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Species of the genus Eubranchus Forbes, 1838 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) are common faunistic elements of boreal benthic ecosystems, associated with hydroid communities. Recent studies have suggested that the widely distributed trans-Arctic E. rupium (Møller, 1842) constitutes a complex of at least three candidate species, but the detailed taxonomy of the complex remains unresolved. The purpose of the present paper is to conduct an integrative taxonomic study including molecular genetic methods (a phylogenetic analysis using COI , 16S rRNA and histone H3 with application of species delimitation methods) and morphological study (light and scanning electron microscopy) of E. rupium and closely related species. The specific aims of this study were to establish the species boundaries, morphological variability, and the phylogeographic structure within this group. The phylogeographic analysis included a TCS -based network analysis, an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), divergence time estimations, and ancestral area reconstructions. We demonstrate that specimens initially identified as E. rupium included three distinctive species: the nominal E. rupium with an amphiboreal range, the new species Eubranchus novik sp. nov. from the Sea of Japan, for which a taxonomic description is provided in this paper, and Eubranchus sp. from the northern Kuril Islands, which requires the collection and study of additional material for formal description. Our results confirm the amphiboreal distribution of E. rupium , as no geographic structure was found across Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic populations, and the results of the AMOVA analysis showed no differences between groups of samples from different geographic regions. The divergence of the ' Eubrancus rupium species complex' is estimated from the late Miocene or the Miocene–Pliocene boundary to the late Pliocene. It is hypothesised that the most probable ancestral region for the Eubranchus rupium species complex is the north-western Pacific, and the subsequent speciation likely occurred due to dispersal followed by allopatric speciation. ZooBank: Species of the genus Eubranchus Forbes, 1838 are common in boreal benthic ecosystems. Recent studies suggest the trans-Arctic Eubranchus rupium (Møller, 1842) is a species complex. This paper conducts an integrative taxonomic study of Eubranchus rupium and related species, confirming its amphiboreal distribution. The divergence of the species complex is estimated from the late Miocene or the Miocene–Pliocene boundary to the late Pliocene with the north-western Pacific as the probable ancestral region, followed by dispersal and allopatric speciation. (Image credit: Darya Grishina.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In highly specialised phytophagous insects, important insights on phylogeny of the involved insect group can be often inferred from the evolutionary history of their host plants, and vice-versa, as in the case for a new, peculiar species of pollen beetles, recently discovered in Central China (Hubei Province). This new species is described herein as Teucriogethes huangae Liu & Audisio, sp. nov., and information on its ecology and systematic position is provided. The new species, associated as larvae with a strongly isolated member of the genus Teucrium L. (Lamiaceae), T. ornatum Hemsl., exhibiting a problematic taxonomic position, represents in turn an isolated and morphologically rather aberrant taxon in its lineage, probably the largest in size (2.2–2.8 mm), and the first endemic representative of its genus in the whole Eastern Palaearctic. An updating of the taxonomic assessment of members of Teucriogethes and on possible evolutionary relationships with their larval host plants, based on an integrative taxonomy approach, is finally presented. A key to identification of all known species is also introduced. ZooBank: Pollen beetles of the genus Teucriogethes (Meligethinae) are strictly associated with the flowers of germanders, Teucrium (Lamiaceae). We analysed and described a new species, Teucriogethes huangae , recently discovered in Central China, associated as larvae with a strongly isolated member of Teucrium , T. ornatum. The new species occupies an isolated position inside Teucriogethes revealed by combining both morphological and molecular analyses, as well as bionomical data. This paper provides a significant contribution to many important evolutionary and taxonomical aspects of Teucriogethes. (Image credit: Meike Liu, Simone Sabatelli and Paolo Audisio.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fine-scale phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis of Peripatopsis lawrencei s.l. was conducted with both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data, using both external morphology and scanning electron microscopy of taxonomically important characters. A total of 119 sequences were used for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) whereas a single representative specimen from each locality was sequenced for the nuclear 18S rRNA locus. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on the total COI data set and the combined COI + 18S rRNA data set using a Bayesian analysis and maximum likelihood analyses. For the combined DNA sequence data set, a divergence time estimation was further undertaken in BEAST and specimens placed in a phylogenetic framework including all the described Peripatopsis species from South Africa. In addition, a phylogeographic study was conducted exclusively on P. lawrencei s.s. (clade A) using an analysis of molecular variance and haplotype network. Phylogenetic results indicated that, at the Oubos sample locality, two highly distinct genetic lineages were present (clades A and B), whereas a divergence time estimation suggests a Miocene cladogenesis of the novel Oubos lineage. Marked phylogeographic structure was observed for P. lawrencei s.s. (restricted to clade A) across the distribution range with limited maternal dispersal. Morphologically, the two sympatric lineages at Oubos A and B differed in leg pair number, ventral colour and dorsal scale rank counts, as evident from scanning electron microscopy. Our results support the recognition of a distinct species that occurs in sympatry with P. lawrencei s.s. The new species , P. aereus sp. nov. (clade B) is described and the implication for fine-scale taxonomic studies on saproxylic taxa is discussed. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AB6E0BDA-7B5F-4FD3-A863-BA7C814E278C Velvet worms are soft-bodied organisms, where crypticity and habitat complexity have created poor taxonomic delineations. This study aims to contribute to the taxonomic revisions through the identification of an undescribed ancient novel lineage living in sympatry, at the Riviersonderend Mountains at Oubos, with the known Peripatopsis lawrencei. In this study, we discovered a new velvet worm species, P. aureus sp. nov., and this is described in this paper. (Photograph by Prof. M. D. Picker.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among octocorals, colonies of the deep-sea pennatulacean genus Umbellula Gray, 1870 are some of the most instantly recognisable forms. Historically however, species identification in this genus has been usually based on few morphological characters with very little knowledge of associated intraspecific variability. This fact, combined with the very limited access to these deep-sea organisms, has resulted in numerous uncertainties about the true characters that should be used in species determination and recognition of synonyms and questionable species. Recent phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers has shown to be an excellent complementary source of information to morphological examination, being able to detect incongruent taxonomic assignments in classifications based only on morphological characters. Molecular analyses can reveal the presence of paraphyletic or polyphyletic groupings of taxa that may then be the subject of further research integrating morphological and molecular techniques. This paper addresses the existence of a set of specimens initially assigned to the genus Umbellula Gray, 1870 but that have been shown to be distantly related to the type species Umbellula encrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) based on molecular phylogenetic hypotheses. Phylogenetic analyses based on four genetic markers, three mitochondrial (mtMutS , ND2 , Cox1) and one nuclear (28S), validate the definition of a new family (Pseudumbbellulidae fam. nov.) and two new genera (Pseudumbbellula gen. nov. and Solumbellula gen. nov). These analyses also justify the segregation of some of the morphological characters previously included in the diagnosis of the genus Umbellula and the monotypic family Umbellulidae Kölliker, 1880. Moreover, a new species, Pseudumbbellula scotiae sp. nov. is described and illustrated with material from the North Eastern Atlantic and compared with congeners. Additionally, the well-known but atypical species Umbellula monocephalus Pasternak, 1964 is transferred and described here as Solumbellula monocephalus (Pasternak, 1964), comb. nov., based on both molecular data and morphology. A phylogenetic analysis based on four genetic markers segregates material previously considered to belong to the octocoral genus Umbellula into a new family, two new genera and a new species. The complementary use of molecular and morphological data is necessary to disaggregate paraphyletic and polyphyletic groups when detected to understand the evolutionary pathways giving rise to the diversity in this and other groups of taxonomically challenging invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous faunistic and ecological studies have been conducted throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean to assess its biodiversity. Despite the abundance of research, studies on the species that inhabit the Indo-Pacific are still necessary due to its extent and high species richness. The major species richness of the genus Okenia Menke, 1830 (Nudibranchia, Goniodorididae) is found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, including 38 of 60 valid species. Nevertheless, this number does not represent the real biodiversity, since at least 20 more species are already reported in field-guides as undescribed species belonging to this genus. The systematics of the genus Okenia are still unclear since it has been the subject of only a few and incomplete studies. In the present paper, we describe five new Okenia species from the coastlines of Japan, Mozambique and Australia: Okenia aurorapapillata sp. nov., Okenia elisae sp. nov., Okenia nakanoae sp. nov., Okenia siderata sp. nov. and Okenia tenuifibrata sp. nov. Moreover, anatomical details not previously described of Okenia atkinsonorum , Okenia barnardi , Okenia cf. echinata , Okenia hallucigenia , Okenia hiroi , Okenia japonica , Okenia pellucida , Okenia pilosa and Okenia rhinorma are provided. New partial sequences of standard markers (COI , 16S rRNA and H3) were obtained and a phylogenetic analysis that included all species with available data was performed. ZOOBANK urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:28AE2536-A264–4194–8AE3-C430620572E7 Currently, the largest number of known Okenia species are inhabiting the Indo-Pacific. However, ~20 species are still reported as undescribed in field-guides to this genus. In the present paper, we obtain new DNA sequences for Okenia species and study their evolutionary relationships. Moreover, we describe five new Okenia species from the coastlines of Japan, Mozambique and Australia: Okenia aurorapapillata sp. nov., Okenia elisae sp. nov., Okenia nakanae sp. nov., Okenia siderata sp. nov. and Okenia tenuifibrata sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among ~1300 species of world nemerteans, seven species in five genera of lineid heteronemerteans have been known to possess a branched proboscis. In this paper, we describe the eighth branched-proboscis species: Gorgonorhynchus citrinus sp. nov. from Okinawa, Japan. We also report Gorgonorhynchus cf. repens Dakin & Fordham, 1931 with uniformly orange body, as a new member for the Japanese nemertean fauna. We infer the phylogenetic relationships between these forms and other members of Lineidae McIntosh, 1874 for which partial sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, and the nuclear 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and histone H3 genes are available in public databases, along with newly sequenced data of another branched-proboscis heteronemertean, Polydendrorhynchus zhanjiangensis (Yin & Zheng, 1984) from China. In the resulting tree, Gorgonorhychus Dakin & Fordham, 1931 was sister group to non-branched-proboscis Dushia Corrêa, 1963, whereas P. zhanjiangensis was sister group to likewise non-branched-proboscis Cerebratulus lacteus (Leidy, 1851). http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:685992C5-F595-4C28-9178-256D945E595A Among ~1300 species of world nemerteans, seven species in five genera of lineid heteronemerteans have been known to possess a branched proboscis. In this paper, we describe the eighth branched-proboscis species: Gorgonorhynchus citrinus sp. nov. from Okinawa, Japan. We infer the phylogenetic relationships between the genus and other members of Lineidae along with newly sequenced data of another branched-proboscis heteronemertean, Polydendrorhynchus zhanjiangensis (Yin & Zheng, 1984) from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ragged sea hare (Bursatella leachii) and the long-tailed sea hare (Stylocheilus striatus) are two widely distributed species of benthic heterobranch sea slugs. In this paper, integrative taxonomic analyses have been conducted to detect possible cryptic diversity. Our results revealed that both nominal species are actually species complexes, consisting of five genetically distinct taxa. Two of them belong to the genus Bursatella and three to the genus Stylocheilus. The name B. leachii is retained for a widely distributed species, present in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and parts of the Indo-Pacific region. The name B. ocelligera is resurrected for the other species, restricted to the Indo-Pacific and co-occurring with B. leachii in that area. With the present data, it is not possible to test whether B. leachii and B. ocelligera have evolved allopatrically in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific or sympatrically in the latter. Bursatella leachii has been able to maintain gene flow between the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific Oceans, possibly because of a combined effect of the Agulhas Leakage process and the ability to survive the colder waters of South Africa. On the contrary, the three species of Stylocheilus are allopatric; the name S. striatus is retained for an Indo-Pacific species, while the names S. polyomma and S. rickettsi are resurrected for species inhabiting the Western Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific respectively. Finally, the discovery of a museum specimen mistakenly identified as B. leachii , but bearing a shell in its adult form, led to the resurrection of the genus Phycophila , previously synonymised with Aplysia. Phycophila euchlora , the only species described to date, is distributed in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean. In this study, we analysed specimens of two species of pantropical sea slugs, Bursatella leachii and Stylocheilus striatus , comparing morphology and DNA sequences of individuals across all the distributional range. Our results reveal that there are two distinct Bursatella species and three distinct species of Stylocheilus , which we formally redescribed in this paper. An additional genus, Phycophilla , discovered from a previously misidentified specimen, was resurrected from synonymy in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triaenonychidae is a family of Opiliones with almost 500 described species distributed in the southern continents. Recent work has provided a solid phylogenetic foundation based on Sanger and ultraconserved element molecular sequence data that resulted in a global reorganisation of the family. In this study, we turn to the South American triaenonychids, aggregating sequences of three markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I), re-examining the position of additional South American species and confirming the existence of a new genus. We provide novel information regarding the external morphology of 10 of the 11 South American genera of Triaenonychidae, based on stereomicroscope and SEM images of the body and genitalia. In addition, a new genus Adrianonyx gen. nov. and two new species, Adrianonyx contulmo sp. nov. from the Monumento Natural Contulmo (Chile) and Adrianonyx crypticus sp. nov. from the Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta (Chile) are described. Triaenonychidae is a family of Opiliones distributed in the southern continents. In this paper we focused on the South American triaenonychids, aggregating sequences of three markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I), re-examining the position of additional South American species. In addition, we describe a new genus Adrianonyx gen. nov. and two new species, Adrianonyx contulmo sp. nov. from the Monumento Natural Contulmo and Adrianonyx crypticus sp. nov. from the Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta, are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Haloa includes dull-coloured species of haminoeid snails inhabiting tidal and shallow waters of the tropical and sub-tropical Indo-West Pacific. This paper reports on the diversity and systematics of Haloa based on the phylogenetic hypothesis generated by Oskars and Malaquias (2019) and on the morphological study of specimens. Shells, external features and anatomical characters from the jaws, radula, gizzard plates and male reproductive system were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The molecular species delimitation method Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery, using DNA sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, was implemented to aid delimiting candidate species. Thirteen species were recognised as valid, including two new to science, namely Haloa cobbi, sp. nov. and Haloa eora, sp. nov., and one unnamed species herein referred to as Haloa sp. 1. Species depict intraspecific variability in their colouration and little character displacement in their anatomy. Shells are of limited taxonomic use; only details of the male reproductive system (e.g. fundus) and the DNA were truly diagnostic. Three species have an Indo-West Pacific distribution and three are restricted to the Indian Ocean. The remaining seven species occur in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, three of them having geographical ranges restricted to offshore islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyphalonotus is a poorly studied Old World araneid spider genus of which the phylogenetic proximity remains unknown due to the paucity of morphological and molecular data. We test the phylogenetic placement and the taxonomic composition of Cyphalonotus and place the male and female size variation of Cyphalonotus and related genera in an evolutionary context. Our collection and field observations from Taiwan and China facilitate description of a new and a known species, and original sequence data enable species delimitation and phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic results reject all four classification hypotheses from the literature and instead recover a well-supported clade comprising Cyphalonotus + Poltys. We review the male and female size variation in Cyphalonotus , Poltys and related genera. These data reveal that all known species of Poltys are extremely sexually size dimorphic (eSSD = females over twice the size of males) reaching values exceeding 10-fold differences, whereas Cyphalonotus and other genera in phylogenetic proximity are relatively sexually monomorphic (SSD < 2.0). This confirms an independent origin of eSSD in Poltys , one of multiple convergent evolutionary outcomes in orbweb spiders. This paper reports on the taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution of a cryptic and poorly studied spider genus Cyphalonotus of the family Araneidae. We describe a new species from Taiwan and our results support the sister relationship between Cyphalonotus and Poltys. Our study reveals an independent origin of extreme sexual size dimorphism (eSSD) in Poltys , a convergent evolutionary phenomenon that has perplexed researchers for centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only seven frenulate species are currently known along the Eurasian coast of the Arctic Ocean. We describe a new genus and a new species of frenulates Crispabrachia yenisey , gen. nov. et sp. nov. The morphological analysis involved standard anatomical techniques, semithin sections and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The molecular study included four markers (partial COI , 16S , 18S and 28S) and implemented Bayesian and Maximum likelihood phylogenetic approaches. The description of Crispabrachia gen. nov. is the first documented finding of frenulates in the Kara Sea at the estuary of the Yenisey River in rather shallow water (28 m). The establishment of a new genus is warranted based on the composition of morphological characters and several specific features including free, comparatively short curly tentacles, a triangular cephalic lobe with amplate base, the valvate extension of the posterior part of the forepart and prominent papillae on the nonmetameric region. The tube structure with prominent frills and the worm's numerous tentacles, metameric papillae with cuticular plaques and segmental furrow on the forepart indicate that the new genus belongs to the polybrachiid group. Although the type locality in the Yenisey River estuary is unusual for siboglinids in general, the physical conditions here are common for other frenulates habitats, i.e. salinity ~30–33, bottom water temperature –1.5°C. This finding was made in the Yenisey Gulf in the region with the highest methane concentrations in the southern part of the Kara Sea that reflects permafrost degradation under the influence of river flow. Further study of the region would help to understand the factors influencing frenulate distributions and improve our knowledge of their biodiversity. Only seven frenulate species are currently known along the Eurasian coast of the Arctic Ocean. In this paper, we describe a new genus and a new species of frenulates – Crispabrachia yenisey , gen. nov. et sp. nov. Here we present the morphological analysis of new genus. The molecular study included four markers (partial COI , 16S , 18S and 28S) and implemented Bayesian and Maximum likelihood phylogenetic approaches. The description of Crispabrachia gen. nov. is the first documented finding of frenulates in the Kara Sea at the estuary of the Yenisey River in rather shallow water (28 m). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudospirobolellidae is a poorly known family of spirobolidan millipedes with only two genera and five described species. Yet, the descriptive taxonomy and molecular systematics of this group have been largely neglected. Therefore, the present work presents an integrative taxonomic study of new pseudospirobolellid taxa in Thailand. To this end, two mitochondrial gene fragments (COI and 16S rRNA) combined with morphological characters were used to define the genus Coxobolellus , gen. nov. with 10 new species, viz. C. albiceps , sp. nov., C. compactogonus , sp. nov., C. fuscus , sp. nov., C. nodosus , sp. nov., C. serratus , sp. nov., C. simplex , sp. nov., C. tenebris , sp. nov., C. tigris , sp. nov., C. transversalis , sp. nov. and C. valvatus , sp. nov. The interspecific COI sequence divergences among the new species ranged from 6 to 15%. The intergeneric COI sequence divergence between species of Coxobolellus , gen. nov., Benoitolus birgitae and Pseudospirobolellus sp. ranged from 20 to 23%. Three major morphological differences separate Coxobolellus , gen. nov. from Benoitolus and Pseudospirobolellus , namely (1) the protruding process on the 3rd (and 4th) coxae on male legs, (2) the posterior gonopod telopodite divided into two parts, and (3) a conspicuous opening pore at the mesal margin at the end of the coxal part of the posterior gonopod. Thus, the new genus is well supported by both mtDNA and morphological evidence, while the delimitation of the 10 new species is supported by the congruence between mtDNA and morphological data. Yet, with respect to the relationships of Benoitolus birgitae , morphological data suggest a similarity with Coxobolellus , gen. nov. and Pseudospirobolellus , whereas mtDNA data place this species in the Pachybolidae. Further phylogenetic analyses are needed to explore this apparent incongruence and test the monophyly of Pseudospirobolellidae. This paper reports on the first mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis of south-east Asian pseudospirobolellid millipedes. Combined with morphological data, these mtDNA sequences support the recognition of the new genus Coxobolellus for 10 new species that are described. The analysis also questions the monophyly of Pseudospirobolellidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the systematics of the New Zealand spiders of the family Malkaridae. Malkarids are small araneoid spiders that live primarily in the leaf litter and mosses of temperate and tropical wet forests in Australia and New Zealand, with the exception of a single species in southern South America and another in New Caledonia. We treat the New Zealand species of Malkaridae that are not members of the subfamily Pararchaeinae, a monophyletic group of 11 new species that we classify in 2 new genera (Tingotingo , gen. nov. and Whakamoke , gen. nov.) and a new subfamily (Tingotinginae, subfam. nov.). We describe, diagnose, illustrate and map the distribution of specimen records of these 11 new species of New Zealand Malkaridae: Tingotingo porotiti , sp. nov., T. pouaru , sp. nov., T. tokorera , sp. nov., T. aho , sp. nov., Whakamoke orongorongo , sp. nov.; W. tarakina , sp. nov.; W. guacamole , sp. nov.; W. hunahuna , sp. nov.; W. paoka , sp. nov.; W. heru , sp. nov.; and W. rakiura , sp. nov. We also treat the phylogenetic relationships of Malkaridae and use the results of our previous work on the molecular phylogeny of Araneoidea as the bases for the classification of the family. Tingotingo , gen. nov. and Whakamoke , gen. nov. are sister clades. Tingotinginae, subfam. nov. is the sister group of the Malkarinae plus Pararchaeinae clade. We further hypothesise and discuss the morphological synapomorphies of Malkaridae, Tingotinginae, subfam. nov. and the two new genera. This study addresses the systematics of Malkaridae in New Zealand. We describe 2 new genera and 11 new species from New Zealand, and provide an overview of the systematics of the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrotricha is a cosmopolitan phylum of aquatic and semi-terrestrial invertebrates that comprises ~820 described species. To date, freshwater gastrotrichs have not been the subject of faunistic or taxonomic research in the polar regions. In this paper, we present the first species-level description of a freshwater gastrotrich from the Arctic (Svalbard Archipelago). Evidence from morphology, morphometry and molecular analyses reveals that the species represents a new genus in Chaetonotidae: Bifidochaetus arcticus, gen. et sp. nov. Taking into consideration many morphological similarities to Chaetonotus (Primochaetus) veronicae Kånneby, 2013 we propose to include C. (P.) veronicae in the newly established genus under the new combination Bifidochaetus veronicae (Kånneby, 2013), comb. nov. In the phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence data, B. arcticus, gen. et sp. nov. is nested within the family Chaetonotidae, as the sister group to the genus Lepidochaetus Kisielewski, 1991. In this paper we also present new taxonomic characters useful for gastrotrich taxonomy: the pharynx-to-intestine length ratio (I) and the spine bifurcation ratio (B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uropygi is an order of arachnids commonly known as vinegaroons or whip-scorpions. So far, two genera are known to occur in Brazil: Thelyphonellus Pocock, 1894 and Mastigoproctus Pocock, 1894. We examined the morphology of 182 specimens of Brazilian Mastigoproctus and sequenced 42 specimens for phylogenetic analyses, using mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers. Phylogenetic inference was performed under maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Our results suggest that the Brazilian species previously included in Mastigoproctus represent two different genera, with the following species and synonymies: the revalidated Amauromastigon Mello-Leitão, 1931, composed of A. maximus (Tarnani, 1889), comb. nov. (= Mastigoproctus annectens Werner, 1916, M. butleri Pocock, 1894 and M. perditus Mello-Leitão, 1931), and Heptatarsus gen. nov., composed of H. brasilianus (Koch, 1843), comb. nov. (= Mastigoprotus minensis Mello-Leitão, 1931) and H. custodioi sp. nov. Also, we urge caution when using certain morphological characters when describing uropygid taxa based on specimens in early developmental stages. ZooBank: The arachnid order Uropygi has never been subjected to phylogenetic research. We perform the first systematic revision and molecular phylogenetic analysis of Uropygi, focusing on the Brazilian genera Thelyphonellus and Mastigoproctus. Our study indicates that Mastigoproctus actually comprises two different genera: the revalidated genus Amauromastigon with a single species, and a new genus Heptatarsus with two species, increasing the number of Brazilian uropygid genera to three. Additionally, we identify ontogenetically variable morphological characters and caution their use in uropygid systematics. (Image credit: Daniel Castro-Pereira.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superfamily Mantispoidea (Insecta: Neuroptera) includes the families Berothidae, Rhachiberothidae and Mantispidae. Among these taxa, the last two are collectively known as Raptorial Mantispoidea due to the presence of grasping forelegs for predatory habits. The Mantispidae classically included the subfamilies Symphrasinae, Drepanicinae, Calomantispinae and Mantispinae, yet recent research challenged this classification scheme as well as the monophyly of this family resulting in Symphrasinae being transferred to Rhachiberothidae. The phylogenetic position of the subfamily Symphrasinae within Mantispoidea is here inferred based on total evidence analysis combining three genes (COI , 16S and 18S) and 72 morphological characters scored from living representatives of all Mantispidae subfamilies (12 genera), the 3 genera of Symphrasinae, and Rhachiberothinae (1 genus). Representatives of Berothidae (four genera) and Hemerobiidae (one genus) were used as outgroup taxa. Results of the total evidence analysis were compared with parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of the morphological and molecular datasets of the COI , 16S and 18S genes. The resultant phylogeny under total evidence recovered Rhachiberothidae as a monophyletic group with strong support in which Symphrasinae was found as sister to Rhachiberothinae. The three genera contained in Symphrasinae, i.e. Anchieta , Plega and Trichoscelia were each recovered as monophyletic in the parsimony analysis, with Anchieta as sister to Trichoscelia + Plega. The family Mantispidae was also recovered as monophyletic and sister to Rhachiberothidae, with Mantispinae as sister to Calomantispinae + Drepanicinae. Evolution of the raptorial condition in Mantispoidea is discussed based on the performed analyses. The morphology and the structure of the raptorial foreleg and the prothorax (i.e. the raptorial system) support the close relationship of Symphrasinae with Rhachiberothinae rather than to other Mantispidae subfamilies which possess a distinctive and well-differentiated raptorial apparatus. The Rhachiberothidae (including Symphrasinae) are distinguished by the presence of a foretarsal Stitz organ. Furthermore, a sit-and-wait predatory strategy is hypothesised for this taxon, whereas the Mantispidae are likely sophisticated active-ambushing predators. Phylogenetic relationships within Symphrasinae and between mantispoid subfamilies are poorly understood because of the evolutionary influence of raptorial feeding on morphology. The raptorial condition has been interpreted as a synapomorphy of Raptoneuroptera or a homoplasy of Berothidae and Rhachiberothidae. Phylogenetic affinities of Symphrasinae are investigated using 3 genes and 72 newly interpreted morphological characters. We found support for monophyly of Raptoneuroptera, with Rhachiberothidae and Mantispidae as sister groups, and Symphrasinae (Rhachiberothidae) comprising Anchieta as sister to Trichoscelia + Plega. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have proposed different biogeographic patterns of intertidal Diaulota and marine littoral Psammostiba along the Pacific coasts of the Northern Hemisphere. To compare the biogeographic patterns of different lineages of aleocharine beetles and explore the recurrent patterns among them, we studied coastal Adota , with a distribution range almost identical to those of Diaulota and Psammostiba. We performed phylogenetic analysis of the marine littoral Adota occurring on the Pacific coasts of the Northern Hemisphere using molecular characters (5188 bp: ~1452 bp of COI , ~404 bp of COII , ~475 bp of 16S , ~879 bp of 18S , ~973 bp of 28S , ~542 bp of EF1-α and ~463 bp of Wg) to discuss their phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic patterns. The data were analysed using parsimony (PA), Bayesian (BA) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. The genus Adota and clade A with the same patterns of relationships (A. sinanensis ((A. elongata + A. koreana) (A. magnipennis + A. ushio))), were strongly supported as monophyletic in all analyses. The PA, BA and ML analyses yielded different species relationships in clade B: (A. kamchatkaensis (A. namhae + A. maritima)) in the ML tree using IQ-TREE2 , (A. namhae (A. kamchatkaensis + A. maritima)) in the BA and RAxML trees and unresolved polytomy in the PA tree. Our results suggest that the ancestors of Adota were widespread along the East Asian coasts (North and South Korea, Japan, and Kamchatka, Russia). Subsequently, Adota species expanded their range and underwent vicariance between South Korea and Japan and Russia (Kamchatka). Later, another dispersal event occurred from South Korea and Japan to North America and a vicariance event occurred between South Korea and Japan, and North America. Adota have similar biogeographical patterns to Psammostiba , probably because they occupy the same microhabitats and have similar biological characteristics. The findings demonstrate the importance of microhabitats and biological traits in the study of biogeographic patterns of marine coastal insects. Here, we present the results of the first phylogenetic and biogeographical analysis of the marine littoral Adota on the Pacific coasts of the Northern Hemisphere. The biogeographic patterns were compared with those of different lineages of aleocharine beetles with different microhabitats. Reconstructions of the ancestral areas suggest that the common ancestor of Adota occurred widely along the East Asian coasts. Both dispersal and vicariance were important in shaping the current distribution. (Image credit: Jong-Keun Jung and Kee-Jeong Ahn.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater bivalves (Bivalvia, Unionida, Unionidae) are among the most threatened groups of animals in the world. Taxonomic uncertainties pose a particular challenge due to significant intraspecific variation and apparent plasticity in shell morphology among these species, impeding efficient conservation planning and management. The species Unio szechenyii that is endemic to China has long been regarded as a synonym for Cuneopsis heudei due to the high convergence in shell morphology. The recently validated species Middendorffinaia mongolica is currently restricted to the Amur Basin and Primorye in eastern Russia. This species is classified under the tribe Middendorffinaiini of the subfamily Unioninae within the family Unionidae based on multilocus phylogeny. However, the lack of comprehensive taxonomic information and sufficient molecular phylogenetic data casts uncertainty on the validity and taxonomic status of these two species. We aim to reassess the validity of Unio szechenyii and confirm the taxonomic status of Middendorffinaia mongolica , a new record for China, by integrating taxonomy with robust mitochondrial phylogenomics. We support the validity of Unio szechenyii and propose a recombination as Cuneopsis szechenyii comb. nov. by integrating shell morphometry, soft-body anatomy and molecular evidence. By determination of the mitochondrial genome of Cuneopsis szechenyii , Cuneopsis kiangsiensis , Middendorffinaia mongolica and Pseudocuneopsis wuana , we elucidate intrageneric relationships within the genera Cuneopsis and Pseudocuneopsis. In addition, based on the updated consensus taxonomic framework including tribes and subtribes in Unioninae, mitochondrial phylogenomics strongly support the transfer of Middendorffinaia mongolica from the tribe Middendorffinaiini to the tribe Unionini and classification under the subtribe Middendorffinaiina stat. rev. ZooBank: The maternal mitochondrial genomes of Unio szechenyii , Cuneopsis kiangsiensis , Middendorffinaia mongolica and Pseudocuneopsis wuana are sequenced. The validity of Unio szechenyii , previously considered a synonym of Cuneopsis heudei , is supported by the integration of conchometry, soft-body anatomy and molecular evidence, and a recombination as Cuneopsis szechenyii comb. nov. is proposed. The intrageneric relationships within the genera Cuneopsis and Pseudocuneopsis are elucidated based on the mitochondrial phylogenomics. Middendorffinaia mongolica , a new record for China, is proposed for transfer from the tribe Middendorffinaiini to the tribe Unionini and classification under the subtribe Middendorffinaiina stat. rev. (Image credit: Ruiwen Wu.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mirid subfamily Orthotylinae is hyperdiverse in Australia but poorly described; this work is part of a series of papers on the documentation of this fauna. Two new species of the Australian endemic plant bug genus Myrtlemiris Cheng, Mututantri & Cassis (Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae: Orthotylini) are described as new to science: Myrtlemiris kararensis , sp. nov., and M. lochada , sp. nov. The new Australian genus and species Neomyrtlemiris picta gen. nov. et sp. nov. are also described. Myrtlemiris is analysed phylogenetically using 32 morphology-based characters, as well as molecular alignments (COI , 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA ; including 1958 base pairs) with the genus found to be monophyletic based on molecular, morphological and combined analyses. Neomyrtlemiris is the sister to Myrtlemiris. Host plant association analysis demonstrated constraints to the myrtaceous tribe Chamelaucieae, with Malleostemon and Calytrix recovered as ancestral host plants. Ancestral state reconstructions were carried out on male genitalic structures, demonstrating the phylogenetic value of endosomal spicules. This work demonstrates that the Orthotylinae are a rich component of Australia's biodiversity, particularly in the south-west of Western Australia. This work continues documentation of the Australian mirid tribe Orthotylinae, a fauna that was virtually undescribed 20 years ago. Two new species of the genus of Myrtlemiris from Western Australia, and a new genus and new species (Neomyrtlemiris picta), all of which were collected during the Bush Blitz program, are described. This work also includes a combined molecular and morphological phylogeny confirming the monophyly of Myrtlemiris , as well as ancestral state reconstruction of male genitalic characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Australian genus of Orthotylini, Xasmasoma , gen. nov. is described, with 12 new included species: X. acuminatus , sp. nov., X. agana , sp. nov., X. carrollae , sp. nov., X. celiae , sp. nov., X. chamelaucieaphila , sp. nov., X. mareeba , sp. nov., X. mimae , sp. nov., X. mungallala , sp. nov., X. nillinghoo , sp. nov., X. schuhi , sp. nov., X. silveirae , sp. nov. and X. woodstocki , sp. nov. These species were analysed phylogenetically using 25 morphology-based characters and molecular alignments (COI , 16S , 18S and 28S ; 2096 base pairs), with the genus found to be monophyletic based on molecular, morphological and combined analyses. An analysis of host plant associations demonstrated no pattern of co-divergence and limited phylogenetic conservatism, aside from two subclades with respective Calytrix and Myrtaceae preferences. The biogeographic analysis revealed a south-western (South-west Interzone, Western Desert) area relationship, which is in distinction to the orthotyline genus Naranjakotta. The taxonomic component includes an identification key to species and diagnostic characters are illustrated, with detailed documentation of the male genitalia, and the genus uniquely possesses tile-like texture on the apex of the apophysis of the left paramere, and a single endosomal spicule. This paper documents the systematics of a new genus of orthotyline plant bugs, Xasmasoma , and the description of twelve new species. This further demonstrates the hyperdiversity of the family Miridae in Australia, and the biogeographic and host plant drivers of Xasmasoma diversification. The work provides the first molecular sequences of the Australian Orthotylini which corroborate the phylogenetic signal of the male genitalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species constituting the family Echiniscidae are highly derived, armoured and inhabit terrestrial habitats, in contrast to other heterotardigrades that are predominantly marine. The genus Echiniscus C.A.S. Schultze, 1840, nominal for the family Echiniscidae, is currently the most speciose tardigrade genus. However, the great morphological variability, in comparison with other heterotardigrade genera, suggests the polyphyletic character of the genus. Here, we analyse new specimens of Echiniscus pseudelegans Séméria, 1994 collected in Japan and conclude that the species as well as two other related taxa, E. elegans Richters, 1907 and E. latifasciatus Dudichev and Biserov, 2000, represent a new genus, Stellariscus , gen. nov. The new genus is characterised by a mixture of peculiar morphological apomorphies: black eyes, star-like dorsal plate sculpturing, no trunk appendages (only cephalic cirri present), two types of ventral plates, and striking sexual dimorphism in both qualitative and quantitative traits. Morphological phylogeny of the family Echiniscidae suggests a close affinity between Stellariscus , Hypechiniscus Thulin, 1928 and Pseudechiniscus Thulin, 1911. The polyphyletic status of both Echiniscus and Testechiniscus Kristensen, 1987 is also inferred. The taxonomic significance of ventral armature in echiniscid phylogeny and taxonomy is discussed. Many tardigrades can be easily found in garden mosses, but the members of the family Echiniscidae are quite rare, thus poorly known. This paper presents morphological clues for an artificial character of the largest echiniscid genus Echiniscus , by erecting new genus restricted to Asia. Therefore, by demonstrating the value of cuticular pattern in the systematics, further changes can be made to elucidate echiniscid classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apatelodidae is a family of New World bombycoids distributed mainly in the Neotropical region, with 14 genera, 222 valid species and 8 subspecies. These moths are medium-sized with a wingspan ranging from 2 to 8 cm, generally greyish, straw-yellow or reddish-brown, with darker spots and lines on the dorsal side of the wings. We combine adult morphology and molecular data to test, under a probabilistic framework, the monophyly of apatelodid genera and the placement of Tamphana (Bombycidae). We sampled the type species of 12 of the 14 valid genera of Apatelodidae, including the type species of synonymised genera. We sampled ~75% of the species from all valid genera in the family and outgroups from Bombycidae, Brahmaeidae, Eupterotidae and Phiditiidae, totalling 195 terminals. Examination of the specimens resulted in a matrix of 138 morphological characters (116 from male; 22 from female) from the head (7 from male; 1 from female), thorax (37 from male; 4 from female), abdomen (5 from male) and genitalia (66 from male; 17 from female). For the molecular analyses, we used four genes: DDC (647 bp) for 14% of terminals; CAD (2486 bp) for 23% of terminals, Wgl (409 bp) for 38% of terminals and COI (658 bp) for 75% of terminals. Species of Tamphana were recovered in Apatelodidae as two independent clades. The genera Arotros , Crastolliana , Drepatelodes , Pantelodes , and Prothysana were recovered as monophyletic. The remaining apatelodid genera were polyphyletic. We propose a new genus-level classification: Tamphana is transferred to Apatelodidae; 16 new genera are proposed: Aymara gen. nov. , Campesina gen. nov. , Caribas gen. nov. , Cecile gen. nov. , Kaweskar gen. nov. , Lempira gen. nov. , Misak gen. nov. , Mocambo gen. nov. , Nhanderu gen. nov. , Peabiru gen. nov. , Raoni gen. nov. , Tapuia gen. nov. , Tibira gen. nov. , Tupac gen. nov. , Tuyvae gen. nov. and Zapata gen. nov. Two new species are described: Mocambo lauracensis sp. nov. , and Nhanderu takua sp. nov. We revalidate the genus Hygrochroa stat. rev. and three species: Carnotena perlineata stat. rev., Tupac bombycina stat. rev., comb. nov. and Zanola vivax stat. rev. Overall, we propose 82 new generic combinations, synonymise 16 species, and restore the status of 3 species: Apatelodes floramia stat. rest. , Carnotena rectilinea comb. nov. , stat. rest. and Ephoria nubilosa stat. rest. Additionally, we summarise data on the natural history and distribution of each Apatelodidae species. ZooBank: We sampled ~75% of Apatelodidae species from all valid genera and combined morphological and molecular data to test monophyly of its genera. Our findings demonstrate that most Apatelodidae genera, as currently understood, are not monophyletic and revealed that groups of species with similar characters may constitute valid genera. We propose a new genus-level classification for Apatelodidae and include data on its natural history and geographical distribution. (Image credit: Guilherme Fischer.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA-based studies have revealed that the terrestrial water scavenger beetle genus Cercyon Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Sphaeridiinae: Megasternini) is polyphyletic, grouping similarly looking but unrelated species that were not assigned to other genera due to the absence of unusual morphological characters. In this study, we analyse the morphology, DNA data and species diversity of one of the Asian clades of ' Cercyon ' to test whether a natural, phylogeny-based generic classification can be established. We add DNA data (five nuclear and three mitochondrial fragments) for additional species and specimens of the clade to test its monophyly and reveal phylogenetic relationships among species. We perform a detailed morphological study of all species, including SEM micrographs, to reveal synapomorphies of the DNA-based clades. We demonstrate that the lineage, described here as Asiacyon Mai, Jia, Ryndevich & Fikáček, gen. nov., is strongly supported by DNA data, has limited distribution (eastern Asia), and its species share similar biology (inhabiting fresh or decaying plant tissues), though it can be only diagnosed by a combination of plesiomorphic characters. A detailed treatment is provided for the Chinese species, including species diagnoses, illustrations of habitus and male genitalia, (re)descriptions and a key to species. A total of 14 Chinese species are recognised, of which 11 are described as new: Asiacyon pax sp. nov. (Guangdong, Hong Kong, Hunan), A. pseudincretus sp. nov. (Anhui, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Zhejiang), A. vicincretus sp. nov. (Guangdong, Guangxi), A. zhengyucheni sp. nov. (Yunnan), A. huilanae sp. nov. (Yunnan), A. cornipenis sp. nov. (Yunnan), A. belousovi sp. nov. (Yunnan), A. liangchengi sp. nov. (Yunnan), A. paraequalis sp. nov. (Yunnan), A. pengzhongi sp. nov. (Hunan) and A. xiuzhenae sp. nov. (Hainan, Yunnan). Three Chinese species previously classified in Cercyon are transferred to Asiacyon : A. incretus (d'Orchymont, 1941), comb. nov., A. primoricus (Ryndevich & Prokin, 2017), comb. nov. (newly recorded from China) and A. indicus (d'Orchymont, 1926), comb. nov. (newly recorded from China and Laos). Additionally, seven Asian species previously classified in Cercyon are transferred to Asiacyon based on their external morphology, but not studied in detail: A. aequalis (Sharp, 1884), comb. nov., A. conjiciens (Walker, 1858), comb. nov., A. dilutus (Régimbart, 1903), comb. nov., A. placidus (Sharp, 1884), comb. nov., A. pseudodilutus (Satô, 1979), comb. nov., A. retius (Ryndevich & Prokin, 2017), comb. nov., and A. rubicundus (Sharp, 1884), comb. nov. In total, the genus now comprises 21 named species and several undescribed species from India, Myanmar and Indonesia. ZooBank: Morphology is not always a good indicator of biological diversity, aswe illustrate in Asian species classified under Cercyon , a genus of terrestrial water scavenger beetles. We describe Asiacyon gen. nov., which is strongly supported by DNA data, has limited distribution and unique habitat preferences, yet it highly resembles other unrelated ʻ Cercyon ʼ. The species diversity of this lineage was under-estimated: we describe 11 new species from China. We argue that ' Cercyon ' should be divided into DNA-based natural genera despite their morphological similarity. (Image credit: Martin Fikáček.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesopsammic polyclad members in the family Boniniidae have attracted attention in terms of their evolutionary shifts of microhabitat and their unique morphology such as a pair of pointed tentacles extending from the anterolateral margins and prostatoid organs harbouring stylets. Here, we establish a new species of this family as Boninia panamensis sp. nov. from the Pacific coasts of Panama, based on its morphological characteristics of (i) four cerebral and 61–80 marginal eyespots, (ii) two prostatoid organs located anterior and posterior to the penis papilla, and (iii) two uterine canals departing from the anterior part of the Lang's vesicle. We also report Boninia cf. uru from Hawai'i, USA, based on its morphological identity with B. uru from Okinawa, Japan, along with their genetic distances for the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, which were beyond the range of intraspecific differences observed in congeners in this study. Boninia oaxaquensis is also reported from Panama as a new locality for the species. Involving the above-mentioned three species sequenced herein, we reconstructed molecular phylogenetic trees of Boninia based on the four gene markers (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, 16S rDNA and COI). Our phylogenetic trees indicated the synapomorphy within the genus Boninia of the small numbers of stylets (2–4) and the connection route of the uterine canals to the Lang's vesicle. The results also showed a characteristic distribution pattern in which pairs of species in distinct lineages occurred sympatrically with different microhabitats, as observed in Boninia uru and Boninia yambarensis in Okinawa and B. panamensis sp. nov. and B. oaxaquensis in Panama. In addition, we discuss possible speciation pathways in this genus based on the tree topology. ZooBank: Boniniidae is a family of marine polyclad flatworms harbouring nine named species distributed worldwide. We describe a new boniniid species, Boninia panamensis from the Pacific coasts of Panama based on morphological and molecular data. We also report Boninia cf. uru from Hawai'i and Boninia oaxaquensis from Panama along with morphological descriptions. In addition, we discuss synapomorphic traits and possible speciation pathways in this genus based on the reconstructed molecular phylogenetic results using 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, 16S rDNA and COI. (Photograph by Marco Curini-Galletti.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-sea corals are rarely identified to species due to a lack of taxonomic expertise and paucity of sampling. Herein we describe a new genus from the family Keratoisididae collected from the Northeast Atlantic. Using both nuclear (2010 conserved element loci) and complete mitogenome phylogenies, we found this genus to be closely related to the genera Dokidisis and Jasonisis. In the nuclear phylogeny, each genus occupied a distinct well-supported clade. All three genera lack thorned- or double-star sclerites in the pharynx; instead they have flattened rods, a potential unifying feature of the keratoisidid group J3 of Watling et al. (2022). The newly described genus Explorisis gen. nov. has a unique sclerome including spindles and tapered rods that differentiates it from its sister genera. Explorisis katharina sp. nov. is characterised by volcano to cylindrical shaped polyps, striated rods and spindles in the polyp body, and elongated flattened rods in the coenenchyme, whereas Explorisis poppyae sp. nov. has heavily granulated spindles and rods in both the polyp body and coenenchyme. Genetic variation within the mitogenomes across both Explorisis gen. nov. species is limited with mutations in just 3 of 14 protein coding regions. ZooBank: Deep-sea corals are often not identified to species rank due to a lack of taxonomic expertise. Bamboo corals are an exclusively deep sea and prolific group of corals found in every ocean basin. In this study, we describe a new genus and two new species of bamboo coral from the Northeast Atlantic. By analysing both their morphology and DNA, we determined that this newly identified genus, named Explorisis, is closely related to the genera Dokidisis and Jasonisis. (Image credit: Declan Morrissey.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new cave-dwelling aeglid species from the Alto Ribeira karst region, south-eastern Brazil, are described. Morphological descriptions are based on traits traditionally used in aeglid taxonomy. Molecular phylogeny reconstruction based on the partial fragments of the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rDNA) and the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) revealed that: (1) dispersal of epigean aeglids toward the Alto Ribeira karst area occurred at two separate events in the evolutionary history of freshwater aeglids; (2) extant cave-dwelling aeglid species form two distinct subclades, each of which originated from a distinct ancestral epigean lineage; and (3) successful adaptation to subterranean habitats, as seen in extant cave-dwelling aeglid species from the Alto Ribeira karst area, developed independently within each subclade, as each one of them comprised an exclusive group of both stygobitic and stygophilic species. ZooBank: Three new cave-dwelling aeglid species are described from the Alto Ribeira karst region, south-eastern Brazil using morphological and molecular (16S rDNA) data. Comparison of molecular sequences from several subterranean and epigean species in the region reveal two dispersal events involving epigean ancestors that resulted in two distinct subclades of extant cave-dwelling species. Adaptation to subterranean habitats among the cave-dwelling species developed independently within each subclade resulting in each having an exclusive group of both stygobitic and stygophilic species. (Image credit: Sérgio Bueno.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the inception of Linnaean taxonomy, termite species and genus descriptions have been mostly based on the morphology of soldiers, sometimes complemented by alate characters, though these are seldom discriminant. However, narrowly soldier-based descriptions may overemphasise ancestral characters and lead to the establishment of nonmonophyletic taxa. In this paper, we used an integrative taxonomic approach that incorporates the morphology of all castes, including workers, as well as molecular and chemical data, to describe Palmitermes impostor Hellemans & Roisin, 2017 (Termitidae : Termitinae), a new termite genus and species from French Guiana. Although the soldiers of P. impostor resemble those of Termes Linnaeus, 1758, the digestive tract and mandibles of workers suggest that Palmitermes is closely related to Cavitermes Emerson, 1925. The sister-group relationship between Palmitermes and Cavitermes was confirmed by a phylogenetic reconstruction based on full mitochondrial genome sequences as well as by the comparison of the profiles of cuticular hydrocarbons of workers with those of related taxa. Our study illustrates the benefits of using an integrative taxonomic approach to describe new taxa and the pitfalls of using soldier morphology as the exclusive set of characters in termite systematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper presents a cladistic analysis of the spider genus Tobias Simon, 1895. The analyses were based on a matrix with 29 terminal taxa scored for 86 morphological characters, with a dataset tested under two methodologies for character weighting (i.e. equal and implied weighting). Both analyses supported the paraphyletic relationship of Tobias with Epicadus Simon, 1895, with the former considered a junior synonym of the latter (new synonymy). Onocolus, Epicadinus and Epicadus form a clade supported by two synapomorphies, corroborating previous taxonomic assumptions regarding the proximity of these genera. Epicadus has two lineages: the 'pustulosus clade', comprising bark-like individuals that camouflage themselves on tree trunks and branches, and the 'heterogaster clade', which consists of a group of spiders that present a wide range of polychromatism and use flowers as hunting sites. Synonymies are presented and a new combination for all species previously assigned as part of Tobias is proposed. Epicadus now comprises nine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on various research papers on arachnid systematics and biogeography.

During the past two decades, the phylogenetic relationships and higher-level classification of the subfamily Rogadinae have received relevant contributions based on Sanger, mitogenome and genome-wide nuclear DNA sequence data. These studies have helped to update the circumscription and tribal classification of this subfamily, with six tribes currently recognised (Aleiodini, Betylobraconini, Clinocentrini, Rogadini, Stiropiini and Yeliconini). The tribal relationships within Rogadinae, however, are yet to be fully resolved, including the status of tribe Facitorini, previously regarded as betylobraconine, with respect to the members of Yeliconini. We conducted a phylogenomic analysis among the tribes of Rogadinae based on genomic ultraconserved element (UCE) data and extensive taxon sampling including three undescribed genera of uncertain tribal placement. Our almost fully supported estimate of phylogeny confirmed the basal position of Rogadini within the subfamily and a Facitorini clade (Yeliconini + Aleiodini) that led us to propose the former group as a valid rogadine tribe (Facitorini stat. res.). Stiropiini, however, was recovered for the first time as sister to the remaining rogadine tribes except Rogadini, and Clinocentrini as sister to a clade with Betylobraconini + the three undescribed genera. The relationships recovered and morphological examination of the material included led us to place the latter three new genera and recently described genus Gondwanocentrus within a new rogadine tribe, Gondwanocentrini Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón trib. nov. We described these genera (Ghibli Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón gen. nov., Racionais Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón gen. nov. and Soraya Shimbori gen. nov.) with two or three new species each (G. miyazakii Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón sp. nov., G. totoro Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón sp. nov., R. brunus Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón sp. nov., R. kaelejay Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón sp. nov., R. superstes Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón sp. nov., S. alencarae Shimbori sp. nov. and S. venus Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón sp. nov.). A new species of Facitorini, Jannya pasargadae Gadelha & Shimbori sp. nov., is also described. Our newly proposed classification expands the number of tribes and genera within Rogadinae to 8 and 66 respectively. ZooBank: Tribal relationships within the braconid subfamily Rogadinae are reconstructed based on nuclear UCE data and extensive taxon sampling. Our fully supported estimate of phylogeny and the morphological evidence led us to erect a new rogadine tribe, Gondwanocentrini Shimbori & Zaldívar-Riverón trib. nov. Facitorini was also confirmed as a separate rogadine tribe. Our updated classification expands the number of tribes and genera within Rogadinae to 8 and 66 respectively. (Image credit: Eduardo M. Shimbori.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaetonotidae is the most diversified family of the entire phylum Gastrotricha; it comprises ~430 species distributed across 16 genera. The current classification, established mainly on morphological traits, has been challenged in recent years by phylogenetic studies, indicating that the cuticular ornamentations used to discriminate among species may be misleading when used to identify groupings, which has been the practice until now. Therefore, a consensus is developing toward implementing novel approaches to better define species identity and affiliation at a higher taxonomic ranking. Using an integrative morphological and molecular approach, including annotation of the mitogenome, we report on some freshwater gastrotrichs characterised by a mixture of two types of cuticular scales diagnostic of the genera Aspidiophorus and Heterolepidoderma. Our specimens' overall anatomical characteristics find no correspondence in the taxa of these two genera, calling for their affiliation to a new species. Phylogenetic analyses based on the sequence of the ribosomal RNA genes of 96 taxa consistently found the new species unrelated to Aspidiophorus or Heterolepidoderma but allied with Chaetonotus aff. subtilis, as a subset of a larger clade, including mostly planktonic species. Morphological uniqueness and position along the non-monophyletic Chaetonotidae branch advocate erecting a new genus to accommodate the current specimens; consequently, the name Litigonotus ghinii gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The complete mitochondrial genome of the new taxon resulted in a single circular molecule 14,384 bp long, including 13 protein-coding genes, 17 tRNA genes and 2 rRNAs genes, showing a perfect synteny and collinearity with the only other gastrotrich mitogenome available, a possible hint of a high level of conservation in the mitochondria of Chaetonotidae. ZooBank: Gastrotricha (hairy-bellied worms) is a phylum of microscopic aquatic invertebrates whose traditional morphology-based classification has been challenged in recent years. We report a new genus and species found using an integrative morphological and molecular approach, which is unrelated to morphologically similar species in the genera Aspidiophorus and Heterolepidoderma. The mitochondrial genome of the new taxon has the same number of genes and gene order as the only other gastrotrich mitogenome available, suggesting the conservation of mitochondria at the family level. (Image credit: M. Antonio Todaro.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antlion genera Gatzara and Nepsalus (Myrmeleontidae: Dendroleontinae) inhabit mountain forests and are characterised by camouflaging larvae. Both genera remain poorly known despite recent findings on systematics and distribution. We report the discovery of new specimens and the previously unknown larvae of the rare species Gatzara jubilaea Navás, 1915, Nepsalus insolitus (Walker, 1860) and N. decorosus (Yang, 1988). These provide new evidence regarding the affinities of these species, and updated knowledge of the distribution, larval morphology and biology. Moreover, a new species of Nepsalus, N. maclachlani Badano, Zheng & Liu, sp. nov. is described from Sri Lanka based on historical museum collections. The discovery of the immature stages of Gatzara shows that the larvae of this genus share the same specialised ecological characteristics and habits as those of Nepsalus but are less morphologically derived. We also reconstruct a molecular phylogeny of this lineage, estimating the divergence time and biogeographical history by adding the new samples. The evolution of the Gatzara + Nepsalus lineage is associated with two major mountain ranges on the southern Tibetan Plateau, i.e. the Himalayas and the Hengduan Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carabid beetle Cnemalobus Guérin-Ménéville, 1838 inhabits high- and lowland grasslands of southern South America. The highest diversity is found in the Patagonian Steppe, where distribution patterns are associated with latitude and elevation. Northern Patagonia, a large volcanic region with a complex geoclimatic history, exhibits elevated grades of endemism. However, a great deal remains unknown regarding diversification and biogeographical patterns for most of the endemic groups. We describe new Cnemalobus species restricted to isolated volcanoes from these extra-Andean mountain systems. We assess the phylogenetic relationships by updating the phylogeny of the genus and conduct a Bayesian binary Markov chain-Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis on the resulting phylogenetic tree to discuss the biogeographical distribution patterns. We also provide a taxonomic key to all currently known species of Cnemalobus from the Patagonian Steppe. Our phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly of the new species Cnemalobus tromen sp. nov., Cnemalobus silviae sp. nov., Cnemalobus aucamahuida sp. nov. and Cnemalobus domuyo sp. nov. grouped with C. diamante and C. nevado, referred to as the 'Extra-Andean' mountain lineage. Biogeographical analysis recognises vicariant events as the most plausible explanation for the allopatric distributions of the new species. We hypothesise that these vicariant events could be related to climatic barriers that likely promoted speciation processes by generating geographical isolation in ancestral populations. Our findings contribute significantly to the biogeographical understanding of the Patagonian volcanic region, prompting new inquiries to unravel the speciation processes of the endemic biota in extra-Andean mountain systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hymenoptera has some of the highest diversity and number of individuals among insects. Many of these species potentially play key roles as food sources, pest controllers and pollinators. However, little is known about the diversity and biology and ~80% of the species have not yet been described. Classical taxonomy based on morphology is a rather slow process but DNA barcoding has already brought considerable progress in identification. Innovative methods such as image-based identification and automation can further speed up the process. We present a proof of concept for image data recognition of a parasitic wasp family, the Diapriidae (Hymenoptera), obtained as part of the GBOL III project. These tiny (1.2-4.5 mm) wasps were photographed and identified using DNA barcoding to provide a solid ground truth for training a neural network. Taxonomic identification was used down to the genus level. Subsequently, three different neural network architectures were trained, evaluated and optimised. As a result, 11 different genera of diaprids and one mixed group of 'other Hymenoptera' can be classified with an average accuracy of 96%. Additionally, the sex of the specimen can be classified automatically with an accuracy of >97%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective species conservation necessitates the ability to accurately differentiate among species, a challenge compounded by taxonomic uncertainties in freshwater mussels due to substantial intraspecific variation and pronounced phenotypic plasticity in shell morphology. The taxonomic status and species validity of Scabies longata and S. chinensis, two species endemic in China, have been under continuous debate since establishment. The lack of essential molecular data required for a comprehensive systematic study has resulted in the unresolved taxonomic status of these two species. This study presents molecular data, including COI barcoding, COI + 28S rRNA, and mitogenomic data combined with morphological characteristics to assess the validity of S. longata and S. chinensis. Both morphological and COI barcoding data support the conclusion that S. longata and S. chinensis are junior synonyms of Nodularia douglasiae and N. nuxpersicae respectively. Our findings suggest the absence of Scabies species in China. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analyses were used to further elucidate intrageneric relationships within the genus Nodularia, revealing the following relationships: (N. breviconcha (Nodularia sp. 1 (N. douglasiae (N. nuxpersicae, N. nipponensis)))). We underscore the significance of employing an integrated taxonomic approach for species identification, especially given the considerable morphological disparities between larvae and adult freshwater mussels. Proper morphological identification of adult specimens is essential for extracting meaningful taxonomic characters. Furthermore, our findings suggest a notable resemblance between the freshwater bivalve fauna in southern China and those east of the Mekong River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syllis prolifera (Syllidae, Syllinae) is an abundant species of marine annelids commonly found in warm to temperate waters worldwide. Although morphological variability occurs among populations, S. prolifera has long been considered a cosmopolitan species, widely distributed in coastal environments, including acidified and polluted areas. However, the increasing number of cases of cryptic and pseudocryptic speciation in several polychaete families in recent years has led us to question whether S. prolifera represents a single globally distributed taxon or is a species complex. To address this question, we conducted an integrative study, combining morphological, ecological and molecular data of 52 S. prolifera specimens collected in different localities across the western Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Cadiz. Our phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses that included two mitochondrial DNA markers (COI and 16S rRNA) were congruent in not considering S. prolifera a unique entity. Five distinct lineages that can also be recognised by certain morphological and ecological traits were identified from these analyses instead. Overall, our study does not support the homogeneity of S. prolifera across the Mediterranean Sea, providing a new example of pseudocrypticism in marine invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many orb-weaving spiders exhibit remarkable sexual dimorphism, hampering the matching of males and females in taxonomic studies. This is the case for the spiny Micrathena spiders, a species-rich Neotropical genus with 27% of its species known from a single sex. In this paper we document several undescribed Micrathena specimens, and test whether they belong to some of those incompletely known species. In order to do so, we: (1) tested the phylogenetic position of males and their putative females using a previous morphological dataset; (2) calculated genetic distances among individuals based on a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; and (3) examined their geographical distributions. These approaches, isolated or in combination, allowed us to identify and describe the previously unknown males of M. embira Levi, M. reimoseri Mello-Leitão, M. exlinae Levi, M. miles Simon, M. spinulata F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, M. yanomami Magalhães & Santos and M. cornuta (Taczanowski), and the female of M. beta di Caporiacco. We found that the males previously associated with M. bicolor (Keyserling), M. cornuta and M. lata Chickering had been incorrectly matched with females. The latter actually belongs to a hitherto unnamed species, herein described as Micrathena perfida, sp. nov. New geographical data are given for these and other Micrathena species. Our study highlights the importance of using different sources of data for matching the sexes in diverse groups with strong sexual dimorphism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Phoronida, which is one of the smallest phyla of invertebrates, includes only 13 valid species, although ~40 larval forms of phoronids were recently described. This report uses light microscopy and molecular methods to describe a new phoronid species, Phoronis embryolabi Temereva & Chichvarkhin, sp. nov. The morphology of P. embryolabi, which lives commensally in the burrows of Axiidea shrimp Nihonotrypaea japonica in Vostok Bay (the Sea of Japan), is extremely similar to that of Phoronis pallida Silen, 1952; the bodies of both species exhibit specific regionalisation. However, the organisation of the metanephridia differs between P. pallida and P. embryolabi. Moreover, P. embryolabi has a unique type of development, viviparity, in which mothers release fully developed larvae into the environment. In all other phoronid species, the spawning occurs as a release of fertilised eggs or early embryos. Viviparity of completely developed larvae has not been previously described for any phoronid. According to analysis of partial 28S rRNA, P. embryolabi is close to Phoronis pallida. On the other hand, analysis of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I indicated a unique position of P. embryolabi among phoronids. These results should be used for revision of phoronid taxonomy (i.e. the type of development should be considered as characteristic of subgenera within the genus Phoronis). This report also establishes the relationship between P. embryolabi and an Actinotrocha sp. that was described in a previous paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trapdoor spider family Migidae has a classical Gondwanan distribution and is found on all southern continents except the Indian region. The Australian fauna consists of three genera including Moggridgea O. P. Cambridge from south-western Australia and Kangaroo Island, South Australia; Moggridgea is otherwise widespread throughout Africa. The sole named species of Moggridgea from Western Australia, M. tingle Main, and its unnamed relatives are the subject of the present paper, which was stimulated by concern for the long-term persistence of populations, and the discovery of deep genetic divergences between populations. A phylogeny of the Western Australian species relative to African and South Australian Moggridgea was generated using molecular COI and ITS rDNA data, and based on both molecular and morphological criteria we conclude that the Western Australian taxa should be removed from Moggridgea and transferred to a new genus, Bertmainius. The seven species are delimited using both morphological and molecular criteria: B. tingle (Main) (the type species), and six new species, B. colonus, B. monachus, B. mysticus, B. opimus, B. pandus and B. tumidus. All seven species are considered to be threatened using IUCN criteria, with the major threatening processes being inappropriate fire regimes and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia houses some unusual biota (insects included), much of which is undescribed. Cystococcus Fuller (Hemiptera : Sternorrhyncha : Coccoidea : Eriococcidae) currently comprises two species, both of which induce galls exclusively on bloodwoods (Myrtaceae: Corymbia Hill & Johnson). These insects display sexual dichronism, whereby females give birth first to sons and then to daughters. Wingless first-instar females cling to their winged adult brothers and are carried out of the maternal gall when the males fly to find mates – a behaviour called intersexual phoresy. Here, we use data from two gene regions, as well as morphology and host-use of the insects, to assess the status of a previously undescribed species. We describe this newly recognised species as Cystococcus campanidorsalis, sp. nov. Semple, Cook & Hodgson, redescribe the two existing species – C. echiniformis Fuller and C. pomiformis (Froggatt), designate a lectotype for C. echiniformis, and provide the first descriptions of adult males, and nymphal males and females for the genus. We have also reinterpreted a key morphological character of the adult females. This paper provides a foundation for further work on the genus, which is widespread across northern Australia and could prove to be useful for studies on biogeography and bloodwood ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tenthredinoidea is the most diverse superfamily of non-apocritan Hymenoptera. It is also one of the largest herbivorous groups within the order, some species having substantial economic impact. Until very recently, no comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of the superfamily had been undertaken. This paper presents the largest morphological dataset assembled so far for elucidating the phylogeny of the Tenthredinoidea. In total, 129 taxa were scored for 146 characters from the adult head, thorax, wings and ovipositor apparatus. The emphasis of the taxon sample is on Tenthredinidae (104 terminals), which is by far the largest family in the Tenthredinoidea. The results of the cladistic analyses confirm the monophyly of the Tenthredinoidea, the first split being between the Blasticotomidae and the remaining families (Tenthredinoidea s. str., also monophyletic), and the monophyly of all families except Tenthredinidae. The analyses fail to consistently retrieve any of the six currently recognised subfamilies within Tenthredinidae, although core clades of Heterarthrinae, Nematinae, Selandriinae and Tenthredininae are often supported. Diprionidae are placed inside the Nematinae under some weighting conditions. The failure to corroborate the tenthredinid subfamilies might be ascribed to an insufficient character/terminal ratio, but also to problems with the existing classification. Inclusion of characters from the male genitalia and the larval stages as well as molecular data currently being assembled will hopefully lead to a more robust classification of the Tenthredinidae in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial DNA gene organisation is an important source of phylogenetic information for various metazoan taxa at different evolutionary timescales, though this has not been broadly tested for all insect groups nor within a phylogenetic context. The cosmopolitan subfamily Doryctinae is a highly diverse group of braconid wasps mainly represented by ectoparasitoids of xylophagous beetle larvae. Previous molecular studies based on Sanger and genome-wide (ultraconserved elements, UCE; and mitochondrial genomes) sequence data have recovered a non-monophyletic Doryctinae, though the relationships involved have always been weakly supported. We characterised doryctine mitogenomes and conducted separate phylogenetic analyses based on mitogenome and UCE sequence data of ~100 representative doryctine genera to assess the monophyly and higher-level classification of the subfamily. We identified rearrangements of mitochondrial transfer RNAs (tRNAs) that support a non-monophyletic Doryctinae consisting of two separate non-related clades with strong geographic structure ('New World' and 'Old World' clades). This geographic structure was also consistently supported by the phylogenetic analyses preformed with mitogenome and UCE sequence data. These results highlight the utility of the mitogenome gene rearrangements as a potential source of phylogenetic information at different evolutionary timescales. Subfamily Doryctinae constitutes mainly parasitoid and some phytophagous braconid wasps. Molecular studies recovered a non-monophyletic Doryctinae. We characterised several mitogenomes and conducted phylogenetic analyses to assess the monophyly and higher-level classification. We identified rearrangements of mitochondrial transfer RNAs that support a non-monophyletic Doryctinae constituting two separate unrelated clades, also supported by phylogenetic analyses of mitogenome and nuclear data. Utility of the mitogenome rearrangements was highlighted as a potential source of phylogenetic information at different evolutionary timescales. (Image credit: Rubén Castañeda-Osorio.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The razor clam genus Novaculina is a secondary marine-derived freshwater taxa within the otherwise exclusively marine family Pharidae. Novaculina currently comprises four valid species that are distributed allopatrically across several drainages in Asia. We employed an integrated approach, combining morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the taxonomic placement of members within this genus. The multi-locus phylogenetic trees based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA gene sequences demonstrate that Novaculina is polyphyletic. Specimens identified as N. siamensis form a distinct clade that is not sister group to other currently recognised congeners. Furthermore, morphological examination reveals distinct characteristics in 'N. siamensis', namely a fused, fringed siphon, in contrast to the separated, smooth siphons observed in other species. Based on these findings, we propose the establishment of a new genus, Cenonovaculina gen. nov., to accommodate 'N. siamensis'. The new genus is distinguished from other genera in having a short shell, deep pallial sinus, elongate, oval to bean-shaped anterior adductor scar and long fused siphons surrounded by conical tentacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scutigeromorph centipedes are conspicuous, yet often ignored myriapods for which little work has been conducted in southern South America. After examining recent and museum collections from Chile and Argentina, two new species of generic uncertainty were identified. A new genus of scutigerid centipede, Edgethreua, is therefore described with two new species, E. chilensis from Central Chile (type species of the genus) and E. goloboffi from Argentinian Patagonia. The new genus is characterised by the presence of scattered setiform bristles with short paired spines and the absence of simple spinulae and spines on all stomatotergites, the presence of a single spine-bristle in the prefemur of the second maxilla, a patch of cuticular ridges and pores surrounding the sensilla of the proximal labral portion of the epipharynx, the morphology of the sensilla of the distal patch of the hypopharynx and the morphology of the female gonopods. A phylogenetic analysis of the new species using two nuclear ribosomal RNA genes (18S and 28S rRNA), two mitochondrial ribosomal RNA genes (12S and 16S rRNA) and the mitochondrial protein-encoding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I show that the new genus does not cluster with any other described genus of scutigeromorph represented in molecular phylogenies. The data indicate that the new genus is probably sister group to a clade including the genera Lassophora, Ballonema and the subfamily Thereuoneminae, although one analysis suggests a position as sister group to Scutigerinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metapopulation of the estuarine species Gammarus tigrinus along the east coast of the United States has been hypothesised to represent two cryptic species divided biogeographically off the coast of North Carolina, USA. This divergence has been attributed to a strong temperature gradient created by the formation of the cold Labrador Current c. 3.0 million years ago. In addition, the northern phylogeographic clade of G. tigrinus has been demonstrated to be invasive in estuarine habitats across a large portion of northern Europe. Recent collections of G. tigrinus from Florida and Maryland, USA, allow for new approaches to test this hypothesis. Using the nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genes, species delimitation models provide support that the genetic divergence of the northern and southern clades is equivalent to species level. In addition, molecular clock data demonstrate that this phylogeographic divergence coincides with the formation of the Labrador Current. Furthermore, the collections of G. daiberi from Florida, a species with biogeographical and ecological characteristics similar to those of G. tigrinus, provide independent support for the hypothesis. The potential for invasive species to be cryptic highlights the need for accurate identification of taxa to ensure that appropriate biogeographical assessment of potential source populations and mechanisms of dispersal can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rhinebothriidean tapeworm family Escherbothriidae has recently been expanded to include the genus Ivanovcestus, species of which parasitise arhynchobatid skates. Similarities in morphology and host associations between Ivanovcestus and Semiorbiseptum - a genus yet to be assigned to one of the families in the order Rhinebothriidea - led us to explore the possibility that Semiorbiseptum might also belong in the Escherbothriidae. Morphological similarities with Scalithrium ivanovae, Scalithrium kirchneri and Rhinebothrium scobinae, all of which also parasitise arhynchobatid skates, raised questions regarding the generic placements of these species. In addition, new collections from the skate Sympterygia brevicaudata revealed two new species that morphologically resemble species of Ivanovcestus. A combination of morphological and molecular data were used to assess the generic placement of the newly discovered species and refine our understanding of the membership of the family Escherbothriidae. Sequence data for the D1-D3 region of the 28S rDNA gene were generated de novo for 14 specimens of 7 rhinebothriidean species and combined with comparable published data to represent all 6 families in the Rhinebothriidea in the analysis. The phylogenetic tree resulting from maximum likelihood analysis strongly supports the inclusion of the genus Semiorbiseptum in the family Escherbothriidae. Our work also suggests that the skate-hosted species previously assigned to Scalithrium and Rhinebothrium are also members of Semiorbiseptum and that Ivanovcestus is a junior synonym of Semiorbiseptum. Six species are transferred to Semiorbiseptum, bringing the total number of species in the genus to ten. The diagnosis of Semiorbiseptum is amended to accommodate the additional species. A second species in the previously monotypic type genus of the family, Escherbothrium, is described. The diagnosis of the Escherbothriidae is amended to include the new and transferred species. This study underscores the importance of integrating morphological and molecular data in bringing resolution to cestode systematics. We believe our findings provide a robust foundation for future research into the evolutionary history and host associations of cestodes within the order Rhinebothriidea and beyond. These also highlight the importance of expanding our understanding of skate-hosted cestodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pantropical genus Palaemonella Dana, 1852 (Caridea: Palaemonidae) currently includes 27 species of free-living and symbiotic marine shrimps. The monophyly of Palaemonella with respect to several closely related genera, however, has been questioned by recent analyses. We tested the monophyly of Palaemonella based on multigene phylogenetic analysis and the genus was revealed to be a paraphyletic assemblage by inclusion of species of the genera Eupontonia Bruce, 1971 and Vir Holthuis, 1952, and two genetic lineages of the western Atlantic Cuapetes americanus (Kingsley, 1878). We recognise one of the latter lineages as the previously described Periclimenes rhizophorae Lebour, 1949. Eupontonia and Vir are synonymised with Palaemonella. We also transfer Cuapetes americanus and Periclimenes rhizophorae to Palaemonella. Species previously assigned to Vir were revised; V. colemani Bruce, 2003, V. orientalis (Dana, 1852), V. philippinensis Bruce & Svoboda, 1984 and V. smiti Fransen & Holthuis, 2007 are regarded as valid species of Palaemonella; Vir longidactylus Marin, 2008 is synonymised with P. smiti; and the status of V. euphyllius Marin & Anker, 2005 remains unresolved. Palaemonella is currently regarded as a taxon with variable states of two main diagnostic characters, i.e. the plesiomorphic mandibular palp (fully reduced in P. americana) and the hepatic tooth (fully reduced in former species of Vir and Eupontonia - evidently due to symbiotic modes of life). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of morphological and molecular lines of evidence has enabled the family Deltocyathidae to be erected to accommodate Deltocyathus species that were previously ascribed to the family Caryophylliidae. However, although displaying the same morphological characteristics as other species of Deltocyathus, molecular data suggested that D. magnificus was phylogenetically distant from Deltocyathidae, falling within the family Turbinoliidae instead. To elucidate the enigmatic evolutionary history of this species and skeletal microstructural features, the phylogenetic relationships of Deltocyathidae and Turbinoliidae were investigated using nuclear ultraconserved and exon loci and complete mitochondrial genomes. Both nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenomic reconstructions confirmed the position of D. magnificus within turbinolids. Furthermore, a novel mitochondrial gene order was uncovered for Deltocyathidae species. This gene order was not present in Turbinoliidae or in D. magnificus that both have the scleractinian canonical gene order, further indicating the taxonomic utility of mitochondrial gene order. D. magnificus is therefore formally moved to the family Turbinoliidae and accommodated in a new genus (Dennantotrochus Kitahara, Vaga & Stolarski, gen. nov.). Surprisingly, turbinolids and deltocyathids do not differ in microstructural organisation of the skeleton that consists of densely packed, individualised rapid accretion deposits and thickening deposits composed of fibres perpendicular to the skeleton surface. Therefore, although both families are clearly evolutionarily divergent, macromorphological features indicate a case of skeletal convergence while these may still share conservative biomineralisation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black corals occur as part of benthic assemblages from shallow to deep waters in all oceans. Despite the importance in many benthic ecosystems, where these act as biodiversity aggregators, antipatharians remain poorly studied, with 75% of the known species occurring below recreational SCUBA diving depth limits. Currently, information regarding the diversity and evolutionary history is limited, with most studies focusing on Hawaii and the South Pacific Ocean. Other regions of the world have received less attention, such as the Red Sea, where only two black coral families and four genera have been recorded. We provide the first analysis of the molecular diversity of black corals in the eastern Gulf of Aqaba and the northern and central Saudi Arabian Red Sea, based on a dataset of 161 antipatharian colonies collected down to 627 m deep. Based on specimen morphology, we ascribed our material to 11 genera belonging to 4 of the 7 known Antipatharia families, i.e. Antipathidae, Aphanipathidae, Myriopathidae and Schizopathidae. The genus level phylogeny of three intergenic mitochondrial regions, the trnW-IGR-nad2 (IgrW), nad5-IGR-nad1 (IgrN) and cox3-IGR-cox1 was reconstructed including previously published material. Overall, we recovered six molecular clades that included exclusively Red Sea sequences, with the highest diversity occurring at mesophotic depths. This study highlights that diversity of black corals in the Red Sea is much higher than previously known, with seven new generic records, suggesting that this basin may be a hotspot for antipatharian diversity as is known for other taxa. Our results recovered unresolved relationships within the order at the familial and generic levels. This emphasises the urgent need for an integration of genomic-wide data with a re-examination of informative morphological features necessary to revise the systematics of the order at all taxonomic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the widespread use of integrative taxonomic approaches, many scleractinian coral genera and species remain grouped in polyphyletic families, classified as incertae sedis or simply understudied. Oculinidae Gray, 1847 represents a family for which many taxonomic questions remain unresolved, particularly those related to some of the current genera, such as Oculina Lamark, 1816 or recently removed genera, including Cladocora Ehrenberg, 1834 and Madrepora Linnaeus, 1758. Cladocora is currently assigned to the family Cladocoridae Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 and a new family, Bathyporidae Kitahara, Capel, Zilberberg & Cairns, 2024, was recently raised to accommodate Madrepora. However, the name Bathyporidae is not valid because this was not formed on the basis of a type genus name. To resolve taxonomic questions related to these three genera, the evolutionary relationships are explored through phylogenetic analyses of 18 molecular markers. The results of these analyses support a close relationship between the species Oculina patagonica and Cladocora caespitosa, indicating that these may belong to the same family (and possibly genus), and highlighting the need for detailed revisions of Oculina and Cladocora. By contrast, a distant relationship is found between these two species and Madrepora oculata, with the overall evidence supporting the placement of Madrepora in the resurrected family Madreporidae Ehrenberg, 1834. This study advances our knowledge of coral systematics and highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the genera Oculina, Cladocora and Madrepora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]