A new species and southernmost record of Cestrus Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae)

Cestrus itatiensis sp. nov., from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, is described and illustrated. This is the southernmost record for the genus and the first record in Brazil. The new species is characterized by having the body reddish brown; a narrow yellow stripe along eye margin on supra-clypeal area, reaching briefly the supra-antennal area; transverse carina of propodeum complete and stout; postpetiole and T2–8 progressively dark brown towards apical margin in a somewhat triangular pattern; and apex of dorsal valve of ovipositor with nine distinct teeth. Extensive sampling suggest this is a rare species.

A review of the Japanese species of the genus Xanthocampoplex Morley, 1913 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae), with description of a new genus

Japanese species of the genus Xanthocampoplex Morley, 1913 are reviewed. Three species previously belonging to this genus, X. caloptiliae Kusigemati, 1982, X. kumatai Kusigemati, 1982 and X. spulerinae Kusigemati, 1982 share unique character states and thus I describe a new genus, Kusigematia gen. nov. including K. caloptiliae (Kusigemati, 1982) comb. nov., K. kumatai (Kusigemati, 1982) comb. nov. (type species of the genus) and K. spulerinae (Kusigemati, 1982) comb. nov. This genus morphologically resembles Xanthocampoplex, but it can be distinguished by the following combination of character states: flagellum covered with long setae and with an erect very long seta on apex (these setae short in Xanthocampoplex); all flagellomeres longer than wide (at least some apical flagellomeres as long as wide or wider than long in Xanthocampoplex); tarsal claws small and simple (small to moderate length and pectinate in Xanthocampoplex); apex of dorsal valve of ovipositor with a distinct convexity behind of notch (not convex in Xanthocampoplex), body, excluding legs and wings, largely black to blackish brown (yellow or black with conspicuous large yellow markings in Xanthocampoplex); host is Gracillariidae (Cossidae and Crambidae in Xanthocampoplex). Xanthocampoplex chinensis Gupta, 1973 is newly recorded from Japan and Palaearctic region.

Altaethyrella (Brachiopoda) from the Late Ordovician of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China, and its significance

Altaethyrella tarimensis, a new species of rhynchonellide brachiopod, is described from the late Katian (Late Ordovician) Hadabulaktag Formation in the Kuruktag region of Xinjiang, Northwest China on the northeastern edge of the Tarim Basin. Serial sections of the shell clearly show no dorsal median septum or septalium in the dorsal valve, and no spiralia or atrypide-style crura. Like other species of the genus, A. tarimensis n. sp. exhibits a high degree of intraspecific variation, including variations in shell shape and size, number of ribs in the sulcus at the anterior, and degree of asymmetry. The discovery of Altaethyrella in Tarim has important paleogeographic implications, indicating a close relationship between the Late Ordovician brachiopod faunas of Tarim and those of the Kazakh terranes and North and South China paleoplates, supporting a recently published paleogeographic projection that places Tarim near the Chu-Ili terrane during the Late Ordovician. The abundant large biconvex shells of A. tarimensis n. sp. would have provided a firm substrate for encrusting filter feeders like bryozoans to establish on the Kuruktag Platform.UUID: http://zoobank.org/df8843cd-4db0-48e7-ba03-bf0ce81c4f01

Schizocrania (Brachiopoda, Discinoidea): taxonomy, occurrence, ecology and history of the earliest epizoan lingulate brachiopod

The lingulate brachiopod Schizocrania (Trematidae, Discinoidea) is reviewed. Ptychopeltis is definitively synonymized with Schizocrania, because new data indicate that convexity of the shell, profile of the anterior margin commissure, density of the dorsal valve costellation, ornamentation of the ventral valve and shape of the pedicle notch are worthless for separation of these genera. Four Ordovician species of Schizocrania are reported from the Barrandian area: S. multistriata (Darriwilian), S. hornyi (Sandbian), S. incola (Sandbian) and the new species S. equestra sp. nov. (Katian). Occurrence of Schizocrania striata is confirmed for the first time around the S/D boundary in the Barrandian area. Schizocrania has a wide geographic range with mid-Ordovician to early Devonian occurrences in Laurentia, Avalonia, West Gondwana and the Silurian occurrence in Baltica. Schizocrania was the earliest lingulate brachiopod adhering to floating objects in an open sea (both living cephalopods and their empty drifting shells), but it was highly opportunistic, and used any vacant hard surface on the sea floor (conulariids, strophomenid brachiopods, trilobites) as a suitable substrate for settlement of the larva. Decline of the genus coincided with disappearance of planktic graptolites, and might have been caused by competition of rapidly evolving planktic dacryoconarids, increased predation pressure, and rebuilding of the trophic structure in the early Devonian seas.

A new uncommon epilithic Eunotia (Bacillariophyceae, Eunotiaceae) from the Chapada Diamantina region, Northeast Brazil

A new uncommon epilithic diatom, Eunotia relicta sp. nov., is described from a small oligotrophic, acidic stream in the Chapada Diamantina region, northeast Brazil. Eunotia relicta is a typical eunotioid form with a pronounced arch on the dorsal side of the valve mainly in smaller valves. Contrary to most Eunotia species, Eunotia relicta does not possess rectangular frustules in girdle view. Until now, this characteristic was only observed in a few species such as E. charliereimeri Edlund & Brant, E. sarraceniae E.E. Gaiser & J.R. Johansen and E. arcuoides Foged, all of them considered asymmetric along the valve plane. Some interesting morphological features of the new species are broad copulae on the dorsal side, an inconspicuous single conical spine on the valve face near the margin at both poles, and the irregularly thickened interstriae. Moreover, each valve has irregular projections at the dorsal valve face margin/mantle juncture and up to three rimoportulae per valve located on the mantle. These features associated with the distinct valve outline set it apart from E. charliereimeri, E. sarraceniae and E. arcuoides, which have no spines, smooth valve faces and 1–2 rimoportulae per valve.

Phylogeny and revision of Messatoporus Cushman (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of sixty five new species

The large New Worldgenus Messatoporus Cushman is diagnosed, redefined, described, and its species revised. A total of 89 valid species are recognized, of which 65 are described as new. All previously known species are redescribed and illustrated. The following synonyms are proposed: M. jocosus (Provancher) and M. rufiventris Cushman under M. discoidalis (Cresson), syn. nov. and M. tricolor (Szépligeti) under M. variegatus (Szépligeti) syn. nov. The following new species are proposed: M. advenus, M. albiaterartus, M. allomeros, M. amarelus, M. amazonensis, M. amplithorax, M. andinus, M. anepomius, M. apiopharkis, M. argentinus, M. atlanticus, M. atrifoveus, M. aurantius, M. badius, M. basiflavus, M. bennetii, M. bicolor, M. bimaculatus, M. campanulatus, M. caxiuanensis, M. citreocephalus, M. complexifemur, M. concavivenus, M. convexus, M. copiosus, M. depressifrons, M. dialeipsis, M. dissidens, M. dominicanus, M. elektor, M. ellipsicavus, M. euryoikos, M. igneus, M. interceptus, M. keraiopetalus, M. laevilatus, M. latissulcus, M. longicaudis, M. longitergus, M. lordos, M. lunatus, M. maculiscus, M. matucanus, M. nigriangulatus, M. nigriscapus, M. nigriscutus, M. occidentalis, M. opacus, M. orientalis, M. paeneater, M. pallidus, M. paradoxus, M. paralissonotus, M. pleuriflavus, M. semialbiventris, M. semiaurantigaster, M. subalaris, M. tenuiorbis, M. tenuissimus, M. teutonicus, M. titans, M. unidentatus, M. unimaculatus, M. versicolor and M. xanthogaster spp. nov. As well, a lectotype is designated for M. townesi Alayo and Tzankov, and Messatoporus nigrispina (Cameron) is transferred to Prosthoporus Porter, comb. nov.. A key to species based on both sexes is also presented, and new distribution records and distribution maps are provided. The validity and relationships of the genus are investigated cladistically using 162 morphological characters for 27 species of Messatoporus and 105 outgroup taxa. Tree search was conducted using TNT under implied weighting, with values of 1–6 for the concavity constant (K). All analyses recovered Messatoporus as a monophyletic group, supported by 7–11 synapomorphies. The results also support the monophyly of the six studied genera of Osprynchotina, in a clade including also Dotocryptus Brèthes. Messatoporus is diagnosed by the combination of the following features: apicolateral corners of clypeus projected; mandible long and tapered, ventral tooth much shorter than dorsal one or indistinct; transverse sulcus at base of propodeum long and shallow; anterior margin of propodeum concave; posterior area of propodeum almost always transversely wrinkled; first metasomal spiracle placed approximately on midlength; median dorsal carina of first metasomal segment absent; ovipositor basally cylindrical, apically depressed, with ventral valve enclosing completely dorsal valve as a sheath. A second analysis including all species of the genus was performed SANTOS & AGUIAR 4 · Zootaxa 3634 (1) © 2013 Magnolia Press to evaluate the phylogeny at the genus level. The character set for that analysis included 104 characters considered of phylogenetic importance within the genus, and used the same tree searching protocol as the first one. A distinct and gradual transition is detected, from species more similar to the remaining Osprynchotina to a significantly different morphotype with several convergences with the Gabuniina. These convergences are interpreted as adaptations to host location and substrate perforation, and may be related to use of more deeply concealed hosts.

Phylogeny and Revision of Toechorychus Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of thirty-five new species

The Neotropical Toechorychus Townes is revised, cladistically defined, and diagnosed. A total of 40 species are recognized, 35 of which are described as new: T. amapaeus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. amazonensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. barticus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. benius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. bombuscarus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. calius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. callangus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. catarinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. coaracius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. darienus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. fluminensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. guarapuavus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. heredius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. itapuensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. jatainus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. kawus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. linaresius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. marcapatus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. marowijnus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. martinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. melgassus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. morelus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. napus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. nourageus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. ondensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. paramaribus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. pirrus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. sinopus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. surinamus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. taperinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. teutonius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. tumazulus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. vilhenus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. vinhaticus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. zulius Tedesco, sp. nov. The other valid species are T. abactus (Cresson), T. albimaculatus (Taschenberg), T. brevicaudis (Szépligeti), T. cassunungae (Brauns), and T. stramineus (Taschenberg). Toechorychus can be recognized by the epicnemial carina usually not reaching more than 0.3 of the distance to subtegular ridge; dorsal valve of ovipositor with a subapical V-shaped sulcus; ovipositor with a subapical constriction; ovipositor sheath about 0.1 as long as hind tibia; and dorsal margin of pronotum swollen. A key and descriptions, including photographic illustrations and distribution maps, are provided to all valid species; a cladistic analysis of the genus is also performed. Seventy three new characters are proposed for the analysis of Cryptinae phylogeny. Toechorychus was recovered as a monophyletic group supported by 7–17 synapomorphies, closely related to Lymeon Förster and Acerastes Cushman. Two new synapomorphies are discovered for Toechorychus, a subapical V-shaped sulcus at the dorsal valve of the ovipositor, and a subapical constriction of the ovipositor present basad of the apical teeth of the ventral valve. Published host records were compiled and three new records are provided as follows: T. albimaculatus is a parasitoid of Mischocyttarus drewseni (Saussure) (Vespidae, Polistinae); T. stramineus is a parasitoid of M. basimacula (Cameron) and T. heredius sp. nov. is a parasitoid of M. collarellus Richards. A neotype is designated for T. cassunungae.

Phylogeny and description of Eknomia, a morphologically unusual new genus of Neotropical Cryptinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), with three new species

The Cryptini Eknomia Santos et Aguiar gen. nov. is proposed, described, and cladistically compared with representativespecies of 40 outgroup genera from twelve cryptine subtribes. A total of 98 morphological characters were evaluated. Allanalyses, conducted in TNT under implied and equal weighting, clearly suggest that Eknomia is a monophyletic groupand can be treated as a distinct genus. Its likely sister group, however, varied among different analyses and could not beascertained. The relationships of the new genus are therefore unclear, and because of this it is not assigned to any of thecurrently recognized subtribes. Eknomia can be diagnosed mainly by the anterior transverse carina of propodeum entirelyabsent; propodeum more or less uniformly strigate; clypeus almost entirely flattened; ovipositor stout, with compressed,minutely serrate flange at apex of dorsal valve, subapically crossed by a subvertical line; first metasomal spiracle placedat tergite midlength or nearly so; and hind margin of metanotum with tooth-like projections. The species E. nigra Santoset Aguiar, sp. nov., E. rubra Santos et Aguiar, sp. nov. and E. propodeator Santos et Aguiar, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. The genus is recorded from Colombia to southern Brazil.

First report of a larval shell repair scar on a lingulate brachiopod: evidence of durophagous predation in the Cambrian pelagic realm?

A dorsal valve of an Upper Cambrian lingulate brachiopod exhibits a repair scar on the anterior lateral edge of its larval shell. This species is characterized by an abrupt change in ornamentation from larval to postlarval growth. Shell material secreted in the injured area after the damage occurred exhibits ornamentation that is characteristic of postlarval growth, although equivalent growth exhibits characteristics of the larval stage. A break in the edge of the shell is visible, and the growth lines of the larval and postlarval shell were distorted until the broken area was filled in. Damage to the surface of the shell is interpreted to have been caused by the same event. Modern lingulate brachiopod larvae are planktotrophic and are interpreted to have been so throughout their long geologic history. Therefore, an environmental cause of shell damage seems unlikely and the injuries are interpreted to have been caused by an unknown durophagous predator. This specimen offers evidence that lingulate brachiopod larvae were able to survive shell breakage and repair their shells.

First record of the genus Bronnothyris (Brachiopoda: Megathyrididae) from the Oligocene of the Mainz Basin (Germany)

First record of the genusBronnothyris(Brachiopoda: Megathyrididae) from the Oligocene of the Mainz Basin (Germany)The genusBronnothyris, with the type speciesTerebratula bronniiRoemer, 1841, was erected for thoseArgyrothecaspecies that have septal flanges extended ventrally from the dorsal valve. Four other Late Cretaceous and one Early Paleocene species were attributed to this genus (i.e.Argyrotheca coniunctaSteinich, 1965,A. lacunosaSteinich, 1965,A. obstinataSteinich, 1965,A. stevensisNielsen, 1928 andA. rugicostaZelinskaya, 1975). After examination of Oligocene material from Waldböckelheim, Mainz Basin, Germany we transfer the speciesArgiope subradiataSandberger, 1862 into the genusBronnothyris. This new combination extends the stratigraphic range ofBronnothyrisinto the Oligocene.