Zoologische Mededelingen

The status of Callianira hexagona (Slabber, 1778) (Ctenophora)

F.P. Bennema

In 1768, Martinus Slabber collected the only specimen ever found of the ctenophore species mostly cited as Callianira hexagona (Slabber, 1778). After analysing the international confusing literature on this species, we conclude the nomenclatural correct name should be Callianira slabberi De Haan, 1827. The designation to Callianira was done by 19th-century taxonomists, who did not realize that Slabber’s drawing lacks most of the transparent outer part of the animal, as indicated in the accompanying Dutch text. Moreover, Slabber’s description contains details not consistent with ctenophore morphology. Most probably, Slabber described a juvenile specimen of Pleurobrachia pileus (O.F. Müller, 1776), and C. slabberi may be considered a junior synoym of the latter species. A copy of Slabber’s drawing has been used in the allocation of another ctenophore species in Callianira. Combined with the fact that this genus was based on a poorly described specimen, this throws doubts on the validity of the genus Callianira.

An annotated list of mammal type specimens in the collections of the former Zoological Museum of the University of Amsterdam (1890-2010)

W. Bergmans

Mammal type specimens in the former Zoological Museum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, are listed and, where necessary and possible, annotated. The collection held 123 type specimens including 10 holotypes, 91 paratypes, 2 lectotypes, and 20 paralectotypes, together representing 6 orders, 15 families, 22 genera, and 26 species and subspecies.

Studies on the Streptaxidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda Pulmonata) of Malaŵi 12: Four new species of Gulella s.l.1

A.C. van Bruggen

Gulella annibiodiversitatis spec. nov. is described from a few scattered localities in montane forest above c. 1300 m in southern-central Malaŵi. It is mainly characterized by a smallish (4.9-6.3 mm high), smooth and generally featureless shell without apertural dentition. Gulella menkhorsti spec. nov., has a small (2.3-2.9 mm high) and smooth shell with a six-fold dentition and is probably a restricted range endemic; so far it has only been recorded from the Mpita Forest in southern Malaŵi. A single smooth and small shell (2.7 mm) with a seven-fold apertural dentition from the Misuku Hills in northern Malaŵi also does represent a new species, Gulella crux spec. nov. Another sample from the same area, introduced as Gulella nuchalis spec. nov., has a medium-smallish (about 7.0 mm) and costulate shell with apical spiral sculpture and a six-fold apertural dentition; it is particularly characterized by what looks like an old outer labrum behind the reflected labrum.

Willem Vervoort (1917-2010), copepodologist, Hydrozoa specialist and museum director, an obituary

A.C. van Bruggen

An overview of the life of Willem Vervoort (1917-2010), noted specialist in Copepoda and Hydrozoa, director of the National Museum of Natural History/Leiden 1972-1982 and extraordinary professor of systematic zoology/Leiden University 1973-1982, is given. Lists of new taxa in the Hydrozoa for the period 1998-2010, and a list of publications for the same period are included; the period 1917-1998 was covered by Van Bruggen (1998). Vervoort introduced (frequently with co-authors, particularly in the Hydrozoa) 70 taxa of Copepoda (i.e. 1 family, 1 subfamily, 11 genera, 57 species) and 199 of Hydrozoa (i.e. 1 family, 11 genera, 181 species, 3 subspecies, 1 variety and 2 nomina nova). The publications are analyzed and it appears that a stupendous amount of work has been generated, as regards the Hydrozoa particularly in the years after his official retirement (1982-2010). A total of 170 papers covers more than 9500 pp. (fig. 2).

Bathocyroe longigula spec. nov., an undescribed ctenophore (Lobata: Bathocyroidae) from the epipelagic fauna of Japanese coastal waters

T. Horita

This paper presents the description of a new lobate ctenophore, Bathocyroe longigula (order Lobata, family Bathocyroidae) based on two intact specimens. One was collected in April 2001 at the surface in coastal waters of Ise Bay near Toba on the Pacific coast of central Japan, and the other in March 2010 at the surface in Tabira port near Hirado in Kyushu, the main southern island of Japan. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners, Bathocyroe fosteri Madin & Harbison, 1978 and B. paragaster (Ralph & Kaberry, 1950), by its long stomodaeum with a narrow dark-orange band, which extends to about mid-length of the oral lobes, and the numerous tiny, dark-orange spots of irregular shape found along its meridional canals. The differences between the three species attributed to the genus Bathocyroe are shown in Table 1.

The genus Bellimeris Betrem (Hymenoptera: Scoliidae, Campsomerinae)

G.G.M. Schulten

A diagnosis is given for the genus Bellimeris Betrem 1972. The lectotype female of its type species, B. bella (Bingham, 1897), is designated and described. The holotype female of the closely related Campsomeris stoetzneri Betrem, 1928 is redescribed. This species was found to be very similar or possibly a junior synonym of B. bella and is now included in the genus Bellimeris. More material, in particular males, has to become available and studied to accept or reject the synonymy. Three additional females of B. bella and one female of B. stoetzneri are described. A key is provided to separate both species. Campsomeris szetschwanensis Betrem, 1928 or the forma C (Betrem, 1941) could be the male of B. stoetzneri. The holotype of C. szetschwanensis is redescribed. A key is provided for the recognition of C. szetschwanensis and two closely related species. The literature for this species and genus is reviewed.

Results of the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition to Ambon (1990): Part 15. The suborder Doridina (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia)

N. Yonow

At least 45 species belonging to the suborder Doridina are present in the 1990 Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition (RBE) collections, in addition to the 22 species of Chromodorididae and Hexabranchidae previously described by the author in 2001. In this paper, a total of 33 species belonging to 15 genera are identified and described from Ambon and nearby localities, comprising nearly 100 specimens. Three species are new to science but more material is needed, and eight species are recorded from Indonesian waters for the first time. As this is a paper identifying a major collection, brief descriptions are given for the species which are already well known, highlighting significant features and characters differentiating them from similar species, with figures where appropriate. A number of less well known species are described and figured in more detail. All species except Phyllidiopsis burni are illustrated with colour figures of living specimens.