Bouchet P., Le Guyader H. & Pascal O. 2009. — The SANTO 2006 Global Biodiversity Survey: an attempt to reconcile the pace of taxonomy and conservation. Zoosystema 31 (3): 401-406.

Bamber R. N. 2009. — Two new species of Shell-inhabiting tanaidaceans (Crustacea, Peracarida, Tanaidacea, Pagurapseudidae, Pagurapseudinae) from the shallow sublittoral off Vanuatu. Zoosystema 31 (3): 407-418.

Recent Pacific collections included numerous specimens of gastropod-shell-inhabiting tanaidaceans of the subfamily Pagurapseudinae, from shallow waters off Vanuatu (7 to 21 m depth). The two sympatric species present are new to science, and are described herein. Pagurapseudes queirosi n. sp. is distinguished from other species with identical antennular flagellum and uropod segmentation by having only two pairs of pleopods (the other species having at least three pairs), and a large dorsal plumose seta, arising from a distinct tubercle on the merus of pereopod 1, inter alia. Macrolabrum mansoris n. sp. has a characteristic rostrum morphology, and three segments in the main flagellum of the antennule (all other congeneric species having either two or four segments).

Lane D. J. W. & Rowe F. W. E. 2009. — A new species of Asterodiscides (Echinodermata, Asteroidea, Asterodiscididae) from the tropical southwest Pacific, and the biogeography of the genus revisited. Zoosystema 31 (3): 419-429.

A new species of Asterodiscides, A. bicornutus n. sp., is reported from Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, in the tropical southwest Pacific, a region which may qualify as a southeastern extension of the zone of maximum marine biodiversity known as the coral triangle. The biogeography of the genus, in particular its apparent absence from the equatorial Indo-Malay and west Pacific region and the occurrence of disjunct distributions, is re-examined. An earlier contention that this anomalous distribution pattern could result from shelf extinctions during glacial maxima, with subsequent failure to re-invade the core diversity region during high sea level stands, is rejected. Tropical Asterodiscides species generally occur at depths corresponding to the ocean thermocline, an undersampled zone that is deeper in the west Pacific. Further intensive surveys for these comparatively rare asteroids in the core biodiversity region, sampling deeper shelf areas and targeting upwelling zones, together with supportive molecular analyses and investigation of biology (particularly reproductive strategies), are considered essential for a more complete understanding of the biogeography and speciation of this genus.

Macpherson E. 2009. — New species of squat lobsters of the genera Munida and Raymunida (Crustacea, Decapoda, Galatheidae) from Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Zoosystema 31 (3):431-451.

Seven new species of the genera Munida Leach, 1820 (M. acola n. sp., M. clevai n. sp., M. jubata n. sp., M. mica n. sp., M. pauxilla n. sp. and M. squarrosa n. sp.) and Raymunida Macpherson & Machordom, 2000 (R. vittata n. sp.) are described and illustrated from specimens collected during recent cruises carried out off Vanuatu. Munida acola n. sp. has the second abdominal somite unarmed, distal spines of the antennular peduncle unequal in size, and the P2–P4 dactyli with spines along the entire ventral border. Munida clevai n. sp. has small eyes, and spines on the anterior ridge of second abdominal somite. Munida jubata n. sp. is characterized by the presence of spines on the second abdominal somite, and unequally sized distal spines of antennular peduncle. Munida mica n. sp. and M. pauxilla n. sp. have the frontal margin oblique, abdominal somites unarmed, and distal spines of antennular peduncle of different size. Munida squarrosa n. sp. has the second abdominal segment with spines, and the distal half of the ventral border of P2–P4 dactyli unarmed. Raymunida vittata n. sp. belongs to a group of species having the mesial spine of first antennal segment not reaching the end of the basal segment of antennular peduncle, and mero-carpal articulation of P4 nearly reaching the frontal margin of the carapace.

Neusser T. P. & Schròdl M. 2009. — Between Vanuatu tides: 3D anatomical reconstruction of a new brackish water acochlidian gastropod from Espiritu Santo. Zoosystema 31 (3):453-469.

The majority of known acochlidian sea slug species are marine mesopsammic, while some others are limnic. The structural, functional and evolutionary background of the invasion of freshwater systems was hardly explored. During the expedition SANTO 2006 to Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, we discovered a unique new acochlidian species in a brackish water habitat. Pseudunela espiritusanta n. sp. inhabits the underside of intertidal rocks deeply embedded into coarse sand, the interstices of which are filled with a mixture of fresh subsoil and seawater. Pseudunela espiritusanta n. sp. is herein described in full external and anatomical detail using computer-based 3-dimensional reconstruction techniques from serial histological sections. This new species possesses a typical acochlidian central nervous and digestive system; it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite with a special androdiaulic reproductive system and complex, stylet-bearing copulatory organs with associated glands. Such penial features may indicate a relationship with marine mesopsammic Pseudunela (Pseudunelidae) species, while e.g., the larger body size, the broad foot, and the presence of a special ventricular cell layer may be potential synapomorphies with limnic, benthic Acochlidiidae (Strubellia and Acochlidiidae s.s.). Pseudunela espiritusanta n. sp. shares its special shape of head tentacles with both Pseudunela and Strubellia, while other characters are potentially synapomorphic with either one or the other taxon. Regardless of its unresolved exact systematic position, Pseudunela espiritusanta n. sp. evidently links marine and limnic taxa by its intermediate ecological and morphological features. Its considerable body size and well-developed heart and kidney can be considered as preadaptations to overcome osmotic challenges when colonising rivers from brackish coastal sands.

Keith P., Marquet G. & Pouilly M. 2009. — Stiphodon mele n. sp., a new species of Freshwater goby from Vanuatu and New Caledonia (Teleostei, Gobiidae, Sicydiinae), and comments about amphidromy and regional dispersion. Zoosystema 31 (3): 471-483.

Stiphodon mele n. sp. is described on the basis of material collected from Vanuatu and New Caledonia. It is distinguished from all other congeners in having 9 segmented rays in the second dorsal fin, usually 13 pectoral rays, 36–41 fine tricuspid premaxillary teeth, 2 small symphyseal teeth in female vs. 2–4 stout teeth in males, predorsal scales absent, and low number of scales in transverse back (3–7) and lateral series (14–21). This new species spawns in freshwater, the free embryos drift downstream to the sea where they undergo a planktonic phase, before returning to the rivers to grow and reproduce: it is an amphidromous species. As many other Sicydiinae, Stiphodon mele n. sp., is endemic to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Numerous factors occur to control the dispersion of the amphidromous species. It is necessary to consider all of these factors to explain the existence of many endemic species and the broad or small distribution of the species in the Indo-Pacific area. The management and the conservation of Stiphodon mele n. sp. have to be necessarily regional.

Ober S. V. & Staniczek A. H. 2009. — A new genus and species of coenagrionid damselflies (Insecta, Odonata, Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae) from Vanuatu. Zoosystema 31 (3): 485-497.

A new genus, Vanuatubasis n. gen., is described and illustrated based on specimens from the islands of Aneityum, Espiritu Santo, and Malekula, Vanuatu. Males of the new genus differ from males of the similar Nesobasis Selys, 1891 in having short and broad superior anal appendages and long, forcipate inferior anal appendages. The already described species, Nesobasis malekulana Kimmins, 1936 and N. bidens Kimmins, 1958, are transferred to the new genus. Both species, only known from males, are redescribed. Additionally, a new species, Vanuatubasis santoensis n. gen., n. sp., is described from Espiritu Santo. Males of V. santoensis n. gen., n. sp. differ from males of the closely related V. malekulana n. comb, by their larger size, a more raised hind ridge of the pronotum, the less prominent medio-posterior protuberance of the mesostigmal laminae, and the paisley-shaped superior anal appendages. A key to the males of Vanuatubasis n. gen. is provided.

Thibaud J.-M. 2009. — Les collemboles (Collembola) interstitiels des sables littoraux de l'île d'Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu). Zoosystema 31 (3): 499-505.

Collembola of coastal sands on Espiritu Santo island (Vanuatu).

Populations of Collembola from coastal sands on Espiritu Santo island (Vanuatu) were studied. An annotated list of species is provided. Half on the species also occur on New Caledonia beaches. A trans-oceanic dispersal of these species inhabiting littoral sand is proposed.

Weiner W. M., Bedos A. & Deharveng L. 2009. — Species of the genus Friesea (Collembola, Neanuridae) from New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Zoosystema 31 (3): 507-518.

Four species of the genus Friesea Dalla Torre, 1895 (Collembola, Neanuridae) are described from New Caledonia (Grande-Terre and Loyalty Islands) and Vanuatu (Santo Island). Friesea hnaeu n. sp. from Lifou Island in the Loyalties is characterized by two anal spines and the absence of eyes. Friesea wabao n. sp. from two islands of the Loyalties and Grande-Terre has a unique combination of characters: 1 1 or less eyes, a reduced furca, 3 anal spines and 7 s-chaetae on the fourth antennal segment. Friesea santo n. sp. from Santo Island in Vanuatu has 3 anal spines, no eyes and 6 s-chaetae on the fourth antennal segment. Friesea septem n. sp. from Santo Island is characterized by a reduced number of eyes (5–7 5–7 eyes), well-developed muero, and 7 s-chaetae on the fourth antennal segment. The genus Friesea has the same number of species (3) on Grande-Terre, New Caledonia and on Loyalty Islands, with only one species shared. Two species of the mirabilis group, one in Vanuatu and one in New Caledonia, have 7 s-chaetae on the fourth antennal segment, a character unique in this group, suggesting biogeographical affinities between these two regions.

Plant A. R. & Daugeron C. 2009. — A new species of Phyllodromia Zetterstedt, 1837 (Insecta, Diptera, Empididae, Hemerodromiinae) from Vanuatu. Zoosystema 31 (3): 519-524.

Phyllodromia variabilis n. sp. (Diptera, Empididae, Hemerodromiinae) is described from Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu and provisionally assigned to Phyllodromia Zetterstedt, 1837. Systematic relationships with other Phyllodromia species and with the closely related genus Chelipoda Macquart, 1823 are discussed and it is concluded that the new species is probably more closely related to species of Phyllodromia from New Zealand than those of the Northern Hemisphere.

Hugel S. 2009. — Gryllacrididae and Tettigoniidae (Insecta, Orthoptera, Ensifera) from Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Zoosystema 31 (3): 525-576.

In the present article, the Gryllacrididae and Tettigoniidae fauna of Espiritu Santo Island (Vanuatu) is examined. We took advantage of the examination of the material collected during the SANTO 2006 biological survey to give description complements, or to redescribe and/or redefine the concerned species and genera. We recorded 15 species in the island. Five are recorded for the first time in Espiritu Santo and in the Vanuatu archipelago. A 16th species, Conocephalus laetus (Redtenbacher, 1891), recorded by Willemse (1925) has not been collected during the survey. Two new Gryllacrididae Amphibologryllacris butmasi n. sp. and Psilogryllacris tchancha n. sp. are described. Amphibologryllacris macrocera (Walker, 1869) is redescribed. Amphibologryllacris poultoni (Willemse, 1925) is synonymised under A. macrocera. The two related genera Amphibologryllacris and Nannogryllacris are redefined. All Xonthogryllacris punctipennis (Walker, 1869) subspecies recognized by Karny are re-established as subspecies under this genus: X. p. punctipennis (Walker, 1869); X. p. confluens (Griffini, 1909); X p. erimae (Griffini, 1909); X. p. fenestrigera (Griffini, 1913); X. p. gemmicula (Hebard, 1922); X. p. keyica Karny, 1925 (n. comb.); X. p. zatricia Karny, 1928. Epacra cyaneoterminata Karny, 1935 is transferred to Amphibologryllacris. The song and stridulatory file of most Tettigoniidae occurring in Espiritu Santo are described, most of them for the first time: Salomona redtenbacheri Brongniart, 1897; Phaneroptera gracilis Burmeister, 1838; Furnia insularis (Stål, 1876) ; Ityocephala francoisi Bolívar, 1909; Conocephalus upoluensis (Karny, 1907); C. semivittatus (Walker, 1869); Pseudorhynchus lessonii Serville, 1838; Phisis holdhausi Karny, 1926. The female of Ityocephala francoisi, a Mecopodinae possibly endemic to Espiritu Santo is described for the first time. Salomona redtenbacheri is redescribed and synonymised with S. magnifica Willemse, 1925 and S. haani Brongniart, 1897. Keys to species of Amphibologryllacris, Nannogryllacris, and Furnia are given and characters are illustrated. Keys to Tettigoniidae and Gryllacrididae of Espiritu Santo are given and illustrated.

Robillard T. 2009. — Eneopterinae crickets (Insecta, Orthoptera, Grylloidea) from Vanuatu.Zoosystema 31 (3): 577-618.

The present study deals with the Eneopterinae crickets from Vanuatu, in particular from Espiritu Santo Island. Seven new species are described: Cardiodactylus aobaensis n. sp., C. epiensis n. sp., C. pentecotensis n. sp., C. tankara n. sp., Lebinthus santoensis n. sp., L. nattawa n. sp., L. malekulensis n. sp., and two are redescribed (C. cheesmani Otte, 2007 and C. enkraussi Otte, 2007). Descriptions focus on male and female genitalia, and forewing venation, while data are presented to define fine-scaled habitat, behaviour, and song repertoires.

Desutter-Grandcolas L. 2009. — New and little known crickets from Espiritu Santo Island, Vanuatu (Insecta, Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Pseudotrigonidium Chopard, 1915, Phaloriinae and Nemobiinae p.p.). Zoosystema 31 (3): 619-659.

The cricket fauna of Espiritu Santo Island (Vanuatu) has been sampled during the SANTO 2006 biological survey. About 50 cricket species have been collected and observed in the field. In the present paper, cricket species belonging to Pseudotrigonidium Chopard, 1915, Phaloriinae and to troglobitic Nemobiinae are studied, and their habitat characterized according to specimen observations in the field. Six new species are described, Pseudotrigonidium personatum n. sp., Phaloria faponensis n. sp., P. nigricollis n. sp., P. pentecotensis n. sp., P. walterlinii n. sp. and Cophonemobius faustini n. sp. Podoscirtus chopardi Willemse, 1925 is transferred to the genus Phaloria Stål, 1877 and redescribed, while Phaloria chopardi (Willemse, 1951) from the Carolines islands is renamed P. willemsei Desutter-Grandcolas, 2009 to avoid homonymy. The calling song of P. chopardi is described.

Tishechkin A. K. 2009. — Discovery of Chlamydopsinae (Insecta, Coleoptera, Histeridae) in Vanuatu with the description of eight new species from Espiritu Santo Island. Zoosystema30 (3): 661-690.

The first species of the obligately myrmecophilous and termitophilous subfamily Chlamydopsinae (Coleoptera, Histeridae) from Vanuatu were discovered at the western slopes of Saratsi Range, Cumberland Peninsula, Espiritu Santo Island, during the SANTO 2006 biological survey. Eight new species in three genera were collected by flight intercept traps along the elevation transect from 100–900 m above sea level and are described herein: Ceratohister Vanuatu n. sp., Chlamydopsis caterinoi n. sp., Eucurtiopsis corbarai n. sp., E. degallieri n. sp., E. ibisca n.sp., E. kitchingi n.sp., E. pascali n. sp. and E. penaoru n. sp. Nothing is known about their social insect hosts since limited search in colonies of some common ant species did not yield any beetles.

Olmi M. & Villemant C. 2009. — Les Dryinidae (lnsecta, Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea) du Vanuatu et des îles du Pacifique. Zoosystema 31 (3): 691-705.

Dryinidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea) from Vanuatu and Pacific islands.

The study of the Hymenoptera collected during the SANTO 2006 expedition, led to the identification of six Dryinidae species, among which only three were already recorded from Vanuatu. A new species close to Anteon nigricorne (Perkins, 1905) is described from the Santo island: Anteon molisae n. sp., and two other are recorded for the first time in this archipelago: Aphelopus caledonicus Olmi, 1984, already known from Australia, New Guinea and New Caledonia, and Thaumatodryinus flavus Olmi, 1984, also recorded from Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and Solomon islands. The presence in Vanuatu of three other species is corroborated: Aphelopus papuensis Olmi, 1987, also known from Papua-New Guinea and Thaumatodryinus koebelei Perkins, 1905, known from Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and Fiji; Gonatopus primitivus (Olmi, 1984), however, has never been recorded out of Vanuatu. A key to the dryinid species of Vanuatu is provided and the dryinid fauna compared with that of 17 other Pacific island groups.

Wahis R., Durand F. & Villemant C. 2009. — Pompiles de l'île d'Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Pompilidae). Zoosystema 31 (3): 707-718.

Spider wasps from Espiritu Santo island, Vanuatu (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Pompilidae).

The study of the spider-wasps collected during the exploration of the Espiritu Santo Island (Vanuatu) led to the descriptions of a new genus in the tribe Ageniellini, Melanagenia n. gen., and two new endemic species Melanagenia penaoru n. gen., n. sp. and Anoplius santo n. sp. Priocnemis corynodes Vachal, 1907 is transferred to the genus Melanagenia n. gen.; and a lectotype is designated for Pompilus inquirendus Vachal, 1907. Some new data (synonymies and distribution) about Anoplius opulentus (Smith, 1860), a species widely distributed in the South Pacific Region, are also provided.

Pauly A. & Villemant C. 2009. — Hyménoptères Apoidea (Insecta) de l'archipel du Vanuatu.Zoosystema 31 (3): 719-730.

Bees from the Vanuatu Archipelago (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Apoidea).

Eleven species of Apoidea have been collected in the north-west of the Santo island (Vanuatu) in the Penaoru region, during the SANTO 2006 expedition, among which two at least are new to science: Lasioglosum (Chilalictus) vanuatu n. sp. and Austronomia sp. The moist lowland forest, between 600m and 900 m, showed the richest bee diversity. The whole bee fauna known from Vanuatu now includes about 20 species, of which seven are endemics and seven are also recorded from other Pacific islands. In addition to Apis mellifera introduced by beekeepers, several other species were probably introduced through maritime trade.

Lourenço W. R. 2009. — Scorpions collected in the island of Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu) and description of a new species of Lychas C. L. Koch, 1845 (Arachnida, Scorpiones, Buthidae).Zoosystema 31 (3): 731-740.

Two species of scorpions were collected during the SANTO 2006 Expedition: Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius, 1775), family Liochelidae Fet & Bechly, 2001 and, Lychas santoensis n. sp., family Buthidae C. L. Koch, 1837. The new species is characterized by: moderate to small size for the genus (from 29 to 31 mm in total length); general colouration reddish-yellow to reddish-brown with intense blackish variegated pigmentation throughout body and appendages; pectines with 10 to 12 teeth; fulcra absent or inconspicuous; telson moderately elongated; aculeus moderately curved; subaculear tooth moderate and, between rhomboid and spinoid in shape; granules on the ventral surface inconspicuous; tibial spurs present on legs III and IV; pedipalp fixed and movable fingers with 6–7 (6) rows of granules, and with one very inconspicuous external accessory granule next to the most basal row of granules.