Within the spiny trapdoor spider genus Euoplos Rainbow exists a group of species from south-eastern Queensland that create unusual ‘palisade’ burrow entrances. Despite their intriguing burrows, the group was only recently circumscribed, and all species within it were undescribed. In this study, by undertaking a molecular phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial markers and seven nuclear markers, we confirm that the palisade trapdoor spiders, here formally named the ‘turrificus-group’, are monophyletic. We further recognise four species based on morphological, molecular and behavioural characters: E. crenatus, sp. nov., E. goomboorian, sp. nov., E. thynnearum, sp. nov. and E. turrificus, sp. nov. Morphological taxonomic data for each species are presented alongside information on their distribution, habitat preferences and burrow architecture. A key to species within the turrificus-group is also provided. The unusual burrow entrances of these spiders, which project out from the surrounding substrate, are found to exhibit structural autapomorphies, which allow species-level identification. Consequently, we include features of burrow architecture in our key and species diagnoses. This provides a non-intrusive method for distinguishing species in the field. Finally, we conclude that all species within the turrificus-group are likely to represent short-range endemic taxa.

 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F2E042DC-DA14-4751-A48B-A367ABC272D9

On the basis of new survey, knowledge of Australia’s heteropteran fauna has been shown to have a significant taxonomic impediment, requiring the description of many new lineages. In this work we provide a monographic treatment of the lace bug genus Epimixia, including a phylogenetic analysis validating its monophyly. We redescribe the genus and previously described species E. alitophrosyne Kirkaldy, E. nigriceps (Signoret), E. nigripes dysmica Drake & Ruhoff, E. nigripes nigripes (Horváth), E. veteris Drake, E. vittata Horváth and E. vulturna (Kirkaldy). Eighteen new species are described, including the first recorded species from Papua New Guinea (E. gagnei, sp. nov.), a second species from New Caledonia (E. fulva, sp. nov.) and 16 new Australian species (E. aboccidente, sp. nov., E. acclivis, sp. nov., E. albimons, sp. nov., E. allocasuarina, sp. nov., E. bicolor, sp. nov., E. caerulamons, sp. nov., E. christopherdarwini, sp. nov., E. eneabba, sp. nov., E. kimberley, sp. nov., E. leai, sp. nov., E. megacosta, sp. nov., E. minor, sp. nov., E. pilbara, sp. nov., E. schuhi, sp. nov., E. tropica, sp. nov. and E. verticordiaphila, sp. nov.). Epimixia dysmica Drake & Ruhoff is elevated to species rank, from its previous subspeciefic status within E. nigripes. This work also reports host plants for Epimixia, predominantly belonging to the Casuarinaceae, with a handful of species associated with the Myrtaceae, Proteaceae and Fabaceae. Host plants are mapped to the Epimixia phylogeny, indicating that the Casuarinaceae-affiliated Epimixia species form a subclade. Area relationships of the Epimixia species are analysed using subtree analysis, resulting in the south-west and south-east corners of Australia being sisters, relative to the Adelaide subregion, and in turn to Atherton + New Caledonia.

 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E7FC4E37-517D-4AB7-A918-B9104D63AB25

Despite the evolutionary significance of Homoscleromorpha, their diversity and biology are largely unknown. Here we integrate data of morphology, cytology, microbiology, ecology, reproduction, and mitochondrial cox-1 and cob gene sequences to resolve a complex of sympatric species of Plakina in South-eastern Brazil. All datasets congruently supported the delimitation of three species, two of which are new to science. Plakina coerulea has its distribution extended from one locality to over 2360 km wide. Plakina cabofriense, sp. nov. also occurs in North-eastern Brazil. Plakina cyanorosea, sp. nov. occurs only in a single, small tide pool and may be critically endangered. Plakina cyanorosea, sp. nov. produces conspicuous, abundant larvae useful for laboratory investigations. A thin, bright orange organic coat covers some spicules of P. cabofriense, sp. nov. and P. cyanorosea, sp. nov. The three Plakina species harbour diverse microbial symbiont communities, including previously unknown morphologies. Molecular phylogenies and barcoding gaps based on cox-1 and cob sequences supported that each species is monophyletic and distinct from other congeners. The genus Plakina is paraphyletic and strongly needs redefinition. The integrative approach provides new data that widens our knowledge of Homoscleromorpha diversity, distribution and biology.

In order to establish the Kermadec–Rangitāhua Ocean Sanctuary, which will protect a large, unique, near-pristine section of New Zealand’s marine environment, an improved understanding of the marine biodiversity of this area is required. Over 150 cephalopod specimens were collected from the Kermadecs during a recent biodiversity survey, providing the first opportunity in over a century to directly assess locally occurring taxa. Specimens were morphologically identified and DNA barcoded. DNA sequences were analysed using the Barcode Index Number (BIN) system in the Barcode of Life Data System. This study nearly doubles the previously known cephalopod biodiversity of the Kermadecs, adding 28 species (bringing the total to 70), and reporting three cephalopod orders from this area for the first time. The BIN analysis highlighted several taxa that are badly in need of revision, including some supposedly monotypic genera that now appear to contain multiple species, and at least five species that may be new to science. The Kermadec region also hosts 34 cephalopod species not known to occur elsewhere in New Zealand waters. Most taxa reported herein are deep-sea species whose habitat is not protected by the existing marine reserve; we therefore strongly support the establishment of the proposed Sanctuary.

Haminoeidae is the most diverse family of Cephalaspidea with 13 to 17 genera commonly recognised as valid and with 46 genera that historically have been moved back and forth between Haminoeidae and other families. Due to poor definition of most genera the family is plagued by extensive taxonomic confusion and its generic composition and internal relationships remain uncertain. In this work we have integrated the study of type material, original descriptions, shells, morpho-anatomical data, and molecular phylogenetics (Bayesian, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony) based on five genetic markers (the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16SrRNA and the nuclear genes 18SrRNA, 28SrRNA, and histoneH3) to delimit the valid genera, define synapomorphic traits, and establish synonym lists. Three hundred and ninety novel sequences were generated. In total 14 genera were recognised; one genus (Vellicolla gen. nov.) is here described as new and an additional fifteenth group was identified, but no species could be formally ascribed to it and therefore remains unnamed (here designated informally as mini-haminoeids). The relationships of genera are discussed and seven deep clades have been identified but are not formally named because of lack of recognisable synapomorphies for several of them. A new classification for Haminoeidae is proposed including 14 valid genera and one informal group.

The genus Chorizopes (Araneae, Araneidae) includes over two dozen species of webless araneids found mainly in the Indomalayan region. They are characterised by a distinctive bulbous carapace and a specialised foraging behaviour: preying on other orb-weavers. Chorizopes casictones, sp. nov. (Araneae, Araneidae) is described based on specimens collected in northern Madagascar. This species represents the third member of Chorizopes known from the island. We conducted a total-evidence analysis based on morphology, behaviour and nucleotide sequence data, including this taxon for the first time. The palpal morphology of the male of Chorizopes is illustrated in detail. We discuss the palpal homologies and the evolution of araneid palpal sclerites based on the newly inferred family phylogenetic tree.

Species of Farfantepenaeus support economically important shrimp fisheries throughout the Western Hemisphere, necessitating proper fisheries management. To be effective, species management should be informed of the potential presence of cryptic species and of the evolutionary forces driving biodiversity. This is best accomplished through a robust phylogenetic framework and evidence-based species delimitation. This study represents the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny and species delimitation analyses of shrimps belonging to the genus Farfantepenaeus. Targeting three mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, and COI), gene trees and a phylogeny for the genus were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. In general, the phylogenetic relationships inferred here largely agree with those recovered from morphological data, including the most recent designation of F. isabelae as sister to F. subtilis. Molecular divergence was found between northern and southern populations of F. brasiliensis, suggesting the existence of unrecognised subspecies. However, previous recognition of F. duorarum and F. notialis as two distinct species was not supported by this study. The phylogeny inferred here also uncovers a phylogeographic signal of latitudinal speciation in the genus. The study presented here provides valuable insight into the evolutionary history of Farfantepenaeus, improving our ability to effectively manage these economically important species.