The genus Oligonychus Berlese (Acari, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae): taxonomic assessment and a key to subgenera, species groups, and subgroups

A comprehensive taxonomic assessment of the most agriculturally important and highly diverse spider mite genus, Oligonychus Berlese (Acari: Tetranychidae) was performed. The sub-generic division, species groups, doubtful species, species complexes and the interpretation of a key generic character are discussed. Based on the orientation of the male aedeagus, only two subgenera, namely Oligonychus Berlese (aedeagus downturned) and Reckiella Tuttle & Baker (aedeagus upturned), are valid in the genus Oligonychus. The subgenera Homonychus Wainstein, Metatetranychoides Wainstein, and Wainsteiniella Tuttle & Baker are considered to be synonyms of the subgenus Oligonychus, whereas the subgenus Pritchardinychus Wainstein is proposed as a synonym of the subgenus Reckiella. Moreover, based on female morphological characters, four species groups (coffeae, exsiccator, iseilemae, and peruvianus) and 11 species subgroups (aceris, biharensis, coffeae, comptus, exsiccator, gossypii, iseilemae, peruvianus, pritchardi, smithi, and subnudus) are suggested in the subgenera Oligonychus and Reckiella. Fourteen Oligonychus species are proposed as species inquirendae, and potential cryptic species complexes in the genus Oligonychus are briefly highlighted. It is agreed that the clunal seta h1 is always absent, while the para-anal setae h2 and h3 are always present in the genus Oligonychus. A key to subgenera, species groups, and species subgroups of the genus Oligonychus is provided.

The Tydeoidea (Ereynetidae, Iolinidae, Triophtydeidae and Tydeidae) - An online database in the Wikispecies platform

An online database on the taxonomy of Tydeoidea is described and is available on the Wikispecies platform at https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Tydeoidea. It counts 1 324 records or pages, 724 records for the Tydeidae, 334 for the Ereynetidae, 203 for the Iolinidae and 63 for the Triophtydeidae. For each taxon are detailed the parent taxa as well as the child taxa which are listed. A nec subsection lists names of child taxa that are not recommended. Subjective and objective synonymies as well as homonymies are given for each taxon. Notes provide historical aspects of past studies. The type locality and habitat of the name-bearing type and its repository are added for the nominal species-group taxa. Fossil species, species inquirendae and nomina nuda are also reported. References and external links end up a record. Tetranychus viburni Koch is resurrected from synonymy with Tetranychus urticae Koch and placed in Tydeidae; it might be a senior synonym of Tydeus goetzi Schruft. Replacement names are provided for Aureliana and Tydides (homonymy) and for Paratydaeolus clavatus (synonymy).

Taxonomic revision of the Neotropical spiders of the genus Idiops Perty, 1833 (Araneae, Idiopidae), with description of four new species

Neotropical species of the genus Idiops Perty, 1833 are reviewed, and four new species are described from Brazil: I. duocordibus Fonseca-Ferreira, Guadanucci & Brescovit sp. nov., I. guri Fonseca-Ferreira, Guadanucci & Brescovit sp. nov., I. mocambo Fonseca-Ferreira, Guadanucci & Brescovit sp. nov. and I. sertania Fonseca-Ferreira, Guadanucci & Brescovit sp. nov. The majority of species are redescribed based on the examination of the types and extensive material. Males of I. petiti (Guérin, 1838), I. rastratus (Pickard-Cambrige, 1889), I. rohdei Karsch, 1886 and I. nilopolensis Mello-Leitão, 1923, and females of I. fuscus Perty, 1833 and I. pirassununguensis Fukami & Lucas, 2005, hitherto unknown, are described for the first time. Idiops nilopolensis, considered a nomen dubium, is revalidated. Idiops fulvipes Simon, 1889 is synonymized with I. argus Simon, 1889, and I. santaremius (Pickard-Cambrige, 1896) is synonymized with I. petiti. Neotypes are designated for Idiops fuscus, I. nilopolensis and I. siolii (Bücherl, 1953). Idiops bonapartei Hasselt, 1888 is considered species inquirendae, since the type is an immature female. Finally, an updated distribution map of Neotropical species is included. The genus now has 24 species in the Neotropical region.

Interesting interstitial Paramesochridae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida): Maliithipon wellsi gen. et sp. nov. from the Philippines, M. aberrans (Mielke, 1984) comb. nov. from Panama, and M. cf. aberrans (Mielke, 1984) from the Azores

We propose and describe a new genus of interstitial Paramesochridae, Maliithipon gen. nov., to accommodate three species. Maliithipon wellsi sp. nov., type species of the genus, is described based on specimens collected in two sandy beaches in Isla Verde, the Philippines. Apodopsyllus aberrans Mielke, 1984a described from Panama, is allocated to the herein erected genus as Maliithipon aberrans (Mielke, 1984a) comb. nov. Maliithipon cf. aberrans is described, based on specimens collected in the Azores and previously identified as Apodopsyllus aberrans. The new genus is characterized by several distinct morphological features: mandible with uniramous, 2-segmented palp and gnathobase with thin and pointed teeth; maxillule with reduced armature, lacking endopod and exopod; maxilla large, with three syncoxal endites and endopod with reduced setal number; P5 very reduced in both sexes; caudal rami with six setae, two of which (setae III and VI) transformed; pseudoperculum well-developed, with four-lobed distal margin. The new genus is included in the subfamily Paramesochrinae Lang, 1944 and in the genus-group Scottopsyllus (sensu Huys, 1987). It has strong affinities with Leptopsyllus (Leptopsyllus) platyspinosus Mielke, 1984b and Wellsopsyllus (Intermediopsyllus) smirnovi (Kunz, 1992), which are considered as species inquirendae in this paper. Some remarks on the ecology and geonemy of the three studied species are provided. We also list the accompanying Paramesochridae obtained from the two new collecting sites of the genus, and all the genera of Paramesochridae recorded from other sites in the Philippines during the same survey.

Johnwellsia, a new intertidal genus of Parastenheliidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Taiwan Strait, China, including a review of the family and key to genera

A new genus of Parastenheliidae, Johnwellsia gen. nov., is proposed for its type and only species, J. bipartita sp. nov., collected from Dadeji Beach in Xiamen, Taiwan Strait, China. The intricate taxonomic history of the family is reviewed with special emphasis on its type genus Parastenhelia Thompson & Scott, 1903. It is concluded that P. hornelli Thompson & Scott, 1903 is the type of the genus and that the widely adopted previous designation of Harpacticus spinosus Fischer, 1860 as type species of Parastenhelia is invalid. The taxonomic concept of Parastenhelia is restricted to the hornelli­-group which includes four valid species: P. hornelli, P. similis Thompson & Scott, 1903, P. oligochaeta Wells & Rao, 1987, and P. willemvervoorti sp. nov. The currently accepted concept of Parastenhelia spinosa as a highly variable cosmopolitan species is rejected. The genus Microthalestris Sars, 1905 (type: Thalestris forficula Claus, 1863) is resurrected to accommodate most Parastenhelia species that were previously placed in the spinosa-group. Two species, Thalestris forficuloides Scott & Scott, 1894 and Parastenhelia antarctica Scott, 1912, are reinstated as valid members of the genus which further includes Parastenhelia gracilis Brady, 1910, Microthalestris littoralis Sars, 1911, P. costata Pallares, 1982, P. minuta Pallares, 1982, P. bulbosa Gee, 2006 and five new species: M. campbelliensis sp. nov.; M. polaris sp. nov.; M. santacruzensis sp. nov.; M. sarsi sp. nov. and M. variabilis sp. nov. Both the type species, Thalestris forficula, and Harpacticus spinosus are considered species inquirendae in Microthalestris. Three new genera are proposed to accommodate the remaining Parastenhelia species. Porirualia gen. nov. contains P. megarostrum Wells, Hicks & Coull, 1982 (type) and P. pyriformis Song, Kim & Chang, 2003, and is the sistergroup of Johnwellsia gen. nov. Parastenhelia aydini Kuru & Karaytuğ, 2015 is placed in the monotypic genus Karaytugia gen. nov. while all species with penicillate elements on the antenna and P1 are transferred to Penicillicaris gen. nov., including Thalestris pectinimana Car, 1884, which is removed from the synonyms of the Parastenhelia spinosa (Fischer, 1860) “complex”, and three new species: P. maldivensis sp. nov., P. penicillata sp. nov., and P. sewelli sp. nov. The genus Karllangia Noodt, 1964 (type: K. arenicola Noodt, 1964) is relegated to a junior subjective synonym of Thalestrella Monard, 1935a (type: T. ornatissima Monard, 1935a). New or updated diagnoses for each genus, and differential diagnoses for species where appropriate, are provided. A key to the ten currently recognized genera in the Parastenheliidae is presented as well as keys to species for Parastenhelia, Microthalestris, Thalestrella and Penicillicaris gen. nov.

Unusual Localization of Pennella sp. in Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) Hearts

The genus Pennella comprises hematophagous parasites of marine aquatic species, including cephalopods, marine mammals, and pelagic fish. Nine species have been officially included in the genus Pennella plus another six species inquirendae. They are most often found in the host’s musculature, without penetrating internal organs. For the present study, 83 hearts from swordfish (Xiphias gladius) caught in the Mediterranean Sea were sampled and immediately fixed in formalin for histopathological analysis. In total, 10 (12.05%) hearts were found to be parasitized by copepods of the genus Pennella. Macroscopically, there was mild-to-severe fibrinous pericarditis with atrial wall thickening and multiple parasitic nodules. Histologically, the parasitic nodules were surrounded by an inflammatory-necrotizing reaction. Parasitic infestation by Pennella spp. is common in pelagic fish and in swordfish, in particular. Here, however, we report atypical cardiac localization. A future area of focus is the evaluation of cardiac Pennella spp. infestation by histopathology and genetic identification of the parasites.

Revision of the southern Andean genus Sadocus Sørensen, 1886 (Opiliones, Gonyleptidae, Pachylinae)

Species of the genus Sadocus Sørensen, 1886 are conspicuous gonyleptids that occur in Chile and Argentina. Here, the genus is revised for the first time and the cladistic analysis based on morphological characters does not corroborate its monophyly unless a phylogenetically unrelated species is excluded (explained further on). A new classification is proposed for the seven species left in the genus and considered valid, of the 13 nominal species previously recognized. Two out of the seven valid species are considered as species inquirendae: Sadocus allermayeri (Mello-Leitão, 1945) [= Carampangue allermayeri Mello-Leitão, 1945] and Sadocus nigronotatus (Mello-Leitão, 1943) [= Carampangue nigronotatum Mello-Leitão, 1943]. The following synonymies are proposed: Sadocus bicornis (Gervais, 1849) [original combination = Gonyleptes bicornis Gervais, 1849] is a junior synonym of Sadocus asperatus (Gervais, 1847) [= Gonyleptes asperatus Gervais, 1847]; Sadocus conspicillatus Roewer, 1913, Sadocus exceptionalis (Mello-Leitão, 1946) [= Araucanoleptes exceptionalis Mello-Leitão, 1946] and Sadocus guttatus Sørensen, 1902 are junior synonyms of the valid name Sadocus polyacanthus (Gervais, 1847) [= Gonyleptes polyacanthus Gervais, 1847]; and Sadocus calcar (Roewer, 1913) [= Lycomedes calcar Roewer, 1913] is a junior synonym of the valid name Gonyleptes horridus Kirby, 1819. Sadocus brasiliensis Soares & Soares, 1949 is not congeneric with Argentinean/Chilean species of the genus according to the cladistic analysis and is here synonymized with Discocyrtus catharinensis (Mello-Leitão, 1923 [= Sadocus catharinensis Mello-Leitão, 1923]).

Revision of the Neotropical spider genus Acanthoctenus (Araneae: Ctenidae: Acanthocteninae)

We revise the genus Acanthoctenus Keyserling, 1877 recognizing thirteen valid species, of which five are new species and two are re-validated. Further, we find one new synonymy and transfer one species. We describe Acanthoctenus alux sp. nov. from Guatemala, A. chickeringi sp. nov. and A. lamarrei sp. nov. from Panama, A. manauara sp. nov. from Brazil and A. torotoro sp. nov. from Bolivia. We revalidate Acanthoctenus dumicola Simon, 1906 stat. res. from Venezuela, and A. virginea (Kraus, 1955) stat. res., comb. nov. from El Salvador. We transfer Acanthoctenus mammifer to Viracucha mammifer (Mello-Leitão, 1939) comb. nov., from Brazil. Acanthoctenus maculatus Petrunkevitch, 1925 and Gephyroctenus kolosvaryi Caporiacco, 1947 are considered species inquirendae in Acanthocteninae and Ctenidae, respectively, and A. obauratus Simon, 1906 and A. rubrotaeniatus Mello-Leitão, 1947 are considered incertae sedis in Acanthocteninae and Acantheinae, respectively. We also describe for the first time the female of Acanthoctenus spiniger Keyserling, 1877, the type species of the genus. We provide illustrations of male and female diagnostic characters, genitalia, habitus, and measurements to support the genus re-description and further identification of its species. We yield a distributional map of the specimens recorded and the description of the natural history of Acanthoctenus manauara sp. nov.

Taxonomic Revision of the Spider Genus Actinopus Perty, 1833 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Actinopodidae)

Actinopus Perty, 1833 is characterized and redescribed, including 80 species occurring from Panama to Argentina. Eighteen previously known species are redescribed: A. rufipes (Lucas, 1834); A. longipalpis C. L. Koch, 1842; A. nattereri (Doleschall, 1871); A. crassipes (Keyserling, 1891); A. robustus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1892); A. wallacei F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1896; A. princeps Chamberlin, 1917; A. xenus Chamberlin, 1917; A. fractus Mello-Leitão, 1920; A. paranensis Mello-Leitão, 1920; A. pusillus Mello-Leitão, 1920; A. dubiomaculatus Mello-Leitão, 1923; A. trinotatus Mello-Leitão, 1938; A. cucutaensis Mello-Leitão, 1941; A. echinus Mello-Leitão, 1949; A. clavero Ríos-Tamayo & Goloboff, 2018; A. gerschiapelliarum Ríos-Tamayo & Goloboff, 2018; and A. palmar Ríos-Tamayo & Goloboff, 2018. Additionally, A. tarsalis Perty, 1833, the type species, A. insignis (Holmberg, 1881) and other 18 species recently described species from Argentina and Bolivia, are re-evaluated. Forty-two new species are described: Actinopus castelo sp. nov., A. apalai sp. nov., A. mairinquensis sp. nov., A. obidos sp. nov., A. buritiensis sp. nov., A. pinhao sp. nov., A. ducke sp. nov., A. hirsutus sp. nov., A. jaboticatubas sp. nov., A. confusus sp. nov., A. pampulha sp. nov., A. candango sp. nov., A. paraitinga sp. nov., A. cornelli sp. nov., A. vilhena sp. nov., A. harveyi sp. nov., A. itapitocai sp. nov., A. ipioca sp. nov., A. itaqui sp. nov., A. xingu sp. nov., A. mesa sp. nov., A. caxiuana sp. nov., A. utinga sp. nov., A. emas sp. nov., A. bocaina sp. nov., A. osbournei sp. nov., A. dioi sp. nov., A. tutu sp. nov., A. azaghal sp. nov., A. itacolomi sp. nov., A. parafundulus sp. nov., A. urucui sp. nov., A. reznori sp. nov., A. anselmoi sp. nov., A. guajara sp. nov., A. apiacas sp. nov., A. jamari sp. nov. from Brazil; A. laventana sp. nov. from Argentina and Uruguay; A. lomalinda sp. nov. from British Guiana and Colombia; A. concinnus sp. nov. from Venezuela and Brazil; A. pindapoy sp. nov. from Argentina; A. panguana sp. nov. from Peru. The females of A. dubiomaculatus and A. cucutaensis and the males of A. nattereri are described for the first time. New records are presented for A. clavero; A.crassipes; A. dubiomaculatus; A. fractus; A. gerschiapelliarum; A. nattereri; A. palmar; A. paranensis; A. princeps, A. pusillus, A. robustus and A. wallacei. Ten old species names are herein considered species inquirendae: A. caraiba (Simon, 1889); A. harti Pocock, 1895; A. liodon (Ausserer, 1875); A. nigripes (Lucas, 1834); A. pertyi Lucas, 1843; A. piceus (Ausserer, 1871); A. rojasi (Simon, 1889); A. rufibarbis Mello-Leitão, 1930; A. scalops (Simon, 1889) and A. valencianus (Simon, 1889). Most species presently recognized were included in 11 informal groups based mainly on male palpal characters. A key for these groups plus three species, not included in any group, but known from males, is presented.

Erection of Euterranova n. gen. and Neoterranova n. gen. (Nematoda, Anisakidae), with the description of E. dentiduplicata n. sp. and new records of two other anisakid nematodes from sharks off New Caledonia

Helminthological examinations of three species of sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, Triaenodon obesus (both Carcharhinidae, Carcharhiniformes) and Stegostoma fasciatum (Stegostomatidae, Orectolobiformes) from New Caledonian waters, carried out during 2003–2005, revealed the presence of three species of adult anisakid nematodes referable to Terranova Leiper et Atkinson, 1914. However, this genus can no longer be considered valid, because its type species has been designated a species inquirenda. Therefore, the present nematodes are assigned to two newly established genera, Euterranova n. gen. [type species E. dentiduplicata n. sp.] and Neoterranova n. gen. [type species N. scoliodontis (Baylis, 1931) n. comb.], based mainly on different labial structures. Euterranova dentiduplicata n. sp. from the stomach of S. fasciatum is mainly characterized by the presence of lips with two rows of denticles. Innominate specimens of Euterranova (a female and a third-stage larva) were collected from the digestive tract of T. obesus. Specimens of N. scoliodontis were recorded from G. cuvier. The two named species are described based on light and scanning electron microscopical examinations. Neoterranova scoliodontis has previously been recorded in New Caledonian waters from the same host species. Species previously attributed to Terranova are transferred to Euterranova (5 species), Neoterranova (4 species) or considered species inquirendae (10 species). Since Pseudoterranova Mozgovoy, 1950 was found to be a nomen nudum according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the available name of this genus is Pseudoterranova Mozgovoy, 1953. A key to Porrocaecum-like nematode genera (Porrocaecum, Pseudoterranova, Pulchrascaris, Euterranova, and Neoterranova) is provided.