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A total of 17 species from the families Styelidae, Polyclinidae, Polycitoridae, Pseudodistomidae, Ritterellidae and Didemnidae are described for the first time in collections from remote fiords with steep-sided walls, high rainfall and high tidal flow on the south-west coast of New Zealand. The Fiordland ascidian assemblages are composed of endemic species, species with trans-Tasman affinities, species found in southern New Zealand and species found New Zealand wide, some of which have global distributions. Two Australian native species,Diplosoma velatumKott, 2001 andDidemnum jucundumKott, 2001 from South Australia are new records to New Zealand and a further eight species remain undescribed. Two new colonial ascidiansAplidium coronumsp. nov. andTrididemnum shawisp. nov. are described in this paper. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5ADC2C9D-28AC-4348-8B4D-F26-2A43DEA66 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper, which presents an annotated checklist of the whites (Pieridae: Pierinae), is the third in a series on the butterfly fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro. Four genera (Colotis,Nepheronia,Belenois,Mylothris), with a total of 10 included species, are known to occur within the main forest zone, from c.1800 to c.2800 m. Of the species, onlyMylothris sagalaappears restricted to the primary forests. The fauna from the lower slopes, below 1800 m, is far richer, with a total of 11 genera and 40 species listed. An identification key to the genera of Pierinae that occur in Tanzania, together with a key to the adults of all pierine butterflies considered to occur or have occurred on Kilimanjaro, with 310 colour images, are included as online Supplementary Information. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study describes the life cycle ofHuarpea fallax(Hymenoptera: Sapygidae) in a xeric forest in La Pampa province, Argentina. This cleptoparasitic wasp attacks the nests of two species of leaf-cutter bees:Megachile catamarcensisandAnthidium vigintipunctatum, both belonging to the family Megachilidae. Nests of these bee species were obtained during a trap-nesting programme. Adult emergence showed a unimodal pattern indicating a univoltine life cycle. The period from egg-laying to adult emergence lasted for 10–13 months; however, one female took about 2 years to emerge, suggesting parsivoltinism. Most females attack one cell per host nest, the outermost cells being the ones most parasitized. However, the position of the attacked cells was variable. In this paper, although there were insufficient data to prove a correlation, the data suggest a positive trend between body size of sapygid wasps and their host bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents 13 known and seven new species of Ampithoidae from three South Pacific locations: Papua New Guinea; the Austral Isles, French Polynesia; and the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. The new speciesAmpithoe ricaudyana,Ampithoe takeuchii,Cymadusa lituus,Cymadusa paradisaea,Plumithoe boulari,Sunamphitoe kanakaandSunamphitoe tjibouiare described.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:590B4276-1DFA-40C1-B562-A7B5FC1E6A5C [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Callibaetis Eaton remains poorly known in South America. Some of the species in the genus are difficult to identify with confidence and most are known only at the adult stage. In this paper we increase the number of species known to occur in Brazil from 11 to 18; diagnoses of species are improved; five new species are described based on nymphs and reared adults of both genders (C. calloventer sp. nov.,C. cruentus sp. nov.,C. gelidus sp. nov.,C. itannae sp. nov., C. nigracyclus sp. nov.); first records of two species are reported from Brazil (C. gonzalezi and C. sellacki); descriptions of unknown stages are made (C. gonzalezi male imago and C. jocosus nymph); redescriptions of known stage are provided for male and female imago of C. jocosus. Based on these data, keys for nymph, male and female imago are proposed for Brazil.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:019D55A5-8979-4D9A-BB16-CB1451C8DF1B [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is the third contribution to the knowledge of littoral Collembola of China. Species of the genusThalassaphoruraoccurring in sandy and shingly beaches in China are reviewed. Descriptions of two new species,Thalassaphorura brevisetosasp. nov. andThalassaphorurahainanicasp. nov. are provided.Thalassaphorura duplopunctataandThalassaphoruralifouensisare recorded for the first time from China, andT.duplopunctatais re-described mainly based on Chinese specimens.Thalassaphorura brevisetosasp. nov. is characterized by having strongly reduced unguiculus and very short body chaetae.Thalassaphorura hainanicasp. nov. resemblesThalassaphorurapomorskiifrom which it differs by 2 + 2 pso on Abd. IV, absence of chaetae on Th. I sternum and four chaetae on subcoxa 1 of leg I, among other characters. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B8AC3DB3-DF12-47E2-ACEE-969D72C594C8 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper describes five new species of earthworms belonging to the generaAmynthasandMetaphire(Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) from Matsu, Taiwan. They areAmynthas bimontissp. nov.,Amynthas hsiyinensissp. nov.,Amynthas dongyinensissp. nov.,Amynthas dongjuensissp. nov. andMetaphire matsuensissp. nov.Amynthas bimontisis a small, quadrithecate earthworm with two pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7 and two small genital papillae lateral to each male porophore.Amynthas hsiyinensisis quadrithecate with two pairs of spermathecal pores in 7/8/9, has numerous small genital papillae and is morphologically similar toAmynthas polyglandularis(Tsai, 1964) from northern Taiwan.Amynthas dongyinensisis sexthecate with three pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7–8/9 and has simple male pore structure.Amynthas dongjuensisis octothecate with or without a genital papilla medial to each male pore.Metaphire matsuensisis sexthecate with three pairs of dorsolateral spermathecal pores in 5/6–7/8, and has each male pore surrounded by 0–10 small papillae on top of a cone-shaped everted copulatory chamber. DNA barcodes (the 5’-end sequences of the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I gene) of the five new species are also reported. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2EBE3507-917B-4074-B73B-CF8DC88966B9 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Considered at times as extinct, the European bone-skippersThyreophora cynophilaandCentrophlebomyia furcata(Diptera: Piophilidae) have been recently rediscovered in Spain, coexisting in some areas. Nevertheless, apart from their typical association with big mammal carcasses, little is known about them and the other species of subtribe Thyreophorina. In the present paper, the larval morphology ofT. cynophilais described for the first time and compared with that ofC. furcata. The morphology of cephalopharyngeal skeleton, the number and arrangement of the spines of ventral creeping welts, and the morphology and presence or absence of tubercles in the two last segments of the body, are the main characters allowing for larval identification of both species. Some preliminary field and laboratory observations on the behaviour and life cycle of the two species are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The illustrations in Robert Hooke’s epoch-making publicationMicrographiabecame the standard reference work for depicting microscopic phenomena. Of the book’s 38 engravings (the “Schemata”), 14 illustrate insects or their body parts, and of its 60 “Observations” (descriptions and speculative discussions) nearly a third concern insects. Here, I provide taxonomically accurate identifications ofMicrographia’s insects, and assess, from a present-day entomologist’s perspective, the accuracy of the book’s insect drawings. I also present additional evidence against the widely expressed opinion that Christopher Wren was probably the author of some of those illustrations. Other entomological aspects ofMicrographiaaddressed in this paper are the insightfulness of Hooke’s Observations, the book’s influence on seventeenth century insect studies, and its legacy to modern entomology. Some of Hooke’s writings in the Observations foreshadow those of Swammerdam on insect metamorphosis (Hooke may have understood it in its basic modern sense) and of van Leeuwenhoek on insect population growth. Also in his discussions of insects, Hooke made what is arguably a meaningful contribution to the debate over spontaneous generation. Hooke’s speculations regarding the function of insect body parts such as dipteran compound eyes, halteres and maxillary palps, and coleopteran elytra, were particularly insightful. I conclude that Hooke helped to lay the foundations of entomology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper expands the known geographic distribution ofCorvospongilla secktiBonetto and Ezcurra de Drago, 1966 to another two Brazilian hydrographic basins, the East Atlantic and São Francisco basins. Simultaneously, it reassesses the status ofC. secktiandCorvospongilla volkmeriDe Rosa Barbosa, 1988. Re-examination of the holotype ofC. volkmerirevealed no remarkable diagnostic features to differentiate it fromC. seckti, given our present knowledge on the variability of the latter. Accordingly,C. volkmeriis considered a junior synonym ofC. seckti. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper critically compares the Southern African bulldog fish speciesMarcusenius macrolepidotus(Peters, 1852), inhabiting the eastern Lower Zambezi River, andMarcusenius altisambesiKramer et al., 2007, inhabiting the central Upper Zambezi River, with bulldog fish samples from the western lower Cunene River, a 2600-km range from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic. The three species or forms are well differentiated in morphology and molecular genetics, and differentiation is also present in electric organ discharges.Marcusenius altisambesiand the Cunene sample, which we recognize asMarcusenius multisquamatussp. nov., are closely related and form a sister taxon toM. macrolepidotus.This result is based on the analysis of mitochondrial cytochromebsequences and genomic Inter-simple-sequence-repeat fingerprinting. Morphological adaptations to life in a torrential escarpment river seem to be present inM. multisquamatussp. nov. when compared withM. altisambesi, which lives in a reservoir river that periodically floods the savannah.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8FE68494-9ED9-428E-B181-E814D25493F2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AmeroseiusBerlese is the most numerous genus of family Ameroseiidae Evans (in Hughes 1961). Species of this genus have been reported from many regions around the world. A few species of this genus are known from Brazil.Ameroseius mineiroNarita, Bernardi and Moraes, sp. nov. is described based on the morphology of adult females and males collected from guano in caves of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. This is the secondAmeroseiusspecies described from Brazil. The holotypes ofAmeroseius plumosus(Oudemans) andAmeroseius plumigera(Oudemans) were examined, given their close similarity with the species described in this paper, and they are here redescribed. A key is provided to separate these and other most similar species.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:17A7D831-EC49-4D65-B06B-5E13EF52C696 [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]

This paper forms part of a series on the butterfly fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro. Three genera (Catopsilia,ColiasandEurema) with eight species of Coliadinae are believed to occur within the main forest zone. However, of these, one or two may prove to be no more than variants of a third species,Eurema desjardinsii. A fourth conventionally recognized member of the complex may occur on the lower slopes below 1800 m. The widespread speciesEurema hecabeoccurs on the lower slopes, but records are sparse, and no records of its close relativeEurema floricola, with which it has often been confused, have been found. The need for original field and laboratory research on the taxonomy of AfricanEuremaspecies is stressed. Keys to adult Coliadinae found in Tanzania, with colour illustrations, are included as online supplementary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes four new species of earthworms from Hainan Island, China:Amynthas obsoletussp. nov.,Amynthas dorsualissp. nov.,Amynthas mirifiussp. nov. andAmynthas pulvinussp. nov.Amynthas obsoletusis an athecate earthworm, has greyish or brownish pigment on the dorsum, and has two genital papillae beside each male pore, one medial and one anterior, three genital papillae arranged transversely in VIII, prostates in XVII–XX.Amynthas dorsualis,Amynthas mirifiusandAmynthas pulvinusare all octothecate earthworms, and key to thecorticis-group, but the spermathecal pores are located on the dorsum inAmynthas dorsualis.Amynthas dorsualishas dark grey and dark brown pigment on the dorsum, an annular clitellum in 1/10XIV–7/10XVI, and lacks genital markings.Amynthas mirifiusandAmynthas pulvinusboth have four pairs of spermathecal pores on the ventrum.Amynthas mirifiushas four peanut-in-shell-shaped genital markings, which are rectangular with enlarged rounded ends, between the two male pores, whileAmynthas pulvinushas a large glandular rounded rectangle-shaped genital marking on the ventral side of 17/18–18/19. DNA barcodes are provided for the last two new species collected in 2011, and have been submitted to NCBI to enable molecular species identification.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:27AD7191-5438-4F10-B177-5FCCA893A2EB [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, soft-bottom polychaete species collected in August and September 2011 in the Aegean and Levantine Seas (4–325 m) are presented. A total of 358 species belonging to 48 families were found. Two species,Leonnates aylaoberisp. nov. andLevinsenia materisp. nov., are new to science and 14 species are new records for the marine fauna of Turkey. Syllidae and Spionidae were represented by a high number of species. The highest polychaete density was estimated as 5660 ind.m−2in the area. The most dominant species in the area wereLumbrineris geldiayi,Owenia fusiformisandSigambra tentaculata. A total of 21 alien polychaete species were encountered in the area, of whichStreblospio gynobranchiataformed a dense population in the Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay), andPrionospio depauperataandPrionospio sacciferain the Levantine Sea. Four hot spot areas for the settlement of alien species were determined in the area. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4ECEC9B2-1604-4768-B152-BBEAE257249F [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper re-examines the type material of fiveAsterocheresBoeck, 1859 species from the collection of Jan Stock deposited in the Zoological Museum of Amsterdam and describes a new species,Asterocheres hoi. Some taxonomically important appendages of these species are redescribed and illustrated. The most striking discrepancies with the original descriptions have been observed in: (1) the segmentation of antennule, antenna and mandibular palp; (2) the omission of some elements in various oral appendages such as the antenna, maxillule, maxilla and maxilliped; (3) the presence or not of a flaccid element on the maxilla; (4) the length of the siphon and the shape of the stylet. The redescribed species,Asterocheres genodonStock, 1966,Asterocheres halichondriaeStock, 1966,Asterocheres maxillatusStock, 1987,Asterocheres proboscideusStock, 1966 andAsterocheres scutatusStock, 1966, were also compared with their closest congeners.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1E9F6B4E-ADE0-4A84-91EB-222D391E88D7 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The copepod family Oncaeidae is widely distributed in the world's oceans and includes many small and abundant species. Due to their small size and the existence of sister and sibling species in different parts of the ocean, species identification is very difficult. Quantitative studies on copepod communities usually consider oncaeids at the family level only, or present uncertain species names, when based on regional identification keys not established for the study area. This paper aims to develop the basis for an improved taxonomic resolution of oncaeids in ecological studies. It summarizes the most relevant morphological elements to characterize the seven presently known genera and to define in addition 16 species groups within the paraphyletic taxonOncaeas.l. On this basis, a worldwide identification key for oncaeids is presently being developed, restricted to genera and species groups, with species included as far as the state of knowledge allows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spider genus Sesieutes Simon, 1897 is redefined on the basis of both somatic and genital morphology. It is presumably monophyletic and supported by a com-bined presence of characters. The type species of the genus, Sesieutes lucens Simon, 1897, is redescribed and its conspecific female is described here for the first time. Five new species are described from South East Asia. These taxa are Sesieutes min-uatus sp. nov. and Sesieutes aberrans sp. nov. from Thailand, Sesieutes abruptus sp. nov. and Sesieutes bifidus sp. nov. from Malaysia, and Sesieutes apiculatus sp. nov. from Indonesia. Sesieutes borneensis Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 is recorded from Palawan, the Philippines for the first time, expanding the distribution range of the genus northwards. Sesieutes lucens is recorded from Malaysia for the first time. New records of Sesieutes scrobiculatus Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 and Sesieutes nitens Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 have become available from localities other than the type localities. Four species are misplaced in Sesieutes but will be transferred to Jacaena Thorell, 1897 in a separate paper once that genus is redefined and revised. As delimited, the genus comprises 12 species occurring in humid rainforests of the Indo-Burmese and Sundaland of the Oriental Region. A key to all species of Sesieutes is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the first to describe, in detail, the process of feeding by a species of Charonia. As Charonia lampas commenced attacking its sea star prey, Ophidiaster ophidianus, the latter autotomized its trailing arm and escaped. The pursuing C. lampas ate this arm. The results of this study are not in accord with the established view of feeding by species of Charonia. Firstly, C. lampas did not inject either a venom into its prey to paralyse it nor an acid to access it and, second, nor did it pierce the skeleton of its prey and suck out the tissues, all as reported in the literature. Rather, in the case herein described, C. lampas held and manipulated its prey with the foot and used its taenioglossan radula located at the end of the extendible pleurembolic proboscis to scrape and ingest the soft tissues of the sea star and, subsequently, consume the remaining skeletal components again using the proboscis and contained radula. These two phases of consumption were followed by two matching phases of faeces production. Also described is the foregut anatomy of C. lampas, including, for the first time, the minute jaws and the histology of the salivary glands, and for which comparison is made with those of the known acid-producing structures of representatives of the Cassidae and other Ranellidae. As finally described, predator and prey clearly recognised each other signifying an identifiably intimate relationship. Charonia lampas consumed only the autotomised arm and it is argued that in such a case, as an anti-predation device, autotomy is of survival benefit to both predator and prey. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper revises an extraordinary Madagascan genus Urana Melichar, 1902, with two species Urana paradoxa Melichar, 1902 and Urana unica sp. nov. The genus represents the tribe Selizini of the subfamily Flatinae. Additionally, distribution of the genus is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper describes three new species of earthworms belonging to the genus Amynthas (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) from eastern Taiwan. They are Amynthas amis sp. nov., Amynthas mutabilitas sp. nov. and Amynthas amplipapillatus sp. nov. Amynthas amis is octothecate with single or paired genital papillae in presetal VII–IX. It is widely distributed at elevations of 245–1500 m south of Mugua River in eastern Taiwan. Amynthas mutabilitas has spermathecae from totally absent (athecate) to two pairs in VI–VII (quadrithecate). It was found on the east slope of the Central Mountain Range and Coastal Mountain Range at elevations of 410–1350 m. Amynthas amplipapillatus is athecate and has large, paired genital papillae in postsetal XVII and often in presetal XIX, and occasionally an additional pair in postsetal XIX. It was found at elevations of 130–1170 m in eastern Taiwan. Also, redescription of Amynthas hongyehensis which is endemic to eastern Taiwan is given. DNA barcodes (the 5'-end sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene) of the first two new species and of A. hongyehensis are also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The species of Bannatettix Zheng, 1993 are listed. A total of 11 species of Bannatettix Zheng were systematically researched in this paper. One new species, Bannatettix barbifemura sp. nov. is described as new to science. The distribution and an updated key to the species are presented. The type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper reports on five species of mites of the genus Laelaspis associated with ants in Iran – Laelaspis astronomicus (Koch) from Tapinoma simrothi, Laelaspis equitans (Michael) from Messor sp. and Camponotus sp., Laelaspis kamalii Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Tapinoma sp., Laelaspis pennatus Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Tetramorium caespitum, and Laelaspis persicus Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Pheidole pallidula. Laelaspis imitatus Reitblat has also been reported from Iran, in association with an unknown insect. A key to species of Laelaspis occurring in the Western Palaearctic Region is presented, with a summary of their host associations and biology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper introduces new data on Todaropsis eblanae morphology, morphometry and functional aspects of the male reproductive system and hectocotylus. Spermatophores differ in specimens from the Atlantic Ocean (average length, 18.28 ± 1.45 mm, 15.63 ± 0.8% of mantle length; weight, 2.0–12.0 mg) and the Indian Ocean (average length, 24.8 ± 2.85 mm, 16.9 ± 2.1% of mantle length; weight, 35.0–39.6 mg) (t = 3.14; p < 0.01 for absolute sizes and t = 0.711; p > 001 for relative sizes). An additional important distinctive trait is the form of connection of the cement body with the ejaculatory tube. In recent years, T. eblanae has been regularly caught in the Barents Sea, meaning its range has extended to subarctic waters. The morphology and morphometry of the spermatophoric complex of organs did not vary in investigated parts of its range. Hectocotylus patterns and some important spermatophore traits distinguish Todaropsis from other Ommastrephidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the taxonomy of the genus Aetheomorpha Lacordaire, 1848 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae: Clytrini) occurring in China. Five new species are described: Aetheomorpha bidentata sp. nov. from Sichuan, Aetheomorpha bilobata sp. nov., Aetheomorpha obtusapicata sp. nov., Aetheomorpha punctistriata sp. nov. and Aetheomorpha wangi sp. nov. from Yunnan. Aetheomorpha furcata Medvedev and Kantner, 2002 is reported from China for the first time. The Chinese fauna of the genus is therefore increased to 16 species. A key to species is provided in the text in addition to colour plates and line drawings of habitus, maxilla, labium, male genitalia and female spermatheca and rectal sclerites, which are very helpful for species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ascaridoid nematode Mawsonascaris zhoui sp. nov. collected from the granulated guitarfish Glaucostegus granulatus (Cuvier) (Rajiformes: Rhinobatidae) in the Taiwan Strait (off Xiamen, Fujian Province, China) is described and illustrated in this paper. The new species can easily be distinguished from its congeners by the absence of an intestinal caecum, the presence of a single, median precloacal volcaniform papilla, a pair of paracloacal double papillae and 10–11 precloacal papillae in the male. In addition, the paratypes of Raphidascaroides myliobatum Yin & Zhang, 1983 collected from the Japanese eagle ray Myliobatis tobijei Bleeker (Rajiformes: Myliobatidae) in the Taiwan Strait (off Chongwu, Fujian Province, China) were also re-examined and the morphology of the species reveals that it also belongs to the genus Mawsonascaris, as M. myliobatum (Yin & Zhang, 1983) comb. nov. An identification key to the species of Mawsonascaris is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, two new species of the genus Gabrius from China are described and illustrated: G. zhoui sp. nov. from Sichuan and G. invisus sp. nov. from Beijing, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Zhejiang. Gabrius imitator (Fauvel, 1895), G. lebedevi (Bernhauer, 1910), G. tirolensis (Luze, 1903), G. kambaitiensis Scheerpeltz, 1965, G. cinctiventris Scheerpeltz, 1965, G. egens (Sharp, 1874), G. smetanai Schillhammer, 1997 and G. zerchei Schillhammer, 1996 are reported from China for the first time. Thus, a total of 53 species of the genus Gabrius are known from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes 13 teratological cases of anomalies in the morphology of exotic ticks from three species: Amblyomma latum, Amblyomma flavomaculatum and Hyalomma aegyptium. The ticks parasitized reptiles (Python regius, Varanus exanthematicus, Testudo marginata), that were imported into Poland from Africa and suthern Europe for the purpose of breeding in terraria. General anomalies were found that were related to the asymmetry and bifurcation of the idiosoma and local anomalies, which are related to structures on the surface of the body: oligomely of the porose area, anomaly in the form and course of the anal groove, and anomalies of the legs: heteromorphism, oligomely and atrophy of the leg, as well as cases of complex anomalies. Knowledge of cases of morphological anomalies in ticks can help to greatly reduce taxonomic errors in determining the species affiliation of the teratologically altered tick. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the second part of a series on the genus Promalactis (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) in northern Vietnam, describing six new species: Promalactis albipars sp. nov., Promalactis bitrigona sp. nov., Promalactis diorbis sp. nov., Promalactis forticosta sp. nov., Promalactis magnipuncti sp. nov. and Promalactis polyspina sp. nov. Adults and genitalia of the new species are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a contribution to the discussion about species limits in the millipede genus Pachyiulus Berlese, 1883. Colour, body size, morphology, anamorphosis and DNA sequences of two morphotypes are compared, leading to the conclusion that Pachyiulus oenologus (Berlese, 1885) and Pachyiulus flavipes (C.L. Koch, 1847) are distinct species although they were previously synonymized under Pachyiulus varius (Fabricius, 1781). The identity of P. varius is discussed, and a new record of P. apfelbecki Verhoeff, 1901, is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater gastropod genus Pseudamnicola Paulucci, 1878 belongs to the family Hydrobiidae Stimpson, 1865 and has been cited in Europe, Africa and Asia. The Ibero-Balearic region is considered one of the areas showing the greatest diversity of hydrobiids although few works have provided complete morphological descriptions. Seven Pseudamnicola species have been described based only on shells and some features of the male and female genitalia. This paper provides the largest set of anatomical and morphological data currently available for hydrobiids and describes five new species of Pseudamnicola (Corrosella) from the Iberian Peninsula: P. (C.) manueli sp. nov., P. (C.) bareai sp. nov., P. (C.) marisolae, sp. nov., P. (C.) iruritai sp. nov. and P. (C.) andalusica sp. nov. Two further species, P. (C.) luisi Boeters, 1984 and P. (C.) falkneri (Boeters, 1970), whose distribution areas overlap, are re-described for comparison. The new species are morphologically well differentiated, the most satisfactory characters being female and male genitalia, radula and nervous system, and are well supported by molecular data, with genetic distances between 5.39 and 11.15% for the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence. All the species inhabit a mountain region whose tectonic episodes are here invoked to explain the creation of an area of endemisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three bopyrid isopods of the subfamily Athelginae parasitizing hermit crabs collected in Chinese waters are discussed and described in this paper. Athelges takanoshimensis Ishii, 1914 is recorded again from China on Pagurus pectinatus (Stimpson) and from Hong Kong on a new host, Pagurus minutus Hess. Parathelges enoshimensis Shiino, 1950 is recorded for the first time from China on a member of the genus Spiropagurus. Pseudostegias setoensis Shiino, 1933 is recorded again from Hong Kong but from a new host, Clibanarius virescens Hess, and for the first time from Hainan Province on a new host Calcinus laevimanus (Randall). A combination of light and scanning electron microscopy is used to investigate the morphology of these species and data on their prevalence with hermit crab hosts are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Indo-Pacific area, insular rivers are mainly colonized by gobiids of the Sicydiinae subfamily. These species spawn in freshwater, where the free embryos drift downstream to the sea before returning to rivers to reproduce; they are amphidromous. These gobies are the greatest contributors to the fish diversity and have the highest levels of endemism. Among the nine known genera of Sicydiinae, only two have been found in the West Indian Ocean, and only one (Sicyopterus) is known from Madagascar. Recently, two surveys discovered a new species in the genus Sicyopus. Sicyopus lord sp. nov. differs from other species by a combination of characters that includes a particular colour pattern, similar in both sexes; more scales than its congeners in lateral series (35–43), transverse back series (12–18) and a shorter caudal fin length in male fish. This paper describes the new species and discusses the presence of this genus in Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The saproxylic beetle Cetonia aurataeformis Curti (Scarabaeoidea: Cetoniidae) is a common Iberian species, whose larvae develop in tree cavities feeding on wood and litter. The aim of this paper is to analyse how the larvae of this cetonid modify the woody substrate by feeding and what the ecological implications on their microhabitat could be. Thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy have been used to study the changes suffered by different substrates, litter and wood of Betula alba and Quercus pyrenaica, after digestion by the larvae. Results show that larvae of C. aurataeformis are able to digest polysaccharides and lignin producing a residue richer in nutrients than the original substrate and with an organic structure that contains a fraction of lignin that is easier to decompose. The main conclusion is that the action of cetonid larvae on woody substrates could facilitate their use by other saproxylic organisms in natural ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with annelids (Oligochaeta and Polychaeta) collected in the Sea of Marmara between 2006 and 2010 at depths from 0 to 66 m. A total of five oligochaete and 198 polychaete species were found. Five polychaete species, namely Prosphaerosyllis marmarae sp. nov., Levinsenia demiri sp. nov., Levinsenia kosswigi sp. nov., Levinsenia marmarensis sp. nov. and Levinsenia tribranchiata sp. nov. are new to science, and five oligochaete and 84 polychaete species are new to the fauna of the Sea of Marmara. A list of species found in the region and their maximum densities are presented at depth intervals. The present material includes six alien polychaete species, Paraprionospio coora, Polydora cornuta, Prionospio (Minuspio) pulchra, Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata, Chaetozone corona and Metasychis gotoi, of which the latter four species were new records for the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 100-0 m samples from a stratified zooplankton sample series from the upwelling region of the Gulf of Oman, during February 1997, were numerically dominated by members of the poorly known halocyprid genus Euconchoecia. A modern diagnosis of the genus Euconchoecia is provided and the type species, Euconchoecia chierchiae from the Atlantic is redescribed. A second species from the Atlantic, Euconchoecia aculeata is also redescribed. In the Gulf of Oman samples there are two size groups, and these were previously identified as E. chierchiae and E. aculeata. However, when compared with specimens from the Atlantic and with published descriptions of these two species, the Gulf of Oman specimens could not be assigned to any previously described species. In this paper the Gulf of Oman species are described as new species, Euconchoecia omanensis and Euconchoecia hormuzensis, and are compared in detail with the redescriptions of the Atlantic species, E. chierchiae and E. aculeata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper three species of terrestrial isopods from Sicily are discussed. Spelaeoniscus coiffaiti and Cylisticus convexus are new to the Sicilian fauna. Sicilian specimens of Spelaeoniscus coiffaiti are examined and illustrated, and the biogeographical significance of this species in Sicily is discussed. Trichoniscus panormidensis is described as a new species, and the affinities are treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Uruguay, Badumna longinqua is an invasive species arising from Australia. Phoresy by human activities and strong adaptation to synantropic sites have been the main factors that have contributed to the dispersal of this species to other countries. In this study, we analysed the dispersion of B. longinqua in Uruguay using voucher specimens deposited in Uruguayan arachnological collections and new field captures. A logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relationship of this species with the studied habitats. We found individuals of B. longinqua associated with many different synantropic sites, such as the bark of Eucalyptus spp. trees situated in parks, avenues and commercial plantations. As this crop is being extensively planted for the production of bleached hardwood pulp for paper production in Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and others countries, we postulate the probable expansion of B. longinqua to other parts of South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iranian Cunaxinae dealt with in this paper comprise three known species of one genus. They are Cunaxa grobleri den Heyer, 1979a, Cunaxa capreolus (Berlese, 1889) and Cunaxa setirostris (Hermann, 1804). The first description of a male of Cunaxa capreolus is provided. The first two species are reported for the first time from Iran. All species are figured and a key is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]