the Antarctic Region are characterized by a typical species composition, in close relationship with their environment. Despite the growing interest, the diatom flora of James Ross Island is only poorly known. The present paper discusses the diversity of limnoterrestrial diatoms on this island: seepages and streams. Methods - The diatom flora of 53 samples taken on the eastern side of the Ulu peninsula on James Ross Island has been studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Key results - A total of 69 diatom taxa belonging to 26 genera have been observed. The genera Luticola, Diadesmis, Muelleria and Pinnularia dominated the species composition. The flora shows an interesting mixture of cosmopolitan and Antarctic species containing several species reaching on James Ross Island their most northern distribution in the Antarctic Region. The taxonomical position of one widespread Antarctic species, Psammothidium papilio (D.E.Kellogg, Stuiver, T.B.Kellogg & Denton) Kopalova & Van de Vijver comb. nov., is corrected. Conclusions - The limnoterrestrial diatom flora of James Ross Island has a rather low number of species, of which a large proportion shows a restricted Antarctic distribution.

Descripción del análisis microbológico realizado mediante maldi-tof en muestras de la fundación santa fe de Bogotá.

Introducción: La rápida detección e identificación bacteriana es fundamental para el manejo de los pacientes críticos que presentan una patología infecciosa, esto requiere de métodos rápidos para el inicio de un correcto tratamiento. En Colombia se usan pruebas microbiología convencional. No hay estudios de espectrofotometría de masas en análisis de muestras de pacientes críticos en Colombia. Objetivo general: Describir la experiencia del análisis microbiológico mediante la tecnología MALDI-TOF MS en muestras tomadas en la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. Materiales y Métodos: Entre junio y julio de 2013, se analizaron 147 aislamientos bacterianos de muestras clínicas, las cuales fueron procesadas previamente por medio del sistema VITEK II. Los aislamientos correspondieron a 88 hemocultivos (60%), 28 urocultivos (19%), y otros cultivos 31 (21%). Resultados: Se obtuvieron 147 aislamientos con identificación adecuada a nivel de género y/o especie así: en el 88.4% (130 muestras) a nivel de género y especie, con una concordancia del 100% comparado con el sistema VITEK II. El porcentaje de identificación fue de 66% en el grupo de bacilos gram negativos no fermentadores, 96% en enterobacterias, 100% en gérmenes fastidiosos, 92% en cocos gram positivos, 100% bacilos gram negativos móviles y 100% en levaduras. No se encontró ninguna concordancia en bacilos gram positivos y gérmenes del genero Aggregatibacter. Conclusiones: El MALDI-TOF es una prueba rápida para la identificación microbiológica de género y especie que concuerda con los resultados obtenidos de manera convencional. Faltan estudios para hacer del MALDI-TOF MS la prueba oro en identificación de gérmenes.

Ultrastructure of Hepatozoon boigae (Mackerras, 1961) nov comb. from brown tree snakes, Boiga irregularis, from northern Australia

Intraerythrocytic bodies identified as haemogregarine gamonts were found in 29% of 97 brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) examined during a haematological survey of reptiles in Australasia during 1994-1998. The morphological characteristics of the parasites were consistent with those of Haemogregarina boigae Mackerras, 1961, although the gamonts were slightly larger and lacked red caps but contained distinctive polar grey capsules. Gamonts did not distend host cells but laterally displaced their nuclei. They were contained within parasitophorous vacuoles and possessed typical apicomplexan organelles, including a conoid, polar rings, rhoptries and micronemes. Schizonts producing up to 30 merozoites were detected in endothelial cells of the lungs of 11 snakes. The absence of erythrocytic schizogony suggests the parasites belong to the genus Hepatozoon. Electron microscopy also revealed the presence of curious encapsulated organisms in degenerating erythrocytes. These stages did not possess apical complex organelles and were surrounded by thick walls containing circumferential junctions and interposed strips reminiscent of oocyst sutures.

Helminthological records of six-banded Armadillos Euphractus sexcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Brazilian semi-arid region, Patos county, Paraiba state, including new morphological data on Trichohelix tuberculata (Parona and Stossich, 1901) Ortlepp, 1922 and proposal of Hadrostrongylus ransomi nov comb.

This work aimed to evaluate the gastrointestinal helminthfauna composition of six-banded armadillos from the Brazilian semi-arid region. Gastrointestinal contents of six road-killed adult animals from Patos County, Paraiba State, were analyzed. Six species of nematodes, comprising five genera and four families, were recovered from the analyzed animals. New morphological data on Trichohelix tuberculata is given, along with a new taxonomical proposal for Hadrostrongylus ransomi (Travassos, 1935) n. comb. This is the first record for parasitic helminths in this host from the Brazilian semi-arid.

Pseudascarophis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in the Bermuda chub Kyphosus sectatrix (Perciformes: Kyphosidae) from southeastern Brazil

A new species of Pseudascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) found in the stomach of Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus) (Kyphosidae), off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described. The new species can be differentiated from the other congeners by the presence of lateral alae, distinct but inconspicuous cephalic papillae at the anterior end, three pairs of precloacal and one pair of adcloacal papillae in males, egg morphology and morphometry of glandular oesophagus and spicules. Pseudascarophis tropica is transferred to Ascarophis as Ascarophis tropica (Solov'eva) comb. n. due to its ambiguous diagnosis.

Cliona minuscula, sp nov (Hadromerida : Clionaidae) and other bioeroding sponges that only contain tylostyles

A new bioeroding sponge belonging to the genus Cliona is described from the Australian Great Barrier Reef, Cliona minuscula, sp. nov. As the sponge lacked microscleres, comparison with existing clionaid species was difficult. We considered 15 other species of Cliona with only tylostyles: C. alderi, C. arenosa. C. caesia nov. comb., C. californiana, C. celata, C. delitrix, C. dissimilis, C. ecaudis, C. insidiosa, C. janitrix, C. kempi, C. laticavicola, C. macgeachii, C. millepunctata and C. peponaca. Characters of all species are presented in table-form to facilitate comparison during future studies. We listed additional species of Cliona that were not directly compared to the new species, because they were either invalid, insufficiently described, or they may not be obligate bioeroders. The form and dimensions of the megascleres of C. minuscula, sp. nov. indicated that it is distinct from all considered species. Its mean tylostyle dimensions were 225.3 mu m length, 4.5 mu m shaft width and 6.8 mu m tyle width, which is comparatively small. Because other morphological features were small as well ( erosion chambers, papillar diameter), this species was named C. minuscula. The species record for sponges of the genus Cliona reported from Australia is now 11.