Phylogeny and biogeography of midwife toads (Alytes, Discoglossidae): a reappraisal

The allozyme data base of Arntzen & García-París (1995) on midwife toads (Alytes, Discoglossidae) is reanalysed considering each locus as a discrete character. The phylogeny thus inferred differs from the one obtained with genetic distances in the position of A. dickhilleni from the Betic region – it appears that its sister species is the widespread A. obstetricans, not the Mallorcan endemic A. muletensis. This phylogenetic hypothesis agrees with the taxonomic treatment of the genus based on morphology. A testable biogeographic hypothesis is proposed to account for the diversification of midwife toads in Iberia and the Balearics. The postulated underlying geological changes were the spread of inland saline lakes that divided Iberia (16 mY B.P.), the emergence and break-up of the Betic orogen (14 mY), and the formation of the Betic Strait (8 mY). Dispersal over sea channels or during the Messinian Crisis (6 mY) are deemed unlikely on the basis of ecological and biogeographical data.

Nausithoe aurea n. sp. (Scyphozoa: Coronatae: Nausithoidae), a species with two pathways of reproduction after strobilation: sexual and asexual

Nausithoe aurea, a new species of scyphozoan Coronatae, is described from São Paulo State, Brazil. The solitary scyphistomae, with some zooxanthellae, strobilated producing planuloids and medusae; this represents an intermediate life cycle between that of metagenetic Nausithoidae and the submarine cave-dwelling, reduced medusa stage of Nausithoe planulophora (Werner, 1971). The periderm tube of the scyphistomae has 16 internal cusps in all whorls. The medusae present yellow pigment spots in most of their lappets. The early embryonic development is briefly described. Planuloid formation is hypothesized as explanation for polyp-stage philopatry.

Phylogeny and biogeography of midwife toads (Alytes, Discoglossidae): a rebuttal

Three competing phylogenetic hypotheses for the genus Alytes (midwife toads) are evaluated. Based on quantitative coding of protein characters the most parsimonious solution shows a sister taxon relationship for Alytes dickhilleni and A. muletensis. The alternatives in which A. obstetricans has its sister group in either A. dickhilleni or A. muletensis lack support. Using calibrations derived from protein evolutionary rates, the vicariant events giving rise to A. obstetricans and the lineage leading to the A. muletensis and A. dickhilleni clade and the subsequent splitting between A. muletensis and A. dickhilleni cannot be placed much earlier than the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. Biogeographical scenarios invoking an earlier time of divergence should be rejected.

Parastenocaris hispanica n. sp. (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Parastenocarididae) from hyporheic groundwaters in Spain and its phylogenetic position within the fontinalis-group of species

Parastenocaris hispanica n. sp. is described from hyporheic groundwaters in Spain. The phylogenetic position of the new species within the fontinalis-group Lang is discussed. As a result P. fontinalis meridionalis Rouch is elevated to species rank. The fontinalis-group is characterized by six autapomorphic characters.

Precopulatory mate guarding and mating in Tachidius discipes (Copepoda: Harpacticoida)

Precopulatory mate guarding and mating behaviour of Tachidius discipes Giesbrecht, 1881, has been analysed using a video camera mounted on a microscope. Males preferably accompany fourth or fifth stage female copepodids during precopulatory mate guarding; only rarely are third copopodid stages guarded. Rare cases of males clasping juvenile males are also known. Males are active during mate guarding and constantly change the site of attachment of their antennules. This behaviour may ensure continued association of the adult male with the juvenile copepodid when the latter moults during the mate guarding phase.

Un nouveau Microparasellidae (Crustacé Isopode) du Haut-Atlas; aspects phylogénétiques et biogéographiques

The interstitial stygobiotic isopods of the genus Microcharon (Crustacea) are diversified in Morocco. A new species, M. ourikensis, is described. The new species shows some original characters for this genus: large size, strong elongation in the first male pleopod exopodal inner lobe, 5-dentate mandibular pars incisiva, and 5 spines on the last mandibular palp segment. The species is a member of the Ibero-Maghrebin messoulii group. It is an endemic representative of the Ourika valley groundwater in the Moroccan High Atlas. It derives from a littoral marine ancestor which could have colonized the continental subterranean water during Turonian or Senonian Tethyan regressions.

On the occurrence and distribution of Presbytis comata (Desmarest, 1822) (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Java, Indonesia

The colobine monkey Presbytis comata is confined to the rain forests of West and Central Java, Indonesia. In order to determine its distribution, a review of the literature, evidence from the study of museum specimens, and the results of recent surveys are presented. Recent surveys in the central parts of the island indicate that P. comata is still present on four volcanic mountain complexes, viz. Mt. Sawal, Mt. Slamet, Mts. Dieng, and Mt. Lawu. The present paper gives the results of the surveys combined with a review of its distribution. Altitudinal and habitat preferences, and the conservation status of the species are discussed.

Nouvelles données sur le genre Bragasellus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae

From now on, the genus Bragasellus Henry & Magniez, 1968 includes 2 oculated and 17 stygobiotic species. As a natural and monophyletic taxonomic unit, we consider it a good genus.

Hyperthelie, Wurfgröße und Trächtigkeitsdauer bei der Unterfamilie Tenrecinae Cabrera, 1925 (Mammalia: Insectivora: Tenrecidae), nebst Bemerkungen zur Längsstreifung der Gattung Hemicentetes

In a comparison of basic reproductive variables (number of teats, litter size, and duration of pregnancy) in the Madagascan Tenrecinae, some striking features (hyperthelia, litter size) are observed in Tenrec ecaudatus Lacépède, 1799 and the genus Hemicentetes Mivart, 1871. These variations are compared to Setifer setosus Froriep, 1806 and Echinops telfairi Martin, 1838. Tenrec ecaudatus gives birth to litters at intervals shorter than what was once believed to be the duration of pregnancy. This could be due either to superfetation, or to giving birth to one litter in two or more installments.

The jacoona assemblage of the genus Dundubia Amyot & Serville (Homoptera: Cicadidae): a taxonomic study of its species and a discussion of its phylogenetic relationships

The species of Orientopsaltria with unicolorous opercula and three related species of Platylomia are transferred to the genus Dundubia and allocated in the ‘Dundubia jacoona assemblage’ pending further investigation. The assemblage comprises eleven species in total; all are found in the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago, Indo-China, and the adjoining parts of China and India. The four species which were until now placed in Orientopsaltria are D. feae (Distant, 1892), D. jacoona (Distant, 1888), D. nigripes (Moulton, 1923), and D. oopaga (Distant, 1881). The three species transferred from Platylomia are D. hainanensis (Distant, 1901), D. nagarasingna Distant, 1881, and D. spiculata Noualhier, 1896. These seven species are all redescribed. Four species are described as new: D. ayutthaya, D. laterocurvata, D. myitkyinensis and D. sinbyudaw. Seven species are synonymized: O. andersoni (Distant, 1883) with D. oopaga, D. bifasciata Liu, 1940 with D. hainanensis, O. hastata (Moulton, 1923) and D. siamensis Haupt, 1918 with D. spiculata, O. fratercula (Distant, 1912) and D. helena Distant, 1912 with D. nagarasingna, and D. longina Distant, 1917 with D. feae. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Cosmopsaltria andersoni, C.feae, C. fratercula, C. hastata, C. nagarasingna, C. nigripes, C. oopaga, D. helena, D. longina, and D. spiculata. A key to the males is presented and the distributions of the species are discussed. The relationships of the D. jacoona assemblage with Dundubia, Platylomia, and the remaining species of Orientopsaltria are discussed. The species of the D. jacoona assemblage most likely do not form a monophyletic group on their own but rather with Dundubia s. str.