Diversity of Indo-Australian Plakortis (Demospongiae: Plakinidae), with description of four new species

Author(s):  
Guilherme Muricy

A collection of 32 specimens of the genus Plakortis (Demospongiae: Plakinidae) from Australia and the Indo-Pacific is here examined. Six species are described, four of which are new to science. Plakortis lita has microrhabds, an irregular tangential ectosomal reticulation, a confused choanosomal skeleton and irregular diods and triods. Plakortis quasiamphiaster has quasiamphiasters (spined diods and triods), spheres and a skeleton with a distinct subectosomal region. Plakortis communis sp. nov. has diods and a tangential ectosomal reticulation with circular meshes; triods and spheres may be present or absent. Plakortis bergquistae sp. nov. has diods in two size-classes, the larger one up to 330–356 µm long, and large triods (actines up to 75–121 µm long). Plakortis fromontae sp. nov. has large diods (up to 220 µm long), rare triods and a double ectosomal reticulation. Plakortis hooperi sp. nov. has diods, triods, microrhabds and spheres, with a confused ectosomal skeleton, a thinly encrusting shape and cream colour. Detailed descriptions of external morphology, skeletal arrangement of the ectosome and spicules in SEM are essential for the taxonomy of Plakortis. The number of valid species in the genus is raised from 15 to 19. A key to Indo-Australian species of Plakortis is given.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4273 (1) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
THAYNÃ CAVALCANTI ◽  
RADHARANNE RECINOS ◽  
ULISSES PINHEIRO

The genus Auletta Schmidt, 1970 comprises 14 valid species, with six known from the Atlantic Ocean. The genus was previously recorded for the Brazilian coast only in 1967 from surveys in Pernambuco State. The present paper describes two new Auletta from Northeastern Brazil. Auletta akaroa sp. nov. is from Alagoas State and it has a stalked tubular shape and small sinuous styles and strongyles. Auletta laboreli sp. nov. was found in Pernambuco State and it is a sponge with a cylindrical and cavernous body composed of styles with blunt and telescopic tips and sinuous strongyles. Both new species were compared with the other valid species of Auletta. The spicule complement and external morphology of the new species are discussed. 



Author(s):  
Hsuan-Ching Ho ◽  
Peter Last

A taxonomic review of the batfish genus Malthopsis in the Australian waters is provided. Eleven valid species are recognized in this study: Malthopsis gigas Ho and Shao, 2010, Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis asperata Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis lutea Alcock, 1891, Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert and Cramer, 1897, Malthopsis provocator Whitley, 1961, and an additional five species new to science. Four of these new species, Malthopsis apis sp. nov., Malthopsis bulla sp. nov., Malthopsis oculata sp. nov., and Malthopsis tetrabulla sp. nov. belong to a species group lacking spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface, whereas Malthopsis mcgroutheri sp. nov. belongs to another species group characterized by having spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface. Four other taxa were identified during this study that may be undescribed but require further investigation. The Australian endemic species M. provocator, formerly considered to be a synonym of Malthopsis kobayashii Tanaka, 1916, is resurrected herein and two widespread species, M. asperata and M. lutea, are newly recorded from Australia. A key to all Australian species is provided.



Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5020 (2) ◽  
pp. 352-366
Author(s):  
KARLA MANTILLA ◽  
JUAN GRADOS

The genus Episcepsis Butler, 1877 is widely distributed in the Neotropical region and currently includes 43 valid species many of them described solely based on external morphology. The existence of species complexes makes their identification difficult without examination of genital morphology. Four new species from Brazil, Cuba and Peru are described herein; Episcepsis andina sp. nov., E. diversa sp. nov., E. insularis sp. nov. and E. travassosi sp. nov. Comparisons with other similar species as well as photographs of external morphology and male genitalia are provided.  





Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4332 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEANDRO YOKOTA ◽  
MARCELO RODRIGUES DE CARVALHO

An extensive taxonomic revision of Gymnura micrura based on external and internal morphology, and considering specimens from its entire geographical distribution in the Atlantic Ocean, is presented. Gymnura micrura is redescribed and a neotype is designated; its distributional range is limited to the Southwestern Atlantic. Two new species of butterfly rays are described: Gymnura lessae, sp. nov., occurring in the North and Central Western Atlantic, and Gymnura sereti, sp. nov., found in the Eastern Central Atlantic. The three species are morphologically very similar (with G. micrura most similar to G. lessae, sp. nov.) and cannot be distinguished based on the primary diagnostic characters typically utilized for butterfly rays. The dorsal color, smaller size and eventual presence of a dorsal fin in some males may be helpful to distinguish G. micrura, whereas the size and morphology of the clasper are the main external characters separating G. sereti, sp. nov., from the other two species, although the shape of disc (especially among adult males) and contour of the lower lip are also helpful. Despite the skeleton being conservative among the species, we found consistent variations that support the validity of the new species described. Due to similarity in external morphology these internal characters were fundamental to discriminate the new species. The scapulocoracoid was an important diagnostic skeletal structure, exhibiting a series of variations that separated the three species. Variations in the synarcual, outline of the dorsal cranial fontanelle, number and shape of mesopterygia, and small differences in the mandibular arches and pelvic girdle were useful to diagnose G. sereti, sp. nov. The contour of the hyomandibula was an important diagnostic character distinguishing G. lessae, sp. nov., from the other two species. Meristic data were also useful, with G. sereti, sp. nov., presenting a lower number of radials in the second element of the mesopterygium and a higher number of diplospondylous vertebrae. In contrast, G. lessae, sp. nov., presented a higher number of pectoral-fin radials. Subtle, but consistent differences, were also found in the design of the ventral lateral-line system. A Canonical Discriminant Analysis provides strong statistical support for the validity of the new species, significantly distinguishing the three species groupings (p < 0.00001). External morphology, ventral lateral-line system and skeleton are described and illustrated for all three valid species. 



Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2656 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
TIAGO KÜTTER KROLOW ◽  
AUGUSTO LOUREIRO HENRIQUES

The genus Chlorotabanus Lutz is revised herein based on examination of external morphology of type material and specimens from Brazilian and international institutions (total of 2,134 specimens, 201 males and 1,933 females). Eight currently valid species are recognized: C. crepuscularis (Bequaert, 1926); C. fairchildi Wilkerson, 1979; C. flagellatus Krolow & Henriques, 2009; C. inanis (Fabricius, 1787); C. leucochlorus Fairchild, 1961; C. mexicanus (Linnaeus, 1758); C. ochreus Philip & Fairchild, 1956; C. parviceps (Kröber, 1934). Three new species are described: C. falsiflagellatus n. sp. (Brazil, Amazonas), C. leuconotus n. sp. (Amazon region) and C. microceratus n. sp. (Brasil, Maranhão). Tabanus tetrapunctus Thunberg, 1827, previously synonymous with C. mexicanus, here is synonymous with C. crepuscularis (new synonymy). We provide diagnosis, descriptions, redescriptions, distribution records, illustrations and discussion for all species, as well as a dichotomous key for identification of females.



Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4834 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-522
Author(s):  
NIKOLAY A. POYARKOV ◽  
EVGENIYA N. SOLOVYEVA ◽  
TAN VAN NGUYEN ◽  
PETER GEISSLER

In the first half of the 20th century, four Swedish expeditions to Indochina contributed significantly to the knowledge on the herpetofauna of mainland Southeast Asia. The collected material was examined by L. G. Andersson in Stockholm, resulting in the description of seven new species and forms of amphibians and reptiles from Vietnam and Thailand. However, the taxonomic status of three enigmatic frog species described by Andersson, namely Rana scutigera, Oxyglossus laevis var. vittata, and Microhyla fusca, remained doubtful. All three taxa are only known from their type specimens and their short original descriptions. Though subsequent studies have doubted their validity or systematic assignment, they have been treated as valid species until today. We have examined the external morphology and coloration of the type specimens, what led to a taxonomic reallocation of these three species. We demonstrate that Rana scutigera Andersson, 1916 is a junior synonym of Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell, 1861, Oxyglossus laevis var. vittata Andersson, 1942 is synonymized with Occidozyga martensii (Peters, 1967), and Microhyla fusca Andersson, 1942 represents a junior synonym of Microhyla butleri Boulenger, 1900. 



1993 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Hirst

The genus Isopedella Hirst is redefined and the valid species, I. cana (Simon), I. cerussata (Simon), I. conspersa (Koch), I. flavida (Koch), I. frenchi (Hogg), I. inola (Strand), I. leai (Hogg), I. meraukensis (Chrysanthus) and I. saundersi (Hogg), are revised. I. pessleri (Thorell), the type species, is diagnosed and the genus is redefined. I. terangana (Strand) from New Guinea is discussed. I. ardrossana (Hogg), I. tepperi (Hogg) and I. tietzi (Hogg) are synonyms of I. leai. Zsopeda maculigaster (Strand) is a synonym of I. conspersa. Seven new species are described as I. ambathala, I. castanea, I. cerina, I. gibsandi, I. maculosa, I. tindalei and I. victorialis. Three species-groups are recognised. A key is provided for Australian species.



PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Arratia ◽  
Claudio Quezada-Romegialli

Following study of the external morphology and its unmatched variability throughout ontogeny and a re-examination of selected morphological characters based on many specimens of diplomystids from Central and South Chile, we revised and emended previous specific diagnoses and considerDiplomystes chilensis,D. nahuelbutaensis,D. camposensis, andOlivaichthys viedmensis(Baker River) to be valid species. Another group, previously identified asDiplomystessp.,D. spec.,D. aff.chilensis, andD. cf.chilensisinhabiting rivers between Rapel and Itata Basins is given a new specific name (Diplomystes incognitus) and is diagnosed. An identification key to the Chilean species, including the new species, is presented. All specific diagnoses are based on external morphological characters, such as aspects of the skin, neuromast lines, and main lateral line, and position of the anus and urogenital pore, as well as certain osteological characters to facilitate the identification of these species that previously was based on many internal characters. Diplomystids below 150 mm standard length (SL) share a similar external morphology and body proportions that make identification difficult; however, specimens over 150 mm SL can be diagnosed by the position of the urogenital pore and anus, and a combination of external and internal morphological characters. According to current knowledge, diplomystid species have an allopatric distribution with each species apparently endemic to particular basins in continental Chile and one species (O. viedmensis) known only from one river in the Chilean Patagonia, but distributed extensively in southern Argentina.



1987 ◽  
Vol 1 (8) ◽  
pp. 1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Hamond

The external morphology of Canthocamptus s.lat. and Fibulacamptus, gen. nov. has been resurveyed and a number of new terms and abbreviations introduced. Separate keys are given to the females and males of these genera and of all their 28 Australian species, as well as a table of their setal formulae and maps of their respective distributions; 21 of the 28 species are new. The genus Canthocamptus, when defined as in section 6 for reasons given in section 3, contains 24 species which can be placed in six fairly well-defined groups; however, the previous descriptions of Australian Canthocamptus species are so lacking in detail that two of them must be regarded as completely unidentifiable. C. bidens (which is probably parthenogenetic anyway), C. longipes and C. sublaevis are known so far only as females and Canthocamptus sp. 1 from only a single male, each of the others described here being from both sexes. C. ablatifurcatus, sp. nov. from New Caledonia is described in Appendix 4; but other existing descriptions of non-Australian species are not sufficiently detailed to refer any of them to one or other of the six groups, to equate any of these groups to a named genus or subgenus of the Canthocamptidae, or to offer any basis for the much-needed revision of this family. Fibulacarnptus differs from all other harpacticoids in the grapnel-like outer terminal seta on the male P4exopod3, but is otherwise close to Canthocamptus as defined here; it contains four species, all new.



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