A revision of the Australian taxa previously attributed to Assiminea buccinoides (Quoy & Gaimard) and Assiminea tasmanica Tenison-Woods (Mollusca:Gastropoda:Caenogastropoda:Assimineidae)

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Fukuda ◽  
Winston F. Ponder

A new genus, Cryptassiminea, is introduced for the taxon previously known as Assiminea buccinoides (Quoy & Gaimard). These small gastropods are abundant in mangrove and salt marsh habitats in south-eastern and subtropical eastern Australia. Seven species (five new) are recognised using morphological characters in the complex previously treated as a single species. Five taxa have rather narrow ranges while the other two are widespread and often sympatric. Two groups of species are recognised. One contains Cryptassiminea buccinoides, widespread in south-east and east Australia, and two closely related allopatric taxa from South Australia and south-eastern Tasmania (C. adelaidensis, sp. nov. and C. kershawi, sp. nov.). A second group of species is typified by Cryptassiminea tasmanica (Tenison-Woods), also widespread in east and south-east Australia and often sympatric with C. buccinoides. Allied to C. tasmanica, are two closely related taxa from western Victoria: C. glenelgensis, sp. nov. from the Glenelg River estuary and C. surryensis, sp. nov. from the Surry River estuary and Western Port, in the vicinity of Geelong. A distinctive species, Cryptassiminea insolata, sp. nov. from the east coast of Queensland, also has similarities with C. tasmanica. A cladistic analysis using morphological characters of the Cryptassiminea taxa and three other genera of Assimininae, with an omphalotropidine as the outgroup, resulted in a single tree. The new genus has rather poor support, possibly because many of its characters appear to be plesiomorphic within Assimineinae. Cryptassiminea is defined by a unique combination of characters but lacks any obvious synapomorphy. Two clades within Cryptassiminea are well supported, each containing the species-groups referred to above.

1969 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 665 ◽  
Author(s):  
PD Dwyer

In south-eastern Australia banding of M. schreibersii has been concentrated in four areas: north-eastern New South Wales, south-eastern New South Wales, south-eastern Victoria, and south-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. The present paper analyses 2083 reported movements. Only 17 of these are from one of the four areas to another with the longest movement being 810 miles. Biologically and geographically separate populations of M. schreibersii are recognized in both north-eastern and south-eastern New South Wales. Each population has its basis in dependence upon a specific nursery site which is used annually by nearly all adult females in that population. Boundaries of population ranges in New South Wales are considered to be prominent features of physiography (i.e. divides). Bats move between population ranges less often than they move within population ranges. This cannot be explained solely in terms of the distances separating roosts. Available movement records from Victoria and South Australia are consistent with the pattern described for New South Wales. Two biologically recognizable populations (i.e, different birth periods) occur in south-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia but these may have overlapping ranges. Only one nursery colony of M. schreibersii is known from south-eastern Victoria. On present evidence it remains possible that the apparent integrity of the population associated with this nursery is merely a consequence of distance from other areas of banding activity. Detailed analyses of movements in bats may provide direct evidence as to the kinds of cues by which a given species navigates. Thus the physiographic basis described for population ranges in New South Wales is consistent with the view that M. schreibersii may orientate to waterways or divides or both. The probability that there are area differences in the subtlety or nature of navigational cues is implied by the different physiographic circumstances of south-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. It is suggested that knowledge of population range boundaries may aid planning of meaningful homing experiments.


1998 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Rafael Miranda-Esquivel ◽  
Sixto Coscarón

AbstractA cladistic analysis of the species groups recognized in Gigantodax Enderlein, using morphological characters, shows that Gigantodax s. lat. is paraphyletic. From a phylogenetic standing Gigantodax must be split into two monophyletic entities: Gigantodax s. str. and the G. cortesi species group. The new genus Pedrowygomyia is proposed for the G. cortesi species group. It presently contains four species, P. cortesi, P. jatunchuspi, P. punapi and P. chacabamba (all new combinations).


1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 977 ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Yeates ◽  
Christine L. Lambkin

The Australian Anthracini are revised. In all, 28 new species are described, bringing the total fauna to 34 species. The previously described species of Anthrax Scopoli – A. maculatus Macquart, A. incomptus Walker, A. confluensisRoberts, A. lepidiotus Roberts and A. proconcisus Hardy – are diagnosed and the following eight new species of Anthrax are described: A. argentia, A. asciculus, A. clinatus, A. crenatus, A. dolabratus, A. funestus, A. opacus and A. torulus. This taxonomic study reveals a group of at least 20 cryptic species previously included in collections under the name Anthrax angularis Thomson. A new genus, Thraxan, is erected to contain this cryptic group of species and the following 20 new species are described: T. acutus, T. abditus, T. caligneus, T. cinctus, T. cornuatus, T. depressus, T. echinatus, T. ebenus, T. emicatus, T. hamulus, T. luteus, T. misatulus, T. nodus, T. norrisi, T. obstipus, T. patielus, T. planus, T. prolatus, T. simulatusand T. spiculus. Many of these cryptic species have been collected sympatrically, hill topping together in eastern Australia. A key is provided to the species of Anthrax and Thraxan, genitalia drawings are presented for most species and distribution maps of all species are presented. A cladistic analysis of the species of Anthrax and Thraxan is also presented. A total of 26 of the species is compared for 125 synapomorphies in 39 adult morphological characters. Three species-groups were found: Thraxan, and two species-groups within Anthrax, the A. proconcisus species-group and the A. maculatusspecies-group. Previous authors divided Anthrax into species-groups on the basis of wing patterns, but found that these species-groups were not confirmed when other characters were taken into consideration. We studied the congruence of seven different character sets within the clade comprising Anthrax and Thraxan – antennae, venation, wing patterns, vestiture, genitalia, male genitalia and female genitalia – using several incongruence indices. Significance of incongruence was measured using a randomisation procedure. Results of these studies indicate that the wing-pattern character set is significantly incongruent with the other morphological data. These quantitative cladistic results explain the difficulty previous authors experienced in finding suites of characters to support species-groups in Anthrax on the basis of wing patterns. A relationship is found between the level of incongruence and the distance over which mate-recognition signals operate.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3025 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
KELLY L. MERRIN

A new genus and new species of Munnopsidae Lilljeborg, 1864 is described. Nyctobadistes gen. nov. is represented by a single species, Nyctobadistes hamatus sp. nov. and was collected from off Tasmania, south-eastern Australia. Nyctobadistes gen. nov. is similar to Bathybadistes Hessler and Thistle, 1975, however, it can be distinguished from this genus by the combination of: the lack of apical setae on the dorsal body spines; the lack of lateral extensions on the natasomal pereonites; the slender carpus of at least pereopod 6; and the anterolateral margins of the pleon lack a spine and apical seta.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3403 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
XINHUA FU ◽  
LESLEY BALLANTYNE ◽  
CHRISTINE LAMBKIN

Emeia, a new genus of Luciolinae fireflies, is described from males, flightless females and unusual trilobite-like larvaefor a single species pseudosauteri (Geisthardt) transferred from Curtos Motschulsky. Flashing patterns and ecological dataare presented. A phylogenetic analysis covering 143 Luciolinae species uses 436 morphological characters of males, fe-males and larvae to support the erection of the new genus. A generic redescription of Curtos Motschulsky from a restricted number of species is given. A key to genera and certain species groups using males is provided.


2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Peacock ◽  
Ian Abbott

Since the European settlement of Australia in 1788, 25 mainland terrestrial mammal species have become extinct, more than on any other continent during this period. To determine if the causal factors are still active, it is necessary to better understand the species and their status preceding these regional extirpations or extinctions, and examine the historical record for clues to the cause(s) of these declines. From an extensive review of historical material, primarily newspaper accounts, we collated >2700 accounts of quolls. We discovered 36 accounts that demonstrate the propensity for quolls to become hyperabundant. The geographical distribution of accounts implies that most refer to Dasyurus viverrinus, but an account from Normanton district (Queensland) likely applies to D. hallucatus. More than 110 accounts demonstrate that disease/parasite epizootics occurred in south-eastern Australia, commencing on mainland Australia possibly in the goldfields region of Victoria in the 1850s, or in south-eastern South Australia and south-western Victoria in the mid to late 1860s, and implicate these as the initial primary factor in the regional extirpation of Australia’s quolls. The loss of D. viverrinus populations in south-eastern Australia was reportedly from population abundances and densities that were sporadically extraordinarily high, hence their loss appears more pronounced than previously suspected. Accounts describing the widespread, rapid and major loss of quolls suggest the possible involvement of several pathogens. Ectoparasites such as Uropsylla tasmanica and ticks appear to be described in detail in some accounts. A few others state comortality of Felis catus and Canis lupus familiaris, suggestive of a disease of either or both of these species, such as Canine Distemper Virus, a morbillivirus with a propensity to be non-host specific, that may have caused the decline of the quolls, perhaps vectored by the reported ectoparasites. We also collated 23 presumed independent accounts of cats negatively impacting quolls, two of which describe significant mortality, and three presumed independent accounts of fox predation. These highlight the capacity of both of these introduced predators to have reduced quoll distribution and abundance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
A. E. Orchard

The present paper completes a revision of the endemic Australian genus Cassinia R.Br. Cassinia subgenus Achromolaena comprises two sections, namely, section Achromolaena of seven species (C. laevis, C. arcuata, C. uncata, C. tenuifolia, C. collina, C. subtropica, and C. quinquefaria), and Cassinia section Siftonia, which contains two species (C. sifton and C. theodorii). Cassinia laevis is divided into western (C. laevis subsp. laevis) and eastern (C. laevis subsp. rosmarinifolia (A.Cunn.) Orchard, comb. et stat. nov.) taxa. Examination of the type of C. arcuata showed that this name is synonymous with C. paniculata, and applies to a relatively rare taxon with whitish capitula arranged in short erect compact panicles, and found in Western Australia, the midlands of South Australia, western Victoria and (formerly) south-western New South Wales. Furthermore, it belongs to section Achromolaena. The taxon with red to brown capitula, widespread throughout south-eastern Australia, which until now has been (incorrectly) known as C. arcuata (Sifton bush) is distinct, but lacks a published name. The name Cassinia sifton Orchard, sp. nov. is here proposed for this taxon. An unfortunate outcome of this discovery is that the sectional name Cassinia section Arcuatae, with C. arcuata as type, becomes synonymous with section Achromolaena. The new name Cassinia section Siftonia is proposed to accommodate Sifton bush (C. sifton) and its narrowly endemic sister species C. theodorii. A summary of the whole genus is provided, with keys to all taxa. Three former subspecies of C. macrocephala are raised to species rank (C. petrapendula (Orchard) Orchard, C. storyi (Orchard) Orchard, C. tenuis (Orchard) Orchard), and it is suggested that C. furtiva Orchard may be conspecific with C. straminea (Benth.) Orchard.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4334 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
CESARE BELLO ◽  
GIUSEPPE OSELLA ◽  
COSIMO BAVIERA

The genus Dodomeira Bellò & Baviera gen. n. of the tribe Peritelini Lacordaire (1863) (Curculionidae: Entiminae) which includes 39 species is described. Seven species are transferred from Pseudomeira Stierlin, 1881: Dodomeira confusa (Pierotti, 2012) comb. n., Dodomeira exigua (Stierlin, 1861) comb. n., Dodomeira ficuzzensis (Bellò & Baviera, 2011) comb. n., Dodomeira himerensis (Bellò & Baviera, 2011) comb. n., Dodomeira petrensis (Bellò & Baviera, 2011) comb. n., Dodomeira pfisteri (Stierlin, 1864) comb. n., Dodomeira trinacriae (Bellò & Baviera, 2011) comb. n.. Thirty-two species are new for science and here described: Dodomeira adrianae Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira alta Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira angelae Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira asinelliensis Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira belicensis Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira bertoni Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira calatina Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira caoduroi Bellò & Baviera sp. n. n., Dodomeira elima Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira enzoi Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira fossor Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira forbicionii Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira genistae Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira giustoi Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira hiemalis Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira ibleiensis Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira illuminatae Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira juliae Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira laliaensis Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira magrinii Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira montivaga Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira margheritae Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira maritimaensis Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira nobilis Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira paladinii Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira sabellai Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira saccoi Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira sicana Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira sicelidis Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira siderea Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira silvanae Bellò & Baviera sp. n., Dodomeira zingara Bellò & Baviera sp. n.. In addition, according to morphological characters, eight informal groups of species are established (the number of species ascribed to the group is in brackets): Dodomeira adrianae species group (13), Dodomeira caoduroi species group (2), Dodomeira exigua species group (5), Dodomeira ficuzzensis species group (2), Dodomeira maritimaensis species group (1), Dodomeira petrensis species group (2), Dodomeira pfisteri species group (13), Dodomeira saccoi species group (1). We present a key for the identification of the new genus among Palaearctic Peritelini, one for single species groups and an other for each species. A checklist of all the species currently known of Dodomeira gen. n. and Pseudomeira Stierlin (1881), with distribution maps and data on ecology and phenology of all the species of Dodomeira gen. n. are also provided. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 1085 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEAN JUST

A new genus and species of janiroidean Asellota, Xenosella coxospinosa, is described from the mid-bathyal slope off the coast of south-eastern Australia. Following a comparison of the new species to several families of broadly similar body shape, with emphasis on monotypic Pleurocopidae, a new family, Xenosellidae, is proposed for the new species. In the course of comparing relevant taxa, the current placements of Prethura Kensley in the Santiidae and Salvatiella Müller in the Munnidae are rejected. The two genera are considered to be incertae sedis within the Asellota superfamily Janiroidea pending further studies.


Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2213 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
MATTHEW J. COLLOFF

The morphology of the genus Scapheremaeus Berlese, 1910 is reviewed and characters of taxonomic utility delineated. Based on the morphological review, some 13 species-groups are outlined based on major morphotypes. There are two main categories: i) species that have a complete circumdorsal scissure with plicate microsculpture on the circumnotogastral plate and strongly contrasting microsculpture (foveolae, ridges or tubercles) on the centrodorsal plate (plicate species-groups), and ii) species with the circumdorsal scissure complete, incomplete or absent but with little or no contrast in microsculpture between the central and lateral regions: typically both regions foveolate or reticulate (non- plicate species-groups). A catalogue of world species of Scapheremaeus is provided. Scapheremaeus petrophagus (Banks, 1906) is not a Scapheremaeus but belongs to an undetermined genus in the Ameronothroidea. Cymbaeremaeus cyclops Oudemans, 1915 is recombined to Scapheremaeus. Five new species are described (S. angusi sp. nov., S. cheloniella sp. nov., S. ewani sp. nov., S. lambieae sp. nov., and S. pulleni sp. nov.) from soil and litter habitats in semi-arid Mallee eucalypt vegetation at Bookmark Biosphere Reserve, South Australia. These are the first members of the genus Scapheremaeus to be described from Australia, though undescribed species have been recorded previously. All the new species are morphologically closely-related and belong to a single species-group: Carinatus.


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