New dalmanitid trilobite taxa from the Lower Devonian of Argentina: comments on spinosity in endemic taxa from southern high paleolatitudes

Three new Lower Devonian dalmanitid trilobite taxa are recognized from the Talacasto Formation in the Precordillera Basin, Argentina, which includes two monospecific genera (Ivanites leonorae n. gen., n. sp. and Aguaditaspis mediaspina n. gen., n. sp.), and one additional new genus and species left in open nomenclature. These taxa combine characters of the subfamilies Dalmanitinae Vogdes, 1890 and Synphoriinae Delo, 1935, challenging their taxonomic distinction. Forty percent of the dalmanitids from high paleolatitudinal basins from southwestern Gondwana (Malvinokaffric) exhibit non-homologous dorsal spinosity. Aguaditaspis mediaspina n. gen., n. sp. shares similar spines with Trypaulites calypso (Hall, 1861). The unnamed new genus resembles the spinosity of endemic Malvinokaffric dalmanitids, like Dalmanitoides Delo, 1935 and Fenestraspis Braniša & Vaněk, 1973. Considered defensive, the recorded spinosity along with putative sublethal-attack marks, suggest higher predation pressure than previously thought at high paleolatitudes. This evidence is in accordance with some hypothesis on rising predation pressure in the mid-Paleozoic marine ecosystems.

On Thaicypris panhai gen. et sp. nov., a new herpetocypridine ostracod (Crustacea: Ostracoda: Cyprididae) from Thailand

A new genus, Thaicypris gen. nov., in the tribe Herpetocypridini Kaufmann, 1900 of the subfamily Herpetocypridinae Kaufmann, 1900 is established to accommodate a new species from Thailand. The present contribution deals with the description of a new genus and species, Thaicypris panhai gen. et sp. nov., which is mainly characterized by the distinctive and raised, inwardly displaced selvage at the postero-ventral part of the right valve (RV) that is not parallel to the valve margin, the absence of an anterior inner list on the RV, the prominent and elevated double inner list on the posterior part of the left valve, the small and three-segmented Rome organ on the first antenna (A1), the spatulated terminal segment of the maxillular (Mx1) palp, the slender caudal ramus (CR) with long and thin Sp seta, the presence of basal triangle on the CR attachment, and the pointed projection at the terminal segment base of the prehensile palps. The hemipenis of the new genus and species is outstanding, especially the medial lateral shield which has a long, beak-shaped protrusion on the distal part. The discovery of this Thai taxon is the first record of the tribe Herpetocypridini in Thailand and the second species of the tribe in Southeast Asia.

The first xiphydriid wood wasp in Cretaceous amber (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae) and a potential association with Cycadales

A new genus and species of fossil wood wasp is described and figured from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, representing the first occurrence of the family Xiphydriidae in the fossil record. Paraxiphydria resinata gen. et sp. nov. exhibits typical apomorphies of the family including a generally cylindrical body, elongate neck and dome-shaped head. Nonetheless, owing to a unique combination of traits including features hitherto unknown among species of the family, the genus is classified within a separate subfamily, Paraxiphydriinae subfam. nov. A key is presented to the suprageneric groups of Xiphydriidae. The newly described species is the first fossil xiphydriid wood wasp, extends the occurrence of Xiphydriidae into the mid-Cretaceous and adds to the known diversity of features in the family. Lastly, the simplification of wing venation and hypotheses of host-plant affiliations of early xiphydriids are discussed. We evaluate pollen associated with the wasp, assign it to the genus Cycadopites and conclude that an affiliation to the Cycadales is most likely. Article and nomenclatural acts are registered in ZooBank (http://zoobank.org/, last access: 15 December 2021), with the following life science identifier (LSID) (reference): urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DA80920E-E94B-4A8E-A817-077FA7BD7D69.

Antimony, arsenic and bismuth in sediments of the Ukureyskaya formation of the Olovskaya depression in Transbaikalia, containing fossil remains of the dinosaurs of a new genus and species Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus

The concentrations of antimony, arsenic, and bismuth in sediments of the Ukureyskaya formation of the Olovskaya Depression in Transbaikalia are considered. It was determined that their maximum concentrations are confined to the sediments around the village of Novoberezovskoye and Kulinda locality, which contains fossils of the dinosaurs Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus.

Arctium tomentosum (Asteraceae): A new report of a native genus in the flora of Mongolia

Arctium tomentosum Mill. (Asteraceae), from Ulaanbaatar in the Khentei phytogeographical region of Mongolia, is recognized here as a new genus and species of the flora of Mongolia. Arctium differs from other genera of Asteraceae by the hooked apex of the involucral bracts. While A. tomentosum is most similar to A. lappa, it is easily distinguished by the glandular hairs of the corolla limb and the widened inner involucral bracts. Taxonomic notes, a description of the morphology, detailed photos, habitat information, the phenology and a distribution map of A. tomentosum are provided.

Prototeleia Talamas, Popovici, Shih & Ren: A new genus of Platygastridae from Burmese amber

A new genus and species of parasitoid wasp is described from Burmese amber: Prototeleia kleiogen. nov., sp. nov. (Platygastroidea, Platygastridae). Prototeleia kleio exhibits multiple characters that we consider to be plesiomorphic for Platygastridae. These characters are analyzed and discussed in the context of extant and fossil taxa.

A new genus and species of the aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) from the Eocene Sakhalinian amber

The new fossil genus and species, Sakhalinoctonus alexrasnitsyni Davidian, gen. et sp. nov., of hymenopteran parasitoids of aphids from the subfamily Aphidiinae (Braconidae) is described from the Middle Eocene Sakhalinian amber. This new genus is similar with the extinct Protacanthoides Mackauer, 1961 and Promonoctonia Starý, 1973 as well as with the extant Calaphidius Mackauer, 1961, Indaphidius Starý, 1979, Aclitus Foerster, 1862 and Archaphidus Starý & Sсhlinger, 1967, and differs from them by the small number of antennal segments, details of wing venation and propodeum areolation, the shape and pubescence of the ovipositor sheaths.