Moonshine worms (Diopatra aciculata: Onuphidae, Annelida) in the Knysna Estuary, South Africa; taxonomy and distribution

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 897-907
Author(s):  
H. van Rensburg ◽  
C. A. Matthee ◽  
C. A. Simon
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Population Estimate ◽  
Morphological Description ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
First Time ◽  
Shell Fragments ◽  
Scanning Electron

AbstractMoonshine worms are a popular bait species used for fishing. The taxon was not detected during surveys of the macrobenthos conducted in Knysna in the 1940s and 1990s, and was first reported as a harvested bait species in the mid-2000s, suggesting that it appeared for the first time in the estuary in the last three decades. A previous molecular analysis identified the worms as Diopatra aciculata, a species first described from Australia. This study provides an updated detailed morphological description of D. aciculata in South Africa to facilitate future identifications and also investigates the species' distribution and population size in the Knysna Estuary. Specimens were examined by scanning electron, stereo- and compound microscopes. Diopatra aciculata has tubes that protrude from the sediment in sandy areas, often decorated with algae and shell fragments; a large body size, up to 600 mm long and 11.5 mm wide. It has 10–18 rings on ceratophores; 5–10 teeth on pectinate chaetae; uni- and bidentate pseudo-compound falcigers and dorsal cirri approximately as long as branchiae. Diopatra aciculata was detected up to 12 km from the mouth of the Knysna Estuary with densities measured at 18 sampled sites. Statistical analysis retrieved high and low density groups that were significantly different from one another (Kruskal-Wallis H(14, 800) = 376.55; P = 0.01), but distribution of high density sites was patchy. We estimate that the population comprises 20–24 million individuals. Given the size of individual worms and the population estimate, this species can be expected to have significant ecological impacts in the estuary.

A new species of the subgenus Scheloribates (Topobates) (Acari: Oribatida: Scheloribatidae) from Panama

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-283
Author(s):  
S.G. Ermilov
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

The oribatid mite subgenus Scheloribates (Topobates) Grandjean, 1958, is recorded from the Neotropical region for the first time. A new species of this subgenus is described from the leaf litter collected in Cayo Agua Island, Panama. Scheloribates (Topobates) panamaensis sp. nov. differs from its related species by the very large body size and presence of a strong ventrodistal process on the leg femora II–IV.

Description of two new species, Aphanolaimus strilliae n. sp. (Nematoda:Aphanolaimidae) and Makatinus africanus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aporcelaimidae), and SEM observations on three known species from freshwater sources in the Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga, South Africa)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4651 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-234
Author(s):  
CHANTELLE GIRGAN ◽  
MARIETTE MARAIS ◽  
HENDRIKA FOURIE ◽  
LOURENS TIEDT ◽  
ANTOINETTE SWART
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
New Species ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Long Tail ◽  
Lateral Field ◽  
Lateral Body ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
First Time ◽  
Scanning Electron

Aphanolaimus strilliae n. sp. and Makatinus africanus n. sp. are described from freshwater sources in the Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Aphanolaimus strilliae n. sp. is characterised by a body length of 1240–1613 μm, more than 800 body annules, lateral field originating between the first and second lateral body pore at the 34th–46th annule, first lateral body pore located at the 25th–35th annule, vagina V-shaped and bent anteriorly, 142–195 µm long uterus and 165–207 µm long tail with spinneret offset. This species is ovoviviparous and no males were found. Makatinus africanus n. sp. is characterised by a large, thick body (3228–4128 μm long, a = 30–39 wide), slightly set off lip region with amalgamated lips; 31–34 μm long odontostyle; long tongue-shaped cardia, and stout, short tail (30–43 μm long) with a small peg / digitate extension and male absent. Populations of three known species, Chronogaster africana, Eutobrilus annetteae and Neotobrilus ampiei, from fresh water at the Telperion Nature Reserve are described and scanning electron microscope graphs of these species published for the first time. 

Redescription of Lamproglena Clariae Fryer, 1956 (Copepoda, Lernaeidae), With Notes On Its Occurrence and Distribution

Crustaceana ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Avenant-Oldewage ◽  
Hazel M. Marx
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Gill Parasite ◽  
Morphological Findings ◽  
Olifants River ◽  
First Time ◽  
Scanning Electron

AbstractThe morphology of the gill parasite Lamproglena clariae Fryer, 1956, from the Olifants River, Kruger National Park, South Africa, was studied with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy. Ultrastructural details of all appendages are given as well as a table and map with information on the occurrence and distribution of L. clariae in Africa. Important morphological findings include: the observation of only one claw on the maxilla; first time findings and descriptions of the nuchal organ, upper and lower lips, the fifth pair of legs and circular openings on all appendages.

Systematics and zoogeography of three new nematode parasites of the frog Breviceps sylvestris sylvestris FitzSimons from South Africa

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 3134-3142 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Baker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Buccal Capsule ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Intestinal Cells ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Distal Half ◽  
Nematode Parasites ◽  
Female Tail ◽  
Sub Saharan

Hedruris transvaalensis n. sp. (Habronematoidea), the first Hedruris species recorded from Africa, belongs to a group within the genus found only on the Gondwanaland continents and characterized by fused, slender, and nontwisted spicules. It is distinguished from other Hedruris species by possessing spicules exceeding 350 μm in length. Oswaldocruzia robusta n. sp. (Trichostronglyoidea) is easily differentiated from all other species in the genus by its large body size, relatively large intestinal cells, the disposition and size of the bursal rays, spicule morphology (distal end with three branches, two of which are divided into eight or nine sharp processes), and shape of the female tail (distal half in form of spike). It is not closely related to other endemic African Oswaldocruzia spp., which form a homogeneous group. Entomelas sylvestris n. sp. (Rhabditoidea), the first Entomelas species recorded from sub-Saharan Africa, is distinguished from other Entomelas species by the division of the buccal capsule into two parts. Its presence in a frog confirms the wide and sporadic distribution of Entomelas in diverse amphibian and reptilian hosts. This suggests Entomelas is a relict and ancient group.

scholarly journals The postcranial skeleton of the erythrosuchid archosauriform Garjainia prima from the Early Triassic of European Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 201089
Author(s):  
Susannah C. R. Maidment ◽  
Andrey G. Sennikov ◽  
Martín D. Ezcurra ◽  
Emma M. Dunne ◽  
David J. Gower ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Mass Extinction ◽  
Middle Triassic ◽  
Large Body ◽  
The Body ◽  
European Russia ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
First Time

Erythrosuchidae were large-bodied, quadrupedal, predatory archosauriforms that dominated the hypercarnivorous niche in the aftermath of the Permo-Triassic mass extinction. Garjainia , one of the oldest members of the clade, is known from the late Olenekian of European Russia. The holotype of Garjainia prima comprises a well-preserved skull, but highly incomplete postcranium. Recent taxonomic reappraisal demonstrates that material from a bone bed found close to the type locality, previously referred to as ‘ Vjushkovia triplicostata ', is referable to G. prima. At least, seven individuals comprising cranial remains and virtually the entire postcranium are represented, and we describe this material in detail for the first time. An updated phylogenetic analysis confirms previous results that a monophyletic Garjainia is the sister taxon to a clade containing Erythrosuchus, Shansisuchus and Chalishevia . Muscle scars on many limb elements are clear, allowing reconstruction of the proximal locomotor musculature. We calculate the body mass of G. prima to have been 147–248 kg, similar to that of an adult male lion. Large body size in erythrosuchids may have been attained as part of a trend of increasing body size after the Permo-Triassic mass extinction and allowed erythrosuchids to become the dominant carnivores of the Early and Middle Triassic.

scholarly journals Systematics of the Rubidgeinae (Therapsida: Gorgonopsia)

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian F. Kammerer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Late Permian ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Karoo Basin ◽  
Assemblage Zone

The subfamily Rubidgeinae, containing the largest known African gorgonopsians, is thoroughly revised. Rubidgeinae is diagnosed by the absence of a blade-like parasphenoid rostrum and reduction or absence of the preparietal. Seven rubidgeine species from the Karoo Basin of South Africa are recognized as valid:Aelurognathus tigriceps,Clelandina rubidgei,Dinogorgon rubidgei,Leontosaurus vanderhorsti,Rubidgea atrox,Smilesaurus ferox, andSycosaurus laticeps. Rubidgeines are also present in other African basins:A. tigricepsandS. laticepsoccur in the Upper Madumabisa Mudstone Formation of Zambia, andD. rubidgei,R. atrox, and the endemic speciesRuhuhucerberus haughtonicomb. nov. andSycosaurus nowakicomb. nov. occur in the Usili Formation of Tanzania.Aelurognathus nyasaensisfrom the Chiweta Beds of Malawi also represents a rubidgeine, but of uncertain generic referral pending further preparation. No rubidgeine material is known outside of Africa: the purported Russian rubidgeineLeogorgon klimovensisis not clearly referable to this group and may not be diagnosable. Phylogenetic analysis of rubidgeines reveals strong support for a clade (Rubidgeini) of advanced rubidgeines includingClelandina,Dinogorgon,Leontosaurus, andRubidgea. Support forSmilesaurusas a rubidgeine is weak; it may, as previous authors have suggested, represent an independent evolution of large body size from anArctops-like ancestor. Temporally, rubidgeines are restricted to the Late Permian, first appearing in theTropidostomaAssemblage Zone and reaching highest diversity in theCistecephalusandDaptocephalusassemblage zones of the Beaufort Group.

scholarly journals New faunistical and taxonomic data on oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of Taiwan

Acarologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-320
Author(s):  
Sergey G. Ermilov ◽  
Jhih-Rong Liao
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Medium Length ◽  
Notogastral Seta ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Lateral Branches ◽  
First Time

The present study is based on oribatid mite material collected in Taiwan in 2017–2019. A list of identified taxa, including 141 species/subspecies from 88 genera and 47 families is provided; of these, 36 species/subspecies, 13 genera and five families are recorded for the first time in the Taiwan fauna, and eight species and one genus are recorded for the first time in the Oriental region. Two new species are described. Tyrphonothrus nivnu n. sp. (description based on adult) is similar to Tyrphonothrus altissimus (Piffl, 1971), T. cajamarcensis (Hammer, 1961) and T. wallworki (Starý and Block, 1995) in general morphological traits (notogastral ridges developed; tridactylous legs; notogastral setae e2, h1, h2, and p2 long, setiform, with attenuate tip, other setae of medium length, setiform; high number of genital setae; absence of notogastral ornamentation; and comparatively large body size), but differs from these listed species by the barbed notogastral setae and comparatively long notogastral setae c1, c2, c3, and e1. Jacotella puyuma n. sp. (description based on adult and tritonymph) is similar to Jacotella neonominata Subías, 2004 in general morphological traits (centrodorsal notogastral part with two longitudinal ridges, posteriorly fused, each ridge with two lateral transverse branches; absence of notogastral ornamentation; notogastral seta h1 distinctly longer than other notogastral setae), but differs from the latter by the narrowly elongate bothridial head, flagellate notogastral setae h1 and p1, the length of notogastral setae, and the absence of additional longitudinal ridges connected lateral branches of median ridges (in adult); and by the long gastronotic seta h1 similar in length to bothridial seta, seta h2 similar to h3 and lp and seta dm clearly longer than da on larval exuvium (in tritonymph).

Giant among dwarfs: Meganannus lewisi, gen. n. and sp. n., a new genus and species of minute litter bugs from Costa Rica (Hemiptera: Schizopteridae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4370 (2) ◽  
pp. 156 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTIANE WEIRAUCH ◽  
KYLE WHORRALL ◽  
ALEXANDER KNYSHOV ◽  
ROCHELLE HOEY-CHAMBERLAIN
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Monotypic Genus ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Family ◽  
Scanning Electron

The Neotropical biodiversity of the cryptic and tiny minute litter bugs in the family Schizopteridae—although thought to be the best documented tropical fauna of Schizopteridae—is still poorly known. Sixteen species of Schizopteridae have been described from Costa Rica, 13 of which during the past few years, and the last new genus of Schizopteridae from that country was described more than half a century ago. We here describe and document a new monotypic genus of Schizopteridae from Costa Rica, Meganannus n. gen. The new genus belongs to the “Ogeriinae” + Schizopterinae lineage of Schizopteridae and stands out among other litter bugs by the large body size, among other features. We provide habitus photographs and document morphological details using scanning electron, confocal, and light compound microscopic images. A map and measurements are also produced. An illustrated identification key to genus groups and/or genera of Neotropical Schizopteridae including this new genus is presented. 

The imaginal and detailed nymphal characters of Cincticostella fusca (Kang & Yang, 1995) (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4729 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
WEI ZHANG ◽  
NA HAN ◽  
MIN ZHANG ◽  
YIN-FANG WANG ◽  
CHANG-FA ZHOU
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
Southeastern China ◽  
First Time

Among the 17 known species of the genus Cincticostella, only five of them have been reported as both nymphs and imagoes, which does not include the Chinese species C. fusca Kang et Yang (1995). Here the nymphs are redescribed and reared imagoes are reported for the first time, based on material collected from southeastern China. Morphologically, the nymph is unique because of its large body size, expanded genae, pale median stripe on the anterior of the head, and dark tarsi. The male imago can be differentiated from congeners by its large body size, pigmented forewings, and the mesothoracic scutellum having a pair of membranous lamellae. More importantly, its penes are distinct, being fused for most of their length and having complex ventral projections. Adults emerge in early spring (March to April). 

scholarly journals The most complete enantiornithine from North America and a phylogenetic analysis of the Avisauridae

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie Atterholt ◽  
J. Howard Hutchison ◽  
Jingmai K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
South American ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Large Body Size ◽  
First Time ◽  
North And South

The most complete known North American enantiornithine was collected in 1992 but never formally described. The so-called “Kaiparowits avisaurid” remains one of the most exceptional Late Cretaceous enantiornithine fossils. We recognize this specimen as a new taxon, Mirarce eatoni (gen. et sp. nov.), and provide a complete anatomical description. We maintain that the specimen is referable to the Avisauridae, a clade previously only known in North America from isolated tarsometatarsi. Information from this specimen helps to clarify evolutionary trends within the Enantiornithes. Its large body size supports previously observed trends toward larger body mass in the Late Cretaceous. However, trends toward increased fusion of compound elements across the clade as a whole are weak compared to the Ornithuromorpha. The new specimen reveals for the first time the presence of remige papillae in the enantiornithines, indicating this feature was evolved in parallel to dromaeosaurids and derived ornithuromorphs. Although morphology of the pygostyle and (to a lesser degree) the coracoid and manus appear to remain fairly static during the 65 million years plus of enantiornithine evolution, by the end of the Mesozoic at least some enantiornithine birds had evolved several features convergent with the Neornithes including a deeply keeled sternum, a narrow furcula with a short hypocleidium, and ulnar quill knobs—all features that indicate refinement of the flight apparatus and increased aerial abilities. We conduct the first cladistic analysis to include all purported avisuarid enantiornithines, recovering an Avisauridae consisting of a dichotomy between North and South American taxa. Based on morphological observations and supported by cladistic analysis, we demonstrate Avisaurus to be paraphyletic and erect a new genus for “A. gloriae,” Gettyia gen. nov.

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