Although the breeding ranges of Archilochus alexandri (Black-chinned Hummingbird) and Archilochus colubris (Ruby-throated Hummingbird) are narrowly parapatric in central Texas and central and southern Oklahoma, there have been few reports of hybridization in the literature and no well-documented hybrid specimens. Here we provide a comprehensive assessment of two male hybrids collected, respectively, in Grayson County, Texas, and East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. As has been the pattern in other hummingbird hybrids, both specimens exhibit a blended mosaic of plumage characters of the parental species. Sequence for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) for the hybrid specimen from East Baton Rouge Parish (LSU 182,831) confirms A. colubris as the female parent.

Considerable confusion surrounds the nomenclature and taxonomic status of the tongue sole, Paraplagusia dollfusi Chabanaud, 1931 (Cynoglossidae, Cynoglossinae), described from a single specimen captured in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea, and Cynoglossus (Trulla) dollfusi Chabanaud, a name used by Gruvel and Chabanaud in 1937 for another specimen of tongue sole taken in the Suez Canal, Red Sea. Since publication, subsequent authors have considered there to be either one or two nominal species represented by these names, and authors have disagreed as to what genus (Paraplagusia, Cynoglossus, or both) nominal species associated with these names should be assigned. Both specimens have been reported as lost since at least the 1970s rendering it impossible to directly examine them to help resolve issues concerning their identities. We retrace historical literature involving these names and comment on reasons for the confusion experienced by previous authors. Our results, supported by irrefutable evidence gleaned from three different papers authored by Paul Chabanaud between 1931 and 1947, support the conclusion that only one valid nominal species is involved with these two names and the appropriate name for this taxon is Cynoglossus dollfusi (Chabanaud, 1931). Although never explicitly stated, nor indicated by use of appropriate punctuation in the descriptive account of the tongue sole specimen in the 1937 publication, we demonstrate that Gruvel and Chabanaud did not propose a new name when using the trinomial, Cynoglossus (Trulla) dollfusi, for this specimen. Rather, based on evidence uncovered in our investigation, as well as that appearing in a previously overlooked publication by Chabanaud in 1947, Cynoglossus (Trulla) dollfusi represents a new combination proposed by Gruvel and Chabanaud to reflect transfer of the nominal species, dollfusi, from Paraplagusia to Cynoglossus. Evidence is also provided to support the hypothesis, as has been suggested by previous authors, that appropriate generic assignment of Chabanaud's nominal species, dollfusi, is Cynoglossus, and not Paraplagusia.

This study examined free-living marine nematode assemblages of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) continental shelf and their relationship to sediment characteristics. Sediment cores were collected in Fall 2012 and analyzed for trace metals, organic carbon, granulometry, and nematode genera. This study reports 100 genera of nematodes from 26 families, including 18 genera previously unreported in the GOM. A listing of the nematode diversity provides a bioinventory of nematodes on the GOM shelf. Cluster analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) and principal component analysis revealed a distinction between eastern and western samples based on sediment characteristics as well as nematode assemblages. Spearman correlations revealed a significant correlation between sediment characteristics and nMDS coordinates, also suggesting that nematode assemblages have an east/west distinction that is reflective of their habitat. This study adds information on the biodiversity of marine nematodes, an abundant and diverse taxon from an area that is subject to anthropogenic disturbance.

Minute fossils of the gastropod genus Caecum Fleming, 1813, family Caecidae Gray, 1850, are present in early Eocene rocks of the Crescent Formation and the latest Eocene or earliest Oligocene Gries Ranch Formation in western Washington State. Caecum benhami, new species, and another unidentified species were found in the Crescent Formation, and C. bensoni, new species, was found in the Gries Ranch Formation. These are the first Paleogene records of the family Caecidae from the northeastern Pacific Ocean, and among the few Paleogene records worldwide. The fossils from the Crescent Formation in Washington State are 50 to 55.6 million years in age (Ypresian) and are the earliest known record for the genus Caecum and the subfamily Caecinae Gray, 1850. The Crescent Formation fossils are also as old, or even older, than the previous oldest known record for the family Caecidae from 50 to 52 Ma rocks in New Zealand. These fossils demonstrate that the family Caecidae had diversified into at least two subfamilies (Caecinae and Strebloceratinae Bandel, 1996) and inhabited both the north and south sides of the Pacific Ocean by early Eocene time.

A new species of deep-sea crab, Homologenus namakae (Brachyura: Homolidae) is described from a depth of 823 m off Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i. The new species is the first member of the genus reported from the area and can be distinguished from congeners by its carapace morphology (lack of a gastric spine, presence of prominent antennal and subhepatic spines), structure of the third maxillipeds and proportions of the ambulatory legs.

A new species of Echiura, Anelassorhynchus panamensis (Family: Echiuridae), is described from the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The specimens examined are from collections in the invertebrate museum, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, and were collected from a coral reef in Panama. This species is distinguished in possessing a proboscis that is divided distally into numerous lobes of different shapes and sizes, an opaque integument with closely aligned transverse wrinkles, a pair of microscopic ventral setae, two pairs of tubular, postsetal gonoducts with elongated coiled gonostomes and tubular anal vesicles. Peculiar coelomic organs were found in the holotype and in one paratype. This new reef-associated echiuran demonstrated consistently high spatial and temporal abundances. Quantitative sampling of A. panamensis along the Uva Island fore-reef coral rubble/sand microhabitat revealed median population densities between 2–8 individuals per 20 liters of sediment sampled, and median annual densities that ranged between 1 to 7 individuals per 20 liters of sediment over a five-year period (2002–2006).

The naked heads of Cathartes vultures are widely believed to be adaptations for temperature regulation and to reduce plumage fouling during carrion feeding. Bright head color and the elaborate pattern of caruncles on the head and neck skin have a likely function in intra- and interspecific signaling. These integumentary characters have been difficult to study because of extensive postmortem color fading and shrinkage in museum specimens. Here I provide the first detailed description of head color and caruncles of the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (C. melambrotus) from freshly collected specimens and provide comparative notes on sympatric populations of the Turkey Vulture (C. aura) and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (C. burrovianus) from Guyana.

Epicarideans, parasitic isopods found in and on other crustaceans, are cryptic in nature. Detecting and collecting these parasites can be difficult and requires special techniques. The present paper reviews these techniques, providing helpful information on locating the isopods and isolating them from their hosts. In addition, information on preservation of these animals is provided. Using these methods, ecologists and other researchers could provide critical material for future studies on the life histories and evolutionary relationships of these parasites.

Review of specimens of long-tailed shrews (Mammalia, Soricidae, Sorex) from the northwestern United States in the National Museum of Natural History (USNM), Washington, DC, has revealed the presence of the Olympic Shrew, Sorex rohweri Rausch et al., 2007, in the Coastal Range west of the Willamette Valley in Oregon. This determination nearly doubles the documented distribution for this species and increases the species diversity of soricids in Oregon to eleven. Sorex rohweri is relatively uncommon, but it occurs in a variety of forest successional stages and even clear cuts, as long as there is nearby forest and trees are allowed to regenerate. All USNM specimens from Washington formerly identified as S. cinereus streatori Merriam, 1895 are instead referable to the Olympic Shrew. The distribution of S. c. streatori is thereby restricted to the Pacific coasts of British Columbia north of the lower Frasier River and southcentral Alaska. Our study highlights the importance of taking and preserving high-quality voucher specimens in a collection where they are readily available for re-study.

The complete holdings of Macrobdella species at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History were examined and the identity of 4 specimen lots were redetermined. One of these lots was redetermined as Macrobdella sestertia and represents the first report of this species from New Hampshire. Prior to this report, this species was only known from a few occurrences in eastern Massachusetts and Maine. This is also the first report of this species to be found in sympatry with Macrobdella decora, a more common congener with a widespread distribution.

Groundwaters are globally characterized by the presence of a high diversity of crustacean species. The current knowledge about these environments in South America is limited. The objective of this study is to compile a checklist of crustacean species reported from Chilean groundwaters. We found sixty publications about the groundwater fauna in Chile. A total of 46 species belonging to the families Canthocamptidae, Bogidiellidae, Falklandellidae, Phreatogammaridae, Paraleptamphopidae, Ingolfiellidae, Stygocarididae, Bathynellidae, Parabathynellidae, and Parastacidae occur between 24° S and 50° S. The present study indicates that it is necessary to conduct more research towards a comprehensive knowledge about the groundwater crustaceans of Chile.

A new tongue sole, Cynoglossus nanhaiensis, described from 21 specimens (101.0–133.7 mm SL) collected in coastal waters of the South China Sea, is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: 3 ocular-side lateral lines; no blind-side lateral lines; 2 ocular-side nostrils; 8 caudal-fin rays; 49–51 total vertebrae; 64–73 scales in the midlateral line; 11–12 scales in diagonal series between midlateral and dorsal lateral lines; 99–108 dorsal-fin rays; 77–82 anal-fin rays; pores of lateral-line scales tubular, with conspicuously black tips posteriorly; and with light- to medium-brown ocular-side background coloration overlain by numerous, small, irregular, dark blotches forming a series of narrow, interrupted, longitudinal stripes, with many specimens also featuring two large, brown spots on their caudal region. Among congeners, C. nanhaiensis is most similar to C. maccullochi Norman, 1926, described from specimens taken off Queensland, Australia, but differs in its ocular-side pigmentation (conspicuous longitudinal series of irregular blotches and caudal spots absent in C. maccullochi) and body depth. Features of C. nanhaiensis are also reminiscent of those reported for C. dollfusi (Chabanaud, 1931), a poorly-known nominal species from the Red Sea, and C. itinus (Snyder, 1909), a better-known species occurring in marine waters off Japan and Southeast Asia. Cynoglossus nanhaiensis differs from both species in having two (vs. one) ocular-side nostrils. Cynoglossus itinus also lacks the series of conspicuous, darkly-pigmented, interrupted, longitudinal stripes on the ocular side that are characteristic of C. nanhaiensis. Cynoglossus nanhaiensis is further distinguished from C. dollfusi in having only a single pelvic fin (vs. two in C. dollfusi). Cynoglossus nanhaiensis occurs in coastal waters of the South China Sea off southern China and Viet Nam.

The turtle Cuora amboinensis has an extensive distribution covering most of southern mainland Asia, Indonesia, and extending to the Philippine Islands. Unlike many species, C. amboinensis occurs on both sides of Wallace's Line separating Asian and Australian flora and fauna. Four subspecies are currently recognized; Cuora a. kamaroma (southern continental Asia, Java and the northern Philippines [introduced]), C. a. lineata (Kachin Province, Myanmar [Burma] and adjacent Yunnan Province, China), C. a. couro (Sumatra, Java, Sumbawa, and adjacent smaller Indonesian islands); and C. a. amboinensis (Moluccas, Sulawesi, Philippines). Five pattern and 33 morphological characters were examined for variation in 691 individuals from throughout the species' range. Our analyses suggest that only two presently recognized subspecies are valid: amboinensis and kamaroma. Neither couro nor lineata are supported by our analysis. We recommend that C. a. couro should be synonymized with the species C. amboinensis and C. a. lineata with the subspecies C. a. kamaroma.

Two new species of Flabellum are described from the southwest Indian Ocean, representing extremes of morphological variation within the genus. One of them, F. kerguelensis, is the first scleractinian coral reported from the Kerguelen Plateau. Flabellum now consists of 44 extant species, making it the fifth most species-rich genus in the order.

Although observations of the box jellyfish Tripedalia cystophora have been widely documented since it was first recorded in Jamaica in 1897, to date there are no published reports of its occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico. Eighteen specimens of Tripedalia cystophora (Cubozoa: Tripedaliidae), 12 and 6, respectively, were collected from a mangrove waterway near Bonita Springs, Florida, in 2010 and a brackish canal in Englewood, Florida, in 2015. Additional records from Tampa Bay (2007–2015) and Everglades City (2015), Florida, were documented with photography. Within the past few years, new records of T. cystophora from other localities, including Hawai‘i, northern Australia, and the east coast of Florida, have been reported. This study represents the first published report of the species from the Gulf of Mexico. Several other species of cubozoans have been reported from the Gulf region, but the presence of three pedalia at each corner of the swimming bell (12 tentacles total), its small size up to 13 mm, and the presence of sexually dimorphic gonads, markedly distinguishes it from other cubozoan taxa.

Psammodynastes pulverulentus occurs widely and is moderately abundant in the forests of Myanmar. The species shows morphological uniformity throughout its distribution from Kachin-Sagaing to Tanintharyi. Although there are no size differences among adult females (mean = 326, 253–436 mm SVL) and males (322, 222–471 mm SVL), a few morphological features are sexually dimorphic: adult females have shorter tails than adult males (TailL/TotL means ♀♀ 17%, ♂♂ 20%) and relative head width and eye diameter are slightly larger in males. The number of ventral and subcaudal scales are only slightly different between females and males (median ventral, ♀♀ 158.5, ♂♂ 159; subcaudals, 54, 59.5, although significantly different). Our smaller Thai sample displayed the same pattern of variation in measurements and scalation as the Burmese sample. We developed a coding scheme for coloration and qualitatively demonstrate dimorphism in the Burmese sample; females are darker ventrally than males but females and males are the same dorsally. Other coloration traits are also dimorphic. In our Burmese sample, the number of adult males (n = 21) outnumbered females (18). Adult females were most abundant in the 251–300 mm SVL size class, males of near equal abundance in 201–250, 251–300, and 301–350 mm size classes. Relative to other Burmese snakes, P. pulverulentus ranked eighth in abundance, nearly equal number in frequency of occurrence with Dendrelaphis pictus. Our reproductive data do not clearly define reproductive periodicity and, based on large vitellogenic follicles, a likely clutch/litter size of 4 to 7. Although only 30% of our sample contained identifiable prey (frogs, lizards), most (67%) had digestive boluses in the lower half of the intestinal tract. Skinks were the dominant lizard prey and Limnonectes the dominant anurans. Uniformity or at least low differentiation between our Burmese and Thai samples and the results of Rasmussen (1975) advocate for the continued acceptance of the pan-Asian species concept for Psammodynastes pulverulentus.

A new species of gudgeon, Microphysogobio xianyouensis, is described from Mulan River in Fujian Province, southeastern China. M. xianyouensis appears to be closely related to M. brevirostris (Günther, 1868) of Taiwan. However, it can be well distinguished based on a combination of meristics, morphometric measurements, color pattern and molecular data. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of species of Microphysogobio from southeastern China and Taiwan based on concatenated mitochondrial Cyt b and D-loop genes is presented and tree topology strongly supports that M. xianyouensis as a distinct species and sister to M. brevirostris. Our molecular evidence agreed with Bănărescu's proposed taxonomic viewpoint, the tree topology reveals that the type species of the genus Huigobio, H. chenhsienensis, is nested within several valid species of Microphysogobio, and Huigobio is confirmed to be a junior synonym of the genus Microphysogobio.

During a study of the harpacticoid copepods from the intertidal mudflat of Ganghwa Island, in the Yellow Sea of Korea, a new species of the genus Nannopus was discovered. Nannopus ganghwaensis shared the character of seven elements in P4 exp-3 with N. flexibilis Lilljeborg, 1902, N. didelphis Fiers & Kotwicki, 2013, and N. hirsutus Fiers & Kotwicki, 2013. However, the new species was clearly distinguished from the three congeners by the combination of the following character states: (1) absence of the integumental window on the dorsal surface of cephalothorax, (2) the lateral margins of urosomites is not densely hirsute, (3) the distal small seta of P4 endopod is naked, (4) the innermost seta of P5 exopod fused to the segment, (5) the inner most distal seta of P2 enp-2 is 1.7 times longer than the outer spine of its segment, and (6) caudal seta IV slightly inflated at its insertion site, and pinnate. Additionally, the male of new species differed from N. didelphis by the following characters: (1) the P2 exp-2 with an inner seta, (2) the inner most seta of P2 enp-2 is pinnate, (3) the distal pinnate seta of P3 enp-2 is 2.6 times longer than the one in N. didelphis, (4) P6 is asymmetrical with one spermatophore at one side, and without a notch at the distal margin of P6. The male of new species also differed from N. flexibilis in having the sharper distal apophysis in P3 enp-2. A key to the species of Nannopus including new species and eight valid congeners is provided.

Two new species of the parasitic isopod genus Gigantione Kossmann, 1881 are described infesting the goneplacid crab Notonyx musuppocenta Clark & Ng, 2011. The new species (G. tuberculata and G. notonyxae) can be distinguished from other described species by their males having mid-ventral projections on the first three pleomeres. Gigantione tuberculata differs from G. rhombos An, Yu & Markham, 2009, G. tau, An, Yu & Markham, 2009, and G. giardi Nobili, 1906 in characters of the barbula, shape of the head of the female and uropods and antennae of the male. Females of G. notonyxae differ from G. pratti Danforth, 1967 in the dorsolateral bosses, oostegite 1 and coxal plates. In addition, females of G. notonyxae differ from those of G. tuberculata in possessing smooth coxal and lateral plates.This is the first report of N. musuppocenta bearing any parasitic isopods. The hosts and localities of 18 species of Gigantione are summarized and a key to the species is provided.