Pseudopolydora (Annelida: Spionidae) from the Arabian Gulf, Kuwait

Seven species of Pseudopolydora are described and illustrated from the Arabian Gulf, Kuwait: P. achaeta Radashevsky & Hsieh, 2000, P. antennata (Claparède, 1868), P. arabica Radashevsky & Al-Kandari, 2020, P. auha sp. nov., P. kuwaiti sp. nov., P. melanopalpa sp. nov., and P. multispinosa sp. nov. The morphology of the developed planktonic larvae is described for P. antennata and P. kuwaiti sp. nov. Adults of all species live in tubes in soft sediments, while adults of P. kuwaiti sp. nov. also bore in shells of gastropods and dead corals encrusted by coralline algae. Pseudopolydora antennata and P. arabica form dense settlements up to 50 000 individuals per 1 m2, while other species are comparatively rare. The phylogenetic relationships between the examined species and other Pseudopolydora (18 species in total) were assessed in an analysis of sequence data of four gene fragments: mitochondrial 16S rDNA, nuclear 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA, and Histone 3 (2473 bp in total). Three species complexes are distinguished involving P. antennata, P. diopatra Hsieh, 1992 and P. paucibranchiata (Okuda, 1937). Sets of adult morphological features shared by species of each complex and an identification key to Pseudopolydora species from the Arabian Gulf are provided.

The second known stygomorphic freshwater crab from China, Phasmon typhlops gen. nov. et sp. nov. (Crustacea, Decapoda, Potamidae), diverged at the beginning of the Late Miocene

A new genus and new species of blind freshwater cave crab are described from Chongzuo City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China based on morphology and mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences. The new genus, Phasmongen. nov., is established for P. typhlopssp. nov., which is only the second blind cave crab known from China and East Asia. The combination of a very wide carapace, overall depigmentation, reduced orbits and vestigial unpigmented eyes of Phasmon immediately separates it from all known potamid genera. Molecular divergence estimates based on 16S rDNA suggest that the lineage to which the new genus belongs diverged from other potamids at the beginning of the Late Miocene (10.8 million years ago), much earlier than other Chinese cave crabs.

Genetic Diversity and Molecular Characterization of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) In North-Central Nigeria Using Ribosomal DNA ITS2 and Mitochondrial 16S-DNA Sequences

Mosquitoes are vectors of various life-threatening diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever etc. Their close proximity to human habitations allows ease for disease transmission. They have been identified by key morphological tools like their wings, legs, bristles etc. but closely related species are difficult to identify based on morphology. Molecular tools have, therefore, been employed to help with the more accurate identification. This study was aimed at identifying and characterizing different mosquito species in five different states in North-Central Nigeria using internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and mitochondrial 16S rDNA regions. Mosquito larvae were collected from stagnant water in breeding places at each collection site in North-central Nigeria. Morphological identification was carried out using standard keys. DNA extraction was performed using EZNA extraction kit. PCR amplification of ribosomal ITS2 and mitochondrial 16S-rDNA gene regions were carried out. The PCR amplicons were sequenced using primers initially used for the PCR. Sequence data were aligned in MEGA 6.0 using ClustalW multiple alignment feature and then compared with GenBank databases for similarity. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the ITS2 region was able to distinguish two mosquito subfamilies; Anophelinae and Culicinae as well as differentiate between and amongst Culex and Aedes species. However, it was unable to effectively distinguish between the two different species of Anopheles sequenced. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA marker was also able to distinguish the two mosquito subfamilies. It efficiently identified and differentiated Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquito species sequenced in this study. This study concludes that heterogeneity among Nigerian populations of Anopheles mosquitoes of may likely impact malaria vector control programs. We recommend the combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers for effective and reliable phylogenetic study and determination of evolutionary relationship among mosquito species.

Descriptions of a new species of Minpotamon Dai & Türkay, 1997, and a monotypic new genus of aquatic freshwater crab (Brachyura, Potamidae) from eastern Guangdong, China

A new genus new species of freshwater crab and a new Minpotamon Dai & Türkay, 1997 species are described from eastern Guangdong, China, based on morphology and mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences. The new genus, Teoswamon gen. nov., is established for T. scolasticum sp. nov., which resembles species from several other genera from Guangdong, but its unique combination of carapace, male gonopod and female vulvae characters set it apart from others. Minpotamon kityang sp. nov. is almost identical with Minpotamon nasicum (Dai, Chen, Song, Fan, Lin & Zeng, 1979) externally, but differs drastically in the male gonopod morphology. Molecular analysis supports the current taxonomic treatments. Teoswamon scolasticum sp. nov. forms its own lineage closely related to Huananpotamon Dai & Ng, 1994. Minpotamon kityang sp. nov. clusters with Minpotamon nasicum, but their genetic distance is of an interspecific level.

Two new species of the freshwater-crab genus Demanietta Bott, 1966 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from southern Myanmar

We describe two new species of the freshwater-crab genus Demanietta Bott, 1966 from Tanintharyi (Tenasserim) division, southern Myanmar (Burma), Demanietta liui sp. nov. and Demanietta lenya sp. nov. Demanietta liui sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to D. thagatensis Rathbun, 1904 and D. khirikhan Yeo, Naiyanetr & Ng, 1999; D. lenya sp. nov. appears close to D. manii Rathbun, 1904, D. merguensis Bott, 1966, and D. nakhonsi Yeo, Naiyanetr & Ng, 1999. The two new species are easily distinguished from their most similar congeners in the shape of the external orbital tooth, epibranchial tooth, and male first gonopod. Molecular analysis based on partial mitochondrial 16S rDNA also supports the systematic position of the new taxa.

Two new species of freshwater crabs of the genera Eosamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 and Indochinamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Potamidae) from southern Yunnan, China

Two new species of potamid crabs, Eosamon daiaesp. nov. and Indochinamon malipoensesp. nov. are described from the Sino-Burmese border, southwestern Yunnan and from the Sino-Vietnamese border, southeastern Yunnan, China. The two new species can be distinguished from their closest congeners by several characters, among which is the form of the first gonopod structures. Molecular analyses based on partial mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences also support the systematic status of these new taxa.

A new long-legged terrestrial freshwater crab, Calcipotamon puglabrum gen. nov. et sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Potamidae), from Hainan Island, China

A new genus and new species of terrestrial freshwater crab, Calcipotamon puglabrum gen. nov. et sp. nov., is described from the limestone forests of Changjiang, Hainan Island, China, based on morphology and mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences. The new genus is closest to Neotiwaripotamon Dai & Naiyanetr, 1994, and Tiwaripotamon Bott, 1970, but differs in a combination of carapace, third maxilliped, ambulatory leg and male gonopod characters. Molecular analysis shows that the new genus is closely related with but not clustered within other Hainan potamid genera. Notes on the general biology of this new species are also provided.

Phylogenetic Relationship of Barnacles (Fam:Balanidae) Sampled on Artificial Substrata of Kuala Selangor and Morib

Barnacles are marine sessile crustacean inhabiting intertidal areas of the Selangor coastline. They are seen attaching themselves to rocks and artificial structures such as jetty, piers, boats and sea walls. Being the most successful biofoulers, barnacles cause economic losses to some extent. Most of barnacles study focused on morphological identification only. Since molecular method gave more accurate results by sequence comparison, species identification was done on samples of obviously different species inhabiting artificial substrata by using mitochondrial 16S rDNA identification. In Kuala Selangor, there was only one species found on artificial substrata in Bagan Pasir and Pasir Penambang which was identified as Amphibalanus cirratus. Two species that differed in their morphological characteristics found on Morib sea walls were identified as Amphibalanus cirratus and Chthamalus malayensis. Phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rDNA showed that all the samples were in the same cluster reflecting that they are in the same clade.

A new species of freshwater crab of the genus Mediapotamon Türkay & Dai, 1997 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae) from Guizhou, China

A new species of Mediapotamon Türkay & Dai, 1997 from a karst system in southwest China is described. The new species can be separated from congeners by the combination of a sharp and distinct epibranchial tooth, the anterolateral region lined with few scattered granules, the terminal segment of the male first gonopod distinctly bent with a constant diameter, and the position of the female vulvae. Mitochondrial 16S rDNA genetic data was used to investigate the systematic position of the new species, which is supported as a new taxon.