Lithobius (Ezembius) hualongensis sp. nov. and Lithobius (Ezembius) sui sp. nov. (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae), two new species of centipede from northwest China

Lithobius (Ezembius) hualongensissp. nov. and Lithobius (Ezembius) suisp. nov. (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae) recently discovered from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China are described. Morphologically, the two new species are very similar but can be distinguished by the number of coxosternal teeth: L. (E.) hualongensissp. nov. has 2 + 2 while L. (E.) suisp. nov. has 3 + 3. The two new species resemble L. (E.) multispinipesPei et al., 2016, from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, but can be readily distinguished by having the Tömösváry’s organ slightly larger than the adjoining ocelli rather than smaller, 3 + 3 spurs on female gonopods versus 2 + 2, and the simple terminal claw of female gonopods with a small triangular protuberance on the basal ventral side versus simple, without a small triangular protuberance on the basal ventral side. We also compare the main morphological characters of the two new species with the other Lithobius (Ezembius) species known in Qinghai Province. A key to the Chinese species of Ezembius is presented.

Discovery of a new species of the genus Stygepactophanes from a groundwater-fed spring in southern France (Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae)

A new species of the genusStygepactophanesMoeschler & Rouch, 1984 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae) is established to accommodate a small canthocamptid population collected from a spring system in the “Parc du Mercantour”, Var catchment, southern France. The population analysed in the present study is defined by a set of morphological characters of the female, namely a very large maxilliped, a rudimentary mandibular palp, P1 with 3-segmented exopod and 2-segmented endopod, a falcate terminal claw of the P1 endopod, dorsal seta of caudal rami inserted on the inner margin, and anal operculum not overreaching the insertion of the caudal rami, thus supporting its assignment into the genusStygepactophanes. The new speciesStygepactophanesoccitanusshows marked differences with the nominotypical species of the genus that was originally described by monotypy with the speciesStygepactophanesjurassicusMoeschler & Rouch, 1984. The main diagnostic traits ofS.jurassicusare the absence of the P5 and a falcate outer terminal claw of P1 endopod.Stygepactophanesjurassicusalso shows a reduced armature of the antennal exopod, bearing one seta, 1-segmented P2–P4 endopods, a reduced armature of P2–P4 exopodal segments 3 (3,4,4 armature elements, respectively), P6 bearing only one long seta, a rounded short and smooth anal operculum. Conversely the female ofS.occitanusGalassi & Fiers,sp. n.has a well-developed P5, with rudimentary intercoxal sclerite, together with a falcate outer terminal claw of P1 endopod, antennal exopod bearing two elements, P4 endopod 1-segmented versus 2-segmented in P2–P3, P2–P4 exopodal segment 3 with five armature elements, P6 with three setae of different lengths, rounded anal operculum, bearing 3–4 strong spinules.According to our present knowledge,S.occitanusGalassi & Fiers,sp. n.is assigned to the genusStygepactophanesas the most conservative solution, waiting for the male to be discovered. The genusStygepactophanesrepresents a distinct lineage within the harpacticoid family Canthocamptidae that colonised southern European groundwater, the genus being known only from the saturated karst in Switzerland and a fissured saturated aquifer in southern France. Both species of the genus are stygobites and narrow endemics, the nominotypical species being known from the type locality Source de la Doux in Délemont (Switzerland), andS.occitanusGalassi & Fiers,sp. n.described herein from a spring system of the Var catchment (France).

New genus of subfamily Cypridopsinae Kaufmann, 1933 (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from Thailand

The new genus Thaicypridopsis gen. nov. described here belongs to the tribe Zonocypridini Higuti & Martens, 2012 in the subfamily Cypridopsinae Kaufmann, 1900. It is the first record of the Recent representatives within this tribe in Southeast Asia and Oriental regions. Thaicypridopsis gen. nov. has a number of remarkable characters that distinguish it from other genera in the subfamily: a submarginal row of distinctive tubercles on the postero-ventral part of the right valve in the interior view, a strong serrated claw G2 on the second antenna with an apical concavity, large bristles with hirsute endings and spatula-shaped apexes on all three maxillular endites and a bifurcate tip on the terminal claw of the second thoracopod. One new species, Thaicypridopsis longispinosa sp. nov., is described under this new genus in the present contribution. Apart from the above diagnostic characters, the new species also has long spines on the valve surface as its outstanding feature. The new taxon is morphologically compared with other related species and genera within and outside the subfamily Cypridopsinae. In addition, due to the new genus belonging to a group of genera with the left valve overlapping the right valve in the subfamily, a key to the genera within this group is given.

Lithobius (Ezembius) laevidentata sp. n., a new species (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae) from the Northwest region of China

Lithobius (Ezembius) laevidentata sp. n. (Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae), discovered from Barkol Kazak Autonomous County, Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwest region of China, is described. Morphologically it resembles L. (E.) bilineatus Pei, Ma, Zhu & Gai, 2014. from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, but can be readily distinguished from the latter by 8–10 ocelli arranged in 3 irregular rows, Tömösváry’s organ subequal in size to the adjoining ocelli, female gonopods with 3–4 spurs, and the terminal claw of the third article of female gonopods simple. A key to Chinese Lithobius (Ezembius) species is presented.

New species ofStygiopontius(Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Dirivultidae) from a deep-sea hydrothermal volcano in the New Ireland Fore-Arc system (Papua New Guinea)

A male of the new speciesStygiopontius senckenbergibelonging to the family Dirivultidae Humes & Dojiri, 1980 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) and endemic to deep-sea hydrothermal vents, is described from a raised fault block structure south of Edison seamount of the New Ireland Fore-Arc system (Papua New Guinea). The copepods were collected in by box-corer during cruise SO-133 of the RV ‘Sonne’ at a depth of 1610–1625 m, 3°19′S 152°35′E. The new species belongs to a group of eight species that are separate from 21 congeners on the basis of setation of legs 1 and 4: the coxa of leg 1 has an inner seta (absent on the others) and the third exopodal segment of leg 4 has three outer spines (instead of two spines). The new species shares withS. pectinatusHumes, 1987 a pectinate maxilliped but differs from it in lacking two pectinate, terminal claw-like setae on the endopod of the antenna.

A new arthropod Jugatacaris agilis n. gen. n. sp. from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang biota, South China

A new arthropod Jugatacaris agilis n. gen. n. sp. with excellent soft anatomy is reported from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang biota. Its “bivalved” carapace with a dorsal fin-like fusion is distinct from those of other Cambrian arthropods. A pair of stalked eyes and a prominent median eye protrudes the carapace anteriorly. The cephalon, attaching to the carapace through the lateral adductor muscles at maxillary segment, bears an antennule, antenna and mandible. The trunk is comprised of a large number of segments (varying from 55 to 65), two-thirds of which is covered by the carapace. Each segment, except for the posterior three to five, carries a pair of uniform biramous appendages. The endopodite is composed of 30 podomeres and a terminal claw. The oar-shaped exopododite is fringed with filaments and distally bears a broad setiferous lobe. Trunk terminates with a conical telson and a pair of broad furcal rami serving as steering devices. Internal features like gonad and gut have also been found. The presence of the food groove combined with other morphological features indicates that Jugatacaris was a filter feeder. The appendages design associated with the overall body-plan supports the view that Jugatacaris is a crustaceanomorph. The accurate phylogenic assessment will remain the subject of debate until more information becomes available.

The first description of the male and ephippial female of Dadaya macrops (Daday, 1898) (Cladocera, Chydoridae), with additional notes on this common tropical species

Males and ephippial females of Dadaya macrops (Daday), a widely distributed tropical cladoceran, are described for the first time together with hitherto unrecorded morphological features of the parthenogenetic female. The postabdomen of the male is unique among chydorids in having only a vestige of the terminal claw. This confirms the validity of this monotypic genus. The material studied comes from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), taken in the neighbourhood of the type locality. Our description provides a detailed morphological record of a population containing all instars of males and females, and both parthenogenetic and ephippial adult females. Type material of parthenogenetic females, the only forms hitherto known, agrees closely with our material. An analysis of the population structure is given.

ON CERTAIN SPECIES OF MOTHS FROM FLORIDA

The following species were collected by Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Bela Hubbard, of the Detroit Scientific Association, among other most valuable scientific material, obtained during a recent visit to Florida. Megathymus yuccae (Bdv. & Lec.) Scudd.The eyes are large and naked; caputal squamation of mixed flattened scales and hair. I cannot find any ocelli. The cylindrical, scaled antennæ are capitate, without terminal inflection or hooklet. The tibæ and tarsi are strongly spinose; hind and middle tibiæ with terminal claw.