Two new apomictic triploid (2n = 3x = 51) species from the Sorbus latifolia group, S. portae-bohemicae M. Lepší, P. Lepší, P. Vít et K. Boublík and S. albensis M. Lepší, K. Boublík, P. Lepší et P. Vít, putative hybridogenous species originated from a cross between S. danubialis and S. torminalis, are distinguished and described based on a taxonomic and chorological revision of Sorbus bohemica (a hybridogenous triploid species from the same parental combination). A number of contemporary biosystematic techniques, including molecular (nuclear microsatellite markers), karyological (chromosome counts, DAPI flow cytometry) and multivariate and geometric morphometrics were used to assess the variation of the species and justify their independent taxonomic status. All three species occur sympatrically in the České středohoří Mts (NW Bohemia). Sorbus bohemica is recorded from 31 localities, based on a revision of herbarium vouchers and field research. Recent field studies failed to verify five of these localities. Sorbus portae-bohemicae is a stenoendemic in the Porta bohemica gorge (situated ca 7 km WNW of Litoměřice) where it grows in open oak forests (Luzulo-Quercetum and transition vegetation type to Melampyro nemorosi-Carpinetum) on ENE-facing slopes and rocks. The only known population of S. portae-bohemicae consists of 14 adult individuals. Sorbus albensis occurs at 12 localities W to NW of Litoměřice. The total number of individuals is estimated at 600. Most are in acidophilous oak forests (Luzulo-Quercetum and its mesic derivatives), scree forests (Aceri-Carpinetum) or shrubby slopes (Pruno-Ligustretum, Antherico-Coryletum). Populations of the new taxa show little genetic variation and are phenotypically homogenous and well separated from other Bohemian hybridogenous Sorbus species. A distribution map of the three species is provided. Photographs of the type specimens and in situ fructiferous individuals of the new species are presented.
Tapeworms of the order Spathebothriidea Wardle et McLeod, 1952 (Cestoda) are reviewed. Molecular data made it possible to assess, for the first time, the phylogenetic relationships of all genera and to confirm the validity of Bothrimonus Duvernoy, 1842, Diplocotyle Krabbe, 1874 and Didymobothrium Nybelin, 1922. A survey of all species considered to be valid is provided together with new data on egg and scolex morphology and surface ultrastructure (i.e. microtriches). The peculiar morphology of the members of this group, which is today represented by five effectively monotypic genera whose host associations and geographical distribution show little commonality, indicate that it is a relictual group that was once diverse and widespread. The order potentially represents the earliest branch of true tapeworms (i.e. Eucestoda) among extant forms.
Spirocamallanus rebecae sp. n. is described from freshwater cichlids in some lakes of Southeast Mexico. It has 14 spiral bands in the buccal capsule, similar unequal spicules 503-544 and 281-297 long, 3 precloacal and 6 postcloacal pairs of papillae, vulva situated in the middle part of the body. An updated list of the species of the genus is presented.
a1_Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, eight species (five adult and three larval) of nematodes belonging to the Ascaridida, Oxyurida and Enoplida were collected from fishes of the Okavango River, Botswana, namely Falcaustra similis Moravec et Van As, 2004, Atractidae gen. sp. (only female) (both Cosmocercoidea), Cucullanus sp. (only female) (Seuratoidea), Cithariniella longicaudata sp. n., Synodontisia annulata sp. n. (both Oxyuroidea), Contracaecum sp. third-stage larvae, third-stage larvae of Galeiceps sp. (both Ascaridoidea) and Eustrongylides sp. fourth-stage larvae (Dioctophymatoidea). The new species Citharinella longicaudata (type host Schilbe intermedius Rüppel) is mainly characterised by the shape and size of cephalic papillae and the spicule 108 µm long, and Synodontisia annulata (type host S. intermedius) by the shape of cephalic papillae, body length of gravid females (4.88-5.33 mm) and a short spicule (66 µm long). The female specimen of Cucullanus sp. from Tilapia sparmanni Smith markedly differs from congeners parasitising inland fishes in Africa by the elongate pseudobuccal capsule and by the excretory pore far posterior to the oesophago-intestinal junction; apparently, it belongs to an undescribed species. Galeiceps larvae parasitising fishes are described for the first time. Cithariniella gonzalezi Van Waerebeke, Chabaud, Bain et Georges, 1988 is considered a junior synonym of C. khalili Petter, Vassiliadès et Troncy, 1972, and the previous records of Cithariniella citharini Khalil, 1964 from Synodontis spp. in Egypt concern, in fact, Cithariniella khalili Petter, Vassiliadès et Troncy, 1972., a2_The specimens of Cithariniella reported by Koubková et al. (2010) from Paradistichodus dimidiatus (Pellegrin) in Senegal and misidentified as C. gonzalesi Van Waerebeke, Chabaud, Bain et Georges, 1988 are considered to represent a new species, C. koubkovae sp. n.; this is established by reference to the description and drawings provided by Koubková et al. (2010)., František Moravec, Liesl L. Van As., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Nineteen traditional Anabaena morphospecies were found in freshwater habitats in Cuba. Their taxonomic identification is discussed and variation in natural populations described. Seven species are known only from tropical countries (A. ambigua, A. fuellebornii, A. iyengarii, A. oblonga, A. orientalis, A. recta, A. volzii), four from tropical America (A. manguinii, A. portoricensis, A. torques-reginae, A. unispora), one was originally described from southern Africa (A. austro-africana) and one from central Asia (A. turkestanica). Two taxa are recognized as new species (A. hatueyi, A. jeejiae) and two remain unidentified (Anabaena spp.) because of a shortage of material. Only two species, A. cf. reniformis and A. cf. bornetiana, may occur also in the temperate zone (Europe or North America) and as special morphotypes in Cuba.
Subulurid nematodes identified as Subulura halli Barreto, 1918 were collected from the endangered bird Otis tarda Linnaeus (Gruiformes: Otididae) in China. A detailed redescription of the hitherto poorly known species is presented using both light and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy. Previously unreported and erroneous morphological features of taxonomic significance are revealed. This species can be readily distinguished from its congeners by the relatively long oesophagus (1.47-1.92 mm long, representing 10.6-16.9% of body length), the number and arrangement of male caudal papillae (11 pairs in total, arranged as five pairs of precloacal and six pairs of postcloacal papillae), the equal length of spicules (1.35-1.52 mm long, representing 10.7-13.7% of body length) and the presence of a small medioventral, precloacal papilla in the male.
A synopsis of 43 nominal species from five genera of tailed Myxobolidae infecting Indian freshwater and marine fishes is presented. The main characteristic of this group is the presence of at least one tail-like caudal process. For each species, relevant morphological and morphometric data are provided, such as the host(s), site(s) of infection within the host and sampling state. A key for the identification of 13 genera of tailed Myxobolidae is also included.
A synopsis of the species of Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 (Cnidaria, Myxosporea, Myxobolidae) described from 2014 up till now is presented. It includes 122 nominal species described all over the world. For each of the species, the most relevant morphological and morphometric data, as well as data are provided related to the location in the host, type host and type locality. The GenBank accession numbers are provided whenever possible, and the spores were redrawn based on the original descriptions. The bibliography includes all the papers containing the species descriptions.
Long-eared bats of the genus Plecotus are widespread over most of temperate Eurasia, marginally reaching the African continent and Macaronesia. Previously, all African populations were assigned to one species, P. auritus, and later to P. austriacus. We analysed museum specimens of African long-eared bat populations using both morphologic and genetic techniques. Based on morphological evidence we recognise four well-defined allopatric populations in northern Africa. They differ in fur coloration, skull morphology and bacular traits. The molecular data support a division of the African populations into at least three well-separated evolutionary lineages. With a combination of these data we define three species of Plecotus occurring in Africa (incl. the Canary Islands) and describe a new subspecies. Small, very pale greyish-brown Egyptian long-eared bats (P. christii Gray, 1838) inhabit desert and semi-deserts habitats of eastern Sahara (Libyan Desert, Nile Valley of Egypt and northern Sudan). Smaller to medium-sized, dark brown Ethiopian long-eared bats (P. balensis Kruskop et Lavrenchenko, 2000) inhabit the Ethiopian Highlands above 2000 metres a. s. l. This form represents the only Afro-tropical species of Plecotus. Large, dark greyish Canarian long-eared bats (P. teneriffae teneriffae Barret-Hamilton, 1907) occur on the three western islands of the Canarian Archipelago. A medium-sized greyish-brown Gaisler’s long-eared bat, P. teneriffae gaisleri subsp. n., is described from the Mediterranean region of Cyrenaica, north-eastern Libya. Due to the lack of substantial morphological differences we preliminarily consider the Maghrebian population of long-eared bats to be consubspecific with P. teneriffae gaisleri subsp. n. The systematic position of the population of Cape Verde Islands remains uncertain.
The erythrinid fish Hoplias malabaricus in Paraguay harbour two species of proteocephalid cestodes, Proteocephalus regoi sp. n. and Nomimoscolex matogrossensis Rego et Pavanelli, 1990. The former species differs from most South American members of Proteocephalus from fishes by: 1) presence of a small apical organ, 2) distribution of vitellaria, which do not reach to posterior margin of segment and 3) posterior position of vagina. Nomimoscolex matogrossensis is redescribed on the basis of type and recent material, with emphasis given to the morphology of genital organs and scolex, which possesses an apical organ. Both species possess a dense network of osmoregulatory canals in the postacetabular region of both scolex and neck. Proteocephalus regoi sp. n. is the first representative of the subfamily Proteocephalinae parasitizing erythrinid fish.