We present a brief biography of Louis Gabriel Martin Messager, a French military who served in several French colonies during the last part of the 19^th century and who is mentioned several time in the malacological literature as ‘Colonel Messager’. We present details on his collecting activities, also reflected in his correspondence to Bavay and Martel, and illustrated by some samples from his former collection. Also a list of eponyms is included.

We present an inventory of the spider species of the municipality of Barcelonnette (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France), based on the material collected during the “Explor'Nature Barcelonnette” event, organised by the Mercantour National Park, from 30^th June to 2^nd July 2017. We report a total of 120 species, representing 83 genera and 25 families. For each species we provide faunistic/taxonomical remarks and detailed information about sampling localities, distribution, preferred habitat. Most of the species have a Palearctic distribution, followed by European and Holarctic chorotypes. We recorded a small percentage of endemic species, including rare elements occurring only in high-alpine habitats, such as Drassodex simoniHervé, Roberts & Murphy, 2009 and Vesubia jugorum (Simon, 1881). Twenty-six species are recorded for the first time in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Department. Two species, Chrysso nordica (Chamberlin & Ivie, 1947) and Urozelotes trifidusTuneva, 2003, are recorded for the first time in France. The sampling carried out in wet grasslands provided the highest number of species, followed by riparian habitats and shrublands. In addition, we provide a revision of the taxonomic position of Piniphantes agnellus (Maurer & Thaler, 1988) n. comb., including the first description of the male and illustrations of the palp morphology. Remarks on the ecology of the species and new drawings of the female genitalia are also given. Although the biological diversity of the study area is largely unknown, this faunal inventory enhances the knowledge of the biological richness of the area of Barcelonnette.

Tardigrades constituting the order Parachela are characterised by a generally uniform, worm-like external morphology. Taxa with larger, well-pronounced dorsal cuticular protuberances, tubercles and spines are found in seven genera representing various evolutionary lineages within Hypsibioidea and Isohypsibioidea: Calohypsibius Thulin, 1928 (Calohypsibiidae), Fractonotus Pilato, 1998 (Microhypsibiidae), Ramazzottius Binda & Pilato, 1986 (Ramazzottiidae), Hypsibius Ehrenberg, 1848 and Pilatobius Bertolani, Guidetti, Marchioro, Altiero, Rebecchi & Cesari, 2014 (Hypsibiidae), and Doryphoribius Pilato, 1969 and Isohypsibius Thulin, 1928 (Isohypsibiidae). Here, we present the first integrative analysis of a rare eutardigrade species, Calohypsibius verrucosus (Richters, 1900), classified until now within the superfamily Hypsibioidea. The species, having a strongly sculptured cuticle, only superficially resembles Calohypsibius but the modified Isohypsibius-type claws and the morphology of the buccal apparatus place it in a different genus, Fractonotus. The genus is currently classified within the family Microhypsibiidae and superfamily Hypsibioidea, but the first molecular data for Fractonotus show that it should be transferred to the family Isohypsibiidae within the superfamily Isohypsibioidea. We also show ontogenetic variability in cuticle morphology, which, together with the high intraspecific variability of F. verrucosus n. comb., allowed us to designate Calohypsibius placophorus (da Cunha, 1943) as a junior synonym of the former species. Furthermore, an analysis of type specimens of Isohypsibius gilvus Biserov, 1986 demonstrated its affinity to the revised Fractonotus. Finally, the diagnoses for Microhypsibiidae, Calohypsibiidae, Calohypsibius and Fractonotus are amended and claw morphology is suggested as a key trait for disentangling phyletic affinities within Isohypsibiidae sensu lato.

An annotated catalogue of the type specimens of two thoracotreme crab families, Gecarcinidae H. Milne Edwards, 1837 and Grapsidae MacLeay, 1838 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Thoracotremata, Grapsoidea) deposited in the collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN), Paris, is provided. The Appendix lists the pre-1900 collectors, naturalists and donators mentioned in the text with the dates of expeditions or collecting trips and main countries visited. This provides valuable information on the sources of crustacean material in the MNHN historical collection. Neotypes are designated for the taxa: Gecarcinus lateralis Fréminville in Guérin-Méneville,1832; Grapsus cruentatus Latreille, 1803; Grapsus pictus Latreille, 1803; Grapsus variusLatreille, 1803. Lectotypes are designated for the taxa: Cardisoma urvillei H. Milne Edwards, 1853; Discoplax longipes A. Milne-Edwards, 1867; Gecarcinus lagostoma H. Milne Edwards, 1837; Pelocarcinus marchei A. Milne-Edwards, 1890; Thelphusa rotundaQuoy & Gaimard, 1824; Grapsus brevipesH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Grapsus fourmanoiriCrosnier, 1965; Grapsus gracilipesH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Grapsus granulosusH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Grapsus grayiH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Grapsus lividusH. Milne Edwards, 1837; Grapsus maculatusH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Grapsus maurusLucas, 1846; Grapsus oceanicus H. Jacquinot inHombron & H. Jacquinot, 1846; Grapsus ornatusH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Grapsus peroniH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Grapsus pharaonisH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Grapsus plicatusH. Milne Edwards, 1837; Grapsus webbiH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Leptograpsus ansoniH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Leptograpsus berthelotiH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Leptograpsus gayiH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Leptograpsus rugulosusH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Leptograpsus verreauxiH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Metopograpsus eydouxiH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Metopograpsus gracilis Saussure, 1858; Metopograpsus intermediusH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Metopograpsus maculatusH. Milne Edwards, 1853; Metopograpsus miniatus Saussure, 1858; Metopograpsus pictusA. Milne-Edwards, 1867; Pachygrapsus minutus A. Milne-Edwards, 1873; Pachygrapsus striatus A. Milne-Edwards, 1873.

The genus SinonereisWu & Sun, 1979 and the species Sinonereis heteropodaWu & Sun, 1979 were described from Chinese waters, based on only epitokous specimens with modified dorsal cirri in chaetigers 5-7 and bare pharynx. In the same publication, another species based on only atokes was described, Nicon sinicaWu & Sun, 1979. We show that N. sinica is a junior synonym of S. heteropoda based on their affinities in chaetal and parapodial features. We redefine Sinonereis and formally synonymize N. sinica and S. heteropoda. Sinonereis closely resembles NiconKinberg, 1865 and KainonereisChamberlin, 1919, but Sinonereis differs from them by having napiform dorsal cirri in chaetigers 5-7, and by lacking notopodial dorsal ligules in chaetiger 3 in both atokes and epitokes.

Cet article propose la liste commentée des 824 spécimens types de la collection de phasmes du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle de Paris, correspondant à 319 espèces (dont 287 sont considérées comme étant actuellement valides). Le catalogue coïncide avec la numérisation et l’informatisation de la collection et est accompagné d’un document électronique illustrant l’ensemble des spécimens traités. Des lectotypes sont désignés pour six espèces (Anisacantha albogeniculataRedtenbacher, 1906; Bacteria maroniensisChopard, 1911; Gongylopus adiposusBrunner von Wattenwyl, 1907; Gratidia nimbanaChopard, 1955; Parectatosoma mocquerysiFinot, 1898; Tropidoderus exiguusRedtenbacher, 1908), et Oxyartes spinulosusRedtenbacher, 1908 est rétablie en tant qu’espèce valide.

La structuration génétique des populations de Neritina stumpffi Boettger, 1890 dans l'Indo-Pacifique et celle de Neritina canalis Sowerby, 1825 dans l'océan Pacifique, ont été étudiées par l'analyse de séquences partielles du gène mitochondrial COI. Le réseau d'haplotypes de N. stumpffi a montré une structuration génétique entre les deux océans, avec des haplotypes partagés. Concernant N. canalis, les populations du Pacifique ouest et du Pacifique central sont génétiquement structurées, sans haplotypes partagés. Le Triangle de corail semble avoir joué un rôle de barrière filtrante pour N. stumpffi, dont la présence dans les deux océans pourrait s'expliquer par la circulation du courant sud-équatorial. Une barrière à la dispersion de N. canalis pourrait également exister entre le Pacifique ouest et le Pacifique central.

Alfred Duvaucel, stepson of Georges Cuvier, collected animals for the Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de Paris, France, during visits to India and South-East Asia from 1817 to 1824. In early 1823, he set out from Chandernagor traveling upstream on the Ganges, intending to reach Nepal or Tibet. During a short stop near Sakrigali in the Rajmahal Hills of Bihar, he was attacked by a rhinoceros and badly hurt on 24 January 1823. After receiving medical treatment in Bhagalpur, he reconsidered his plans and returned to Calcutta. He succumbed to his wounds aggravated by attacks of dysentery on his homeward journey, in Madras in August 1824. His letters written in the Rajmahal Hills were published by Jean-Jacques Coulmann in 1862. The zoological material collected was reviewed by his uncle Frédéric Cuvier, who inserted many details in the Histoire naturelle des mammifères, to which he added biographical notices. The presence of rhinoceros in the Rajmahal Hills (until about 1850) is often recorded, but the specific identity of these animals is uncertain in the absence of any surviving specimens. A mounted rhinoceros in the Zoological Museum of Strasbourg was said to be the one which killed Duvaucel, but as it is a two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros, unknown anywhere near Bihar, this needs further investigation.

We provide the first annotated checklist of the Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) of the Site of Community Importance and Special Area of Conservation “Alpi Marittime” (IT1160056), based on literature records and unpublished material collected between 2012-2015 within two European projects in which the Alpi Marittime Nature Park was involved. The literature review provided a list of 62 species, recorded for the study area between 1884 and 1990, scattered in 14 papers. The new data here provided raise the total number of species occurring in this region to 208, grouped in 25 families and 135 genera. For each species reported in the catalogue, previous literature records, new data and the known distribution are provided. Among the most interesting findings, Salda henschii (Reuter, 1891) which was recently recorded for the first time in Italy, and Sternodontus obtususMulsant & Rey, 1856 which is rediscovered in the Piedmont region after more than a half century.

The diversity of Haminoea Turton & Kingston, 1830 snails is poorly understood in the Indo-West Pacific. These gastropods occur in shallow subtidal and intertidal areas usually associated with algae, seagrass, or coral reefs, and one species, often identified as Haminoea fusca (A. Adams, 1850) is regarded to be restricted to mangrove habitats. In this paper we provide the first detailed description of this species by means of anatomical dissections, scanning electron microscopy, and DNA barcodes. A Bayesian COI gene tree including specimens from Pakistan and the Philippines together with other Indo-Pacific and Atlantic lineages was inferred and the possible existence of more than one species under the name H. fusca is highlighted and discussed. In Pakistan Haminoea cf. fusca was found to inhabit tidal estuarine mud-flats with oyster reefs.

Eight new xanthic species of Telenominae Thomson, 1860 – six new species of Phanuromyia Dodd, 1914 and two new species of Telenomus Haliday, 1833 – are described from India. The new species are P. flaviabdominalis n. sp., P. levigatus n. sp., P. reticulata n. sp., P. rufocoxalis n. sp., P. shashikalae n. sp., P. tamaris n. sp., T. ekadanta n. sp. and T. elegans n. sp. This is the first time that xanthic Phanuromyia are being described from the Oriental region. A key for Indian species is given.

Living cytheroid ostracod fauna from South Korea is very poorly known, and so far only 12 species have been reported in the taxonomic literature with detail description. We describe one new species, Xestoleberis hujeongensis n. sp., and report three other cytheroid ostracods: X. setouchiensisOkubo, 1979; X. sagamiensis Okubo, 1976; and Hemicytherura kajiyamaiHanai, 1957 from the east coast of Korea. The new species is most closely related to Xestoleberis hanaiiIshizaki, 1968, a widely distributed and ecologically versatile species. The two species have a very similar carapace shape and soft body parts morphology. Nevertheless, the new species has a distinctively different carapace ornament (presence of wart-like structures on the male carapace), as well as hemipenis morphology. The other three species were known so far only from Japan, and the South Korean populations differ from the Japanese ones only by carapace size, while the carapace shape and all soft body parts are very similar to their original descriptions. This is also the first record of a living representative of the genus Hemicytherura Elofson, 1941 from Korea.

Two poorly-known species are systematically studied in detail: Nereis (Nereis) latipalpaSchmarda, 1861 from Cape Town, South Africa, and Nereis (Neanthes) larentukana Grube inPeters, 1881 from Larantuka, Flores, Indonesia. Both are raised from synonymy and transferred to the Perinereis nuntia species complex based upon the revision of type material using characters already known, novel, or even forgotten in the literature. Perinereis latipalpa n. comb. is different from its previous senior synonym P. vallata (Grube & Kröyer inGrube, 1858) and related species. The type or topotype specimens of three other nereidid species share the same relevant features as P. latipalpa n. comb.; these are herein regarded as junior synonyms: Neanthes latipalpaKinberg, 1865, Neanthes latipalpa typicaWilley, 1904, and Perinereis namibiaWilson & Glasby, 1993. Perinereis larentukana n. comb. is redescribed and compared to specimens of the morphologically similar species P. nuntia (Savigny inLamarck, 1818). An improved characterization of P. nuntia using Red Sea specimens similar to the type description was also performed in order to clarify its morphology and restrict the species-complex name content. Other synonymized species of the P. nuntia complex were recognized as distinct: Perinereis brevicirrisGrube, 1866, P. quatrefagesiGrube, 1878, and P. weijhouensis Wu, Sun & Yang, 1981. This was based upon features not considered in the previous revisions but pointed out in the original descriptions. An identification key to the 20 currently valid species within the Perinereis nuntia complex is also provided.

A set of seven dredge hauls, between 195-215 m and 655-660 m deep on the NW slope of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain), recovered 15 000 specimens belonging to 295 species of molluscs. Of these, 254 are identified at the species level. Only 47 species, totalling 867 specimens, were live collected, which amounts to 84% of the species and 94% of the specimens represented only by shells. The dredges DW 133 (shallowest) and DW 130 (deepest) hold the highest number of species and abundance, representing about 90% of the material. Fifty-one species are new records for Canarian waters; of these, 23 are new for Spanish waters overall and three are the first reference in eastern Atlantic waters. Another 13 species, in the genera MikroWarén, 1996, DiscaclisMoolenbeek & Warén, 1987, Mucronalia A. Adams, 1860, Marginella Lamarck, 1799, Dentimargo Cossmann, 1899, Prunum Herrmannsen, 1852, Microvoluta Angas, 1877, Spirotropis G.O. Sars, 1878, Gymnobela Verrill, 1884, Mitromorpha Carpenter, 1865, Orbitestella Iredale, 1917 and Liostomia G.O. Sars, 1878, are described as new, most of them from the deepest haul at 655-660 m. Anatoma richardi (Dautzenberg & Fischer, 1896) is restored as valid species and the identification of Canarian specimens as Anatoma tenuis (Jeffreys, 1877) is disputed. Ancistrobasis lavaleyeiHoffman & Freiwald, 2017 is synonymized with A. reticulata (Philippi, 1844). Pleurotomella megalembryon (Dautzenberg & Fischer, 1896), type species of Azorilla Nordsieck, 1968, is assigned to Teretia Norman, 1888; Teretia strongyla (Dall, 1927) is synonymized with T. megalembryon, and Azorilla with Teretia. Pleurotoma teres Reeve, 1844 is selected under ICZN Art. 70.3.2 as type species of Teres Bucquoy, Dautzenberg & Dollfus 1883 and of its substitute name Teretia, discarding therefore Pleurotoma anceps Eichwald, 1830.

Three species of the similis-subgroup of the genus TriconiaBöttger-Schnack, 1999 in the family Oncaeidae Giesbrecht, 1893 [“1892”] are described based on specimens collected by using a fine mesh net in the northeastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. One species is newly recorded in the equatorial Pacific, and the other two species are new to science. Triconia komo n. sp. is closely related to T. hawii (Böttger-Schnack & Boxshall, 1990), but differs distinctly in the relative length of the outer basal seta on P5 in the female as well as slightly in the relative length of the seta VI on caudal ramus in both sexes. Triconia onnuri n. sp. closely resembles T. similis (Sars, 1918), but females can be distinguished by the relative length of the outer exopodal seta and the outer basal seta on P5. Both sexes differ from T. similis in the relative lengths of endopodal spines on swimming legs 3 and 4 as well as in the form of caudal seta VI. The female of Triconia denticulaWi, Shin & Soh, 2011, which is newly recorded in the equatorial Pacific, is redescribed including morphological details and differences compared to the original description from Korean waters. The type material of T. denticula deposited in the National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon (NIBR) was re-examined and found to be inconclusive for taxonomic purposes because the deposited copepod material and its labelling does not correspond to the description of the species. A fundamental revision of the type material of T. denticula is required. The present account includes an indication of the intraspecific variation in the endopodal spine lengths on swimming legs 2 to 4 for all three species, which is essential for assessing the usefulness of these characters for unequivocal identification of Triconia species. The spine lengths on exopodal segments 1 and 2 on swimming legs 3 and 4 are proposed as new morphometric characters for the identification of males of Triconia species, which are otherwise very similar in morphology.

So far, the genus CoccoglyptaPilsbry, 1895 consisted of two species and two subspecies as follows: C. pinchoniana (Heude, 1886) type species of the genus, C. scrobiculata scrobiculata (Gredler, 1885) and C. scrobiculata hupeiana (Gredler, 1887). We examined shells and genitalia, and performed molecular analyses of Coccoglypta specimens from Sichuan Province, which have revealed the existence of a yet undescribed species (Coccoglypta liui Páll-Gergely, n. sp.). Based on conchological information, Coccoglypta scrobiculata does not belong to the Camaenidae Pilsbry, 1895s.l., but to the Ariophantidae Godwin-Austen, 1883. Since the systematics of Ariophantidae is not fully resolved yet, it is difficult to place this species in an appropriate genus. The conchologically most similar species is Hemiplecta laotica (Möllendorff, 1899), therefore Coccoglypta scrobiculata is transferred to the genus Hemiplecta Albers, 1850. Eulota arbusticola chrysomphalaMöllendorff, 1899 is elevated to species level, and treated as “Bradybaena” chrysomphala (Möllendorff, 1899), because its shell differs considerably from that of Bradybaena arbusticola (Deshayes, 1870). Bradybaena arbusticola, Satsuma leprosula (Heude, 1885) and Helix billianaHeude, 1882 are assigned to Coccoglypta based on their mamillated sculpture.