Redescription and new record of the spongobiotic shrimp Periclimenaeus rastrifer Bruce, 1980 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from Taiwan

The palaemonid shrimp Periclimenaeus rastrifer is here reported from Taiwan based on three specimens. It bears a feeble but distinct anterodorsal lobe on the first pleonite (not reported before). The mouthparts, not previously described, are also remarkable by a multidentate apex of the mandibular incisor, asymmetric distal endite of the second maxilla, and expanded dorsal lobe on the second maxilliped merus. The species is thus redescribed here. One of the examined specimens possesses an unusual rostrum, and malformed telson and uropodal spinulation; the latter specimen is described and illustrated in detail, including the mouthparts. Previously, the only species in the genus published in faunistic repors from Taiwan were P. wolffi Bruce 1993 and P. gorgonidarum (Balss, 1913) recorded from the Taiwan Strait, and the Green Island, respectively; P. rastrifer is reported here as the first of the genus from Taiwan mainland

A new species of Pimelodella Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Orinoco River basin

A new species of Pimelodella is described from western Andean tributaries of the Orinoco River basin. The new species differs from all congeners by a unique set of characters that includes long maxillary barbel, surpassing the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin; relatively short adipose fin (32.8–36.4 of SL); 40–42 total vertebrae; posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine with 12–18 retrorse dentations along basal two thirds; laterosensory canal foramina of dentary and preopercle large and externally conspicuous; a brown faint and narrow midlateral stripe extending from the pseudotympanum, fading posteriorly along the caudal peduncle, and ending as a spot at the caudal-fin base; and dorsal-fin base darkly pigmented, from spinelet to posteriormost interradial membrane. Taxonomic status of P. pallida and presence of P. cruxenti in Colombia are also discussed.

Morphological variation and the relationship with host leaves in the epiphyllous liverwort Cololejeunea chenii Tixier (Marchantiophyta: Lejeuneaceae)

Cololejeunea (Spruce 1884: 291) Stephani (1891: 208), with over 400 published binominals, is the largest genus of Lejeuneaceae Cavers (1910: 291) and the most species of the genus are distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions (Zhu & So 2001, Yu et al. 2013). These usually small sized liverworts grow preferably in extreme habitats, such as on the surface of living leaves, on twigs, or in running water (Gradstein et al. 2003). The currently accepted generic concept of the genus is based on its incubous foliation, leaves consisting of a dorsal lobe and a ventral lobule, Lejeunea-type branching, lack of underleaves, and transverse section of stem comprising of 5(–8) cortical cells and 1 medullary cell (Yu et al. 2013, and references therein).

Two new species of Helicopsyche Siebold 1856 (Insecta: Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) from Pará State, northern Brazil

Two new species of Helicopsychidae from Pará State, Brazil, are described and illustrated: male of Helicopsyche (Feropsyche) carajas n. sp. is characterized by segment X having 8 pairs of subequal megasetae distributed in a pair of longitudinal rows; the primary branch of each gonocoxite, in lateral view, with its basal half nearly as broad as its median part and parallel-sided, its posterior apex directed slightly ventrad and slender and strongly pointed; the dorsal lobes of the endotheca posteriorly protruding, and the lateral lobes of the endotheca well developed. Helicopsyche (Feropsyche) inflata n. sp. is characterized by the hind wings each having very long fringes along the anal border; the primary branch of each gonocoxite having a pointed apex in lateral view and its basimesal lobe being triangular in lateral and ventral views and bearing eight megasetae; and the dorsal lobe of the endotheca being very well developed in lateral view.

A new species of Bryconops (Characiformes: Iguanodectidae) from the Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil

A new species of Bryconops is described from upper rio Juruena drainage, rio Tapajós basin, Amazon basin, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new species is hypothesized as belonging to the subgenus Creatochanes by presenting the posterior extension of maxilla reaching to the junction of second and third infraorbital bones, and the ventroposterior margin of second infraorbital forming a complete border with third infraorbital, resulting in the lack of a naked area between them. The new species is easily distinguished from other species of the subgenus Creatochanes by the color pattern of the caudal fin, which consists of the dorsal lobe conspicuously dark pigmented on its distal half and the ventral lobe dark gray pigmented along its ventral portion below the horizontal through the ventral margin of the caudal peduncle.

Another brick in the wall: population dynamics of a symbiotic species of Oxydromus (Annelida, Hesionidae), described as new based on morphometry

Oxydromus humesi is an annelid polychaete living as a strict bivalve endosymbiont (likely parasitic) of Tellina nymphalis in Congolese mangrove swamps and of Scrobicularia plana and Macomopsis pellucida in Iberian saltmarshes. The Congolese and Iberian polychaete populations were previously considered as belonging to the same species, the latter showing regular distribution, intra-specific aggressive behaviour, and complex hostentering behaviour. The fresh Iberian samples enabled us to undertake consistent morphometric analyses, as well as to further analyse the characteristics of the association and the population dynamics of the Iberian population hosted by S. plana. Among the morphological differences between the Congolese and Iberian specimens, leading to the description of the latter as Oxydromus okupa sp. nov., the most important are: 1) longer cephalic appendages, 2) greater distance between the eyes, 3) larger dorsal cirrostyle in relation to the corresponding dorsal lobe and cirrophore. Moreover, dorsal and ventral lobes are similar in length, with the tip of the former reaching the tip of the latter in O. okupa sp. nov., while the dorsal lobe is much shorter than the ventral one in O. humesi. Mature adults of O. okupa sp. nov. occurred during the whole study period, with a higher percentage of ripe females in spring and, particularly, in summer. Numerous host specimens showed the symbiont’s most preferred shell length (>26 - 36 mm). However, the prevalence was very low (usually <5%) and showed a clear seasonal pattern, being lower during spring/summer. This suggests that males are able to leave their hosts during this period, most likely to improve fertilization by directly entering or approaching a host occupied by a ripe female, while females usually remain inside. Based on the new results, the current knowledge of symbiotic Hesionidae and their relationships with invertebrate hosts is updated and discussed.

Two new species of the Rhyacophila nigrocephala species group from China (Insecta, Trichoptera, Rhyacophilidae)

Two new species of the Rhyacophila nigrocephala species group, R. voluta sp. nov. and R. linguiformis sp. nov., are described, diagnosed and illustrated. Rhyacophila voluta sp. nov. is similar to R. pentagona Malicky & Sun, 2002 in male genitalia, but can be diagnosed by the inferior appendages of the same length as the complex of preanal appendages and dorsal lobe of segment IX, fused base of the basal segments of inferior appendages, and slightly incised distal margin of apical segment of inferior appendage. Rhyacophila linguiformis sp. nov. is similar to R. rima Sun & Yang, 1995 and R. esorima Mey, 1996 in male genitalia, but can be diagnosed by the progressively narrowed complex of preanal appendages and the dorsal lobe of segment X, the short anal sclerites, and the small gap between the upper and lower lobes of apical segment of inferior appendages. An updated checklist of 23 species recorded from China is presented.

Lisubatrus dongzhiweii gen. et sp. nov. from the Gaoligong Mountains, China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

A new genus and species of the subfamily Pselaphinae, Lisubatrus dongzhiweii gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Gaoligong Mountains, southwestern China. Lisubatrus is assigned to the tribe Batrisini, subtribe Batrisina, and placed in a group of genera related to Dendrolasiophilus Nomura, 2010. Members of this group share the characteristic cephalic setose tufts, and have the aedeagus with a large basal capsule, and a well-developed dorsal lobe. Important diagnostic features of Lisubatrus are illustrated, and an identification key to distinguish Lisubatrus from the allied genera is given.

STUDI ANATOMIS DAN HISTOLOGIS PANKREAS BIAWAK AIR (Varanus salvator) (Anatomical and Histological Study of the Pancreas of Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator))

The aim of this research was to determine the anatomy and histology of pancreas of water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator). Two pancreas were used in this research (a male and a female). Water monitor lizard was euthanized using chloroform and subsequently necropsied to collect the pancreas. The pancreas was washed in 0.9 % NaCl solution. Anatomical observations were carried out including location, shape, and color of pancreas, also the length and weight measurements. Then, pancreas was fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for 7 days to proceed to histological preparation and hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. The results of the anatomical observations showed that pancreas of water monitor lizard have two lobes, dorsal lobe (splenic lobe) and ventral lobe (duodenal lobe). Dorsal lobe which was in oval form adhered with the spleen, and ventral lobe was located in the cranial of intestines with the form of long spherical. Both of pancreas lobes were white-yellow color with the length of 1.45±0.64 cm (dorsal lobe) and 7.00±0.42 cm (ventral lobe). Weight of dorsal lobe was 0.15±0.01 g and ventral lobe was 6.35±2.30 g. The histological observations found the acinar cells, ducts, and blood vessels in both of pancreas lobes. Additionally, the similar structure of Langerhans islet only found at the ventral lobe of pancreas. In conclusion, pancreas of water monitor lizard consists of two lobes which located differently. Ventral lobe is larger than the dorsal lobe. Both lobes have similar histological structure except the Langerhans islets are only appeared in the ventral lobe.

Scale morphology and specialized dorsal scales of a new teleosteomorph fish from the Aptian of West Gondwana

Scales of a new species of Teleosteomorpha from the continental Aptian of the south of South America are studied. These neopterygians are from the La Cantera Formation in central Argentina, and were previously identified as Pholidophoriformes. They present ganoid scales; most of them are rhombic with well-developed peg-and-socket articulations and possessing a smooth surface. They have a straight posterior margin, but occasionally, some scales of the flank have a sinuous posterior margin with one or two serrations. The shape of the scales varies along the body from large, rectangular and deeper than long scales behind the head to the preanal region to smaller and rhomboidal scales in the caudal region. There are a few horizontal rows along the flank and about 32 lateral line scales. Thick, round ganoid scales are present in the prepelvic region close to the ventral margin. The round and rhombic scales present growth lines, which form concentric ridges on the external side. A characteristic row of deep scales forms the dorsal margin on each side of the body; a row of median ridge scales is not present. This is a unique feature of the studied fishes. Scutes covered with unornamented ganoine precede the pelvic, dorsal, and anal fins, as well as the dorsal and ventral margins of the caudal fin. The posterior margin of the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin is formed by a single line of scales, which continues and covers the base of the first principal caudal ray. Histological studies reveal a lepisosteoid-scale type with multiple ganoine layers, lack of dentine, and the presence of canaliculi of Williamson. The macro- and micromorphology of the scales shows features that are found in other teleosteomorphs, but also in other neopterygians.