Observations on the oesophageal glands in some Tanzanian anurans

The occurrence and function of oesophageal glands In some anurans from Tanzania was investigated. The compound glands were present in the oesophageal submucosa of Ptychadena oxyrhynchus Smith, Ptychadena porosissima Steindachner, Phrynobatrachus acridoides Cope, Chiromantis xerampelina Peters, Leptopelis argenteus Pfeffer, Kassina maculata Dumeril, Afrixalus brachycnemis brachycnemis Boulenger, Hyperolius argus Peters, Hyperolius puncticulatus Pfeffer and Hyperolius tuberilinguis Smith, but were absent in Xenopus muelleri Peters, Bufo gutturalis Power and Phrynomerus bifasciatus bifasciatus Smith. It is suggested that in anurans, the oesophageal and gastric glands have similar functions.     

Observations on the Amphipod Parathemisto Gaudichaudi (Guer.) off the West Coast of South Africa

Four distinct types of call are produced by male Ptychadena taenioscelis Laurent in breeding aggregations. The most common of these is the mating call. A male/male interaction or ‘chorus call’ is also produced regularly and its production is dependent on the presence of two or more individuals. A call with a territorial function and the release calls uttered by amplectant males are also described. The responses of calling males to the arrival of females and further males are discussed. Mention is made of the ovipositional behaviour of this species.     

Sessile peritrichs (Ciliophora: Peritricha) from freshwater fish in the Transvaal,South Africa

Sessile peritrichs (Ciliophora: Peritricha) were collected from freshwater fish in lakes, rivers, streams and fish-ponds in the Transvaal, South Africa Nine species of the genus Apiosoma Blanchard, 1885 are described, i.e. seven new species; A. caulata sp.n., A. curvinucleata sp.n, A. micralesti sp.n., A. mothlapitsis sp.n., A. obliqua sp.n., A. phiala sp.n. and A. viridis sp.n., and two known species; A. nasal is (Timofeev, 1962) and A. piscícola Blanchard, 1885. One new species of the genus Ambiphrya Baabe, 1952 is described, i.e. A. neobolae sp.n. A new sgenus, Scopulata gen.n. is proposed for species with a broad scopula and compact macronucleus. Two previously described Scyphidia species are incorporated in this genus, i.e. S. dermata (Viljoen & Van As, 1983) comb.n. and S. epibranchialis (Viljoen & Van As, 1983) comb.n., as well as a new species, S. constricta sp.n. Compendiums of all the known fish-associated species of these genera are provided.     

A new euryhaline copepod from Cape Town: Halicyclops dedeckeri n.sp. (Copepoda:Cyclopoida)

A new species of the widely distributed cyclopid genus Halicyclops Norman is described from hypersaline summer pools on the bed of Milnerton Lagoon, Cape Town, South Africa. H. dedeckeri n. sp. appears to be most closely related to H. thermophilus Kiefer, 1929 and H. spinifer Kiefer, 1935 in that the females of all three species bear a sharp chitinous spine on each side of the genital double-somite. Unlike H. thermophilus and H. spinifer, the new species bears one spiniform and one normal seta (in addition to the three spines) on the P4 enp 3 in both sexes. The new species is being mass-cultured in laboratory tanks for use in feeding studies on marine fish larvae.     

The status of some southern African nominal species of Cucumaria (s.e.) referable to a new genus and their ecological isolation

A full history of four nominal species of southern African dendrochirotid holothurians, namely Cucumaria jägeri Lampert, Semperia (= Cucumaria) sykion Lamped, C. insolens Theél and C. sinorbis Cherbonnier, is given and the confusion in their taxonomic status discussed. Morphological differences and habitat selection indicate that the latter three are valid sister species. C. jägeri is relegated to the synonymy of C. sykion, a well-established name which it threatens. Since none of the three species is referable to the genus in which it is currently classified, a new genus Pseudocnella is erected to accommodate them. It is suggested that the Mediterranean Ocnus syracusanus (Grube) be also classified in the new genus. A key to the three southern African species is given, their synonymy detailed, additional notes provided, and the geographic distributions mapped. Although P. sykion and P. sinorbis have an identical geographical range it is demonstrated that the two species are ecologically isolated and thus prevented from any interspecific competition. P. insolens is sympatric with P. sinorbis over a wide area, often occupying the same habitat in a single locality. However, morphological and other evidence points to subtle niche differences between them. A provisional cladogram is proposed to show the possible relationships of the four species included in the new genus.     

Identification of cryptic species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the subgenus Culicoides and development of species-specific PCR assays based on barcode regions

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of important diseases affecting wild and domestic animals. During the last decade they have played a major role in the epidemiology of the largest bluetongue epizootic ever recorded in Europe, the disease is transmitted between hosts almost exclusively by bites of Culicoides midges and affects both domestic and wild ruminants however severe disease usually occurs in certain breeds of sheep and some species of deer. An accurate vector identification is of major importance in arthropod borne diseases surveillance, as great differences in vectorial capacity are found even between close species. Unfortunately, specialized taxonomic knowledge of Culicoides identification is rarely available in routine surveillance, mainly based on wing morphology. Recently, some European species of Culicoides belonging to the subgenus Avaritia Fox, 1955 and Culicoides Latreille, 1809 have been described as new bluetongue virus vectors.In the present study, by using a fragment of the barcode region (COI gene) we report the presence of up to 11 species within the subgenus Culicoides in Catalonia (NE Spain), a region recently affected by a bluetongue epizootic. The molecular analysis revealed new non-described cryptic species which were grouped in three complexes of morphologically similar species, two in the Pulicaris complex resembling Culicoides pulicaris, two in the Fagineus complex resembling Culicoides fagineus and three in the Newsteadi complex resembling Culicoides newsteadi. The phylogenetic relationships among them showed that cryptic species detected in both Pulicaris and Fagineus complexes were closely related, whereas those in the Newsteadi complex were more distant. Accurate analysis of all species using morphological and molecular approaches resulted in the detection of diagnostic metric traits for cryptic species and the design of several new species-specific single and multiplex PCR assays to identify unambiguously all the species, most of them still lacking a specific molecular diagnosis.     

Inshore small-mesh trawling survey of the Cape south coast. Part 5. Crustacea,Stomatopoda, Isopoda and Decapoda

Forty-six species of Crustacea from the shallow marine waters of the southern Cape coast are listed. Five new records for the area are dealt with, of which two are described as new species. These include a sphaeromatid isopod Cymodoce davleae and a dromiid crab Cryptodromia hirsutimana.     

Some Parasitic Worms in Freshwater Fishes and Fish-Predators from the Transvaal,South Africa

This report concerns a collection of parasitic worms from South Africa, and contains a new species of monogenean, Gyrodactylus transvaalensis, six species of adult trematodes, including a new species of Phyllodistomum.P. van der waali, two metacercariae of the Family Clinostomidae and three of the Order Strigeida, as well as two species of cestodes, and larvae of the nematode genus Contracaecum. The adults of previously-known helminths are redescribed, with some remarks on their systematics and biology. Accompanying the material of the new gyrodactylid monogenean there is a specimen which is thought to be a giant of the new form, and this appears to be the first recorded suggestion of the occurrence of gigantism in the Monogenea, and in fact in any kind of helminth.     

Preliminary Observations on the Relationships of Barbus Species From Cape Coastal Rivers,South Africa (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

Observations on the phylogenetic relationships of Barbus species from the southern Cape Province are made in the light of new data on the post-cranial axial skeleton and other osteological and anatomical features. Particular attention is paid to the relationships of the ‘red fin’ Barbus species, and new evidence on the problematical relationships of the rare African cyprinid species Oreodaimon quathlambae, is presented.     

The sclerodactylid holothurians of southern Africa,with the erection of one new subfamily and two new genera (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

The sclerodactylid subfamily Sclerodactylinae is restricted to include only those forms with a short, compact, tubular calcareous ring and a new subfamily Sclerothyoninae is diagnosed to accommodate two new southern African monotypic genera Sclerothyone and Temparena, with compact but non-tubular calcareous rings. The new genera are erected respectively for Ludwig and Heding's (1935) Cucumaria? velligera and C.l chuni, formerly classified in Pentamera. This brings the total number of sclerodactylid holothurians known from southern Africa to six genera and seven species. All taxa are diagnosed and/or described, a key is provided for all southern African species and their local distributions are mapped.     

Unrecognized diversity in New Guinean crayfish species (Decapoda,Parastacidae): The evidence from molecular data

The phylogenetic relationships among imported ornamental crayfish belonging to the genus Cherax were inferred from a combined dataset of 3 mitochondrial genes (COI, 16S and 12S) and by comparison with available GenBank sequences of 14 Cherax species. Furthermore, the concordance of previously described species obtained from a wholesaler (Cherax boesemani, C. holthuisi and C. peknyi) with available GenBank sequences was verified based on COI with special respect to comparison with sequences assigned as Cherax species. Recently described species C. gherardiae, C. pulcher and C. subterigneus belong to the northern group of Cherax species. Comparison and analysis with other GenBank COI sequences show previously unreported diversity of New Guinean species, suggesting 5 putative new species. Surprisingly, species assigned to the subgenus Astaconephrops do not form a monophyletic clade; this subgenus should be reappraised relative to the purported typical morphological characteristic of the uncalcified patch on male chelae. Increasing importation of crayfish underscores the importance of accurate species identification. Use of basic molecular methods is a necessary requisite for documenting occurrence, abundance and population trends of target species. Consequently, it helps to support eventual conservation decision‐making by stakeholders.     

A new species of Heterixalus (Amphibia: Hyperoliidae) from western Madagascar

A new species of hyperoliid frog, Heterixalus carbonei n.sp., is described from the Antsingy forest inwestern Madagascar. It is characterized by an advertisement call consisting of long and regular note series. The only other Heterixalus with a similar call structure, H. betsileo from higher altitudes in eastern Madagascar, has distinctly shorter notes. After recent discoveries of the occurrence of H. luteostriatus and H. tricolor in western Madagascar, the new species brings the number of Heterixalus known from western Madagascar to three.     

A New Species of Parategastes (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) from South Africa

A new species of the genus Parategastes Sars, 1904 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) was found during an ecological study of zooplankton in Langvlei, one of the Wilderness Lakes near George on the southern Cape coast. The species, Parategastes coetzeel, is described and a key is given for the identification of the various species of Parategastes.     

A new Dactylogyrus species (Dactylogyridae: Monogenea) from Enteromius mattozi,Cyprinidae, at Piet Gouws Dam,South Africa

Enteromius mattozi Guimaraes, 1884, a popular eating fish among local people, were examined for monogenean parasites as part of a larger study to ascertain the feasibility of establishing aquaculture production in Limpopo, South Africa. In this study a new monogenean parasite of the genus Dactylogyrus was collected from the gills of E. mattozi, and described. It differs from known species of this group in the shape, size and structure of the heavily sclerotized vaginal prop. The proximal end of the vaginal prop has three layers similar to stacked funnels of decreasing sizes leading into a tube. The male copulatory organ is also much larger and robust than those of related species. The name Dactylogyrus mattozii is proposed for this new species.     

Helminths from three species of African chameleons

Three species of African chameleons (Chamaeleo gracilis, C. jacksoni and C. johnstoni) were examined for helminths. Two species of Cestoda (Oochoristica truncata and tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp.) and four species of Nematoda (Oswaldocruzia chamaeleonis, Parapharyngodon kenyaensis,Raillietnema chamaeleo, and Strongyluris elegans) were found. Four new host records are reported.     

Fish population changes in the Sanyati Basin,Lake Kariba,Zimbabwe

Large-fish population changes in the Sanyati Basin of Lake Kariba between 1960 and 1975 are evaluated and discussed. The early lake population following closure of the dam wall in 1958 was similar to the pre-impoundment riverine population with Labeo spp., Distichodus spp., Clarias gariepinus and two characid species dominating gill-net catches. Exceptions were mormyrids, scarce in the new lake although abundant in the river, and Oreochromis mortimeri, scarce in the river but expanding rapidly in the lake. Productivity in the new lake in terms of ichthyomass relative to later years was high. In later years following closure several of the early abundant mostly potamodromous species declined rapidly (C. gariepinus, Labeo spp., Distichodus spp.,) and by 1975 they were unimportant. Mormyrids, cichlids and two silurid species increased significantly in catches as did the characin, Hydrocynus vittatus; the latter as a result of the expansion of the freshwater sardine population, from 1970. While early populations were essentially herbivorous later populations were largely insectivorous/molluscivorous. Concomitant with these changes new species appeared, while a few disappeared. Possible sources of origin of the new arrivals are discussed. Salient features of the entire evolutionary process are summarized, while some of the lessons leamt from Kariba, and a few recommendations arising from this, are listed in the conclusion.     

Freshwater Nematodes from South Africa. 4. The Genus Monhystera Bastian, 1865

During a survey of freshwater nematodes in South Africa, five species of Monhystera Bastian, 1865, were encountered. The five species, three of which are new to science, are described and figured, viz. Monhystera taaiboschiensis n.sp., M. magnacephala n.sp., M. gabaza n.sp., M. filiformis Bastian, 1865 and M. somereni Allgen, 1952.     

A new southern African genus in the holothurian family Cucumariidae (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) with the recognition of two subspecies in Cucumaria frauenfeldi Ludwig

A new genus Roweia in the holothurian family Cucumariidae is erected to accommodate two southern African dendrochi-rotids, Cucumaria frauenfeldi Ludwig and C. stephensoni John which have previously always been classified in Cucumaria (si). Some intraspecific variations in R. frauenfeldi are discussed and, on this basis, the species is rediagnosed and two subspecies recognized. The species and subspecies of the new genus are keyed, their synonymy is considered and distributions mapped. New information in regard to R. stephensoni is also included.     

Distribution,biology and flower relationships of fideliid bees of southern Africa (Hymenoptera,Apoidea, Fideliidae)

Fideliids are ground-nesting bees, covered in a dense pale straw to brown pile, with pollen being carried on an abdominal scopa. Fidelia paradoxa, F. villosa and F. kobrowi are restricted to flowers of the Mesembryanthemaceae, and Parafidella major and two new Parafidelia species to Grielum and Neuradopsls (Roseaceae). Parafidelia ornata collects pollen mainly from Tribulus and Tribulocarpus and P. pallidula only from Sisyndite (Zygophyllaceae). Parafidelia friesei visits flowers of Sesamum (Pedaliaceae) and Fidelia braunsiana is confined to Berkheya (Asteraceae). The rainfall pattern divides the species into early summer bees (7 species) of the winter rainfall and autumn bees (4 species) of the summer rainfall areas. Two of the above species have populations in both regions. The winter rainfall bees have a south-western distribution with Graaff-Reinet the eastern limit but the summer rainfall species occur further north, with the eastern Botswana border their eastern limit and Keimoes on the Orange River their southern limit.