Alcolyra, a new genus of leucosiid crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) from India

The identity of Philyra alcocki Kemp, 1915 (Leucosiidae), a species described from Chilika Lake, India is clarified. The redescription of lectotype male and examination of fresh material collected from Chilika Lake, Odisha state of India revealed that P. alcocki is significantly different morphologically from members of Philyra senso stricto and other allied genera in possessing two tuberculated rows on the branchial region of carapace, and a well-developed tubercle on male thoracic sternite 5 on either side of the sternopleonal cavity. Therefore, a new genus Alcolyra n. gen. is established herewith for the species.

The rediscovery of Carya poilanei (Juglandaceae) after 63 years reveals a new record from China

Despite having been first published in 1941, Carya poilanei (A.Chev.) J.-F.Leroy is only known from three collections in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. It has not been recollected since then and was long suspected to have become extinct through repeated deforestation events. Here, we report the rediscovery, and meanwhile the first new record in China, of this extremely rare gigantic hickory species at Yunnan province 63 years after its last collection in 1958. Three small patchy subpopulations were found with a total of about 50 adult trees having diameter at breast height (DBH) larger than 60 cm, together with some seedlings and saplings, but the fruit set was low. Based on new and fresh material, we present a revised morphological description of C. poilanei, and an updated distribution map for the species. In addition, we also provide a key for the hickories in China. Lastly, we suggest C. poilanei should be listed as a Critically Endangered (CR) species according to the latest IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

The genus Ceratrimeria Bӧrner, 1906 (Collembola: Neanuridae, Pseudachorutinae) in the fauna of Japan

Two Japanese species, Ceratrimeria takaoensis (Kinoshita, 1916) and C. yasumatsui (Uchida, 1940), were redescribed based on fresh material, including that from the type localities and using modern morphological criteria. The main diagnostic characters of the genus Ceratrimeria are also discussed. In addition, nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 16S ribosomal RNA genes of specimens obtained from the type localities of both congeners are analyzed allowing for their species statuses to be confirmed. Barcoded specimens are deposited in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba, Japan and the DNA sequence data are available in the International Nucleotide Sequence Databases.

Hymenochaete liliae (Agaricomycetes, Fungi), a new species from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico

Background and Aims: Hymenochaete is the genus with the highest number of species of the family Hymenochaetaceae in Mexico; 25 species have been described. It is characterized by its mainly resupinate basidiome, although it may be pileate and stipitate, of brown colors, with presence of setae and xanthocroid reaction. The objective of this study is to describe a new species of Hymenochaete.Methods: The fresh material was studied and described macro and micromorphologically, using a stereoscopic and optical microscope, taking photos in situ. Vouchers of the herbaria ENCB y FCME were studied, and specialized literature was reviewed for its description.Key results: Hymenochaete liliae sp. nov. is characterized by a resupinate, adnate, fleshy basidiome, smooth hymenophore, with numerous setae, determinate margin, abrupt, with monomitic hyphal system, simple septae; abundant subfusiform setae in the hymenium, 69-80 × 6-8 µm, acute, with crystals; and ellipsoid basidiospores, thin-walled, 5-8 × 2-3 µm. Although it resembles H. rhabarbarina, it can be differentiated by setae covered with crystals and spores of 4.8-6 × 2.3-3.3 µm. It could also be confused with H. minuscula due to its basidiome color; however, the setae are smaller (40-60 µm), as well as the basidia (15-20 µm). It can be separated from H. cinnamomea because it does not present a stratose basidiome; setae with crystals, 69-80 × 6-8 µm; basidiospores 5-8 × 2-3 µm, ellipsoidal.Conclusions: Hymenochaete liliae is proposed as a new species, which is distributed in the tropical dry forest of the state of Oaxaca, and until now only reported from the type locality.

Gilbert and Sullivan

This chapter discusses Richard D'Oyly Carte's “Gilbert and Sullivan” (G & S) program, which was named after W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Carte's G & S program combined the appeal of superb craftsmanship with that of fresh material, replacing the previous derivative nature of extravaganza and burlesque. First of all, Carte commissioned Trial By Jury, G & S's only one-act production. It was a miniature comic opera. This led to the famous series of shows, now all with spoken dialogue, that changed the course of the Anglophone musical. However, by his involvement with Gilbert and Sullivan Carte had tasked himself weightily, as he now faced years of delicate diplomacy, keeping the act together when Gilbert got too prickly or Sullivan felt unappreciated. Next, Carte recruited G & S performers into the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The aim was to tour internationally in the G & S canon and this tradition lasted for over one hundred years. The business became a family business. After Carte retired the business was managed by his son Rupert, and then by Rupert's daughter Bridget, before disbanding in 1982, albeit with sporadic initiatives thereafter. The chapter finally looks into more detail at the G & S canon, including titles such as The Pirates Of Penzance (1879) and Patience (1881).

Removal of pentachlorophenol from contaminated wastewater using phytoremediation and bioaugmentation processes

The phytoremediation procedure was conducted by Lemna gibba (L) and Typha angustifolia (T) and the bioaugmentation procedure used P. putida HM627618. The ability of the selected P. putida HM627618 to tolerate and remove PCP (200 mg L−1) was measured by high performance liquid chromatography analysis and optical density at 600 nm. Five different experiments were conducted in secondary treated wastewater for PCP testing removal (100 mg L−1) including two phytoremediation assays (T + PCP; L + PCP), three bioaugmentation-phytoremediation assays (T + B + PCP; L + B + PCP; L + T + B + PCP) and a negative control assay with PCP. Various analytical parameters were determined in this study such as bacterial count, chlorophylls a and b, COD, pH and PCP content. The main results showed that the average PCP removal by P. putida HM627618 was around 87.5% after 7 days of incubation, and 88% of PCP removal was achieved by treatment (T + B) after 9 days. During these experiments, pH, COD and chloride content showed a net increase in all treatments. The chlorophylls a and b in case of (T) and (L) Chlorophylls a and b for T and L phytoremediation showed a decrease with a value less than 10 μg/mg of fresh material after 20 days of cultivation.

A New Distinctive Species of Schizanthus (Solanaceae) and the Reinstatement of Schizanthus fallax

Abstract— A new Schizanthus species from northern Chile is described and illustrated. Schizanthus nutantiflorus was discovered based on recent collections made during unusual rain events in the Atacama Desert in 2015. The new species is distinguished morphologically from other Schizanthus species from northern Chile by its short corolla tube, with a distinct upper lip arrangement and colour, having the longest lower lip, and downward-facing flowers. Additionally, the reinstatement of Schizanthus fallax is proposed. By using both nDNA and cpDNA, phylogenetic relationships among all species of Schizanthus were investigated. Molecular and field observations, as well as an exhaustive morphological revision of fresh material and herbarium specimens, supports the segregation of Schizanthus with short corolla tubes from northern Chile into three species. We propose that, in order to fully understand both the taxonomy and evolution of Schizanthus, an integrative framework encompassing molecular, ecological, and morphological data should be carried out. Information on distribution, habitat, informal conservation status, as well as taxonomic notes and illustrations are provided. In addition, an updated key for the species of Schizanthus from northern Chile is given.

Between sand, rocks and branches: an integrative taxonomic revision of Angolan Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820, with description of four new species

The taxonomy of Angolan Hemidactylus has recently been revised. However, the lack of fresh material for some groups and regions, has led to the misidentification of some taxa and an underestimation of actual diversity in others. To shed light on the evolutionary history and systematics of Angolan Hemidactylus, we generated a new phylogenetic hypothesis for the group, and updated the taxonomy following an integrative approach. This resulted in the description of four new species (H. pfindaensissp. nov., H. faustussp. nov., H. carivoensissp. nov. and H. cinganjisp. nov.), the reevaluation of two recently described species (H. vernayi and H. paivae) and the synonymization of a recently described species (H. hannahsabinnae). We estimate divergence times for these lineages, providing a preliminary interpretation of their speciation process. Moreover, we suggest and outline 13 Angolan Main Biogeographic Units (AMBUs) in the area, defining a new biogeographic context for future works on Angolan herpetofauna. We now recognize eleven Hemidactylus species in Angola, and we provide here a new morphological key for Angolan Hemidactylus to help with identifications and species assignments in this group.

A fresh start in ambersnail (Gastropoda: Succineidae) taxonomy: finding a foothold using a widespread species of Oxyloma

The ambersnails (Succineidae), found nearly worldwide, are considered a very challenging group to classify and identify with even genus-level identifications requiring dissection. In this study, we use mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers, shell morphometrics, and anatomical dissection to examine fresh material collected from the type localities of two nominal species in Oxyloma (Neoxyloma). We conclude from these evidence that Oxyloma salleanum (L. Pfeiffer, 1850) and Oxyloma effusum (L. Pfeiffer, 1853) are conspecific, and accordingly reduce O. effusum to the status of junior synonymy. We present a redescription of O. salleanum.