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The description of a mealybug species found in Germany, Spinococcus kozari Schmutterer, 2002 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha), is considered invalid because no type material or depository were specified in the original literature. Here a valid description of the same species is provided under the name Peliococcus schmuttereri Caballero and Kaydan sp. n. following the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The species is redescribed, with a taxonomic illustration and microphotographs, an updated taxonomic key is provided, and type material and a depository are designated. With this record, the number of species of Peliococcus Borchsenius, 1948 is increased to 37 worldwide and the number of Peliococcus species present in Germany is increased to two, the second species being Peliococcus calluneti (Lindinger, 1912). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxicola Koch in Renier in Meneghini, 1847, is a genus of the family Sabellidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) well known for its funnel-shaped crown and showy colouration. Several taxa from the coasts of North America were described in the first half of the twentieth century. However, due to several subsequent synonymisations, the biodiversity of this genus in American waters was reduced to the presence of only two species, both with their type locality in Europe. Preliminary molecular data suggested that this view is largely incorrect, and that American Myxicola include several species. The re-examination of type material from two American museums (Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard University and Yale Paebody Museum of Natural History), as well as other historically collected specimens, allowed the re-establishment of several American Myxicola species. Myxicola conjuncta Bush, 1905, Myxicola affinis Bush, 1905 and Myxicola glacialis Bush, 1905 are redescribed and considered valid species, while Myxicola monacis Chamberlin, 1919 is regarded as synonymous with M. affinis. Lastly, specimens from the Gulf of Maine originally identified as Myxicola infundibulum Montagu, 1808 were found to belong to two new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light microscope (LM) observations of specimens of Rhopalodia constricta (W.Smith) Krammer are made from the holotype slide. LM and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations from Rabenhorst's material of this species are also presented. The two populations are similar in size and ornamentation. Many features seen in the SEM are presented here for the first time, including documentation of the valve interior and the girdle bands. A flap from the valvocopula extends onto the valve exterior at the apices and covers the raphe end-this is the first time this feature has been documented in the Rhopalodiales. Rhopalodia constricta is compared and contrasted with other, small species of the genus. It lacks features seen in the generitype, R. gibba, suggesting it might be phylogenetically dissimilar to the type species of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charles Spence Bate (1818–1889) was one of the more influential mid to late 19th century crustacean taxonomists, with broad interests spanning several taxonomic groups, such as Amphipoda and Decapoda. Despite several contemporary obituaries, no full publication list for him has ever been assembled. In the present contribution, we provide a complete listing of publications and all species- and genus-level crustacean taxa described by Spence Bate, and indicate their current status. Corrections to publication dates are listed, and several decisions are made to stabilise crustacean nomenclature. In a scientific career spanning almost 50 years (1850–1889), Spence Bate described a total of 402 species and 70 genera in Decapoda, 181 species and 46 genera in Amphipoda, as well as eight genera and eight species of Cumacea, four genera and 16 species of Isopoda, three of Tanaidacea and one of Cirripedia. Of these, 36.2% of species and 45.7% of genera are still considered as the accepted names for their taxa today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the re-description of Epeus albus Prószynski, 1992, with the first description of its male. Additionally, Epeus chilapataensis (Biswas & Biswas, 1992) is synonymised with E. albus and a new taxonomic combination is proposed: Epeus khandalaensis (Tikader, 1977) comb. nov. (ex Phidippus). Clarification on the record of Epeus daiqini Patoleta, Gardzińska & Żabka, 2020 from India is provided. The current distribution of the genus in India is also mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims – Small-celled araphid diatoms form an important part of the diatom flora in our rivers and lakes. Although several of these species are frequently reported, their correct taxonomic identity is often obscured due to a lack of good knowledge of the original (type) material. Material and methods – Several historical (nineteenth century) original samples were retrieved from different European and North American diatom collections. The samples have been analysed using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Key results – Staurosirella crux comb. nov., based on Ehrenberg’s Navicula crux, proved to be the oldest valid name for Staurosirella harrisonii, the latter now being considered a younger synonym. A new European species, S. neorhomboides sp. nov., is described to replace the name S. rhomboides, now considered a younger synonym of S. leptostauron. The North American populations of S. rhomboides and S. martyi differ sufficiently from the type populations and are described as new species: S. moralesii sp. nov. and S. manoyloviana sp. nov. The new combination Staurosirella informis comb. nov. is proposed for a taxon described in 1856 from the French Pyrenees as Odontidium informe. Staurosirella leptostauron turns out to be insufficiently described and is now documented for further use. Conclusion – The analysis of the original (type) material corrected several taxonomic errors and better characterised the morphology of several commonly observed Staurosirella species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, the genus Mimomyagrus Breuning, 1970 is synonymized with Combe Thomson, 1864, and Mimomyagrus pfanneri Breuning, 1970 is considered a junior synonym of Combe brianus (White, 1858). The female of Arctolamia sinica Bi & Chen, 2022 is described for the first time and this species is reported as new to Myanmar. Type material of Lamia punctator Fabricius, 1776 [= Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771)], Cerambyx galloprovincialis Olivier, 1800 [= Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier, 1800)] and Melanauster granulipennis Breuning, 1938 [= Monochamus guerryi Pic, 1903] are confirmed to be preserved in Natural History Museum, London. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digitization of herbarium collections guarantees a preservation and long-term use of scientifically valuable objects, e.g., wide and convenient access to these materials online and exchange between institutions. These are also important elements in the education and popularization of botanical knowledge. No less significant is the practical aspect of these studies due to the danger of these collections' destruction as a result of Russian aggression—some of them have already been destroyed. The analyzed Margittai collection (1500 specimens) is kept at the Uzhhorod National University Herbarium (UU) and belongs to the historical and regional ones. This material is valuable because of its scientific, historical and cultural significance. By the initiative and thanks to the efforts of Prof. S. Fodor, the studied collection (most of which are doublet specimens) was transferred in 1965 from the Hungarian Natural History Museum (BP), where the main herbarium of the researcher is preserved (40,000 specimens), to the Uzhhorod State University. Due to the fact that the collection has not been studied, in 2021, the authors began a special investigation of this collection and assessment of its current state. The structure of the database has been developed, it is being filled, and the digitization of type materials has begun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Torpedo rays (Torpedinidae, Torpediniformes) are small to moderately large batoids that produce an electric discharge. They are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical seas and are, as a result of their bottom‐dwelling behaviour, susceptible to trawl fishing and often end up as victims of bycatch. The distribution ranges of most recognized species seem to be restricted; however, their species‐level systematics is not adequately resolved. In the genus Torpedo, in which many species require revision, there are possibly several undescribed species, while numerous misidentifications add to the complexity of the issue. In the latest lists of living rays, 13 species are accepted in the genus Torpedo, including three of doubtful validity and several recently discovered undescribed species. Among the valid species is the critically endangered, possibly extinct, Torpedo suessii Steindachner, 1898, the Red Sea torpedo, of which only four specimens have been recorded in the literature until now, three of which still exist in the fish collection of the Natural History Museum of Vienna. Museum collections are the most important archive of biodiversity on Earth, and are increasingly being used for various studies, including phylogenetics, population genomics, and biogeography. Nevertheless, molecular analysis of old museum material remains challenging because the genetic material has degraded, is fragmented, and of low quantity. In molecular taxonomy, the necessity of including type specimens as name‐bearing specimens is increasingly recognized. Here, the extended specimen approach was applied to re‐describe the lectotype of T. suessii. The approach included research of historical information and whole genome sequencing, followed by genome assembly and phylogenetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Data on the collection of the genus Epepeotes Pascoe, 1866 deposited in the Natural History Museum, London are presented. A total of 23 species/subspecies, including type specimens of 18 names, of them 13 valid, are recorded. Epepeotes uncinatus lineatopunctatus Breuning, 1960 is restored to subspecies-level status. Lectotypes are designated for Epepeotes uncinatus uncinatus Gahan, 1888 and Epepeotes andamanicus Gahan, 1893. Epepeotes luscus luscus (Fabricius, 1787) is newly recorded in Cambodia and Singapore, and Epepeotes uncinatus uncinatus Gahan, 1888 is newly recorded in Bangladesh. Images of the type and other significant specimens are provided for 23 taxa, mainly for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular data for 19 specimens of Elmis syriaca syriaca and E. s. zoufali from eight countries have been analysed in order to investigate the taxonomic status and the geographical distribution of these two subspecies. The nominative subspecies was previously thought to be endemic to the Levant (Israel, Lebanon, Syria), while E. s. zoufali was regarded as being widespread from the Balkans to eastern Anatolia and Afghanistan. The results of our molecular studies using DNA barcoding and nuclear DNA data reveal that the two taxa are in fact distinct species, which separated around 2 Mya. A distinction based on the external morphological characters of 354 specimens was found to be impossible due to the pronounced variability, especially of the pronotal microsculpture, which had hitherto been used as the main distinguishing feature. The two species can only be distinguished by the aedeagal parameres and by the geographical distribution, which deviates considerably from the concept of previous authors. Elmis zoufali is distributed in Romania, the Balkan Peninsula, some Aegean Islands and in western Anatolia, while E. syriaca occurs from the Caucasus region southwards to eastern Turkey, Iran (probably also Afghanistan) and the Levant. Geographically, both species are widely separated by the so-called Anatolian Diagonal. Elmis zoufali resp. E. syriaca are recorded for the first time from Croatia, Romania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran and Turkey. In addition, we examined 13 specimens tentatively identified as Elmis quadricollis (Reitter, 1887), a closely related species from Central Asia; we sequenced one specimen from China, which was revealed to be a sister to E. zoufali and E. syriaca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical data, combined with current data on species distribution, are a valuable resource for tracking changes in biodiversity and can potentially be applied to developing models in conservation biology and designing and assessing conservation strategies. Historical data supporting current knowledge on the natural history of the African continent are primarily held in Western museums. The Zoologisches Museum Berlin (ZMB), which is today part of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN), is the primary source of reference for zoological collections from former German colonial territories including Cameroon. Here, we document for the first time a catalogue of the type material in the mammal collection of the MfN from the point of view of a geographical region. The type collection includes 91 type specimens identified in the catalogues as originating from German 'Kamerun' and which correspond to 31 described species, of which 12 are currently accepted (valid) species names. Of the 31 described species, 21 are represented by holotypes, three para-holotype series, one para-lectotype series and six syntype series. We hope that this first analysis of zoological objects, based on geographical location, will lead to similar research on other geographical locations of collection. This could provide more information on the provenance of collections and on colonial collecting practices, as well as contribute to the accessibility of collections in Western museums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sweat bees of the genus Agapostemon Guérin-Méneville, 1844 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) are common and widespread in the Americas. Despite distinct morphological characters that were recognised in earlier taxonomic treatments, Agapostemon fasciatus Crawford, 1901 has been considered a variety of A. melliventris Cresson, 1874 since the 1930s and later placed into synonymy under A. melliventris in the early 1970s. New information A more detailed study of morphology (including examination of type materials), distribution and genetic data (i.e. DNA barcodes) of these two taxa suggests they are not conspecific. As such, A. fasciatus is resurrected as a valid North American bee species. Agapostemon fasciatus ranges further north in North America than A. mellivenrtis, reaching the southern Prairies Ecozone of Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan), while most records of A. melliventris are from the south-western United States and northern Mexico. More accurate distributions for both species can be modelled as specimens in collections are identified using the diagnostic features provided. However, additional work is required on the A. melliventris species complex in the southern United States as genetic data suggest that multiple taxa could be present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widely cultivated Chinese Lingzhi is a famous fungus with significant medicinal and economic value, which has commonly been misidentified as Ganoderma lucidum for a long period of time. The scientific binomial of the fungus is always a hotly debated question that revolves around G. lingzhi and G. sichuanense. To interpret the species concept of the taxon, six specific primers for G. sichuanense and one universal primer were designed. Through directed and nested PCRs, we obtained nine ITS sequences from the holotype (HMAS 42798) of G. sichuanense. By genome sequencing, the ITS sequence of the first cultivated Lingzhi (HMAS 25103) was assembled. Based on a phylogenetic study of the genus Ganoderma, the correct name for widely cultivated Ganoderma species in China was confirmed as G. sichuanense, and G. lingzhi should be a later synonym. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kützing described the species Achnanthes capensis Kützing along with the variety Achnanthes capensis ß multiarticulata Kützing. The latter was based on 'Achnanthes striata Suhr', a name first mentioned, without description or figure, in Drège's Zwei pflanzengeographische Documente. 'Achnanthes striata' became a synonym of Achnanthes capensis in Kützing's protologue without it ever being validly published. All original specimens of Achnanthes capensis, A. capensis ß multiarticulata and A. striata are from Table Bay, Cape Province, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. This account describes specimens from original material for all three names in Achnanthes and clarifies their relationships. As no morphological differences among these three named taxa could be found based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations, we place the other two names into A. capensis, as this name has priority. In short, A. capensis ß multiarticulata and A. striata are synonyms of Achnanthes capensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract The analysis of curated genomic, metagenomic and proteomic data is of paramount importance in the fields of biology, medicine, education, and bioinformatics. Although this type of data is usually hosted in raw format on free international repositories, the full access requires lots of computing power and large storage disk space for the domestic user. The purpose of the study is to offer a comprehensive set of microbial genomic and proteomic reference databases in an accessible and easy-to-use form to the scientific community and demonstrate its advantages and usefulness. Also, we present a case study on the applicability of the sketched data, for the determination of overall genomic coherence between two members of the Brucellacea family, which suggests they belong to the same genomospecies that remain as discrete ecotypes. A representative set of genomes, proteomes (from type material), and metagenomes were directly collected from the NCBI Assembly database and Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB), associated with the major groups of Bacteria, Archaea, Virus, and Fungi. Sketched databases were subsequently created and stored on handy reduced representations by using the MinHash algorithm implemented in Mash software. The obtained dataset contains more than 133 GB of space disk reduced to 883.25 MB and represents 125,110 genomics/proteomic records from eight informative contexts, which have been prefiltered to make them accessible, usable, and user-friendly with limited computational resources. Potential uses of these sketched databases are discussed, including but not limited to microbial species delimitation, estimation of genomic distances and genomic novelties, paired comparisons between proteomes, genomes, and metagenomes; phylogenetic neighbor’s exploration and selection, among others.

Abstract The types of nominal species of Echinodermata in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo are catalogued: Holothuroidea (19 species - 16 holotypes, 1 paratype and 2 neotypes) and Ophiuroidea (4 species - 1 neotype and 3 paratypes). Photographs of all the type specimens are given. A brief account of the history of the MZUSP’s echinoderm collections is presented.

Mordellistena algeriensis Ermisch, 1966, so far known from Algeria and Tunisia, is now being reported from Italy for the first time, based on the two specimens collected recently in Sardinia. Details of the new record, differential diagnosis of the species, figures of the diagnostic characters, and habitus images are provided.

In the course of cataloguing the collection of scale insects in the Natural History Museum Vienna type material of Leucaspis pusilla Löw, 1883 (Diaspididae) was recovered. It consists of two twigs of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) bearing masses of dry diaspidid scales, four mica slides containing 14 males, and a small glass container keeping 24 males. The twigs and the mica slides are labelled with "Mödling Austria inferior", "Auf Pinus silvestris L.", and "pusilla det. Löw"; the container with "Schönbrunn Austria inferior", "Auf Pinus silvestris L.", and "pusilla det. Löw". This suits entirely to the type data according to the description by Löw. Twelve dry female specimens were prepared and mounted on microscopic slides. The identity of each individually mounted female was confirmed as being Leucaspis pusilla according to current taxonomy. One mounted female of this series was designated as the lectotype. The males remain unstudied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Types of three Dictyna species described by Władysław Kulczyński based on females from the territory of the former Russian Empire – D. sibirica sibirica Kulczyński, 1908, from East Siberia, D. sibirica simulans Kulczyński, 1916 from West Siberia and D. ignobilis Kulczyński, 1895 from Armenia – are re-examined herein. Two names, D. sibirica sibirica Kulczyński, 1908 syn. nov. and D. sibirica simulans Kulczyński, 1916 syn. nov. are synonymised with D. major Menge, 1869. Furthermore, Dictyna ignobilis Kulczyński, 1895 syn. nov. is found to be a junior synonym of D. arundinacea (Linnaeus, 1758). The distribution range of D. major is mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an addition to the catalogue of types of Papilionoidea, kept at the National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia and provides data on three nominal species group taxa of Nymphalidae, described from Greece, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

ABSTRACT The identities of the following four New World species of Stegana from Costa Rica, Stegana atrimana Malloch, 1924, Stegana nigrita Malloch, 1924, Stegana schildi Malloch, 1924, and Stegana tempifera Malloch, 1924, are clarified, and their redescriptions are provided. According to the original descriptions, the holotypes of the four species, deposited in the National Museum of Natural History (USNM), were males. However, upon dissection of their terminalia, we realized that all but one (S. tempifera) are females. Therefore, redescriptions of their external morphology (and/or terminalia) are mainly based on male paratypes, except for S. schildi, which is based on a male non-type specimen from Panama bearing Malloch’s handwritten identification label. Photomicrographs of the habitus and terminalia, in addition to china ink drawings of the aedeagi and associated sclerites, are included.

The nucleotide sequences (18S and rbcL) of the freshwater diatom strain UTEX FD23 were revisited and its morphology studied for the first time. This strain is maintained at the UTEX Culture Collection of Algae, where it is referred to as Cocconeis placentula var. lineata. The sequences of this strain had been deposited in NCBI and used in more than 30 studies mostly under the name C. placentula, but also C. placentula var. lineata. We describe this species as new, based on sequence data and morphology (LM and SEM), which did not correspond to the epitypes of C. placentula var. placentula, C. lineata or any other described member of the C. placentula group. According to genetic distances for 18SV4, this new species is closest to C. placentula sensu stricto (5.8%), and has a distance of 7.9% to C. lineata. For rbcL, C. czarneckii is closest to the recently described C. coreana (2.6%–2.8%), it has a distance of 4.1% to C. lineata, and of 4.2% to C. placentula. Morphologically, C. czarneckii shares similarities with C. sijunghoensis, C. amerieuglypta, C. klamathensis and C. grovei, which differ by valve size and outline, numbers and pattern of submarginal areolae, and ultrastructural details of the valvocopula of the raphe valve. Our study, integrating available nucleotide sequences with a detailed morphological characterization of the strain UTEX FD23, added to our understanding of the heterogeneity of the C. placentula group, and will benefit the scientific community interested in this strain (e.g. for taxonomy, molecular phylogenetics and eDNA metabarcoding). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mordellistena algeriensis Ermisch, 1966, so far known from Algeria and Tunisia, is now being reported from Italy for the first time, based on the two specimens collected recently in Sardinia. Details of the new record, differential diagnosis of the species, figures of the diagnostic characters, and habitus images are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a nomenclatural treatment of accepted names published in the genus Mollia Mart. and their synonyms, including the citation of protologues and types for 31 infrageneric names. The synonymies follow the most recent taxonomic revision of the genus, with some modifications. In total, we treat 17 species of Mollia, one of which, M. lepidota, is divided into four subspecies. Lectotypes are designated for thirteen names. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This short paper discusses two new synonyms of Ulnaria vitrea: Synedra mesocampa Brébisson in Kützing and Synedra tenuis Kützing. The data generated herein are based on original material and form a contribution to the taxonomic clarification of species in the genus Ulnaria. Both names discussed have barely been noticed since their original description and then usually considered as synonyms of Ulnaria ulna. Some additional notes on other relevant names are included, such as Synedra putealis O'Meara and Synedra tenuis var. subtilis (Kützing) Brun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract KellogginaWilliston, 1907 is one of the least studied Blephariceridae genera in the world, despite being the most diverse in the Neotropics with 34 species. We provide a catalogue with the 14 nominal species of the genus described by Lane and d’Andretta from the Southeastern Region of Brazil, of which the type-specimens are deposited at the Diptera Collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo. There are 60 specimens deposited at this museum, including male holotypes of 14 species and females “allotypes” (paratypes) for seven species. We include male diagnoses and photographs of the holotypes of all species.

During a biomonitoring assignment in the Swiss canton Ticino, an unknown Fragilaria taxon was discovered that could not be identified using the currently available literature. The results of a morphological comparison with the type material of F. recapitellata, based on light and scanning electron microscopy, showed that the new Swiss taxon has sufficient differences to be separated as a new species: Fragilaria subrecapitellata sp. nov. The new species can be separated by its lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate valve outline with convex valve margins, and its smaller valves compared to F. recapitellata. The distribution and iconography of F. recapitellata in literature data is analysed. As a result of this analysis, Fragilaria deformis is appointed as the correct name for the taxon generally known as F. candidagilae or F. capucina var. capitellata (Grunow) Lange-Bertalot in Krammer & Lange-Bertalot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following eight new synonyms are proposed: Araneus arganicola Simon, 1909 = Neoscona subfusca (C. L. Koch, 1837) syn. nov.; Drassus nugatorius Karsch, 1881 = Odontodrassus mundulus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1881) syn. nov.; Drassus sockniensis Karsch, 1881 = Poecilochroa pugnax (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874) syn. nov.; Drassus tarrhunensis Karsch, 1881 = Megamyrmaekion caudatum Reuss, 1834 syn. nov.; Prosthesima kerimi Pavesi, 1880 = Zelotes tragicus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) syn. nov.; Prosthesima quadridentata Strand, 1906 = Scotophaeus quadridentatus Caporiacco, 1928 = Setaphis mollis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874) syn. nov.; Steatoda erigoniformis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) = Euryopis albomaculata Denis, 1951 syn. nov. The position of Drassus obscurus Lucas, 1846 in Drassodes is confirmed and the first figures of the female epigyne and vulva are given. The citation of Dactylopisthes digiticeps (Simon, 1881) from Tunisia by Pavesi (1884) is a misidentification and concerns Thaumatoncus indicator Simon, 1884. A new species is described: Pelecopsis pavesii spec. nov. from Tunisia, erroneously identified by Pavesi (1884) as Pelecopsis parumpunctata (Simon, 1881). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inability to thoroughly examine diatom type material existing only in resin‐mounted permanent slides is a common frustration for diatomologists. Here, we present an efficient, inexpensive, and straightforward technique to extract siliceous exoskeletons of diatoms from permanent slides prepared with commonly used mounting media. Van Heurck's slide constituting an isotype duplicate of Proschkinia bulnheimii var. belgica, an entity with an uncertain taxonomic status, was deconstructed to allow thorough examination using scanning electron microscopy. Numerous specimens of the taxon, including intact frustules and specimens with complete areola occlusions, were recovered and documented. The extracted diatom material was sufficient to prepare two scanning electron microscopy specimens and reconstruct the permanent slide. The proposed approach may help overcome many of the taxonomic bottlenecks associated with the low resolution of information provided by older diatom descriptions and permanent slide observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian species of Drassyllus and Nodocion are revised, mostly based on the type material available in the National Zoological Collection, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. All the Indian representatives of the former genus are transferred to Cryptodrassus, with a synonymy of Drassyllus jabalpurensis syn. nov. with Cryptodrassus khajuriai comb. nov., while the Indian species of the latter genus are transferred to Setaphis, with a provisional transfer of Nodocion solanensis. All the examined type specimens are imaged and supplementary descriptions are provided.

Abstract This paper provides a catalogue of the type specimens of Rangomaramidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) held in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP). Label data and the condition of 26 type-specimens (three holotypes and 23 paratypes) of four Neotropical species are provided.

Giovanni Canestrini (1835–1900) was the pioneer of arachnology in Italy, who published the first catalogue of Italian spiders and a total of 87 papers in the field. His interests covered almost all the Italian arachnid orders, although in the last part of his life he focused on acarology, in which he became a leading world expert. The remains of Canestrini's arachnological collection deposited in the Zoology Museum of Padova University are represented by spiders (about 850 tubes), mites (438 microscope slides, 115 tubes), harvestmen (120), pseudoscorpions (63), scorpions (19) and solifuges (1). The collection is now part of a large revision project aiming at better understanding and clarifying the scientific heritage of Canestrini, including an inventory of the type material from Canestrini and other European arachnologists who contributed to his collection (e.g., T. Thorell). The first results of the collection revision outlining different arachnid orders and highlighting the occurrence of type material are presented here. Brief historical information on Canestrini and his pupils is also provided.

Despite its natural focus on the New Zealand region, the malacological collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (NMNZ), also includes a variety of specimens from elsewhere in the world, including a fair share of South American specimens. Examination of this material reveals valuable distributional data for several species, as well as previously unreported type material. This article examines and reidentifies all South American (and Trinidadian) gastropods from the NMNZ collection, excluding those from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, which were analysed in a separate publication. All the information gathered is compiled and presented here as an annotated species checklist, including photographs of the most important specimens. In total, 91 species are reported. Paralectotypes of Neniops smithiae (Pilsbry, 1902) (from the private collection of zoologist Henry Suter (1841–1918)) were found in the NMNZ collection and are illustrated here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian spider species of the genera Apodrassodes, Herpyllus and Sergiolus are revised, mostly based on the type material available in the National Zoological Collection, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. The following new combinations are recognised: Coillina yogeshi comb. nov., transferred from Apodrassodes, Scotophaeus goaensis comb. nov. and Zelotes calcuttaensis comb. nov., both transferred from Herpyllus, Hitobia lamhetaghatensis comb. nov., Hitobia meghalayensis comb. nov., Hitobia poonaensis comb. nov., Hitobia singhi comb. nov. and Poecilochroa khodiar comb. nov., all transferred from Sergiolus. The Chinese species Coillina baka syn. nov. is synonymised with C. yogeshi comb. nov. All images of the examined type material as well as supplementary descriptions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Indoganodes tschertoprudi sp. nov. is described from Sri Lanka. The genus Indoganodes Selvakumar, Sivaramakrishnan & Jacobus, 2014 was previously known only by one species from the Western Ghats (India). The new species differs from Indoganodes jobini Selvakumar, Sivaramakrishnan & Jacobus, 2014 by the number of denticles on the claws, shape of the femora, shape of the chalazae on the femora, absence of any median tubercles on the terga, and presence of posterolateral processes only on segments VI–IX. The diagnosis of Indoganodes is also emended. Morphological larval affinities of Indoganodes and Ephemerellina Lestage, 1924 and the probable origin and diversification of I. tschertoprudi sp. nov. are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arachnological collections of the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale of Verona, Italy, contains roughly 20000 vials, including approximately 2000 species of Araneae and other Arachnida from all over the world. Within the collection, type material represents an important proportion with a count of more than 373 type series. All samples are distributed within four main collections: Brignoli, di Caporiacco, Museo Zangheri and 'Generale'. A further collection of 99% ethanol-preserved samples for molecular analysis is currently under preparation. A detailed list of all the arachnological type material stored in the museum is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last three centuries, people involved in natural history sciences have produced thousands of natural history collections worldwide. Specimens have been used for scientific proof of various discoveries and for gaining new knowledge in many disciplines of science not only in the area of biodiversity but also in taxonomy, species biology and ecology, parasitology, evolution, organisms' responses to climate change, nature conservation and many other biological sub-disciplines. Despite never-ending financial struggles, the world's largest collections as well as many regional midsize collections contain billions of specimens. This provides an enormous database for present and future studies. This article presents a critical description of the material of the Institute of Biology, University of Latvia collection (IBULC) containing roughly 59,000 identified arthropod individuals of about 3,700 species, including twenty-eight primary types as a part of around ninety type specimens, to illustrate the importance of midsize regional natural history collections in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian Phaeocedus species are revised based on the type material deposited in the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford. Phaeocedus poonaensis syn. nov. is synonymised with Poecilochroa taborensis and Phaeocedus nicobarensis syn. nov. is synonymised with Pandava laminata (Titanoecidae). Two new combinations are proposed: Drassodes haribhaiius comb. nov. and Synaphosus parvus comb. nov.. In addition, Phaeocedus mosambaensis syn. nov. described from Nepal is synonymised with Drassodes lutescens. All the type material examined are imaged and supplementary descriptions for D. haribhaiius comb. nov., D. lutescens and P. taborensis are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type specimens of 11 species of Chartocerus (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae) from Australia described by A.A. Girault, in the collection of the Queensland Museum, and one species described by W.H. Ashmead, in the United States Museum of Natural History, are redescribed and illustrated. Lectotypes are designated for Chartocerus australiensis (Girault) and Chartocerus hebes (Girault). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Proceratium Roger comprises rare ants that are irregularly distributed in tropical and temperate regions of the world. Despite this global distribution, these ants are rarely collected, likely due to their cryptobiotic lifestyle. In the New World, the genus comprises 22 known species distributed from Southern Canada to the South of Brazil, and in some Caribbean islands. The taxonomy of the genus Proceratium is here updated for South America. We describe P. amazonicum sp. nov, from Rondônia state and provide distribution data for P. brasiliense, P. convexipes, and P. silaceum. We also present, for the first time, high-resolution images of the P. colombicum type and P. ecuadoriense, and provide a new record of P. micrommatum from Peru, and comment about its morphological variation and distribution. A key for the workers of the P. micrommatum clade is also provided. The species we describe belongs to P. micrommatum clade and represents the second species recorded from Brazil after 60 years, since only P. brasiliense was known previously in the country.