Notes on the genus Messageria Bavay & Dautzenberg, 1904, with descriptions of a new species and a new subspecies (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Cyclophoroidea: Alycaeidae)

In this study, the systematic status of Messageria Bavay & Dautzenberg, 1904 is discussed. It is recognized as an alycaeid genus, rather than as a subgenus or a junior synonym of Helicomorpha Möllendorff, 1890 (Diplommatinidae) as previously thought. Additionally, a new species, Messageria sinica n. sp. from Guizhou, and a new subspecies, Messageria scalarioides donghiana n. ssp. from Guangxi are described. Messageria scalarioides donghiana n. ssp. is morphologically different from the nominate subspecies by the larger shell and wider lower whorls and umbilicus. Messageria sinica n. sp. is morphologically different from the type species by having larger shell and distinct intermediate ribs.

Anoectochilus medogensis (Goodyerinae, Cranichideae, Orchidaceae), a new species from Tibet, China

Based on field observations and examination of preserved specimens, Anoectochilus medogensis is described as a new species from Tibet, China. Phylogenetic evidence using combined plastid regions (matK, trnL-F and rbcL) further supports the systematic status of A. medogensis. A detailed morphological description, photographic plates and line drawings, as well as conservation assessment are also provided for this new species.

Systematic status of the rare Himalayan wolf snake Lycodon mackinnoni Wall, 1906 (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Lycodon mackinnoni is a poorly known Himalayan endemic snake known from Western Himalaya. Since the original description of L. mackinnoni almost 112 years ago, this species was not reported from its type locality and its phylogenetic position remain unknown. We herein, provide detail morphological description, comparison with type material, phylogenetic relationship with its congeners and new natural history information.

The systematic status of the Libyan bats of the genus Plecotus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

This paper briefly reviews the taxonomic history of the Plecotus kolombatovici complex, the bat populations which occur in isolated ranges surrounding the Mediterraean Basin, including Maghreb, Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, Anatolia, Balkans, and Italy, plus numerous Mediterranean islands. Since this complex exhibts genetic characters close to Plecotus teneriffae from the Canary Islands, the samples of the complex from Cyrenaica (NE Libya) were described as a subspecies P. teneriffae gaisleri. However, this name was later used for all populations of the complex inhabiting North Africa as P. gaisleri, a full species separated from P. kolombatovici. However, the available results of molecular genetic analyses of the complex support the opinion that these allopatric populations are conspecific and referrable to P. kolombatovici and reopens the question regarding the systematic status of P. teneriffae.

Two new species of freshwater crabs of the genera Eosamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 and Indochinamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Potamidae) from southern Yunnan, China

Two new species of potamid crabs, Eosamon daiaesp. nov. and Indochinamon malipoensesp. nov. are described from the Sino-Burmese border, southwestern Yunnan and from the Sino-Vietnamese border, southeastern Yunnan, China. The two new species can be distinguished from their closest congeners by several characters, among which is the form of the first gonopod structures. Molecular analyses based on partial mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences also support the systematic status of these new taxa.

Re-evaluation of the taxonomic and systematic status of “Halitherium” antillense Matthew, 1916 (Mammalia, Sirenia)

Halitherium antillense Matthew, 1916 was established on a left mandibular fragment and two vertebrae from late Oligocene deposits of Puerto Rico. This species was only provisionally referred to the genus Halitherium and its taxonomic status and systematic affinities remained doubtful. In the course of the revision of the Halitherium-species complex and the meanwhile invalid generic name “Halitherium”, the holotype, and only known specimen, is re-investigated. A number of morphological characters usually diagnostic in sirenians are determined. However, the holotype material of “H.” antillense is not informative enough and, as such, neither can be assigned to any known species nor is it possible to define a taxon that can be clearly distinguished from other species. Unlike other, now revised species originally grouped under “Halitherium”, the establishment of a new taxonomic combination for “H.” antillense is not possible. As a nomenclatural consequence, the name “H.” antillense is only applicable to a single specimen, the holotype, and declared as a nomen dubium.

On the systematic status of Calliophis macclellandi nigriventer Wall, 1908 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae)

Sinomicrurus macclellandi (Reinhardt, 1844) is a species of coral snakes distributed across the forests of Southeast Asia and the Himalayas. The species exhibits distinct forms across its range, and it has been classified into four subspecies. Calliophis macclellandi nigriventer Wall, 1908 a population from Western Himalayas, which was described as a variety, has not been attended to until now. Our study of a recently collected specimen from near Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India and existing museum material has allowed us to assess the validity of this population based on molecular and morphological data and has given us enough evidence to suggest its elevation to a species rank. Sinomicrurus nigriventer comb. nov. was found to be embedded within a clade comprising S. peinani, but not S. macclellandi s. l., with a genetic distance of 7–16% from its congeners. Morphologically, it differs from its congeners in having a reddish brown dorsum and a mid-dorsal black vertebral strip extending from the nape to the vent and with three thin bands on the tail, belly white with black smear up to the vent, tail dorsum with a few band-like blotches, and males with 230–235 ventral scales.

On systematic status of Spindasis syama Horsfield, [1829] in Taiwan and the Philippines (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Aphnaeini)

Based upon both morphological and gene barcode evidence, the population of Spindasis syama in Taiwan is described as Spindasis syama lamuae, ssp. nov., and the taxon negrita Felder, 1862 is revised as a species endemic to the Philippines (stat. rev.).