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Leucaltidae (Calcinea: Clathrinida) was proposed for a group of calcareous sponges with a well-developed cortical region, while the choanosomal and atrial skeletons are reduced. Currently, it comprises the genera Ascandra , Leucaltis , Leucettusa and Leuclathrina , but molecular phylogenies provide evolutionary scenarios different from those based on morphology, recovering a non-monophyletic Leucaltidae. Leucaltis and Leucettusa have long been difficult taxa to distinguish due to their reduced choanosomal and atrial skeletons. Therefore, our objective in this paper is to redescribe all species of Leucaltis and Leucettusa and provide a taxonomic revision to assess their generic status through morphological and molecular tools. Leucaltidae were confirmed polyphyletic and Leucettusa is, therefore, synonymized under Leucaltis. Moreover, several species currently identified as Leucettusa represent a distinct evolutionary lineage. For these species, we propose the new genus Rowella gen. nov. This new genus is allocated to Leucettidae. Based on their phylogenetic position and morphology, Ascandra and Leuclathrina are transferred to Dendyidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planthopper superfamily Fulgoroidea (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) currently includes more than 14 000 described species in about 21 extant families. Despite multiple studies attempted, based on morphological characters or DNA sequence data, the phylogeny of this superfamily remains unsatisfactorily resolved. Here we reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship among the families of this superfamily based on the whole mitogenome sequences from 113 species representing 17 planthopper families and three families as outgroups, in which 41 species of Fulgoroidea were sequenced for this study. The phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on three different datasets, both by maximum likelihood (ML, IQtree) and Bayesian inference (BI, MrBayes, and PhyloBayes). The tree topologies of ML and BI analyses were quite similar with only a few differences in some clades. The phylogenetic results showed that Cixiidae and Delphacidae were placed as sister-taxa at the base of this superfamily; the clade Fulgoridae + Dictyopharidae appeared younger than the Meenoplidae + Kinnaridae one, Derbidae and Achilidae were more recently derived than Fulgoridae + Dictyopharidae without depicting a monophyletic unit, and Tropiduchidae and Acanaloniidae appeared as sister-taxa. The divergence-time estimation analysis shows that most planthoppers underwent relatively rapid radiation during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Divergence time between Cixiidae and Delphacidae can be traced back to the Middle Jurassic; Meenoplidae, Fulgoridae, and Issidae originated in the Lower Cretaceous; Lophopidae and Eurybrachidae can be traced to the Upper Cretaceous. This paper reconstructs the cladogram of Fulgoroidea based on more comprehensive mitogenome sequences so far, which could provide new clues for a better understanding of the evolution of this superfamily. However, the taxa sampling appears insufficient to address controversial groups in Fulgoroidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest Crocodylia from Asia have been represented so far only by alligatoroids and planocraniids. Although definitive crocodyloids are not known until the late Eocene, it has been hypothesized that Asiatosuchus -like basal crocodyloids originated in Asia before the late Palaeocene. In this paper, we describe a new fossil crocodyloid from the lower Palaeocene of Qianshan Basin, Anhui Province, China. The skull and lower jaw fragment exhibit several characteristics typical of juvenile crocodylians. They also display a combination of features not seen in any other taxon, warranting the erection of a new species and genus, Qianshanosuchus youngi gen. & sp. nov. Its affinities are tested in phylogenetic analyses based on two recent character matrices of Eusuchia. To assess the effect of juvenile characteristics on the outcome of the phylogenetic analyses, juvenile specimens of extant crocodylian taxa are analysed in the same way, showing that the effect of their ontogenetic stage on their placement in the tree is minimal. Our analyses point to a basal crocodyloid position for Q. youngi. With these findings, the presence of Crocodyloidea in Asia is extended to the early Palaeocene, 15–20 Myr earlier than formerly thought. Furthermore, our results corroborate previous hypotheses of a Palaeocene dispersal route of Asiatosuchus -like crocodyloids from Asia into Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breve species group includes closely related Bembidion Latreille ground beetles commonly found at high elevation in the mountains of western North America. For several decades, the group has been considered to consist of two species. Here, we present evidence from morphological, molecular and geographic data that the group contains nine species: Bembidion ampliatum, B. breve, B. geopearlis, B. laxatum, B. lividulum, B. oromaia, B. saturatum, B. testatum and B. vulcanix. We describe three species (B. geopearlis, B. oromaia and B. vulcanix) as new and resurrect four previously synonymized names (B. ampliatum, B. lividulum, B. saturatum and B. testatum). Species diversity is highest throughout the Cascades in Oregon and Washington, and Sierra Nevada of California, where up to seven species can occur in sympatry. We resolved challenging nomenclatural issues through analysis of sequences obtained from century-old type specimens by using a novel application of rDNA copy number analysis - an approach that may prove useful for other historical specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycteridae are a small group of Tenebrionoidea, comprising three subfamilies and over 180 species. Eurypinae are the most species-rich subfamily, with diverse external morphology of adults at both generic and species levels. To date, no study of mycterid systematics using phylogenetic approaches has been conducted. In this paper, we reconstruct a phylogeny of eurypine beetles based on morphological characters, covering most described genera. This is the first attempt to investigate the evolution and relationships of Mycteridae. The phylogenetic positions of several systematically enigmatic genera can thus be hypothesized based on the topology. Recent molecular phylogenetic frameworks and fossil records reveal that most eurypine lineages probably evolved during the Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic. Our results also indicate that the fauna of the current regions of the world and Early Cenozoic Europe consist(ed) of various eurypine lineages, supporting the previously proposed hypothesis that Eurypinae were once widely distributed, but underwent a subsequent partial extinction. Two new genera and three new species are described from Australia, based on comparative anatomy and cladistic analysis, namely Austroconomorphus slipinskii gen. et sp. nov. , Austrophaeogala lawrencei gen. et sp. nov. and Austrophaeogala ovipennis sp. nov. We demonstrate that the phylogenetic diversity of Mycteridae in Australia is greater than previously suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous evolutionary lineages representing an armoured, limno-terrestrial family Echiniscidae are restricted to high mountainous or polar localities, exhibiting clear cold stenothermic preferences. One such group is the genus Claxtonia , with its type species Claxtonia wendti , originally described from Svalbard and later on reported globally. In this paper, we re-describe this taxon by establishing the neotype from Spitsbergen. We sequenced five genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-1, ITS-2, and COI) for multiple populations of Claxtonia , including C. mauccii , C. molluscorum , C. wendti , and several potentially new species, collected in the Alps, Andes, Carpathians, Scotland, Iceland, Southern Appalachians, Spitsbergen, Scandinavian Peninsula, Borneo, and the West Indies. The relationships between these species are elucidated thanks to the phylogenetic reconstructions based on nuclear loci. Various Claxtonia species frequently co-occur in mosses and lichens, which hampers delineating their probable geographic ranges. All historical records of C. wendti are questioned in the light of our revision. Delineation of new species within the genus is nipped in the bud due to numerous problems with original species descriptions, unknown intraspecific (including ontogenetic) variability, and the lack of DNA barcodes. Finally, it is hypothesized that Claxtonia potentially comprises two lineages: a cold-stenothermic one and a thermophilic subtropical–tropical one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe the new genus Aglaona , the first abyssal genus of the family Aglajidae, comprising two new species: Aglaona rudmani sp. nov. from the Sea of Okhotsk (inhabiting a depth of 3206 m) and Aglaona valdesi sp. nov. from the Pacific slope of the Kuril Islands (at a depth of 3374–3580 m). For species descriptions and inference of relationships, we have followed an integrative approach, including molecular phylogenetic analyses based on four markers (COI , 16S, H3 and 28S) and a morphological analysis based on traditional anatomical dissections and scanning electron microscopy. The new genus is characterized by a well-developed radula with marginal teeth (2:1:0:1:2) and an internal bulloid shell with a wing-like parietal callus. External and internal morphology of Aglaona gen. nov. species is similar to that of the philinoid genus Laona (family Laonidae). Phylogenetic analyses support the inclusion of the new genus in the family Aglajidae, but its sister-relationships are unresolved. Our results suggest that Aglaona gen. nov. possesses several plesiomorphic characters, and that the reduction of shell and radula in Aglajidae occurred in parallel in different lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cantharidae is a diverse group of soft-bodied beetles and frequently occurs in the Mid-Cretaceous (c. 99 Mya) amber of Myanmar. In the present paper, three new soldier beetles, Cretocantharis veda gen. & sp. nov. , Palaeocantharis panna gen. & sp. nov. and Hukawngichthyurus maha sp. nov. are reported. A phylogenetic reconstruction of Cantharidae, including all extant subfamilies and tribes, corroborates a distinct lineage comprising cantharine-like cantharids from Burmese amber as sister to Silini (Silinae), revealing that the current subfamilial placement is probably inadequate. Together with our results and recent molecular phylogenetic frameworks, it reveals that subfamilies of Cantharidae evolved during the Cretaceous period and highlights a probable Gondwanan ancestry of main cantharid groups. Our topology also proposes that the systematically controversial tribe Tytthonyxini of Silinae constitutes an independent clade sister to Malthininae, rather than the component of Silinae. Furthermore, Archaeomalthodes rosetta , previously placed in Malthininae, is recovered as a member of Dysmorphocerinae, representing the oldest fossil record for this subfamily and enhancing the Gondwanan origin hypothesis of Burmese amber biota. The previous interpretation of reticulated elytra as a lycid-mimicry for the Cretaceous cantharid fossils and pleisiomorphy of Cantharidae are challenged and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aptly named microcormorants (currently placed in the genus Microcarbo) form a morphologically diminutive and distinct clade sister to all other living cormorants and shags. However, the relationships within Microcarbo are largely speculative. Sequence data resolve these relationships unambiguously, with our phylogeny suggesting that the microcormorants separated from the other cormorants ~16 Mya and showing that the two African species [the reed (or long-tailed) cormorant, Microcarbo africanus , and the crowned cormorant, Microcarbo coronatus ] are closely related sister taxa, forming a clade that diverged from the other microcormorants ~12 Mya. The deep split between the African microcormorants and the others is considerably older than many well-recognized generic splits within the cormorants (e.g. Leucocarbo and Phalacrocorax). Thus, we suggest that the African microcormorants warrant their own genus, and we erect Afrocarbo , with type species Pelecanus africanus. Within the reduced Microcarbo , we estimate that the little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos of Australasia) separated from the sister pair of the Javanese and pygmy cormorants (respectively, Microcarbo niger from south/southeast Asia and Microcarbo pygmaeus from Europe) ~9 Mya and that the latter two species split ~2 Mya. Given the age of these splits, the microcormorants appear to represent another example of morphological conservatism in the Suliformes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first molecular phylogeny of the tribe Sepidiini is inferred from analyses of DNA sequence data from the following five loci (CAD , wg , COI , COII , 28S rRNA). Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses were performed on a dataset containing 41 taxa, of which a majority represent Molurina (27) and Phanerotomeina (6). The resulting topologies were used to discuss phylogenetic placement and diagnostic characters of all of the genera representing Molurina. Within the subtribe, the results revealed paraphyly of the genus Psammodes. The P. vialis species-group, currently classified within Psammodes , was recovered as sister to all other Molurina genera. Based on this topology and morphological investigations, a new genus named Toktokkus gen. nov. is established. Within Phanerotomeina, Ocnodes is paraphyletic with regard to Tarsocnodes. In order to restore the monophyly of Ocnodes , the subgenus Chiliarchum stat. nov. is elevated to generic level. Finally, as the homology of female terminalia structures has never been fully assessed for Sepidiini, a comparative study of ovipositor morphology was conducted. As a result, this paper presents the first fully annotated ovipositors for tok-tokkie beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teleosauroidea is a clade of ancient crocodylomorphs that were integral components of coastal marine environments throughout the Jurassic. For nearly two centuries, one of the most familiar genera of teleosauroids has been Steneosaurus , encompassing nearly every teleosauroid species at some point. However, no type species has been designated for Steneosaurus under ICZN Code rules; the type specimen of the presumed type species S. rostromajor Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1825 (MNHN.RJN 134c-d) is a chimera that has been largely neglected in the literature. Moreover, there is confusion as to which teleosauroid species it pertains to, and the genus Steneosaurus is often recovered as paraphyletic or polyphyletic in phylogenetic analyses. As such, the validity of Steneosaurus is uncertain. Here we formally designate S. rostromajor as the type species of Steneosaurus , designate a lectotype and re-evaluate MNHN.RJN 134c-d. We compare it with several well-known teleosauroids, including Lemmysuchus and ' S.' edwardsi. Due to lack of autapomorphic characters, poor preservation and a tortured taxonomic history, we find MNHN.RJN 134c-d to be an undiagnostic and unreliable specimen. Thus, we consider S. rostromajor as a nomen dubium and propose that the genus Steneosaurus is undiagnostic. This has profound implications for teleosauroid phylogenetics, which we will clarify in an upcoming paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new species of cavernicolan planarian from the African continent, which enabled us to determine the position of the suborder Cavernicola within the order Tricladida on a molecular basis. A recent paper suggested a sister-group relationship between Cavernicola and marine triclads. However, our work is the first molecular study to demonstrate unequivocally that the Cavernicola does not group with either the freshwater planarians or the land planarians, i.e. is not closely related to the suborder Continenticola, and corroborates the suggested sister-group relationship with the marine triclads or Maricola. Two possible scenarios are proposed for the evolution of the Cavernicola from marine ancestors. The new species is assigned to the genus Novomitchellia and is characterized by the absence of eyes. Testicular follicles are numerous and only dorsal, extending from behind the ovaries to the posterior end of the body. The vasa deferentia separately penetrate the penis bulb and the seminal vesicle. The penis papilla is very short and blunt, and the penis bulb musculature is weak. A long and narrow copulatory bursa is situated behind the gonopore. The common oviduct is orientated perpendicularly to the short bursal canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vocal sacs are present in most species of frogs and are the product of the interaction of three elements: the gular skin, the superficial submandibular musculature and an internal mucosa derived from the buccal floor. In this paper, we surveyed the structural diversity in the vocal sac of microhylids and related families in 109 exemplar species, including 11 of the 13 currently recognized subfamilies. We defined five characters related to anatomical and histological properties of the m. interhyoideus, as well as the relationship of this muscle and the vocal sac internal mucosa. We describe a vocal sac configuration characterized by highly abundant elastic fibres in association with muscle fibres, a very unusual structure in animal tissues. We discuss the evolution of novel structures in a phylogenetic context and identify new synapomorphies for Microhylidae and internal clades. Furthermore, we comment on the functional implications that these features have in vocal sac inflation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, the family Plagiopylidae comprises four genera: Plagiopyla, Lechriopyla, Pseudoplagiopyla and Paraplagiopyla. Despite its cosmopolitan distribution, only a few species currently comprise the genus Plagiopyla, and their data are often incomplete, whereas the other genera are monotypic. Indeed, these anaerobic ciliates are a somewhat challenging issue for protistologists: they have a cryptic lifestyle, they are not easily cultivable and they possess few and cryptic taxonomic features, which makes it extremely difficult to identify them at species level. In the present paper we provide a revision of the family Plagiopylidae based on morphological and molecular analyses, together with the description of two novel species of Plagiopyla, P. ramani sp. nov. and P. narasimhamurtii sp. nov. and a redescription of P. nasuta, all collected from the freshwater Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh, India). We applied an integrative taxonomic approach to characterize these organisms, while introducing the description of novel morphological features not recorded in previous works. After critically revising the family Plagiopylidae, we propose the exclusion of the genus Paraplagiopyla from this family and that the genus Lechriopyla should be considered a junior synonym of Plagiopyla. We consequently propose L. mystax as Plagiopyla mystax comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, we provide a comprehensive revision of the large-sized neosuchians Kansajsuchus and ' Turanosuchus ' from the Late Cretaceous of Central Asia. Kansajsuchus extensus from the Kansai locality of the Yalovach Formation, Tadzhikistan, is confirmed as a valid taxon. Previously hypothesized goniopholidid affinities of Kansajsuchus are not supported. Our phylogenetic analyses found this taxon as a derived member of the family-level taxon Paralligatoridae. With a dorsal cranial length of 70–80 cm and a total body length reaching 5–7 m, Kansajsuchus extensus is among the largest known paralligatorids and derived neosuchians in general. The large-sized neosuchian from the Shakh Shakh locality of the Bostobe Formation, Kazakhstan, previously identified as Kansajsuchus spp. ' Turanosuchus aralensis ', or Neosuchia indet. with allegedly goniopholidid affinities, is a paralligatorid closely related to K. extensus. The taxonomic composition, internal relationships and geographical distribution of Paralligatoridae are reconsidered. Paralligatoridae is an endemic clade from the Cretaceous of Asia comprising four recognized genera (Paralligator, Shamosuchus, Rugosuchus and Kansajsuchus), which is characterized by the unique suite of osteodermal features (paravertebral osteoderms with high dorsal keels restricted to posterior margins, arranged in more than two rows and lacking anterolateral processes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delimiting species boundaries is a fundamental yet challenging task that has been especially problematic in morphologically conserved lineages. The use of genetic markers and phylogenetic approaches has proven of paramount importance to resolve these cases. Using the genus Unio as a case study, we have analysed two mitochondrial markers, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA (16S), phylogenetically and phylogeographically to explore species limits and evolutionary lineages within the group. We followed two different approaches to define species boundaries: the generalized mixed Yule coalescence model in a Bayesian framework and the Poisson tree process model. Phylogenetic relationships among species and divergence times were also assessed using relaxed molecular clock analyses. Taken together, we provide a sound systematic framework for Western Palaearctic Unio species, addressing phylogenetic relationships, and the taxonomy, biogeographic patterns and evolutionary history of this group in this region. The Unio clade from the studied area had a clear phylogenetic structure with four robust lineages that include the following species: (1) Unio durieui + Unio gibbus; (2) Unio tumidus; (3) Unio pictorum, Unio delphinus + Unio foucauldianus, Unio elongatulus, Unio mancus, Unio ravoisieri, Unio tigridis; and (4) Unio tumidiformis + (Unio bruguierianus + (Unio crassus + Unio ionicus)). Deeper analyses, including filling gaps in distributions, should be conducted to disentangle the U. crassus, U. pictorum and U. tigridis species complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcophaga Meigen is one of the megadiverse genera of true flies, with approximately 850 valid species worldwide. The genus is divided into about 160 subgenera, the validity of a vast majority of which has never been verified using cladistic methods. This paper deals with the mainly Palaearctic subgenus Heteronychia Brauer & Bergenstamm, which comprises 89 species and is thus the largest subunit of Sarcophaga. We performed a cladistic analysis of the group based exclusively on male morphological characters. Parsimony analyses were run on a matrix of 84 characters for 88 species. Species of the subgenera Discachaeta Enderlein and Notoecus Stein were also included in the matrix. A further analysis was carried out using a subset of characters from the terminalia alone (70 characters). The results show that the clade formed by Heteronychia, Discachaeta, and Notoecus is monophyletic, with Discachaeta emerging as polyphyletic whereas Sarcophaga ( Notoecus) longestylata Strobl is nested within the Sarcophaga filia-group. Character states supporting Heteronychia and the few well-supported species-groups are discussed in detail. The following synonymies are proposed: Discachaeta = Heteronychia ( syn. nov.) and Notoecus = Heteronychia ( syn. nov.). The paper also includes a historical background of the taxon in relation to the classification of the genus Sarcophaga over the past two centuries, as well as a terminological review of the male terminalia, particularly of the distiphallus. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pipistrelloid bats (genera Hypsugo, Neoromicia, and Pipistrellus) of Africa have been poorly studied, partly as a result of problems associated with species identification. This paper examines the diversity of pipistrelloid bats from Mount Nimba, a biodiversity hotspot in the Upper Guinean rainforest zone. Traditional morphometrics, the structure of the baculum, and sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I ( COI) gene were used to identify taxa. Species richness was exceptionally high and included at least ten taxa identifiable on molecular grounds. Of these, existing names could be assigned to six taxa. A seventh taxon was described as a species new to science, Neoromicia roseveari sp. nov., and was distinguished on molecular grounds, craniodental morphology, and baculum structure. The remaining taxa may refer to as-yet undescribed species but we lacked sufficient material to formally describe them here. The high species richness of pipistrelloid bats on Mount Nimba may be associated with the transition zone from lowland rainforest to moist savannah. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a new genus and species of shrew from the Pleistocene (levels 4, 5, and 6) of the Gran Dolina site, located in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). Dolinasorex glyphodon gen. et sp. nov. (Mammalia, Soricidae) is a type of large-sized soricine, endemic in character, which inhabited the Sierra de Atapuerca in the last part of the Early Pleistocene ( c. 780–900 kya). Morphometric and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species is more closely related to Asiatic forms than to the species Beremendia fissidens with its primarily European distribution. The main palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographical implications of the new taxon in the area around Atapuerca and in the Iberian Peninsula in general are discussed. The paper also presents a tentative phylogeny for the Soricinae subfamily in Eurasia, including for the first time exclusively fossil species, producing results that may prove to be of great interest for more complete studies in the future. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155, 904–925. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe Brujadelphis ankylorostris gen. nov., sp. nov., a new delphinidan (Cetacea, Odontoceti, Delphinida), based on a well-preserved skull with ear bones, associated mandibles, most of the teeth in situ and a fragment of the atlas, from the late middle to early late Miocene (Serravallian to early Tortonian) of the Pisco Formation, Pisco Basin, Peru. The new taxon differs from all other delphinidans in the following unique combination of character states: partial ankylosis of the thickened premaxillae above the mesorostral groove; presence of premaxillary eminences; premaxilla does not contact nasal; inflated nasals with a transversely convex dorsal surface; presence of an internasal fossa; and a longitudinal crest on the vertex formed by transversely pinched frontals. Our cladistic analyses of a supermatrix that includes molecular and morphological data identifies B. ankylorostris as an inioid (Iniidae + Pontoporiidae) that is more closely related to Inia than to Pontoporia. This result persists even if a molecular scaffold based on published Bayesian analyses is used. The inclusion of a large sample (12 taxa) of 'kentriodontids' allows us to confirm the paraphyly of this group of archaic Miocene delphinidans but contradicts the prevailing views in placing all of these taxa outside of Delphinoidea (Delphinidae + Monodontidae + Phocoenidae). In our unconstrained analysis 'kentriodontids' are split into five separate clades that occur along the stem of Inioidea + Delphinoidea. Based on our most parsimonious trees, we discuss published calibration points for molecular divergence estimates within Odontoceti and propose one new point: 18 Ma for an unnamed clade including Delphinida + Ziphiidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although trachelocercid ciliates are common in marine sandy intertidal zones, methodological difficulties mean that their biodiversity and evolutionary relationships have not been well documented. This paper investigates the morphology and infraciliature of two novel T rachelolophos and one rarely known form, T racheloraphis similis Raikov and Kovaleva, 1968, collected from the coastal waters of southern and eastern China. The small subunit ( SSU) r RNA gene sequences of two of the species are presented, allowing the phylogenetic position of the genus T rachelolophos to be revealed for the first time. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU r RNA gene sequences indicate that T rachelolophos branches with K ovalevaia and forms a sister clade with the group including P rototrachelocerca, T rachelocerca and T racheloraphis. The monophyly of Trachelocerca is not rejected by the approximately unbiased ( AU) test ( P = 0.209, > 0.05) but that of T racheloraphis is rejected ( P = 3e-033, < 0.05). The newly sequenced genus T rachelolophos, and recent studies on the morphology and phylogeny of the family Trachelocercidae, suggest two new hypotheses about the evolution of the seven genera within Trachelocercidae, based on either infraciliature or molecular evidence. Both hypotheses suppose the compound circumoral kineties in the oral apparatus is a plesiomorphic feature while the single circumoral kinety is synapomorphic. More evidence is still needed, however, as to whether the closed circumoral kinety with no brosse feature in T rachelocerca is ancestral or secondarily reduced. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their role in marine systems, Sergestidae remain one of the most poorly understood families amongst planktonic shrimps with regard to phylogeny. Recent morphological and phylogenetic revisions of a number of sergestid genera have disentangled classificatory problems and emphasized the importance of reproductive structures for the taxonomy and phylogeny of the Sergestidae. Only three genera, A cetes, P eisos, and S icyonella, remain unrevised phylogenetically. We undertook a phylogenetic analysis of these groups based on 124 morphological characters (120 binary, four multistate). Eighteen new characters were based on scanning electron microscopy studies of the clasping organ and petasma. The phylogenetic analysis revealed statistically supported monophyly of the clades S icyonella and A cetes + P eisos. We combine P eisos and A cetes into a monophyletic genus A cetes, give emended diagnoses and keys to all species of S icyonella and A cetes, and discuss morphological trends within these genera. We present maps of geographical distribution for all valid species of A cetes. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological gradient–morphological variation ('ecomorph') relationship has long interested ecologists and evolutionary biologists, but it is applied far less frequently than genetic differentiation in cryptic species detection and species identification. With integrative methods, we revise taxonomic uncertainties in the Orientallactaga sibirica complex (OSC), with 298 sequence specimens and 469 voucher specimens from 138 localities covering nearly the entire distribution of the OSC. Phylogenetic relationships are assessed by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood using two mitochondrial and nine nuclear genes. We use species-delimitation approaches to divide and validate the 'candidate species'. We evaluate correlations between ecological divergence and phylogenetic splits, and visualize geographical patterns of morphological variation. The OSC is divided into four phylogenetic groups, the Ognevi, Altay, Bogda and Sibirica groups, and the OSC exhibits a significant ecomorph relationship and ecological divergence pattern. Morphological variations not only follow the general regularity under a large gradient of ecological factors, but are also closely related to the local environment/habitat. We suggest considering the comprehensive ecomorph relationship to identify species. Molecular analyses reveal that the OSC more easily forms deeply divergent lineages in the foothills and this differentiation depth may be related to mountain system size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report three new species of isopod crustaceans that belong to a rare higher taxon of asellote Isopoda. This taxon does not fit into current classifications. The isopods occurred in abyssal soft sediments, near manganese nodules, and in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents. Given their wide spatial occurrence across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, a cosmopolitan distribution is assumed. A cladistic analysis revealed a close relationship with the Macrostylidae, a common representative of the deep-sea macrofauna. Analyses of character evolution across the Janiroidea showed sufficient synapomorphies to justify the erection of U rstylis gen. nov. and the new family Urstylidae based on the three new species. All taxa are described in this paper. Urstylidae is characterized, amongst other apomorphies, by an elongate habitus with spade-like head; uropods are long, styliform; one pleonite is free; antennal merus and carpus are relatively short; the first pereopod is carpo-propodosubchelate, and more robust and shorter than pereopod II. Several characters, such as the pereopods' posterior scale-like claw that basally encloses the distal sensilla may be interpreted as ancestral when compared to the situation in the highly derived Macrostylidae. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Parvidrilidae Erséus, 1999 constitute the most recently described family of oligochaete microdriles. Prior to this study, Parvidrilus strayeri Erséus, 1999, and Parvidrilus spelaeus Martínez-Ansemil, Sambugar & Giani, 2002, found in groundwaters of the USA (Alabama) and Europe (Slovenia and Italy), respectively, were the only two species in this family. In this paper, six new species - Parvidrilus camachoi, Parvidrilus gianii, Parvidrilus jugeti, Parvidrilus meyssonnieri, Parvidrilus stochi, and Parvidrilus tomasini- and Parvidrilus gineti (Juget, 1959) comb. nov. are added to the family. With all species being stygobiont, the Parvidrilidae is unique in being the only family of oligochaetes worldwide comprising taxa that are restricted to groundwater habitats. Parvidrilids are exceedingly small worms whose principal morphological characteristics are the presence of hair setae in ventral bundles, the markedly posterior position of setae within the segments, the presence of mid-dorsal glandular pouches in mesosomial segments, the lateral development of the clitellum, the presence of a single male pore in segment XII, and the presence (or absence) of a single spermatheca. The phylogenetic relationships of the Parvidrilidae within the Clitellata were investigated using the nuclear 18S rRNA gene, and the most representative and taxonomically balanced data set of clitellate families available to date. The data were analysed by parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference. Irrespective of the method used, Parvidrilidae were placed far from Capilloventridae, one family once suggested to be closely related to parvidrilids. Although closer to Enchytraeidae than Phreodrilidae, two other suggested putative sister families, the exact position of Parvidrilidae within Clitellata still remained uncertain in the absence of branch support. The examination of reproductive structures, together with the similarity of other important anatomical traits of the new species herein described, reinforced the idea that phreodrilids were the best candidate to be the sister group to parvidrilids on morphological grounds. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene, used as a barcode, also genetically characterized a few Parvidrilus species. The observation that two species diverge from each other by high genetic distances, even though their type localities are more or less only 100 km apart, is interpreted in the context of low dispersal abilities of inhabitants of the subterranean aquatic ecosystem, and habitat heterogeneity. The Parvidrilidae appear to be a diversified, Holarctic, and probably widely distributed family in groundwater, but very often overlooked because of the small size and external similarity with the polychaete family Aeolosomatidae of its members. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166, 530-558. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanosauriformes was a globally distributed, long-lived clade of dinosaurs that contains both the largest and smallest known sauropods. These common and diverse megaherbivores evolved a suite of cranial and locomotory specializations perhaps related to their near-ubiquity in Mesozoic ecosystems. In an effort to understand the phylogenetic relationships of their early (Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous) members, this paper presents a lower-level cladistic analysis of basal titanosauriforms in which 25 ingroup and three outgroup taxa were scored for 119 characters. Analysis of these characters resulted in the recovery of three main clades: Brachiosauridae, a cosmopolitan mix of Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous sauropods, Euhelopodidae, a clade of mid-Cretaceous East Asian sauropods, and Titanosauria, a large Cretaceous clade made up of mostly Gondwanan genera. Several putative brachiosaurids were instead found to represent non-titanosauriforms or more derived taxa, and no support for a Laurasia-wide clade of titanosauriforms was found. This analysis establishes robust synapomorphies for many titanosauriform subclades. A re-evaluation of the phylogenetic affinities of fragmentary taxa based on these synapomorphies found no body fossil evidence for titanosaurs before the middle Cretaceous (Aptian), in contrast to previous reports of Middle and Late Jurassic forms. Purported titanosaur track-ways from the Middle Jurassic either indicate a substantial ghost lineage for the group or - more likely - represent non-titanosaurs. Titanosauriform palaeobiogeographical history is the result of several factors including differential extinction and dispersal. This study provides a foundation for future study of basal titanosauriform phylogeny and the origins of Titanosauria. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166, 624-671. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exact affinities of the fossil teeth attributed to the devilrays (mobulids) are critical for resolving the debated origin of these giant pelagic rays amongst Myliobatiformes and the timing of their evolution toward planktivory. We performed the first detailed comparative description of teeth belonging to most of the living and fossil mobulids. Based on a survey of living devilrays, three dental morphologies are newly identified as cobblestone tooth plates, comb-like teeth, and peg-like teeth. In addition, all extinct mobulid species are reviewed with comments on their dentition, fossil record, and geographical distribution. As a result, three fossil mobulid taxa are newly described from the Late Eocene of south-west Morocco (Argoubia barbei gen. et sp. nov., Oromobula dakhlaensis gen. et sp. nov., and Eoplinthicus underwoodi sp. nov.). This has permitted the first assessment of the phylogenetic positions of extinct and extant species of mobulids, using cladistic analyses and a combined data set of nondental anatomical characters from the literature and the dental characters defined here. Our new results support the monophyly of mobulids including all living and most extinct species and indicate that mobulids are closely related to rhinopterids. They also indicate that there was a recent split within Mobulidae into the three tooth morphology groups that we describe in this paper. This work provides clues to the evolutionary history of this clade since the Early Eocene, including the gradual lack in tooth interlocking toward the filter-feeding strategy, whereas the preservation of cusped teeth without feeding function in modern filter-feeder mobulids is interpreted as a tool for precopulatory purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic studies on the family Phytoseiidae were first conducted at the beginning of the 20th century but increased greatly after the Second World War. Various classifications have been proposed based on different characters such as: dorsal, ventral, and leg chaetotaxy; the shape of ventrianal and sternal shields; the shape of the insemination apparatus (spermatheca) and spermatodactylus; the number of teeth on the movable digit of chelicera; and dorsal and ventral adenotaxy. The genus concepts developed over the last five decades can be divided into two main categories or hypotheses. The first, supported mainly by Chant and McMurtry, focuses on dorsal and ventral chaetotaxy, and the genera so defined usually include a great number of species. The second category, proposed by Athias-Henriot, considers the shape of the insemination apparatus as the key character, and the genera so defined usually include a limited number of species. From a diagnostic point of view, both classifications have a valid structure, but the question investigated herein was: which of the two classifications or hypotheses fits phylogenetic evolution? To answer this, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses (using the genes ITS and 12S rRNA) on the genus Neoseiulus, which has been subjected to classification based on the two main genus concepts. The results showed that the first hypothesis (Chant and McMurtry) leads to polyphyly of the genus Neoseiulus, while the second (Athias-Henriot) leads to paraphyly of the genus. The results show that acarologists who first decided that the insemination apparatus was of evolutive importance could be correct as the shape of the insemination apparatus seems to better fit evolutive clades than dorsal and ventral chaetotaxy. The morphology of this organ, however, must be more accurately studied to better define homologies. The present paper investigates the two main hypotheses proposed until now for classification of Phytoseiidae and thereby opens the way for improved classification. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 165, 253-273. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the phylogeny of the rove beetle subtribe Philonthina, to test its hypothetical monophyly and to unravel the evolutionary relationships of the subtribe and its included genus-level taxa, with emphasis on the genus Pseudohesperus and its close-allied relatives. The phylogenetic analyses are based on 105 adult morphological characters and 66 terminal taxa, i.e., all six members of Pseudohesperus, 51 species to represent 29 other genera of the subtribe Philonthina, seven species to represent the other six subtribes of Staphylinini, one species of the tribes Arrowinini, and one of the Platyprosopini. According to the phylogenetic results obtained, the genus Erichsonius should move out from the hitherto-defined subtribe Philonthina and thus the monophyly of this taxon is challenged. The phylogenetic tree suggests that the genera Hesperus and Belonuchus might not be monophyletic, but the monophyly of Pseudohesperus and the sister relationship between it and Bisnius are well supported. The species-level phylogenetic relationships of the genus Pseudohesperus reveal a clear pattern of species diversification that can be correlated well with the species' zoogeographical patterns. The paper also revises the taxonomy of Pseudohesperus and describes five new species from China: Pseudohesperus luteus Li & Zhou sp. nov., Pseudohesperus pedatiformis Li & Zhou sp. nov., Pseudohesperus tripartitus Li & Zhou sp. nov., Pseudohesperus sparsipunctatus Li & Zhou sp. nov., and Bisnius lubricus Li & Zhou sp. nov. An identification key to the species of Pseudohesperus is provided and their geographical distributions are mapped. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163, 679-722. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the genus Psilorhynchus are small benthic fishes, commonly referred to as torrent minnows, which inhabit the fast to swift flowing water bodies of the Indo-Burma region and the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. Despite being described scientifically in the mid 18th century, the morphology of Psilorhynchus remains poorly known and its phylogenetic placement within the order Cypriniformes is a matter of considerable debate. In this paper the osteology of Psilorhynchus sucatio is described and illustrated in detail. Notes and/or illustrations on the osteology of 12 other species of Psilorhynchus are also provided for the first time. A phylogenetic investigation of the position of Psilorhynchus within the order Cypriniformes is also conducted. Analysis of 127 morphological characters scored for 52 ingroup taxa (including 12 species of Psilorhynchus) and four outgroup taxa resulted in 14 equally parsimonious cladograms (287 steps long; consitency index, CI = 0.48; retention index, RI = 0.88). Psilorhynchus is recovered as the sister group to the family Cyprinidae, and is regarded as a member of the superfamily Cyprinoidea, which forms the sister group to the Cobitoidea (including all other cypriniform families). The sistergroup relationship between Psilorhynchus and Cyprinidae is supported by eight derived characters (five of which are homoplastic within the order Cypriniformes). The monophyly of Psilorhynchus is supported by 16 derived characters (eight of which are homoplastic within Cypriniformes). Three species groups of Psilorhynchus are proposed, the Psilorhynchus balitora group (including P. amplicephalus, P. balitora, P. breviminor, P. nepalensis, P. rahmani, P. pavimentatus, and P. brachyrhynchus), the Psilorhynchus gracilis group (including P. gracilis, P. melissa, P. robustus, and P. tenura), and the Psilorhynchus homaloptera group (including P. arunachalensis, P. homaloptera, P. microphthalmus, and P. pseudecheneis). The continued use of the family group name Psilorhynchidae is recommended. Comments on the interrelationships of the Cypriniformes are also provided. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we carry out a taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the linyphiid spider genus Solenysa Simon, 1894. A total of 12 species is treated here, including five new species collected from China and Japan: , and Solenysa circularis Gao, Zhu & Sha, 1993 is a junior synonym of Solenysa protrudens Gao, Zhu & Sha, 1993. We have assembled two different character matrices to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of Solenysa. In the first matrix (Matrix 1), five representative species of Solenysa were added to the morphological dataset of Miller & Hormiga to test the monophyly of the genus and its placement within Linyphiidae. The genitalic structures and somatic morphology of Solenysa were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy for the first time. To infer the species-level phylogenetic relationships of Solenysa we produced a second matrix (Matrix 2) that includes all 12 Solenysa species and six outgroup species chosen from the results of the analysis of the first matrix. The two most parsimonious trees from the analysis of Matrix 1 support the monophyly of Solenysa and its placement within the 'Distal Erigonines' clade. The single most parsimonious tree resulting from the analysis of the second matrix suggests that the Solenysa clade includes four monophyletic groups, each group represented by a distinct genitalic pattern. The morphology of Solenysa, both somatic and genitalic, is highly autapomorphic. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, , 484-530. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characters associated with the mandibular canal are differently distributed amongst proboscidean lineages and provide useful information on the systematics and relationships of proboscideans. The aim of this paper is to describe the pattern of the mandibular canal and its associated foramina in proboscideans in order to fully appreciate the extent of interspecific variation of these structures within the group and to discuss its systematic and phylogenetic value. Outgroup comparison indicates that the condition presented by the basal proboscidean Phosphatherium is morphotypic for proboscideans. Primitive proboscidean characters are: the low position of the mandibular foramen, and its crescent-shaped outline, the occurrence of a coronoid foramen (canal), the occurrence of two lateral mental foramina, the posterior one at the level of (or slightly behind) the posterior margin of the symphysis, the anterior one in a more distal position, the absence of a medial mental foramen (MMF), the mandibular canal set just below the tooth row. The occurrence of a single lateral mental foramen may represent a shared derived character of Daouitherium, Numidotherium, and Barytherium. A unique derived feature of the Elephantinae mandible is the occurrence of a medial mental foramen on the medial side of the incisive part of the mandible. MMFs have never been observed in other proboscideans excluding elephantines. The very high frequency of MMFs observed in Mammuthus meridionalis- Mammuthus trogontherii- Mammuthus primigenius (>93 per cent of the studied specimens) could be considered a synapomorphy of this group. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, , 391-413. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a revision of the extinct Mesozoic family Prochydoridae Smirnov, 1992 (Crustacea: Cladocera). Representatives of the two previously described genera, Prochydorus Smirnov, 1992 and Archeoxus Smirnov, 1992, are re-investigated from Khotont (Mongolia, Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary). A new genus, Palaeorak gen. nov., is described from Khasurty (Asian Russia, Lower Cretaceous). The study provides evidence that the three known prochydorid genera show a subfamilial or familial level of morphological differentiation. Evidence is presented that the Prochydoridae form a specific lineage of cladocerans either separate from or basal to the order Anomopoda Sars, 1865. Nevertheless, a definitive conclusion of phylogenetic position awaits description of the prochydorid thoracic limbs, which are currently unknown. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155, 253–265. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the phylogeny and systematics of the tribe Paragini (Diptera: Syrphidae) using morphological and molecular data. The paper presents separate parsimony analyses of both adult morphological characters and partial DNA sequence data from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I and nuclear ribosomal 28S rRNA gene, as well as a combined analysis of all the data. The data set of morphological characters included some features of the male terminalia (i.e. shape of the ejaculatory apodeme; relative position of elements of the aedeagal complex; shape of surstylar apodeme; shape of the aedeagal apodeme) not previously used in the systematics of the Paragini. The trees obtained from separate parsimony analyses of molecular and morphological data produced almost identical topologies. Four lineages are supported by the combined data set, and we establish two new subgenera, i.e. Serratoparagus Vujić et Radenković subgen. nov., and Afroparagus Vujić et Radenković subgen. nov., and redefine Pandasyopthalmus Stuckenberg, 1954 stat. rev. and Paragus Latreille, 1804, stat. rev. The monophyly of the Pandasyopthalmus clade, including the species fitting neither of the current species groups ( jozanus-group) of Paragini, is established. Diagnoses of all known species groups are presented, including a new arrangement of almost all valid species of Paragini. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 152, 507–536. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spider genus Metabus (Tetragnathidae) previously included nine species: the type M. gravidus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 – junior synonym of Leucauge ocellata (Keyserling) – from Central America and eight species from Chile. In this paper, the classification of the Metabus species-complex is revised, and two new genera, with three new species and five new combinations, are described. Allende gen. nov. is created for four Chilean species not congeneric with the type of Metabus: the type A. puyehuensis sp. nov., A. patagiatus (Simon) comb. nov., A. nigrohumeralis (F. O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. and A. longipes (Nicolet) comb. nov. Further additions to the Chilean fauna are under the new genus Mollemeta gen. nov.– created for M. edwardsi (Simon) comb. nov.– and three new species of Chrysometa: C. acinosa sp. nov., C. levii sp. nov. and C. maitae sp. nov. Metabus now includes four species: M. ocellatus (Keyserling) comb. nov., M. debilis (O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov., M. ebanoverde sp. nov. and M. conacyt sp. nov. All of these species were included in a phylogenetic analysis of 38 tetragnathid and 12 orbicularian outgroup terminals scored for 105 morphological and behavioural characters. The results suggest that Metabus as previously circumscribed is polyphyletic. The phylogenetic relationships within tetragnathids are briefly discussed. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 151, 285–335. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers a detailed taxonomic revision of all Canarian Pholcus species described before 2003, all of which are newly described and newly illustrated. Pholcus guadarfia sp. nov. is described, while a neotype for Pholcus malpaisensis Wunderlich, 1992 is also provided. In addition, we propose Pholcus gomerae Wunderlich, 1980 as a senior synonym for Pholcus gomeroides Wunderlich, 1987. More importantly, cladistic analysis based on the morphological characters of the Macaronesian Pholcus species was conducted for the first time. Parsimony analyses of 73 morphological characters revealed the close relationships between those species from the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Macaronesian enclave in Africa (between Agadir and Nouadhibou). © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 151, 59–114. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a detailed description of the skull and part of the mandible of the crocodyliform reptile Hamadasuchus rebouli from the Kem Kem beds (Upper Cretaceous: Albian–Cenomanian) of south-eastern Morocco. This taxon of deep-snouted ziphodont crocodyliform can be diagnosed by a number of autapomorphies. Phylogenetic analysis of a diverse array of crocodylomorph taxa found strong support for a clade comprising H. rebouli, Peirosauridae, and Sebecus. The name Sebecia nom. nov. is proposed for this grouping, which is diagnosed by numerous characters, including the participation of the quadratojugal in the mandibular condyle. The distribution of this diverse and long-lived clade lends further support to the biogeographical hypothesis that faunal connections existed between Africa and South America well into mid-Cretaceous times. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 149, 533–567. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic research on bivalved molluscs (Mollusca: Bivalvia = Pelecypoda) is briefly reviewed in an introduction to a series of papers focusing on seven of the larger branches of the bivalve tree. These are presented in an attempt to summarize current knowledge, to stimulate new research and to highlight needs for future research focus. A revised classification of extant bivalve families (with synonyms and included subfamilies) is presented, based on information compiled from the latest palaeontological, morphological and molecular data. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 148, 223–235. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overwhelming majority of spiders are solitary and territorial. Of the handful of web-sharing social species, most belong to the cobweb genus Anelosimus Simon, 1891 (Theridiidae). Anelosimus species, especially those from the Americas, have therefore become model organisms in the study of spider sociality. However, lack of a phylogeny and outdated taxonomy have hindered progress in understanding the evolution of social behaviour. The identity of many species studied behaviourally is in doubt, and choice among the competing hypotheses on the course of evolution of sociality in Anelosimus requires a robust phylogeny. This paper offers a revision of the New World ‘ eximius lineage’ containing the most intensely studied Anelosimus species, and a phylogenetic study including worldwide exemplars. Previous taxonomic work on the group was incomplete and oversimplified. Some species-level taxa, e.g. A. jucundus (O. P.-Cambridge, 1896) and A. studiosus (Hentz, 1850), as previously circumscribed represent a compendium of species and are here re-examined. Eight new species are here described: A. arizona, A. baeza, A. octavius and A. puravida, of the ‘ jucundus group’, and A. gucamayos, A. oritoyacu, A. pantanal and A. tungurahua of the ‘ studiosus group’. Furthermore, Enoplognatha dubia Chamberlin, 1916 and Theridion tosum Chamberlin, 1916 previously synonymized with A. jucundus, and Anelosimus fraternus Bryant, 1948, previously synonymized with A. studiosus, are here again considered valid. Enoplognatha dubia becomes a junior secondary homonym of Brattia dubia Tullgren, 1910 (= Anelosimus dubius) and the replacement name Anelosimus elegans Nomen Novum is here provided. The parsimony analysis of the morphological matrix (43 taxa, 147 characters) resulted in two equally most parsimonious trees, with four trichotomies in the strict consensus. Three of these lack character evidence to resolve them; one is a result of character conflict. One of the two trees is optimal under successive weighting. The New World Anelosimus are not monophyletic, but rather form three clades, the eximius lineage (20 species), the ‘ rupununi group’ (two species) and the ‘ ethicus group’ (six species). The phylogenetic results corroborate previous transfer of species to Kochiura and Selkirkiella. The following additional species are removed from Anelosimus: Styposis camoteensis (Levi, 1967) (comb. nov.), Styposis tepus (Levi, 1967) (comb. nov.), Chrosiothes episinoides (Levi, 1963) (comb. nov.) and Stemmops osorno (Levi, 1963) (comb. nov.). Four species are here treated as nomina dubia, Anelosimus nigrobaricus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 (type in very bad condition, original description lacks sufficient detail for identification), and A. salaensis Barrion & Litsinger, 1995, Theridion fasciatum Holmberg, 1876 and T. sordidum Holmberg, 1876 (types lost, original descriptions lacks sufficient detail for identification). The results corroborate previous findings of convergent evolution of permanent sociality in the genus. However, instead of sociality evolving twice as previously suspected, the current phylogeny suggests no less than six, independent origins. Each time, the evolution of sociality seems to be responsible for a dramatic shift in population structure from outbred panmictic to strongly inbred subdivided populations. Perhaps as a consequence, once they are permanently social, species seem to fail to diversify; all social clades are small (one or two species) and usually smaller than their sister clade. No losses of social behaviour are inferred. The maternal care route hypothesis is again supported. To explain sociality in Anelosimus it seems sufficient to hypothesize a temporal extension of the juvenile web-sharing, co-operation and conspecific tolerance, displayed in basic maternal care, coupled with depression of dispersal. Given the most parsimonious phylogeny, the basal-most Anelosimus species occur in the Old World, and three Anelosimus clades occur in the New World. Sufficient data are not available to estimate the age of the Anelosimus lineage accurately, but the sparse fossil record hints at a relatively recent origin (20–40 mya). If true, vicariance could not account for this distribution; rather, the pattern may suggest three independent colonization events of Old World Anelosimus in the Americas. Support for most branches within Anelosimus is relatively low, especially the support for the relationships within species groups. Thus, although the forgoing conclusions are clearly implied by the phylogeny, weak support limits their force. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 146, 453–593. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The publication of the scientific name Monjurosuchus splendens in 1940 documented the first tetrapod fossil of the later world-renowned Jehol Biota. For more than half a century since this discovery, however, Monjurosuchus has remained as a monotypic genus of the family Monjurosuchidae, and the relationships of the family with choristoderes have not been correctly recognized until quite recently. In this paper, a new monjurosuchid is named and described based on a nearly complete skull and postcranial skeleton from the Early Cretaceous Chiufotang Formation exposed near Chaoyang, western Liaoning Province, China. This new material documents the first occurrence of monjurosuchid choristoderes outside the type Lingyuan area, and extends the geological range of the family from the Yixian Formation to the younger Chiufotang Formation. Cladistic analyses were conducted with inclusion of monjurosuchids, and the results support the placement of the family Monjurosuchidae as a primitive clade outside the Neochoristodera. A new classification scheme is proposed for choristoderes on the basis of the recovered phylogenetic framework of the group. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145, 427–444. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six clades are inferred from a phylogenetic analysis including 42 species belonging to the Empis ( Coptophlebia) hyalea-group. These clades are named as follows: E. ( C.) acris, E. ( C.) aspina, E. ( C.) atratata, E. ( C.) hyalea, E. ( C.) jacobsoni and E. ( C.) nahaeoensis. The presence of two dorsal more or less developed epandrial projections is considered autapomorphic for the E. ( C.) hyalea-group in addition to two characters previously found to support the monophyly of this group (presence of an unsclerotized zone in the middle of labella and epandrium unpaired). Amongst the cladistically analysed species, 24 are newly described [ E. ( C.) acris, E. ( C.) aspina, E. ( C.) cameronensis, E. ( C.) duplex, E. ( C.) incurva, E. ( C.) inferiseta, E. ( C.) kuaensis, E. ( C.) lachaisei, E. ( C.) lamellalta, E. ( C.) lata, E. ( C.) loici, E. ( C.) longiseta, E. ( C.) mengyangensis, E. ( C.) menglunensis, E. ( C.) missai, E. ( C.) nimbaensis, E. ( C.) padangensis, E. ( C.) parvula, E. ( C.) projecta, E. ( C.) pseudonahaeoensis, E. ( C.) submetallica, E. ( C.) urumae, E. ( C.) vitisalutatoris and E. ( C.) woitapensis], five are reviewed [ E. ( C.) hyalea Melander, E. ( C.) jacobsoni De Meijere, E. ( C.) ostentator Melander, E. ( C.) sinensis Melander and E. ( C.) thiasotes Melander] and 13 were recently described in two previous papers. Two additional species, E. ( C.) abbrevinervis De Meijere and E. ( C.) multipennata Melander, are also reviewed but not included in the cladistic analysis since they are only known from the female. A lectotype is designated for E. ( C.) jacobsoni. A key is provided to the six clades of the E. ( C.) hyalea-group as well as to species of each clade. A catalogue of the E. ( C.) hyalea-group, including 72 species, is given. The taxonomic status of 25 additional species mainly described by Bezzi and Brunetti, from the Oriental and Australasian regions, is discussed. The E. ( C.) hyalea-group is firstly recorded from the Palaearctic Region and Australia. Finally, the distribution and the habitats of the species compared with their phylogeny suggest a possible relationship between the diversification of the group and forest fragmentations during the Quaternary. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145, 339–391. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies of the terrestrial snail genusAlbinariahave caused a radical reassessment of its taxonomy. These studies, however, were limited to western species. This paper examines mitochondrial 12S sequences and nuclear ITS1&2 sequences of both eastern and western species, and demonstrates thatAlbinaria,in its most recent definition, is not monophyletic. Both molecular datasets place‘ Albinaria’ hedenborgifrom Lebanon in a well-supported clade with species of the genusCristataria, distributed south-east of the vicariant range ofAlbinaria. The remaining species from Cyprus, Turkey and Greece constitute a well-supported monophyletic group. These two clades form geographical clusters, whereasAlbinariain the current definition (including‘ A.’ hedenborgi) has a disjunct distribution.‘ A.’ hedenborgishould therefore be classified withCristataria, together with the morphologically similar and geographically close‘ A.’ nadimi. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London,Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005,143, 531−542. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Ballinae is revised. To test its monophyly, 41 morphological characters, including the first phylogenetic use of scale morphology in Salticidae, were scored for 16 taxa (1 outgroup and 15 ingroup). Parsimony analysis of these data supports monophyly based on five unambiguous synapomorphies. The paper provides new diagnoses, descriptions of new genera, species, and a key to the genera. At present, Ballinae comprises 13 nominal genera, three of them new: Afromarengo, Ballus, Colaxes, Cynapes, Indomarengo, Leikung, Marengo, Philates and Sadies. Copocrossa, Mantisatta, Pachyballus and Padilla are tentatively included in the subfamily. Nine new species are described and illustrated: Colaxes horton, C. wanlessi, Philates szutsi, P. thaleri, P. zschokkei, Indomarengo chandra, I. sarawakensis, Leikung kinabaluensis and Marengo deelemanae. Colaxes nitidiventris and Ballus segmentatus are redescribed. The Seychelles species Baviola spatulata is considered a junior synonym of B. braueri. The phylogenetic analysis suggests two independent origins of tentative Batesian mimicry of ants within Ballinae. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 142, 1–82. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convergent evolution of shell shape is a well known phenomenon in gastropods that has caused much confusion in taxonomic and systematic studies. A paradigm is the patelliform shell shape in several taxa of the order Basom-matophora. Historically, most freshwater limpets were assigned to the family Ancylidae. Based on anatomical data, some taxa were subsequently moved to different families. However, there are still doubts about the monophyly of the remaining ancylids. This is also true for the African limpets and particularly for species of the genus Burnupia Walker, 1912. In the present paper, two independent molecular markers (COI, 18S rRNA) are used to (a) infer the position of Burnupia within the Basommatophora and (b) to test whether the shell shape of Burnupia evolved inde-pendently. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of 12 genera of limnic Basommatophora indicate that Bur-nupia not only appears to be distinct from the Ancylidae, but also from all other representatives of the superfamily Planorboidea studied here. Based on a generally well-supported phylogeny and preliminary anatomical data, it is concluded that patelliform shell shapes evolved at least three times in the taxa studied here and that the shell shape of Burnupia represents another case of convergent evolution. Previously proposed functional and evolutionary sce-narios for the evolution of patelliform shell and their relevance for freshwater limpets are discussed. 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 140, 577--586. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The higher-level relationships of anurans have been explored by numerous studies, producing a variety of hypotheses. The relationships of the basal anurans (‘archaeobatrachians’) are, however, poorly known . In part, this may be because the adult morphology of basal anurans is derived and therefore may not provide suitable phylogenetic signal. Recently, several authors have shown the phylogenetic utility of information derived from anuran larvae. In this paper we conduct separate and combined analyses of anuran relationships based on adult and larval morphology. Our combined results suggest that anurans form two major clades - the pipoids and all other frogs. Evidence also suggests that, taken together, Neobatrachia and Pelobatoidea form a monophyletic group. We discuss support for various groupings as shown by the different data sets. We also comment on the consequences of our phylogenetic hypothesis for the interpretation of reduction of vertebral elements and evolution of Orton's tadpole types in anurans. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 139 , 129-155. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only 22 net-winged beetle species (Elateroidea: Lycidae) are known from the Western Palaearctic region (WPR), i.e. less than 0.5% of the global lycid diversity and much fewer than from similar latitudes of East Asia or Northern America. We used comprehensive distribution data and a molecular phylogeny of ~400 world lycids, including 14 European species, to provide a new perspective for understanding the structure and evolution of this group in the WPR. All Mediterranean species represent deeply rooted lineages with relatives in eastern Asia. These species occur in relictual ranges close to the family's Pleistocene refugial edge. The phylogeny points to the loss of biological connection with East Asia since the Mid-Miocene. A third of WPR species is widespread in Central and Northern Europe, reaching eastern Asia, some of them possibly younger elements of the European fauna. Unlike the relatively high diversity in the Eocene amber, the extant net-winged beetles represent a small fraction of elateroid diversity in the WPR and are generally rare. Therefore, we assume that most WPR species are relics trapped in Mediterranean refugia since the onset of the Plio-Pleistocene cooling and are critically endangered by the ongoing loss of suitable habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subterranean life is associated with strong adaptive constraints, leading to the frequent occurrence of morphologically cryptic lineages. This is true of most small mammals, including moles (Eulipotyphla: Talpidae), where a number of species have been recognized recently, particularly following the application of molecular genetics. Here, we use mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data and geometric morphometrics to explore the systematics and evolution of some of the least-known Western Palaearctic moles: the Talpa davidiana group of Eastern Anatolia/Iran. We show that T. davidiana includes four taxa, two of which we describe herein: T. hakkariensis sp. nov. T. davidiana davidiana , T. davidiana tatvanensis ssp. nov. and T. streetorum valid species. For the first time, we apply molecular species delimitation analyses to Talpa , confirming taxonomic hypotheses and suggesting the existence of further morphologically cryptic lineages. These analyses also support the recognition of T. transcaucasica as a valid species distinct from T. levantis. We present a revised phylogeny for Eurasian Talpa and increase the number of known extant taxa to 18, most of which are found in Anatolia, the global hotspot of diversity in this genus. This probably results from the isolation of suitable habitats by a combination of climatic and topographical heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Euryoryzomys encompasses six species found across Cis-Andean lowland and montane rainforests in South America. One of the most enigmatic forms of the genus is found in the Brejos de altitude of north-eastern Brazil, where enclaves of dense rainforest in mountain ranges sharply contrast with surrounding semi-arid Caatinga. Here we analyse morphological and molecular data, and demonstrate that these populations are members of a new species, which is described and contrasted with other Euryoryzomys. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, coupled with morphometrics and comparative anatomy analyses, show that the new species differs from its sister-species, Euryoryzomys lamia from the Cerrado of Central Brazil, and from other forms of the genus, corroborating previous perspectives based on karyological data. The new species of the genus occurs in two distinct areas in the state of Ceará, Serra de Ibiapaba and Serra de Baturité, and one isolated range in Paraíba state. The recovered biogeographic pattern of Brejos de altitude —Cerrado sister-group relationship is novel among studied vertebrates, as most species from Brejos are more closely related to taxa from Amazon and Atlantic Forest. Further taxonomic efforts are necessary to uncover the total diversity within Euryoryzomys, especially for the nominal taxa E. emmonsae, E. macconnelli , and E. nitidus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of ctenodactylid rodents, Prodistylomys taatsinius sp. nov. and Prodistylomys mongoliensis sp. nov. , are described from the Valley of Lakes, Central Mongolia. They represent the first record of this genus in Mongolia. Prodistylomys is characterized by a simple dental pattern and high hypsodonty, reflecting an adaptation for tough vegetation in a dry environment, which is congruent with the aridification event that took place during the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene. We performed the most complete phylogenetic analysis combining the largest sampling in the family Ctenodactylidae and the best-represented stratigraphical distribution for the sample. This allowed us to propose that the origin of ctenodactylids lies in East Asia during the Eocene, and after that, the group dispersed through western Asia, Europe, and Africa. The presence of several similar rodent taxa in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China confirms that these areas were part of a large bioprovince covering most of central Asia during the Oligocene and Early Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crocodylomorpha is the stem-lineage of modern crocodylians and the only pseudosuchian (i.e. crocodylian-line archosaurs) clade that survived the Triassic–Jurassic mass extinction event. Its earliest members, the non-crocodyliform crocodylomorphs, also known as 'sphenosuchians', were terrestrial and mostly small-bodied (<2 m long), although some large-bodied forms are known. Saltoposuchus connectens is one of the first described crocodylomorph species but it remains poorly studied, in part due to its contentious taxonomy. Here, all referred Saltoposuchus specimens are described in detail for the first time and its taxonomy is revised, with additional taxonomic implications for the British crocodylomorph Terrestrisuchus gracilis and the coelophysoid theropod Procompsognathus triassicus. Saltoposuchus connectens is clearly distinguished from Terrestrisuchus gracilis based on both cranial and postcranial features. The phylogenetic analysis finds that Saltoposuchus connectens , Terrestrisuchus gracilis , and Litargosuchus leptorhynchus form a clade of gracile, long-legged crocodylomorphs, identified as Saltoposuchidae Crush 1984. A histological section of a femur reveals highly vascularized fibrolamellar tissue in the second-largest specimen of Saltoposuchus connectens (SMNS 12596), indicating sustained high growth rates. A similar pattern was previously observed in Terrestrisuchus sp. contrasting with slower growth rates in the crocodylomorph Hesperosuchus agilis. These findings suggest that saltoposuchids had a high resting metabolic rate and active lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]