scholarly journals Quid estClea helena?Evidence for a previously unrecognized radiation of assassin snails (Gastropoda: Buccinoidea: Nassariidae)

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen E. Strong ◽  
Lee Ann Galindo ◽  
Yuri I. Kantor

The genusCleafrom SE Asia is from one of only two unrelated families among the megadiverse predatory marine Neogastropoda to have successfully conquered continental waters. While little is known about their anatomy, life history and ecology, interest has grown exponentially in recent years owing to their increasing popularity as aquarium pets. However, the systematic affinities of the genus and the validity of the included species have not been robustly explored. Differences in shell, operculum and radula characters support separation ofCleaas presently defined into two distinct genera:Clea, for the type speciesClea nigricansand its allies, andAnentomeforClea helenaand allies. A five-gene mitochondrial (COI, 16S, 12S) and nuclear (H3, 28S) gene dataset confirms the placement ofAnentomeas a somewhat isolated offshoot of the family Nassariidae and sister to the estuarineNassodonta. Anatomical data corroborate this grouping and, in conjunction with their phylogenetic placement, support their recognition as a new subfamily, the Anentominae. The assassin snailAnentome helena, a popular import through the aquarium trade so named for their voracious appetite for other snails, is found to comprise a complex of at least four species. None of these likely represents trueAnentome helenadescribed from Java, including a specimen purchased through the aquarium trade under this name in the US and one that was recently found introduced in Singapore, both of which were supported as conspecific with a species from Thailand. The introduction ofAnentome“helena” through the aquarium trade constitutes a significant threat to native aquatic snail faunas which are often already highly imperiled. Comprehensive systematic revision of this previously unrecognized species complex is urgently needed to facilitate communication and manage this emerging threat.

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Jan Ševčík ◽  
Heikki Hippa ◽  
Nikola Burdíková

The following 17 extant new species of Sciaroidea (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) are described: Bolitophila nikolae Ševčík sp. nov. (Bolitophilidae, Taiwan), Catocha jingfui sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Taiwan), Catocha manmiaoe sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Taiwan), Catocha shengfengi sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Taiwan), Planetella taiwanensis sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Taiwan), Diadocidia pseudospinusola sp. nov. (Diadocidiidae, Taiwan), Asioditomyia bruneicola sp. nov. (Ditomyiidae, Brunei), Asioditomyia lacii sp. nov. (Ditomyiidae, Taiwan), Ditomyia asiatica sp. nov. (Ditomyiidae, Thailand), Chetoneura davidi sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Brunei), Euceroplatus mantici sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Thailand), Setostylus fangshuoi sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Taiwan), Platyceridion yunfui sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Hainan), Terocelion adami sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Taiwan), Hadroneura martini sp. nov. (Mycetophilidae, Taiwan), Paratinia furcata sp. nov. (Mycetophilidae, Czech Republic, Slovakia), and Nepaletricha sikorai sp. nov. (Sciaroidea incertae sedis, Thailand). Two new genera are described from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, Burmasymmerus gen. nov. (Ditomyiidae, type species Burmasymmerus korneliae sp. nov., including also B. wieslawi sp. nov.), representing the first record of the family Ditomyiidae from the Mesozoic, and Burmatricha gen. nov. (Sciaroidea incertae sedis, type species Burmatricha mesozoica sp. nov.). Molecular phylogeny of Ditomyiidae, based on two DNA markers (28S, COI), as well as that of Catocha Haliday, 1833, based on the mitochondrial COI and 16S fragments, are also presented.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4890 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-150
Author(s):  
N.V. AYISHA MAWADDA ◽  
P. GIRISH KUMAR ◽  
P.M. SURESHAN

The digger wasp genus Kohliella Brauns, 1910, a member of the tribe Larrini, subfamily Crabroninae of the family Crabronidae, is a rarely occurring genus comprising only three known species worldwide (Pulawski 1991; 2020). The genus has been recorded from the Ethiopian (South Africa and Zimbabwe; two species) and Oriental (Sri Lanka; one species) regions. Brauns (1910) erected the genus based on the type species Kohliella alaris from South Africa. The genus is characterized by a V-shaped swelling on the frons, an oblong tubercle on the mandible and a petiolate third submarginal cell of the forewing (Bohart & Menke 1976; Pulawski 1991). The nesting habits are known only for Kohliella alaris. Gess and Gess (1980) studied the life history of this species. It preys on nymphal tree cricket Oecanthus filiger Walker, and nests in the ground in flat, sandy areas with sparse vegetation; nests are constructed prior to hunting. In this paper, Kohliella anula Pulawski, 1991, previously known from Sri Lanka only, is recorded for the first time from India. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 866 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTINE L. LAMBKIN ◽  
JACQUELINE M. RECSEI ◽  
DAVID K. YEATES

The Australian endemic genus Johnmannia Irwin and Lyneborg contains unusual, large therevids with glossy black integument reflecting blues and greens. The very rarely collected Johnmannia have only been found in closed wet sclerophyll forests and rainforests, an atypical niche in the Australian environment for the Family Therevidae. The single described species of Johnmannia has only been collected from Tasmania. Here we describe two new species of Johnmannia from the Australian mainland; Johnmannia powerae Lambkin & Recsei and Johnmannia kosciuszkoensis Lambkin & Recsei. The Australasian Therevidae contains three endemic genus-groups: the Anabarhynchus Macquart genus-group, the Agapophytinae Winterton, and the Taenogera Kröber genusgroup containing Johnmannia. All three species of Johnmannia are included in a phylogenetic analysis of the Taenogera genus-group and the genus is systematically revised, with phylogenetic placement, full morphological descriptions including illustrations, specimen data, distribution maps, and detailed comparisons of male and female genitalia.


2011 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Benzoni ◽  
Roberto Arrigoni ◽  
Fabrizio Stefani ◽  
Michel Pichon

Until coral molecular phylogenies were published, the genus Plesiastrea was traditionally part of the family Faviidae and considered by several authors to be closely related to the genus Montastraea. However, genetic data has shown that Plesiastrea versipora, the genus type species, is evolutionarily distinct within the Robust clade of the Scleractinia and does not belong to the large clade grouping most representatives of the families Faviidae, including Montastraea, Mussidae, Merulinidae, Trachyphylliidae, and Pectiniidae. Instead, P. versipora is closely related to non reef-dwelling taxa currently ascribed to the Oculinidae (Cyathelia axillaris) and Caryophylliidae (Trochocyathus efateensis). However, no discussion on the morphologic features of P. versipora compared to other taxa has been published yet. Moreover, no information is available about the phylogenetic placement of Plesiastrea devantieri, the only other species in the genus. The phylogeny of both Plesiastrea species was addressed through molecular analyses (COI and rDNA) and morphological analysis. Morphological differences between the two species included number of septa, cycles of vertical structures in front of the septa and septal micromorphology. On the basis of these data and nuclear and mitochondrial markers, P. devantieri belongs to the Faviidae-Merulinidae-Pectiniidae-Trachyphylliidae clade (Clade XVII sensu Fukami et al., 2008) and is most closely related to Goniastrea aspera and G. palauensis. The type species of the genus Goniastrea, G. retiformis, however, is not closely related to either G. aspera and G. palauensis, or to P. devantieri. Taxonomic implications of these findings and morphologic affinities between the two species and closely related taxa are discussed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo G. Pileggi ◽  
Fernando L. Mantelatto

The genus Macrobrachium Bate, 1868 is one of the best examples of widespread crustacean genera distributed globally throughout tropical and subtropical waters. Previous investigators have noted the systematic complexity of the group, and have suggested rearrangements within the family Palaemonidae. Our phylogenetic analysis of new mitochondrial DNA sequences of 58 species of Macrobrachium distributed mainly in America support the hypothesis of monophyly of this genus, if Cryphiops Dana, 1852 is accepted as a generic synonym. We concluded that the independent evolution of different types of life cycle (abbreviated larval development – ALD and extended larval development – ELD) must have occurred more than once in the history of the group. Similarly, we also concluded that the current type species of the genus, Macrobrachium americanum Bate, 1868, should not be considered valid, as previously proposed. The synonymy of two members of the ‘olfersi’ species complex (M. birai Lobão, Melo & Fernandes, 1986 and M. holthuisi Genofre & Lobão, 1978) with M. olfersi (Wiegmann, 1836) was confirmed. Similar results were found in comparing M. petronioi Melo, Lobão & Fernandes, 1986 and M. potiuna (Müller, 1880), in which the genetic divergence placed M. petronioi within the level of intraspecific variation of M. potiuna. The taxonomic status of the genus Cryphiops, as well as theories on the origin of Macrobrachium, is also called into question.


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4434 (2) ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
ERNESTO CAMPOS

Crabs of the family Pinnotheridae have been considered a phylogenetically heterogeneous group and taxonomically problematic (Palacios-Theil 2009, 2016; Tsang et al. 2018). The lack of knowledge of sexual dimorphism and morphological variation throughout the life history for many species have complicated its taxonomy and has resulted in errors in its classification (Campos 1989, 1993, 2016). Consequently, if the taxonomy of these symbiotic crabs had been based on juveniles and undeveloped character states, the problems get even more serious (Campos 1989, 1993). Melzer & Schwabe (2008) studied three juvenile crabs living in the chiton Tonicia chilensis (Frembly, 1827) (Polyplacophora: Chitonidae) collected in Muelle Dichato, Chile, and they identified them as the putative invasive stage of a species of Orthotheres Sakai, 1969. The crabs are of the typical juvenile pinnotherid form with a masculine habitus, including a suborbicular carapace, large eyes and a slender pleon (= abdomen) with the telson well defined (Ocampo et al. 2017). Unpublished observations on juveniles and adults of several species of pinnotherid crabs by the author, for example, Juxtafabia muliniarum (Rathbun, 1918), Dissodactylus lockingtoni Glassell, 1935, D. xantusi Glassell, 1936, Calyptraeotheres granti (Glassell, 1933), Austinotheres angelicus (Lockington, 1877) and Tumidotheres margarita (Smith, 1870) have revealed that the third maxilliped exhibit little morphological variation through the post-larval stages of development (from juvenile to adult). This appendage, including the partial or total fusion of the ischium and merus (Fig. 1A–G; Fig 2A, C–G), has been considered a valuable feature for distinguishing genera in the family Pinnotheridae (Bürger 1895; Rathbun 1918; Manning 1993; Ahyong & Ng 2007; Campos 2009). According to Melzer & Schwabe (2008) the ischium and merus of the third maxilliped are completely fused, the carpus is larger than the propodus and the small dactylus is subterminally inserted on the propodus (Fig 1C), and as such the juveniles studied are possibly members of the genus Orthotheres Sakai, 1969. A detailed re-examination of the third maxilliped, chela of pereiopod 1 (cheliped) and pleon, however, has shown otherwise. Campos (1989) discussed the taxonomy of Orthotheres and treated all the species he recognised as belonging to this genus; characterising its members by its diagnostic third maxilliped palp structure. Ng & Ho (2014) rediagnosed the genus based on the type species, O. turboe Sakai, 1969, from Japan, and restricted it for three Indo-West Pacific species; commenting that the American species as well as some Indo-West Pacific taxa will need to referred to other genera when a full revision is done. This revision is now in progress by the author, PKL Ng and ST Ahyong. Until the revision is complete, the genus is treated here in the broader sense of Campos (1989) and Geiger & Martin (1999). 


Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 321 (3) ◽  
pp. 254 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHENG-NAN ZHANG ◽  
KEVIN D. HYDE ◽  
E.B. GARETH JONES ◽  
RATCHADAWAN CHEEWANGKOON ◽  
SARANYAPHAT BOONMEE ◽  
...  

A non-lichenized Trypetheliaceae species was collected and isolated from dead bark of Pandanus tectorius in Chanthaburi, Thailand. Morphological features of the fungus places it in the genus Novomicrothelia. Phylogenetic analyses of LSU sequence data showed that the fungus clustered together with Novomicrothelia oleosa and formed a well-supported basal clade in the family Trypetheliaceae. The fungus is phylogenetically distinct from the type species N. oleosa, and herein we introduce this taxon as Novomicrothelia pandanicola sp. nov. The new species shares similar ascomatal morphology and trabeculate pseudoparaphyses with N. oleosa, but differs in its muriform ascospores with a gelatinous sheath. Novomicrothelia pandanicola is described, illustrated and notes on its phylogenetic placement are provided.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1413 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
TERRY A. WHEELER

Medeventor gen. n. is described for the type species Medeventor nubosus sp. n. (type locality: Costa Rica: Monteverde). Medeventor is distinguished from other Oscinellinae on the basis of a large, extensively setulose body, reduced cephalic and thoracic setae, a broad but weak facial carina and broad rugose gena. It appears to be most closely related to the Old World genera Lipara Meigen and Pseudeurina de Meijere. Oscinicita gen. n. is described for the type species Oscinicita hansoni sp. n. (type locality: Costa Rica: San Pedro de la Tigra). Oscinicita is distinguished by its minute size, reduced wing venation and structure of the gena, face and frons. Its phylogenetic placement within the family is unknown.


Author(s):  
Roberto Alvarez

I utilize my situated position as anthropologist, academician, and citizen to argue not only that we should “think” California, but also that we should “rethink” our state—both its condition and its social cartography. To be clear, I see all my research and endeavors—my research on the US/Mexico border; my time among the markets and entrepreneurs I have worked and lived with; my focus on those places in which I was raised: Lemon Grove, Logan Heights; the family network and my community ethnographic work—as personal. I am in this academic game and the telling of our story because it is personal. When Lemon Grove was segregated, it was about my family; when Logan Heights was split by the construction of Interstate 5 and threatened by police surveillance, it was about our community; when the border was sanctioned and militarized it again was about the communities of which I am a part. A rethinking California is rooted in the experience of living California, of knowing and feeling the condition and the struggles we are experiencing and the crises we have gone through. We need to rethink California, especially the current failure of the state. This too is ultimately personal, because it affects each and every one of us, especially those historically unrepresented folks who have endured over the decades.


2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-173
Author(s):  
A.P. Kassatkina

Resuming published and own data, a revision of classification of Chaetognatha is presented. The family Sagittidae Claus & Grobben, 1905 is given a rank of subclass, Sagittiones, characterised, in particular, by the presence of two pairs of sac-like gelatinous structures or two pairs of fins. Besides the order Aphragmophora Tokioka, 1965, it contains the new order Biphragmosagittiformes ord. nov., which is a unique group of Chaetognatha with an unusual combination of morphological characters: the transverse muscles present in both the trunk and the tail sections of the body; the seminal vesicles simple, without internal complex compartments; the presence of two pairs of lateral fins. The only family assigned to the new order, Biphragmosagittidae fam. nov., contains two genera. Diagnoses of the two new genera, Biphragmosagitta gen. nov. (type species B. tarasovi sp. nov. and B. angusticephala sp. nov.) and Biphragmofastigata gen. nov. (type species B. fastigata sp. nov.), detailed descriptions and pictures of the three new species are presented.


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