Mesosaur taxonomy reappraisal: are Stereosternum and Brazilosaurus valid taxa?

Mesosaurs are basal amniotes that lived at the beginning of the Permian or close to the Permo–Carboniferous boundary. Despite the several hundred specimens that have been found, including complete skeletons of adult and juvenile individuals, mesosaur taxonomy has been subjected to a high controversy over time. Currently, three monotypic genera, Mesosaurus tenuidens Gervais, Stereosternum tumidum Cope, and Brazilosaurus sanpauloensis Shikama & Ozaki are recognized, but identification of new specimens using the available diagnostic characters are arbitrary and influenced by high subjectivity. We performed anatomical and morphometric analyses to look for statistical support to these previously suggested basic diagnostic characters through an exhaustive anatomical revision of these characters and also of some new attributes discovered during the course of our study. We found a notable influence of taphonomic features in most of the diagnostic characters used to differentiate the three monotypic genera, including strong bias derived from the preservation of individuals in different ontogenetic stages, whose size and degree of ossification could have been controlled by particular environmental conditions that resulted in subtle polymorphisms of these and other few characters. Other features may even represent sexual dimorphism. After the detailed revision of the type specimens of the three currently accepted mesosaur taxa, for which we include here good-quality photographs, and considering the lack of statistical support for the most applied putative diagnostic features such as the different ratio found when comparing skull and cervical region lengths and the low or higher intensity of pachyosteosclerosis observed in dorsal ribs, which can be controlled by taphonomic and ecological conditions, we recognize Mesosaurus as the only mesosaurid taxon in the Paraná and Karoo basins, probably including dwarf individuals. Therefore, S.tumidum and B. sanpauloensis are suggested here as nomina dubia taking into account that the autapomorphies that supported these taxa cannot be confirmed to be absent in Mesosaurus. Keywords: Mesosaurus, morphometrics, taxonomy, ?Early Permian, Gondwana.

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A preliminary review of the fossil species of Ranina Lamarck, 1801 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Raninidae), with systematic remarks

Natural History Sciences ◽

10.4081/nhs.2017.310 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 43

Author(s):

Giovanni Pasini ◽

Alessandro Garassino

Keyword(s):

Type Species ◽

Preliminary Review ◽

Fossil Species ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Type Series ◽

Nomina Dubia ◽

Doubtful Species

The systematics of the fossil representatives of Ranina Lamark, 1810, has been discussed by several authors in the last century, showing some problematics above all due to the lack of a close diagnosis of the type species (R. ranina) and to the scarce number of well-preserved type series of each fossil species. However, based upon a close comparison among the type series of each species, authors’ original descriptions, and the main diagnostic characters of Ranina, this preliminary review finds that twelve species have to be considered as doubtful species within Ranina, as follows: ?Ranina americana Withers, 1924, ?R. berglundi Squires & Demetrion, 1992, ?R. bouilleana A. Milne Edwards, 1872, ?R. brevispina Lőrenthey, 1898, ?R. granulosa A. Milne Edwards, 1872, ?R. griesbachi Noetling, 1897, ?R. haszlinskyi Reuss, 1859, ?R. libyca (Van Straelen, 1935), ?R. molengraaffi Van Straelen, 1924, ?R. oblonga (von Münster, 1840), ?R. ornata De Angeli & Beschin, 2011, and ?R. speciosa (von Münster, 1840). Four species have to be considered as Ranina nomina dubia, as follows: Ranina elegans Rathbun, 1945, R. hirsuta (Schafhäutl, 1863), R. lamiensis Rathbun, 1945, and R. tejoniana Rathbun, 1926. Ranina bavarica Ebert, 1887, R. fabri Schafhäutl, 1863, and R. helii Schafhäutl, 1863, have to be assigned to Lophoranina Fabiani, 1910. Ranina cuspidata Guppy, 1909, has to be assigned to Calappa Weber, 1795 (Calappidae De Haan, 1833). Finally, R. burleighensis Holland in Holland & Cvancara, 1958, has to be considered as doubtful species within Decapoda.

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Three new Nearctic species of Telenomus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) attacking Tabanidae eggs

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/n03-034 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 136 (1) ◽

pp. 43-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mahmood Iranpour ◽

Terry D. Galloway

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New World ◽

Egg Parasitoids ◽

Identification Key ◽

Type Specimens ◽

World Species ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Three New Species

AbstractThree new species of Tabanidae egg parasitoids are described: Telenomus hybomitraesp. nov. and Telenomus utilissp. nov., both reared from eggs of Hybomitra nitidifrons nuda (McDunnough) and Hybomitra lasiophthalma Macquart, and Telenomus chrysopsissp. nov., reared from eggs of Chrysops aestuans Wulp, Chrysops excitans Walker, and Chrysops mitis Osten Sacken. Specimens of these species were compared with type specimens of known New World species of scelionid parasitoids attacking tabanid eggs. Diagnostic characters and identification key to the Nearctic species are provided.

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A review of Labidostomis species similar to L. longimana from southeastern Europe with descriptions of two new species from Greece and Turkey (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae: Clytrini)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4317.2.8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4317 (2) ◽

pp. 321

Author(s):

JAN BEZDĚK ◽

RENATO REGALIN

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Southeastern Europe ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Central Greece ◽

Two New Species

This publication reviews the Labidostomis species from Southeastern Europe similar to L. longimana. Two new species, L. daccordii sp. nov. (Central Greece) and L. leonardii (Greece: Kos Island, Turkey), are described. The type specimens of L. balcanica Tomov, 1987 (Croatia), L. graeca Tomov, 1990 and L. tymphristica Tomov, 1990 (both from Greece) were studied, all three species are confirmed as valid and their diagnostic characters are described. The aedeagus sclerites are introduced as useful character to separate Labidostomis species.

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A revision of the Anthaxia (Anthaxia) midas Kiesenwetter, 1857 species-group (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Anthaxiini)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4370.3.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4370 (3) ◽

pp. 201

Author(s):

DANIELE BAIOCCHI ◽

GIANLUCA MAGNANI

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Original Data ◽

Species Group ◽

Taxonomic Position ◽

Similar Species ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Definition Of ◽

A New Species ◽

Unknown Male

The Anthaxia (Anthaxia) midas Kiesenwetter, 1857 species-group is defined and revised. A new species from Turkey, A. (A.) cebecii sp. nov., is described and compared to its most similar species. A. midas oberthuri Schaefer, 1938 is elevated to the rank of species, and a lectotype is designated. A. (A.) spathuligera Obenberger, 1924 and A. (A.) midas muelleri Obenberger, 1925 are reconfirmed synonyms of A. midas Kiesenwetter, 1857.All species of the new species-group are illustrated, including the hitherto unknown male of A. (A.) patsyae Baiocchi, 2008, all type specimens and original data labels. In addition to diagnostic characters, informations on the distribution, biology and taxonomic position of each species are also presented, together with a short definition of the new species-group, and a key to its species.

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Redescriptions of Neanthes Kinberg, 1865 (Annelida: Errantia: Nereididae) species from worldwide regions

European Journal of Taxonomy ◽

10.5852/ejt.2021.760.1443 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 760 ◽

Author(s):

Tulio F. Villalobos-Guerrero ◽

Jyothi Kara ◽

Izwandy Idris

Keyword(s):

Junior Synonym ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Diagnostic Features ◽

St Helena ◽

First Time

The present study redescribes four species of Neanthes Kinberg, 1865 (Nereididae de Blainville, 1818) based on their type specimens collected from different worldwide localities: Neanthes chilkaensis (Southern, 1921) from India, N. galetae (Fauchald, 1977) from Panama, N. helenae (Kinberg, 1865) from St Helena Island, and N. mossambica (Day, 1957) from Mozambique. The morphology of the types was re-examined for the first time after the species were originally described, and incorporated the recent improvements in the standards and terminology for describing nereidid features. The arrangement of paragnaths on area VI stood out among the diagnostic features used to distinguish these four species. Neanthes chilkaensis and N. helenae are the unique nereidids bearing p-bar paragnaths on the area VI. Both species are also distinctive as the former species only exhibited p-bar paragnaths on the area VII–VIII and the latter ventrolateral projections on the apodous segment. Further examination revealed that N. nanciae (Day, 1949) from St Helena is a junior synonym of N. helenae. Moreover, N. galetae and N. mossambica are distinguishable from other species also by the development of dorsal cirri, neuropodial postchaetal lobe and ventral ligule, the presence/absence of merged paragnaths on area IV, paired oesophageal caeca, among other features. This study has further contributed to the morphological delimitation of the species in Neanthes as a first step towards revising the genus.

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New genera for two poorly-known millipeds from Bahia (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae)

Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia ◽

10.1590/s0031-10492012000800001 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 52 (8) ◽

pp. 103-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Richard L. Hoffman

Keyword(s):

Type Species ◽

New Genera ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Large Size ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Established Genus

Two chelodesmid millipeds described by Brölemann (1903) from the interior of Bahia have not been reported for over 100 years despite their large size and bright coloration. Originally described as Leptodesmus gounellei and Leptodesmus carminatus, neither species is referable to Leptodesmus as currently defined nor any other established genus. Both have been studied from the type specimens, and are here designated the type species of two new genera, Plectrogonodesmus for gounellei and Baianassa for carminatus. Diagnostic characters are illustrated for both taxa. Intergeneric relationships are at present not evident, and are not suggested pending better understanding of the chelodesmid fauna of eastern Brazil.

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TETROPIUM PARVULUM ELEVATED TO SPECIES RANK AND CONTRASTED TO T. CINNAMOPTERUM IN MORPHOLOGY AND HOST PREFERENCE (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE)

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent105745-5 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 105 (5) ◽

pp. 745-755 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. G. Raske

Keyword(s):

Host Preference ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Morphological Differences

AbstractThe morphological differences in the larva and the adult of Tetropium parvulum Casey and T. cinnamopterum Kirby are reported. Diagnostic characters are the urogomphi of the larva. The shape of the eye, scutellum, and genitalic structures and the number of punctures on the pronotum distinguish the adult. The genitalia are also compared with a third species, T. velutinum. Larvae of T. cinnamopterum have been recorded from a number of conifers, while T. parvulum larvae have only been recorded from spruce.A lectotype is designated for T. cinnamopterum. Examination of type specimens confirmed that T. alaskanum Fall is a synonym of T. parvulum and that T. schwarzianum Casey and T. parallelum are close to T. cinnamopterum. A key is given to distinguish T. parvulum from T. cinnamopterum.

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Phylogenetic relationships of the Balkan Moitessieriidae (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4486.3.5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4486 (3) ◽

pp. 311 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

SEBASTIAN HOFMAN ◽

ALEKSANDRA RYSIEWSKA ◽

ARTUR OSIKOWSKI ◽

JOZEF GREGO ◽

BORIS SKET ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequences ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Shell Morphology ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Diagnostic Features ◽

The Balkans ◽

The Family ◽

Species Type ◽

A Site ◽

Subterranean Waters

The family Moitessieriidae includes minute dioecious gastropods exclusively inhabiting subterranean waters, including thermal ones. Only empty shells were collected in most species, the vast majority of them are described from their gross shell morphology alone. Several visits to a site are usually required to obtain at least some living individuals. High variability in shell morphology and the lack of diagnostic features, coupled with anticipated high levels of endemism, has resulted in a long list of nominal moitessierid species. Type specimens stored as empty shells omit unambiguous identification and delimitation of species boundaries. Due to inaccessibility of cave animals and consequent lack of material suitable for molecular analysis, the phylogenetic relationships, as well as the taxonomy of the family at genus/species level, are far from being understood. The anatomy of the family is also poorly known and provided only for a few taxa. The distinctness of the Moitessieriidae has sometimes been questioned, and their monophyly not proved. Twelve species of the Balkan Moitessieriidae are considered: two species of Paladilhiopsis, two species of Bythiospeum, six species of Iglica, Costellina turrita and Lanzaia bosnica. The shell morphology of each species, as well as the reproductive system of Paladilhiopsis and Iglica, were analysed. DNA sequences of nuclear histone H3, ribosomal 18S, ribosomal 28S and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) were applied to infer phylogenetic relationships among the taxa. The sequences of Bythiospeum from GenBank have been used to infer relationships between Bythiospeum and Paladilhiopsis that were recently synonymized. Paladilhiopsis and Iglica are distinct, but closely related genera, as is the genus Bythiospeum, which does not occur in the Balkans. Its relationships with both former taxa remain unresolved. The Moitessieriidae are clearly distinct from all other families of the Truncatelloidea, however, their monophyly remains doubtful.

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Comparison of the recently described early Permian paoliid genus Permomertovia with the ‘eoblattid’ genera of the families Permulidae and Permotermopsidae

Palaeoentomology ◽

10.11646/palaeoentomology.4.1.8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 039-043

Author(s):

ANDRÉ NEL ◽

MARKUS J. POSCHMANN

Keyword(s):

Early Permian ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Small Family

Poschmann & Nel (2020) recently described the genus and species Permomertovia simpliciradius from the early Permian of Germany and placed it in the order Paoliida and family Paoliidae sensu Prokop et al. (2014) because it shares the diagnostic characters and synapomorphies of this order and family. But they neglected to compare Permomertovia with the taxa placed in the small family Permulidae, and especially with its type genus and species Permula lebachensis (Schlechtendal, 1913; also from the early Permian of Germany (Steinbach near Lebach-Saar). We herein compare the two forewings, and also take this occasion to discuss the affinities of the Permulidae and of some other related Palaeozoic families of Polyneoptera.

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Review of the genus Papagona Ball, 1935 (Hemiptera: Caliscelidae) including a new Neotropical species

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.5023.1.6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5023 (1) ◽

pp. 107-120

Author(s):

ABNER S. DE FREITAS ◽

JAMES N. ZAHNISER ◽

DANIELA M. TAKIYA

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Male Genitalia ◽

Type Species ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Male And Female ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Neotropical Species ◽

Taxonomic Key ◽

The Usa ◽

A New Species

Papagona Ball, 1935 was originally described based on two species from the USA (Arizona). Both species of Papagona (P. papoosa Ball, 1935, type species of genus, and P. succinea Ball, 1935) are redescribed herein based on type specimens, including their previously unknown internal male genitalia. A new species from Brazil (Roraima) is described herein including the male and female terminalia. A taxonomic key to all included species is provided and additional diagnostic characters for this genus are proposed.

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