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The life of Father Jean Xavier Hyacinthe Montrouzier (1820–1897) is briefly reviewed, with special reference to the 5 years he spent on Woodlark Island (Muyua), Papua New Guinea, and his subsequent academic studies while briefly resident in Australia. Of the four species listed by Montrouzier as members of the genus Euploea in his 1856 paper on the Lepidoptera of Woodlark, two do undoubtedly belong to the genus as currently recognised: Euploea leucostictos and E. boisduvalii (Danaini: subtribe Euploeina). A third species, originally described by Macleay as a species of Euploea but now included in the genus Tirumala (Danaini, Danaina), was correctly identified by Montrouzier. The fourth, for which Montrouzier introduced a new species name, appears to represent either a species of Neptis (Limenitidinae) or Tellervo (Danainae, Tellervini). This name, Euploea transfixa Montrouzier, is however both a nomen dubium and a nomen oblitum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuing examination of colonial ascidians in museum collections is revealing further diversity in the family Didemnidae, which abounds in the tropical Indo-West Pacific and around the Australian continent (Kott, 2001). From the present work, it is apparent that much remains to be learnt about this fauna. Of the 45 species discussed in this paper, 16 are new. Larvae are described for the first time for Polysyncraton pedunculatum Kott, 2001 and P. rica Kott, 2001. Amongst the synonymy established in this paper Didemnoides tropicum Sluiter, 1909 is found to be a junior synonym of Lissoclinum patella (Gottschaldt, 1898) and Trididemnum vermiforme Kott, 2001 a junior synonym of T. nobile Kott, 2001. Didemnum nekozita Tokioka, 1967 is found to be a valid species distinct from Polysyncraton cuculliferum (Sluiter, 1909). Prolific replication rates, rapid colony growth, flexibility in growth form and a viviparous habit result in convergence tending to small zooid size, and similar large, increasingly complex colonies found in this family contribute to species diversity around the whole of the Australian continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shallow-water tanaidacean fauna of the Bass Strait has been the subject of recent intensive studies. The present paper extends this work into the deeper waters of the region, describing two new species and one new genus. The new species of the genusParadoxapseudeshas a combination of three maxillule palp setae, no plumose setae on the basis of pereopod 1 nor proximal serration on the antennal peduncle. The second species represents a new genus of the family Anarthruridae, having six marginal setae on the third maxilliped palp article and spines on the merus and carpus of the anterior pereopods. The high diversity of Tanaidacea in Australian waters is discussed. In particular, we conclude that Australian coasts suffer a diversity of immigration routes, have sufficient marine longevity, and afford such a diversity of available niches to have allowed multiple colonization and subsequent allopatric speciation of Tanaidacea.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EE309A5A-E06D-416F-95BD-4C8D0D2BEB97 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Only seven species of freshwater Nematomorpha (Gordiida) are known from Australia, four of which belong to the genus Chordodes. This paper describes two new species: C. queenslandi and C. brevipilus. Chordodes queenslandi is characterized by a polymorphism of crowned areoles which appear as two types with distinct distribution patterns. Chordodes brevipilus is characterized by crowned areoles with very short apical filaments. One specimen previously determined as C. modiglianii (Camerano, 1892) belongs to C. queenslandi. Chordodes jandae Camerano, 1895 is redescribed according to the terminology introduced for C. queenslandi and C. brevipilus. Two further species, C. annulatus Linstow, 1906 and C. undulatus Linstow, 1906 do not belong to Chordodes. The newly reported specimens were collected emerging from praying mantids in the vicinity of water and escaped by contact of the host's abdomen with water. The active movement of mantids towards water suggests an internal stimulus of the nematomorph parasite to its host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biology and functional morphology of the Australian endemicPaphies elongata(shell length <20 mm) from wave-exposed beaches are described. On Middleton Bay Beach, Albany, Western Australia, the species co-occurs with the smaller (shell length <13 mm)Donax columbella. Both make tidally regulated migrations up and down the shore in the swash and backwash of waves, respectively. Emergence from and re-burrowing into the beach sand in concordance with the waves is fast in both taxa (5–10 s). Adaptations to such a life on these high-energy beaches include an anteriorly elongate and posteriorly reduced shell and a mesh of tentacles within the inhalant siphon that screens out sand grains from the mantle cavity but allows entry for particles of detritus thatP. elongatasuspension feeds on when they are raised into the water column with each breaking wave. Internally, relatively large ctenidia, small labial palps, a stomach with many sorting areas and a short intestine equipP. elongatafor life in such a dynamic habitat. Strong rejectory currents in the mantle cavity keep it clean of sand.Paphies elongatais dioecious, as are species ofDonax, which throughout its Australian rangeP. elongatais sympatric with. These donacid and mesodesmatid taxa have both evolved to exploit the niche and the food resource of detritus held in suspension by breaking waves of high-energy sandy beaches within their respective ranges. Of interest, however, is that the original and sole occupants of such beaches – the Mesozoic Upper Cretaceous Donacidae – have been joined subsequently by representatives of the Mesodesmatidae, such asP. elongata, the adoption of this habitat taking place in the Eocene of the Cenozoic, some 50 million years later. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

I present an update on the taxonomy of the filistatid generaWandellaGray andYardiellaGray, both endemic to Australia. Two new species are described:Wandella grayisp. nov., known from Queensland, andWandella infernalissp. nov., known from a single cave in Western Australia. The male ofWandella australiensis(L. Koch) and the females ofWandella stuartensisGray andWandella waldockaeGray are described and illustrated for the first time. New records are given for these and other species of Australian filistatids, including the first epigeal records ofYardiella humphreysiGray, a species so far known only from caves. Updated distribution maps are presented. Additionally, I present novel morphological data forWandellausing light and scanning electron microscopy. The cephalothorax, spinning organs, genitalia and appendages of some species are illustrated in detail. I report the presence of a putative claw extensor muscle in the male palpal cymbium, and describe interesting modifications in the clypeal region of adult males. The phylogenetic significance of these characters is briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The six Naupliar, three Protozoea, three Mysis and first post-larval forms of the western school prawnMetapenaeus dalliRacek, 1957 were cultured in the laboratory. These stages were described in detail and compared to those of other metapenaeids. The ontogenetic development occurred in 12 days at 26°C, with both the growth rate and morphological patterns of development inM. dallibroadly following those recorded for other metapenaeids. Differences were found betweenM. dalliand other metapenaeids at corresponding stages of larval development, with these being the number, location and composition of individual setae and other minor spinal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reviews the taxonomy of the Phtisicidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the coast of New South Wales, Australia. The following seven species are described;Dodecas decacentrumStebbing, 1910b,Dodecas hexacentrumMayer, 1903,Hircella cornigera(Haswell, 1879b),Metaproto novaehollandiae(Haswell, 1879a),Notoprotomima smithigen. nov., sp. nov.,Paraprotosp. andPerotripussp. Generic diagnoses ofNotoprotomimagen. nov.,Dodecas, HircellaandMetaprotoare provided based on the present materials.Notoprotomima smithiis fully described as a new species of the new genus.Dodecas decacentrumdiffers fromDodecas hexacentrumby the presence of paired dorsodistal projections on pereonite 2, paired mid-dorsal projections on pereonites 3 and 4 and shorter gill length on pereonites 2 and 3.Hircella cornigeraandMetaproto novaehollandiaeare described in detail. The larger mature males ofM. novaehollandiaepossess the unusual massive type of the propodus of gnathopod 2. The extended distribution ofPerotripusto the New South Wales coast is noted. A key for these phtisicid amphipods from New South Wales, Australia is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The first records of the genusStenotusJakovlev, 1877 in Australia are presented including the type speciesStenotus binotatus(Fabricius, 1794). A comparative diagnosis for the genus is given and descriptions and illustrations of male and female genitalia are provided. Two new Australian species ofStenotusare described,Stenotus gressittisp. nov., from Queensland andStenotus witchelinasp. nov. from South and Western Australia. A list of mirine species from the Witchelina Nature Reserve (South Australia) is given, including digital habitus images of both sexes ofChimsunchartella schwartziChérot and Pauwels, 2000,Creontiades dilutus(Stål, 1859) andTaylorilygus apicalis(Fieber, 1861).http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:54669460-8AF4-4415-A8FE-EC55CCE6F301 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We compared pelagic copepod communities at three (400+ m) stations adjacent to Scott Reef (14°S), a shelf-break reef in Australia's Indian Ocean territory, with those within the shallow (c.50 m) atoll lagoon. The metazooplankton assemblage sampled by our 100-μm multinet system was dominated by small (< 1.0 mm) copepods. We identified over 220 copepod species, belonging to five of the nine orders. Of these, 68 (31%) are new records for Australian waters and at least 14 are likely to be undescribed. Redundancy analysis indicated that depth stratum was the most important determinant of community structure: distinct communities were associated with the epipelagic (within which the atoll lagoon community was further distinguished by reef-associated copepods), the chlorophyll maximum/thermocline, the upper mesopelagic and the hyper-benthos. The family Oncaeidae was highly speciose (> 52 taxa) and progressively more important with increasing depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endemic Australian spittlebug genus Anyllis Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cercopoidea: Aphrophoridae) is revised and five species including two new species are recognized: Anyllis gibbosus sp. nov. (Queensland), Anyllis leiala Kirkaldy, 1906 (type species, throughout the eastern part of Australia from north Queensland to Tasmania), Anyllis pseudotiegsi sp. nov. (Tasmania), Anyllis spinostylus Liang, 2005 (Tasmania) and Anyllis tiegsi (China, 1952) (Victoria and the higher parts of southeast New South Wales). Descriptions or redescriptions of the genus and its included species are provided together with the dorsal habitus of the adults and the structural illustrations of the head, pronotum, scutellum and male genitalia. A diagnostic key is given for differentiation of the known species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight new species and one new record of Elasmopus Costa, 1853 are described from Australian waters including the extended offshore territories of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Indian Ocean), Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), Ashmore Reef (Timor Sea), Norfolk Island (Tasman Sea) and Lord Howe Island (Tasman Sea). Range extensions are reported for seven described Australian species. Twenty-three species are now known from Australian waters. Elasmopus arafura sp. nov., E. carteri sp. nov., E. hyperopia sp. nov., E. leveque sp. nov., E. mcluerensis sp. nov., E. otus sp. nov., E. shepherdi sp. nov. and E. woodjonesi sp. nov. are described herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the parabathynellid genus Notobathynella Schminke, 1973 are described from Australia: N. octocamura sp. nov. and N. pentatrichion sp. nov. Notobathynella octocamura sp. nov. has eight claws on the distal endite of the maxillule, a character that is unique in the Parabathynellidae. It is also the first species of the genus with the following characters: five setae on the terminal segment of antenna, 26-28 teeth on labrum, 31 setae on maxilla, a three-segmented exopod on thoracopod I, five-segmented exopods on thoracopods IV and V, three setae and two claws on the fourth endopodal segment of thoracopods I to IV, and six setae on the uropodal exopod. This species also has a unique setal formula for some thoracopods. Notobathynella pentatrichion sp. nov. is unique in the genus with five setae on the uropodal exopod and, like N. octocamura sp. nov., has a one- or two-segmented exopod on thoracopod I, a four- or five-segmented exopod of thoracopod V, and three setae and two claws in the four segments of the endopod of thoracopods II to IV. The two new species extend the distribution of Bathynellacea in Australia and are the first species to be described from Queensland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species, Leicacandona pinkajartinyi sp. nov. and L. jula sp. nov., are described from the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia. Both species have reduced posterior claws on the caudal ramus, but differ in carapace shape and the length of setae and number of segments on the second and third thoracopods. A cladistic tree based on 27 morphological characters and a tree based on geographic latitudes and longitudes of the localities where Leicacandona species have been collected so far were constructed. These two cladograms do not correspond completely, although some similarities exist. The results obtained here agree with those obtained for some other subterranean animals in Australia, and they are understood as independent colonizations of subterranean waters by a couple of widespread surface water species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten new species of Brevisomabathynella Cho, Park and Ranga Reddy, 2006 are described and illustrated from the arid region of Western Australia. Comparison of the external morphology revealed the presence of three common characters distributed among the 10 species: the five-segmented antenna, the absence of the basipodal seta on the male thoracopod VIII and the absence of a basiventral seta on the uropodal exopod. This character combination is not found in Notobathynella and Billibathynella, but only in Brevisomabathynella, a genus known from two described species both with unusual characters. Despite the three common attributes, the 10 new species differ remarkably from these two described species, but could not be defined by their own synapomorphy. Consequently, and cognizant of a previously performed molecular analysis, we assign the 10 new species to Brevisomabathynella and amend the generic diagnosis. The species inhabit shallow aquifers in groundwater calcretes and each appears to be endemic to a given calcrete formation. The two species previously known and the 10 species now described include four sympatric species pairs, with similar-sized sympatric species differing markedly in body form. Brevisomabathynella inhabit groundwater up to at least marine salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf-fold galls induced by Cyrilthrips cecidis gen. nov. et sp. nov. on Austrosteenisia blackii (Fabaceae) in eastern Queensland, Australia, involve either single or double folds. Single-fold galls are subject to invasion by two species of kleptoparasitic Phlaeothripidae, to which double-fold galls are largely immune. This thripid is a member of a southeast Asian lineage of Thripinae in which gall-induction is possibly recurrent. This lineage includes the genus Chaetanaphothrips in which some species are crop pests but not gall-inducing. Females of Cyrilthrips have a unique curved spur on the hind coxae, and the ocellar chaetotaxy is also unique among Thripidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A morphological investigation of the Australian cladoceran Alona macracantha Smirnov and Timms, 1983 revealed numerous differences from all other species of the genus and prompted its assignment to Maraura gen. nov. Main diagnostic characters of the new genus include an elongated rostrum, Monospilus-like postabdomen, long, sinuous basal spine of postabdominal claw, absence of accessory seta of limb I, thickened scrapers 3 and 5 of limb II, and exopodites of limb III-V fused with the main body of the limb. The affinities and taxonomic position of this rare Australian endemic are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thalassinidean ghost shrimps Trypaea australiensis and Biffarius arenosus are dominant burrowing macroinvertebrates of soft-sediment habitats in Western Port, Victoria, Australia. Burrow structure has been described for both species but little is known about how the burrows change over time. This study used resin casting to investigate temporal variation by making burrow casts each month over a 12-month period. It was found that the overall burrow morphology of both T. australiensis and B. arenosus was consistent over time, but in the warmer months (summer and spring), both species constructed burrows that were deeper and of greater volume than burrows constructed in winter and autumn. Possible reasons for this variation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keys are presented to the 11 genera and 50 species, including 21 new species, of Thysanoptera in Australia that are related to the worldwide genus Haplothrips Amyot and Serville. These taxa belong to what, in recent literature, has been called the "Haplothrips-lineage", that is, one of the three major radiations among the 2700 species and 350 genera of Thysanoptera Phlaeothripinae. The group is redefined, and the available tribal name Haplothripini shown to be appropriate. The character states on which the definition is based are discussed, and a list given of the 34 genera worldwide that can be included. The Australian species in these genera exhibit a diversity of biologies. Three genera involve species that invade galls induced by other thrips: Androthrips monsterae (Moulton) from New Guinea is newly recorded from Australia; Mesothrips jordani Zimmermann from South-East Asia is newly recorded from Australia, with two new synonyms; the Asia-Pacific genus, Euoplothrips Hood, includes two species in northern Australia. Three haplothripine genera are associated with grasses: one widespread genus, Apterygothrips Priesner, considered polyphyletic, includes only one Australian species; the only known species of Dyothrips Kudo is Oriental but extends into tropical Australia; Podothrips Hood, a circum-tropical genus of thrips predatory on grass-living coccoids, has 11 Australian species, six newly described. One grass-associated genus, Bamboosiella Ananthakrishnan, is excluded from the Haplothripini. An Oriental genus of leaf- and flower-living species, Dolichothrips Karny, includes one species in northern Australia, D. reuteri (Karny); Membrothrips Bhatti in which this species has been placed is considered a synonym. Karnyothrips Watson includes two species introduced to Australia, both predators of coccoids. Priesneria Bagnall includes three species from Australia, of which one fungus-feeding species is newly described. Xylaplothrips Priesner is a widespread but ill-defined, polyphyletic genus that currently includes three little-known Australian species. Haplothrips is the main focus of this study, and character state variation among the Australian species is discussed. In total 24 species of Haplothrips from Australia are recognised, 14 being new species. Also included are the following, one new generic synonym, four new species synonyms, and one new combination. The 250 species worldwide in the genus are usually associated with the flowers of Asteraceae and Poaceae. In Australia, several of the species are specific to flowers, particularly of Poaceae and Cyperaceae but not Asteraceae. Almost half of these Australian species are presumed to be predatory on other small arthropods, and two have unusual host associations - with salt marsh Chenopodiaceae, and with the sori of Dicksonia tree ferns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species of Encarsia Förster known from Australia are revised. This study is based mainly on material collected over the last 10 years. Ninety-four species are recognized, including 38 new species, and seven new records for Australia. All species are fully described or diagnosed, and illustrated by microphotographs. Seven new specific synonymies are proposed and two lectotypes are designated. A key to the females of Australian species of Encarsia is provided. The known hosts and distribution are summarized. The diversity of the Australian Encarsia fauna is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian wolf spider genus Dingosa Roewer, 1955 is revised to include four species: Dingosa simsoni (Simon, 1898) (type species); D. humphreysi (McKay, 1985), n. comb.; D. murata n. sp.; and D. serrata (L. Koch, 1877), n. comb. Dingosa belongs to the subfamily Lycosinae Sundevall, 1833 and differs from all other lycosine spiders by the structure of the male pedipalp, which has an enlarged embolic division and an unusually elongated tegular apophysis. The median septum of the female epigyne is inverted T-shaped with the corners of the transverse part bent anteriorly in some species. Additional somatic characters, such as a raised cephalic region and distinct colour patterns of prosoma (narrow light longitudinal band between eyes) and opisthosoma (serrated cardiac mark) are unique within the Australian Lycosinae. Species within the genus Dingosa prefer sandy habitats with a sparse cover of vegetation where they construct a characteristic turret around their burrow entrance. All species mature in late summer to winter; females with eggsac can usually be found in July and August. The holotype of the Australian Dingosa topaziopsis (Hogg, 1896) is an immature spider and accurate species identification is not possible. This species is here considered nomen dubium. Dingosa is an Australian genus with much derived lycosine morphology. Other species from outside Australia currently included in this genus do not conform to the diagnosis of Dingosa. We propose the following new generic placements based on a critical evaluation of the original descriptions: Pardosa angolensis (Roewer, 1959), n. comb. (Angola), Pardosa completa (Roewer, 1959), n. comb. (Mozambique), Pardosa hartmanni (Roewer, 1959), n. comb. (Tanzania), and Trochosa ursina (Schenkel, 1936), n. comb. (China). We also support Mozaffarian and Marusik's (2001) previous suggested combination Trochosa persica (Roewer, 1955). Dingosa traghardi (Lawrence, 1947) (South Africa) was described from an immature female holotype which is lost; this species is here considered nomen dubium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian members of the subgenus, Sinella (Coecobrya) Yosii, are revised. A new species from Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, Sinella (Coecobrya) tropicalis sp. nov., is described, Sinella (Coecobrya) tenebricosa Folsom, 1902 is recorded from Australia for the first time, and new records of Sinella (Coecobrya) communis Chen and Christiansen, 1997 are documented. Sinella (Coecobrya) caeca Schött, 1896 is considered a dubious record from Australia. A key is provided to the three known Australian species and a summary given of all dorsal and lateral chaetal patterns found on the fourth abdominal segment of subgenera Sinella Brook, 1882 and Coecobrya Yosii, 1956. The biogeography of the subgenus is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Mymaridae, Stethynium ophelimi Huber and S. breviovipositor Huber, are described from Ophelimus maskelli, a gall‐inducing pest of Eucalyptus camaldulensis accidentally introduced from Australia into the Mediterranean region and Africa. This is the first record of a species of Mymaridae reared as a larval parasitoid of a holometabolous insect. One or both of the Stethynium species are being considered for introduction into Israel for biological control of this pest. Galls containing late second or third instar larvae are suitable for successful development of Stethynium. Mean survival time in a mixed colony of adults fed with honey and water solution was 1–2 days. Stethynium perlatipenne Girault, syn. nov., is synonymized under S. flavinotae Girault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The braconid genus Syngaster Brullé is revised and nine species are recognized, six of which are new: S. lepidus Brullé, S. quadricolor (Cameron), S. variegatus (Szépligeti), S. crypticus sp. nov., S. hirtus sp. nov., S. neoguineensis sp. nov., S. polychromus sp. nov., S. stevensi sp. nov., and S. tricolor sp. nov. Host data are only available for S. lepidus which is a parasitoid of cerambycid larvae, notably Phoracantha spp. associated with temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean eucalypt forests in eastern and southern Australia. Other than S. lepidus , S. polychromus is the only other species known from Australia (south‐east Queensland), the remaining seven species all being restricted to mainland New Guinea. Preliminary phylogenetic analysis indicates the genus comprises two species groups with S. lepidus and S. quadricolor forming a polytomy with these. The two Australian species ( S. lepidus and S. polychromus ) are not monophyletic, nor are the two species that lack an occipital carina ( S. tricolor and S. cryptus ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian/Pacific wolf spider genus Diahogna Roewer, 1960 is revised with D. martensii (Karsch, 1878) as type species. In addition to D. martensii , of which the male is illustrated for the first time, the genus includes a further three species, D. exculta (L. Koch 1876), n. comb., D. hildegardae n. sp., and D. pisauroides n. sp. The presence of a basoembolic apophysis on the male pedipalp places Diahogna in an unnamed Australasian/Pacific subfamily of wolf spiders that also includes Anoteropsis L. Koch, 1878, Artoria Thorell, 1877, Notocosa Vink, 2003, and Tetralycosa Roewer, 1960. Diahogna differs from these mainly in the presence of a distinct apical extension of the tegulum on the male pedipalp. Somatic characters of Diahogna that are peculiar within the Lycosidae include eye arrangement, carapace shape, and body coloration which superficially resemble that of fishing spiders (Pisauridae). Lycosa neptunus (Rainbow, 1896) and Lycosa spinipes (Rainbow, 1896), both only known from the holotypes collected near Sydney, Australia, have been previously associated with D. martensii and D. exculta . As these types are immature specimens in faded condition, accurate species identification is impossible and both species are considered nomina dubia . All species of Diahogna are known from wet habitats, such as the margins of rivers, creeks, dams, marshes and swamps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty–five species (including eight that are new) of non–didemnid aplousobranch species and 25 phlebobranch (including one new) and stolidobranch species are discussed and a further 42 species in non–didemnid taxa in all suborders are newly recorded. Material was taken by scuba diving in the waters around Kangaroo I. and other southern Australian and Tasmanian locations; and further material was taken by dredge from canyons off the southeastern Continental Slope and from inter–reefal areas in the northern Great Barrier Reef region. The known geographic ranges of many southern Australian species are extended into Tasmanian waters and a new species of Rhopalaea is described from the Tasmanian Canyons. The genera Sigillina and Pseudodistoma are found to be diverse in Australian temperate waters, and they have many characters in common, suggesting a probable phylogenetic relationship that formerly was not recognised. The greatest diversity of species reported is from the vicinity of the northern Great Barrier Reef. Almost without exception these are non–indigenous tropical species often extending into Australian temperate locations where they are sympatric with indigenous species found mainly around the southern half of the continent. Pyura stolonifera has a similar range in temperate Australian waters but appears also to occur on the South African and Chilean coasts in similar habitats and may represent a Gondwana relict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are only four polyclad flatworms currently known from temperate waters of Victoria, Australia, although these turbellarians are common inhabitants of rocky shores. A new stylochid flatworm, Stylochus pygmaeus sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida) or oyster leech is described here from Port Philip Bay, Victoria. This flatworm was observed feeding on three species of barnacles by extending its pharynx over its prey and extruding copious amounts of mucus. Worms also preferred to prey on larger‐sized barnacles regardless of the species. Further observations indicated that these worms deposited eggs at night inside empty barnacle shells. Each eggmass was brooded for several days with the worms only moving off to feed. Each egg capsule contained multiple embryos and after 5 or 6 days, positively photo‐tactic, four‐lobed Götte's larvae emerged. Larvae metamorphosed to juvenile flatworms 1–2 weeks post‐hatching but failed to settle and survive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-specific colour differences in insects may occur as a result of environmental factors such as food type, temperature and humidity, or may be under genetic control. These colour polymorphisms may result in fitness differences through several mechanisms, including mate selection, camouflage from or warning to natural enemies, and heat absorption. Two colour morphs of adult Chrysophtharta agricola (Chapuis) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Paropsini) are present in the field in mainland Australia and Tasmania: a common green-brown form, and a rare black form. Tasmanian populations were sampled to assess the frequency of each morph at eight localities. The black form represented less than 3% of beetles ( N =1724), with the proportion not significantly different between localities. Crossing tests using the two colour morphs of C. agricola showed that the black form was genetically dominant over the common form. To assess whether colour morphs had any fitness differences, we measured pre-oviposition period, fecundity, longevity, adult size and egg hatch rate, which each showed no significant difference between colour morphs. Field sampling of mating pairs and rearing the offspring of field-collected females showed no evidence of non-random mating. Modelling the population over 100 generations confirmed that for this species, melanism is controlled by a dominant but neutral allele, and, thus, is maintained at a constant low level in the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen new species of Didemnidae are included in the 71 species discussed. Two hundred and forty-one species of this family now are known from around the Australian continent. Newly recorded material is from the Western Australian Museum (principally from north-western Australia), the South Australian Museum (from Kangaroo I. and Tasmanian waters) and the Queensland Museum (from Darwin and the Northern Territory). Many of the species recorded from north-western, north-eastern and the north of Australia have a range that extends into the western Pacific and sometimes the western Indian Ocean. Tropical didemnid species seldom extend into temperate Australian waters, where the species are largely indigenous. The genus Didemnum dominates the fauna in both tropical and temperate waters. Of the new species, half are in the genus Polysyncraton (five tropical and four temperate species), four are Lissoclinum spp., two are described in each of the genera Didemnum and Leptoclinides , and one in the genus Diplosoma . Spicules are confirmed as reliable, genetically controlled characters showing little intraspecific variation. Amongst the known species, the unusual colonial organization reported for Leptoclinides glauerti Michaelsen, 1930 , with its atrial apertures opening directly on the under surface of the colony, is confirmed. Originally described from a single mutilated part of a colony, the species has been redescribed, and its status in the genus Atriolum validated. Trididemnum pseudodiplosoma ( Kott, 1962 ), formerly known only from South Australia, is found to extend into tropical waters of the Northern Territory and the Coral Sea; and Didemnum incanum ( Herdman, 1899 ) appears to be one of the few known species with a trans-Tasman range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology of the two species of Australian freshwater assimineids is described in detail. A new genus and species of Assimineinae, Aviassiminea palitans, is named from freshwater springs in north Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Austroassiminea letha Solem et al., 1982 from coastal springs in south Western Australia is also described and the original anatomical account is corrected in several important details. This taxon is shown to be a member of the Omphalotropidinae and is the only other non-marine assimineid known from Australia. All of the described assimineid genus-group taxa are listed in an appendix, with an assessment of their status, and their known diagnostic characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution range of ants of the genus Gnamptogenys is analysed, with special reference to the Old World species, and two closely related genera: Rhytidoponera and Ectatomma. The study is based upon a cladistic biogeographic analysis, recognizing the following areas of endemism: Central America, South America, Philippine Islands, New Guinea, Australia, Solomons/Fiji and South-East Asia. These results are followed by a consensus of different information sources (phylo-genetic, natural history, past and present distribution, palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatological ) for explaining the present and past distribution of Gnamptogenys and related genera. The area cladogram shows repeated instances of sister relations between Old World and New World taxa at different depths within the tree. Subtree analysis further suggests a common sister relation between Gondwanan landmasses. The distribution of the Gnamptogenys is interpreted as a product of vicariance, starting with the separation of Gondwana, and subsequent dispersal into South-East Asia and Melanesia via rafting on the Australian craton. The desiccation of Australia during the Oligocene was detrimental to the presence of Gnamptogenys but favoured expansion of Rhytidoponera. The study illustrates that a cladistic biogeographic scenario may be supported by a consensus of data from various sources, and also suggests a pre-Tertiary diversification of ant fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-one species are discussed of which five are new. Of the remaining 46 species, 20 previously known from one to three records and 11 more frequently recorded have their known geographic range and/or range of morphological variation extended and the synonymy of a further 15 species is revised. Taxonomic problems, including phylogeny, are addressed in Rhopalaea crassa, Pycnoclavella detorta, Ecteinascidia spp. and Plurella (see Phallusia polytrema). New species are Sigillina pulvinus, Polyclinum corbis, Perophora longicaulis, Stolonica brevigastra and Botrylloides saccus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phylogenetic analysis of intertidal southern Australian and New Zealand species of muricid gastropods based principally on anatomical characters revealed the existence of two major clades. Dicathais orbita , Neothais smithi , Agnewia tritoniformis , ' Lepsiella ' botanica and ' L .' reticulata were found to belong to the same monophyletic group as the Indo-Pacific species Rapana venosa and the tropical East Atlantic species Thais nodosa . These species are now generally referable to the subfamily Rapaninae, a sister taxon to the Ocenebrinae. The other major clade contains the following species: Xymene ambiguus , Paratrophon quoyi , Haustrum haustorium , Lepsithais lacunosa , Lepsiella scobina , L. vinosa , L. ( Bedeva ) paivae , L. baileyana and L. flindersi . Of these, Xymene and Paratrophon form a sister taxon to the rest of the taxa contained in this clade. Shell, radula and anatomical descriptions as well as the geographical distributions of 12 of the above-mentioned muricid gastropod species are given. Their relationships are also discussed in the light of results provided by the cladistic analysis. A new subfamily and a new genus are proposed based on these studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The external mating plug (sphragis) of the alpine Australian satyrid butterfly, Heteronympha penelope Waterhouse, is described and figured. Its formation is described and the capacity of males to produce sphragides is shown to be limited to one or two in their lifetime. Male specializations are identified including an expanded intersegmental membrane between the genitalia and the 8th abdominal segment, which forms a mould for the sphragis, and hypertrophied paired accessory glands, the probable source of the sphragidal fluid. It is shown that the male genitalia, especially the uncus and valvae are much larger and more robust than in related species which do not form a sphragis, a probable adaptation for sphragis removal. Descriptions are provided of mating behaviour and interactions between males and mated females, including sphragis removal, in the field and in captivity. The frequency of the sphragis in wild populations of females of different ages was found to be 62%, with a slightly lower frequency among older individuals. Spermatophore counts indicate that females frequently mate twice, sometimes up to three times especially when older. Individuals of all ages bearing an intact sphragis are far more likely to have mated only once than those lacking a sphragis. It is shown that most males mate at least once in their life, probably producing at least one robust sphragis, hence it is concluded that rates of sphragis removal may be as high as 50%. Unlike most other sphragis-bearing butterflies, females of H. penelope possess no specializations in their genitalia which might serve to reject the sphragis. It is concluded that in this species, unlike other sphragis-bearing butterflies, the sphragis arose as a result of escalated sexual conflict between males alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of Paratemnopteryx Saussure (Blattellidae) cockroaches from Australia are described. One surface dwelling species, P. rosensis, was collected from south-east Queensland, and two cavernicolous species, P. kookabinnensis and P. weinsteini, were collected from central Western Australia and north-east Queensland respectively. All three species demonstrate eye and wing reduction, consistent with adaptation to a homogeneous environment. P. weinsteini and P. rosensis species demonstrate sexual wing dimorphism, which is most clear in the former. P. weinsteini is very similar to P. rosensis, and they are probably sister species. I suggest that some surface dwelling species may have given rise to cavernicolous species as a result of isolation in moist refugia during periods of increasing aridity in Australia in the late Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthoplacatus gen. nov., a new genus of viviparous gyrodactylid, is described from the fins and skin of siganid fishes from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The genus is characterized by a muscular, tube-like haptor with 16 marginal hooks on the posterior margin. The ventral lobe of the haptor is located anteriorly relative to the dorsal lobe and contains a pair of hamuli and a ventral bar with posteriorly-projecting ventral bar membrane. A dorsal bar is absent. Five pairs of posterior gland cells surround the posterior terminations of the gut. The male copulatory organ is a muscular, non-eversible bulb with several spines around the distal opening. Species of Acanthoplacatus have a bilateral excretory system consisting of six pairs of flame cells and a pair of excretory bladders. Seven new species are described: Acanthoplacatus adlardi sp. nov. and A. amplihamus sp. nov. from Siganus punctatus (Forster, 1801), A. brauni sp. nov. from S. corallinus (Valenciennes, 1835), A. parvihamus sp. nov. from S. vulpinus (Schlegel and Mueller, 1845), A. puelli sp. nov. from S. puellus Schlegel, 1852, A. shieldsi sp. nov. from S. lineatus (Valenciennes, 1835) and A. sigani sp. nov. from S. fuscescens (Houttuyn, 1782). Species can be discriminated by shape and size of the hamuli, marginal hooks and ventral bar and by male copulatory organ sclerite morphology. Three species (A. brauni sp. nov., A. shieldsi sp. nov. and A. sigani sp. nov.) were assessed for seasonal variation of sclerite size. Ten of thirteen morphological characters showed seasonal variation in size for at least one of the species. The characters were longer in winter except dorsal root tissue cap width. Only one character, marginal hook length, showed significant seasonal variation for all three species. Species of Acanthoplacatus were observed to attach using only the marginal hooks and the role of hamuli in attachment is unclear. The dorsal fin of the host is the preferred site for most species but the anal fin, caudal fin and body surfaces are preferred by some species. Prevalences for species range from 57 to 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 23 species of thrips were recorded from flowers of 26 species of Australian subtropical rainforest trees, shrubs and vines (in 17 families) in the Manning Valley, coastal northern New South Wales. Pollination by thrips (thripophily) appears more widespread in rainforest communities than has been previously recognized. The pollination ecology of Wilkiea huegeliana (Monimiaceae) was studied in detail. Wilkiea huegeliana is a small, unisexual, annually flowering tree or shrub of rainforest and associated ecotones in eastern Australia, and is a larval food plant for the Regent Skipper butterfly Euschemon rafflesia rafflesia (Hesperiidae). At this latitude W. huegeliana is pollinated solely by a species of thrips, Thrips setipennis , but T. setipennis is not restricted to W. huegeliana and was recorded from flowers of 13 rainforest plant species. It appears to be the obligate pollinator also for Rapanea howittiana and R. variabilis (Myrsinaceae). Pollinator exclusion experiments were inconclusive but W. huegeliana may be facultatively agamospermous. The recruitment pathway to unrewarding female W. huegeliana flowers is uncertain but attraction may function by automimicry. Both male and female flowers serve as brood sites for T. setipennis larvae. Although the pollination ecology of W. huegeliana is specialized, the family Monimiaceae exhibits a broad diversity of pollination strategies. A number of these are discussed. The apparent obligate and restricted pollinator requirements of W. huegeliana may make it, and any associated phytophagous fauna, vulnerable to the impacts of habitat fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes new genera and species of terrestrial isopods (Crustacea: Oniscidea) from Australia. Genera Monitus and Cuckoldillo; Species of each of Scyphax, Rhycotus, Filippinodillo, Merulana, Myrmecodillo; Three new species of Acanthodillo; Synonomy of Merulana and Pyrgoniscus; Unavailability of the name Pseudodiploexochus; Confusion concerning the diagnoses of the genera Merulana Budde-Lund and Cubaris Brandt.

Focuses on the Australian species of the eupelmid genus Calymmochilus Masi. Description of a Western Australian species associated with a pseudoscorpion; Review of the occurrence of pseudoscorpion parasites; Information on morphological variation within and between species.

The Australian hyptiogastrine wasp genus Hyptiogaster Kieffer is revised. Among other characters, species of Hyptiogaster can be readily distinguished from other Hyptiogastrinae by having an exserted ovipositor and the anterior face of the mesothorax truncate in lateral view. Ten species are recognised including seven which are newly described: H. arenicola Turner, H. humeralis (Schietterer), H. rufus (Westwood), H. cobarensis sp. nov., H. hulli sp. nov., H. kalbarrii sp. nov., H. kiefferi sp. nov., H. naumanni sp. nov., H. pinjarregaensis sp. nov., H. weowaniensis sp. nov. Two synonymies are proposed; H. flavosignata (Kieffer) with H. humeralis and H. crassiceps (Schietterer) with H. rufus. An illustrated key to species is presented and relationships among genera of Hyptiogastrinae and species of Hyptiogaster are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]