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Three new species of <i>Loxosceles</i> Heinecken & Lowe, 1832 (Araneae, Sicariidae) from Brazilian caves
No full textThree new species of recluse spiders are described from Brazilian caves with both males and females. Loxosceles boqueirao Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. is found in the State of Bahia, in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, it belongs to the rufescens species group, and is closely related to L. cardosoi Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, 2018 and L. carinhanha Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, 2018 from the same karst area. Thus, there are now three species in the Serra do Ramalho karst area closely related, but noticeably distinct morphologically from other species of Loxosceles. Loxosceles planetaria Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. and L. bodoquena Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. are found in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, in the Serra da Bodoquena karst area. They belong to the gaucho species group and are closely related to L. gaucho Gertsch, 1967. These are the first species of Loxosceles described from this karst area in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Loxosceles boqueirao sp. nov. and L. bodoquena sp. nov. bear some troglomorphisms and are, herein, proposed as troglobitic species, whereas L. planetaria sp. nov. is proposed as a troglophilic species. Brazil has now 22 described species of Loxosceles.</p
Two new species of the genus <i>Macrothele</i> Ausserer, 1871 from Yunnan Province, China (Araneae: Macrothelidae)
No full textTwo new species of the genus Macrothele Ausserer, 1871 are described from Yunnan Province, China: Macrothele nullispine sp. nov. and M. auriculata sp. nov. Detailed descriptions, photos of morphological characteristics, DNA barcode sequences and genetic distances of the new species are provided.</p
Un nouveau phocidé monachiné (Monachinae, Phocidae, Mammalia) de la Formation Pisco (Pérou, Miocène)
No full textLe présent travail étudie un nouveau phocidé monachiné, Magophoca brevirostris n. gen., n. sp., qui constitue le cinquième monachiné décrit provenant de la Formation Pisco (Pérou). Provenant du niveau Cerro La Bruja (CLB) de la localité du même nom, Magophoca n. gen. est le phocidé le plus ancien connu du Néogène du Pacifique du sud-est, daté au moins du Tortonien supérieur, environ 8,4 Ma. Magophoca n. gen. est le second monachiné (avec Noriphoca gaudini) connu, possédant six incisives supérieures au lieu de quatre comme chez les autres membres de la sous-famille. D’autres caractères comme une profonde fosse pour le triceps brachii caput mediale sous la tête humérale sur la face postérieure de l’extrémité proximale de la diaphyse de l’humérus plaident en faveur de relations étroites avec Piscophoca du Miocène terminal et Pliocène basal de la Formation Pisco à Sud Sacaco (Pérou), mais de façon plus intéressante avec Frisiphoca aberrata du Tortonien de Belgique. De plus, la présence d’un foramen entépicondylien est un caractère présent chez Magophoca n. gen. et Frisiphoca mais rare chez les autres monachinés ce qui renforce les liens entre les deux genres. Bien que le registre fossile de Frisiphoca aberrata est trop incomplet pour en tirer des conclusions, ces ressemblances permettent d’émettre l’hypothèse d’un lien migratoire entre les deux genres de l’Atlantique nord vers le Pacifique sud via le bras de mer de l’Amérique centrale au Miocène supérieur. L’analyse phylogénétique révèle un lien de parenté étroit entre Magophoca n. gen. d’une part et Piscophoca et Hadrokirus, d’autre part, des genres provenant de niveaux plus récents de la Formation Pisco. De cette analyse phylogénétique, résulte également que Kawas, du Miocène d’Argentine, est un genre frère d’Homiphoca du Pliocène d’Afrique du Sud, une interprétation radicalement différente de la classification précédente de Kawas parmi les Phocinae.In the present study, we present a new monachine phocid, Magophoca brevirostris n. gen., n. sp., the fifth monachine described from the Pisco Formation (Peru). Coming from the Cerro la Bruja level at the locality of the same name, Magophoca n. gen. is the geologically oldest known seal from the Neogene of the southeast Pacific, dated at least to the late Tortonian, c. 8.4 Ma. Magophoca n. gen. is the second Monachinae (with Noriphoca gaudini) found to possess six upper incisors instead of four as in the other members of the sub-family. Further characters, such as the deep fossa for the m. triceps brachii caput mediale below the humeral head, on the posterior aspect of the proximal extremity of the diaphysis of the humerus, strongly support close relationships with Piscophoca from the latest Miocene and earliest Pliocene of the Pisco Formation at Sud Sacaco (Peru), but more interestingly, with Frisiphoca aberrata from the Tortonian of Belgium. In addition, the presence of an entepicondylar foramen is shared between Frisiphoca and Magophoca n. gen., but rare among other Monachinae, further strengthening the link between both. Although the fossil record of Frisiphoca aberrata is too incomplete to draw conclusions, these marked similarities allow us to hypothesize a dispersal link between both regions, across the late Miocene North Atlantic and Central American Seaway. The phylogenetic analysis retrieved Magophoca n. gen. as closely related to Hadrokirus and Piscophoca from younger levels in the Pisco Formation. This phylogenetic analysis also returned Kawas from the Miocene of Argentina as a sister genus of Homiphoca from the Pliocene of South Africa, thus radically departing from the previous classification of Kawas as a phocine seal.</p
Review of the genera <i>Orionis</i> Shaw and Stenothremma Shaw (Braconidae) from India, with description of three new species
No full textAbstract. The Indian species of the genera Orionis Shaw and Stenothremma Shaw (Braconidae, Euphorinae) are reviewed. Both genera are reported for the first time from India. Three new species, Orionis shillongensis Gupta, van Achterberg & Pattar sp. nov. from north-eastern India (Meghalaya), O. femorator Gupta, van Achterberg & Pattar sp. nov. from southern India (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) and Stenothremma flavator Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. from southern India (Karnataka) are illustrated and described. A key to the Old World species of Orionis Shaw is provided.</p
Analyse de l’ouvrage <i>The Advent of Phylocode. The Continuing Evolution of Biological Nomenclature</i>
No full textCaractérisation de la famille des gènes codant les peroxydases chez <i>Podospora anserina</i> (Rabenh.) Niessl
No full textLe rôle majeur des peroxydases dans la dégradation de la biomasse végétale a été bien caractérisé chez les basidiomycètes provoquant des caries blanches. Au contraire, les peroxydases ne sont pas utilisées dans ce but chez les basidiomycètes provoquant des caries brunes qui à la place utilisent un mécanisme non-enzymatique. Concernant les ascomycètes, peu de choses sont connues sur le rôle des peroxydases, bien que ces champignons possèdent des gènes codant pour ces enzymes. Ici, nous identifions et caractérisons les gènes codant des peroxydases chez Podospora anserina (Rabenh.) Niessl, un ascomycète utilisé comme modèle pour étudier le développement et la dégradation de la biomasse végétale. Cette espèce possède une peroxydase de classe II, une peroxydase « hybrid B », une haloperoxydase, quatre péroxygenases d’aromatiques fonctionnelles, une peroxydase du glutathion, une peroxydase du cytochrome C et une peroxydase d’alkyl, mais ne possède pas de peroxydase de la famille « dye ». Nous montrons que les gènes de peroxydases potentiellement secrétées (i.e., les peroxydases de classe II, « hybrid B », les haloperoxydases et les péroxygenases d’aromatiques) présentent une répartition non homogène chez les champignons, suggérant un rôle dans l’adaptation fine des champignons à leur niche écologique plutôt qu’un rôle fondamental dans la biologie fongique. De fait, les mutants de délétion des gènes de peroxydase ne présentent apparemment qu’un phénotype de modification de la cinétique de maturation des ascospores sur des concentrations intermédiaires d’acide vanillique. Néanmoins, la mesure directe de l’activité peroxydase dans les différents mutants ne montre pas de modification importante de celle-ci, suggérant des compensations entre les différents enzymes. L’ensemble des données suggère un rôle mineur des peroxydases dans la dégradation de la biomasse chez P. anserina, ce qui le rapproche plutôt des caries brunes.Major role of peroxidases in plant biomass degradation is well-established in the white rot basidiomycetes. On the contrary, peroxidases are not used for this purpose by brown rot basidiomycetes, which use instead a non-enzymatic mechanism. In the case of the ascomycetes, not much is known although these fungi have peroxidase genes. Here, we identify and characterize the peroxidase genes of Podospora anserina (Rabenh.) Niessl, an ascomycete used to study development and lignocellulose degradation. We show that this fungus has one class II peroxidase, one hybrid B peroxidase, one haloperoxidase, four functional aromatic peroxygenases, one glutathione peroxidase, one cytochrome C peroxidase and one alkyl peroxidase, but lacks a dye peroxidase. We show that potentially secreted peroxidases (i.e., the class II, hybrid B, haloperoxidase and aromatic peroxygenase peroxidases) present a patchy phylogenetic distribution compatible with an accessory role in finely adapting the different fungal species to their ecological niche, rather than being involved in fundamental roles in fungal biology. Accordingly, targeted gene deletions of the different P. anserina peroxidase genes identified only one phenotype, seemingly an alteration of the timing of ascospore maturation at intermediate concentration of vanillic acid. However, direct measure of peroxidase activity did not show drastic loss of activity in the tested mutants, suggesting compensation between the enzymes. Hence, in P. anserina, peroxidases appear to have a minor role in biomass degradation, unlike what has been described in white rot fungi, and in this regard P. anserina appears to be similar to brown rot fungi.</p
Integrating museum collections and molecules reveals genus-level synonymy and new species in red devil spiders (Araneae, Dysderidae) from the Middle East and Central Asia
No full textThis paper reviews little-known species of the dysderid spider genera Dysdera Latreille, 1804, and Dysderella Dunin, 1992 based on specimens collected in the Caucasus, Middle East, and Central Asia. After combining molecular phylogeny of five mitochondrial and three nuclear genes with morphological evidence, Dysderella is proposed as a junior synonym of Dysdera. In addition, three species are described as new to science: D. jaegeri Bellvert & Dimitrov sp. nov., D. naouelae Bellvert & Dimitrov sp. nov., and D. kourosh Bellvert, Zamani & Dimitrov sp. nov. Four combinations are proposed: Dysdera caspica Dunin, 1990 comb. rev., Dysdera transcaspica Dunin & Fet, 1985 comb. rev., Dysdera elburzica (Zamani, Marusik & Szűts, 2023) comb. nov. and Dysdera sancticedri (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov. (ex. Dasumia Thorell, 1875). Furthermore, we report a first record of D. festai Caporiacco, 1929 in Turkey and its male cheliceral polymorphism. Our results illustrate the deficiencies that undermine the current taxonomy of this genus. For example, many species are described based on only one or few specimens or limited locality data. The advancements in DNA sequencing technologies applied to museum specimens reduce the need for fieldwork collection and export of fresh specimens. This highlights the significance of museum collections for improving research in this field.This paper reviews little-known species of the dysderid spider genera Dysdera Latreille, 1804, and Dysderella Dunin, 1992 based on specimens collected in the Caucasus, Middle East, and Central Asia. After combining molecular phylogeny of five mitochondrial and three nuclear genes with morphological evidence, Dysderella is proposed as a junior synonym of Dysdera. In addition, three species are described as new to science: D. jaegeri Bellvert & Dimitrov sp. nov., D. naouelae Bellvert & Dimitrov sp. nov., and D. kourosh Bellvert, Zamani & Dimitro v sp. nov. Four combinations are proposed: Dysdera caspica Dunin, 1990 comb. rev., Dysdera transcaspica Dunin & Fet, 1985 comb. rev., Dysdera elburzica (Zamani, Marusik & Szűts, 2023) comb. nov. and Dysdera sancticedri (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov. (ex. Dasumia Thorell, 1875). Furthermore, we report a first record of D. festai Caporiacco, 1929 in Turkey and its male cheliceral polymorphism. Our results illustrate the deficiencies that undermine the current taxonomy of this genus. For example, many species are described based on only one or few specimens or limited locality data. The advancements in DNA sequencing technologies applied to museum specimens reduce the need for fieldwork collection and export of fresh specimens. This highlights the significance of museum collections for improving research in this field.</p
Small jewels: two new species of the rare genus <i>Masona</i> van Achterberg (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonoidea, Braconidae), with a catalogue of world species and comments on the peculiar morphology of the genus
No full textA comprehensive review of the enigmatic genus Masona van Achterberg is provided. Two new species are described from the USA: Masona neon Dal Pos & Martens sp. nov. from Puerto Rico, and Masona wow Dal Pos & Martens sp. nov. from California. A key to the world species of Masona is presented, together with a discussion of the morphology of the genus and an annotated catalogue of the species. [Masona] timpaynei Quicke, 2019, is excluded from Braconidae and placed as incertae sedis in the Ichneumonidae, subfamily Neorhacodinae.A comprehensive review of the enigmatic genus Masona van Achterberg is provided. Two new species are described from the USA: Masona neon Dal Pos & Martens sp. nov. from Puerto Rico, and Masona wow Dal Pos & Martens sp. nov. from California. A key to the world species of Masona is presented, together with a discussion of the morphology of the genus and an annotated catalogue of the species. [Masona] timpaynei Quicke, 2019, is excluded from Braconidae and placed as incertae sedis in the Ichneumonidae, subfamily Neorhacodinae.</p
Une diversité cachée dévoilée : description de neuf nouvelles espèces de <i>Ctenorillo</i> Verhoeff, 1942 (Isopoda, Armadillidae) découvertes dans des grottes brésiliennes et leur importance pour la conservation
No full textNeuf espèces de Ctenorillo Verhoeff, 1942 sont décrites du Brésil, révélant une grande diversité du genre en Amérique du Sud. Ctenorillo pelado Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. et C. araguaia Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. sont décrites, et C. ferrarai Campos-Filho, Araujo & Taiti, 2014 voit la connaissance de sa distribution étendue à l’État de Pará (nord du Brésil) ; Ctenorillo intertidalis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp., C. ubajarensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp., C. cearensis Cardoso & Ferreira n. sp. et C. quiteriensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. sont décrites dans l’État de Ceará (nord-est du Brésil) ; C. potiguar Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. dans l’État de Rio Grande do Norte (nord-est du Brésil) ; C. iuiuensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. dans l’État de Bahia (nord-est du Brésil) ; et C. jequitinhonha Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. dans l’État de Minas Gerais (sud-est du Brésil). La plupart des espèces nouvellement identifiées se trouvent dans des zones de conservation protégées et sont donc légalement protégées. Toutefois, une attention particulière devrait être accordée à C. iuiuensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp., une espèce troglobie, en raison de ses caractéristiques écologiques originales et de son habitat limité à une seule grotte, qui n’est pas protégée à l’heure actuelle.Nine species of Ctenorillo Verhoeff, 1942 are described from Brazil, revealing a great diversity of the genus in South America. Ctenorillo pelado Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp., and C. araguaia Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. are described, and C. ferrarai Campos-Filho, Araujo & Taiti, 2014 has the knowledge of its distribution expanded from the state of Pará (north of Brazil); Ctenorillo intertidalis Cardoso & Ferreira n. sp., C. ubajarensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp., C. cearensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. and C. quiteriensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. are described from the state of Ceará (northeast Brazil); C. potiguar Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. from the state of Rio Grande do Norte (northeast Brazil); C. iuiuensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. from the state of Bahia (northeast Brazil); and C. jequitinhonha Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp. from the state of Minas Gerais (southeast Brazil). Most of the newly identified species are found in protected conservation areas and are therefore legally protected. However, special attention should be paid to C. iuiuensis Cardoso & Ferreira, n. sp., a troglobitic species, due to its distinctive ecological features and its habitat being limited to a single cave, which is currently not protected.</p
Redescription of the Chilean angel shark <i>Squatina armata</i> (Philippi, 1887) (Squatiniformes, Squatinidae)
No full textAngel sharks (Squatina spp. Duméril, 1805) are a group of coastal benthic sharks distributed worldwide, currently including threatened and understudied species. Two species are formally described along the East Pacific coast, the California angel shark S. californica Ayres, 1859 and the Chilean angel shark S. armata (Philippi, 1887). The latter species occurs in the southeastern Pacific and has historically been understudied. Additionally, the original description of S. armata lacks sufficient data to confidently identify individuals of this species compared to modern descriptions, and no type specimen is currently available to ensure specimen identification. Detailed morphological descriptions for identifying species are an essential resource for solving taxonomic issues in groups of morphologically similar species and to promote the conservation of critically endangered species. Therefore, a neotype from the type locality is here designated for S. armata, and a detailed and standardized morphological characterization based on modern taxonomic works is provided. This work contributes in improving the knowledge on the Chilean angel shark taxonomy and provides an improved frame of reference for identifying angel sharks in the East Pacific, especially in areas where species may occur in sympatry.</p