Center for Biodiversity Research and Information
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Center for Biodiversity Research & Information


© T.W.Davies, CAS

New species described by CAS researchers and associates in the Californias

Invertebrates Insects Spiders Fishes Plants Fossils
Ambystoma californiense

Invertebrates

Nucella megastoma

Powell, Charles L. II, and Vermeij, Geerat J. 2004. Nucella megastoma, a new late pliocene muricid gastropod from northern California Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 55(1-12). 184-189.

Abstract

Nucella megastoma new species from the Merced Formation of San Mateo County and the Wilson Grove Formation of Sonoma County, both late Pliocene of California, is distinguished by the presence of a labral tooth, strong alternating spiral cords, and a large aperture. This rocky-shore predatory muricid gastropod co-occurred with several other muricids, including four species of Nucella without a labral tooth and a labral-tooth-bearing species of Acanthinucella.

Paleochiton siskiyouensis sp. nov.
Thairoplax merriami sp. nov.
Eusphairica distubula gen. et sp. nov.

Hoare, Richard D. 2000. Silurian polyplacophora and rostroconchia (Mollusca) from Northern California. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 52(3). 23-31.

Abstract

Silicified polyplacophorans from the Gazelle Formation in California represent the second known Silurian (Ludlovian) occurrence of this class in North America. New taxa are Paleochiton siskiyouensis sp. nov. and Thairoplax merriami sp. nov. Eusphairica distubula gen. et sp. nov. is the first Silurian rostroconch identified in the United States and extends the range of the family Eopteriidae Miller, 1889, from the Middle Ordovician into the Upper Silurian.

Doriopsilla sp.

Gosliner, Terrence M., and Schaefer, Maria C. 1999. A new species of Doriopsilla (Nudibranchia: Dendrodorididae) from the Pacific Coast of North America, including a comparison with Doriopsilla albopunctata (Cooper, 1863). Veliger. 42(3). 201-210.

Abstract

Much confusion has surrounded the systematics of the yellow species of Dendrodorididae inhabiting the Pacific coast of North America. Re-examination of Doris albopunctata Cooper, 1863, indicates that it is properly placed in Doriopsilla. Examination of specimens from different localities throughout California, the Pacific coast of Baja California, and within the Gulf of California, indicates that all white-gilled specimens are conspecific with D. albopunctata, and that D. fulva (MacFarland, 1905) and D. reticulata (Cockerell and Eliot, 1905) are regarded as junior synonyms. A second species with yellow gills is here described as Doriopsilla gemela. It differs from D. albopunctata in aspects of its color pattern, external morphology, digestive system, reproductive anatomy, and developmental biology. The two species also differ in allozyme allelic frequencies. Doriopsilla gemela and D. albopunctata are also compared to other members of the genus present in the eastern Pacific. These comparisons show that, while D. gemela and D. albopunctata are externally similar to each other, their internal anatomy is more similar to other species than to each other.

Flabellina vansyoci sp. nov.
Flabellina hamanni sp. nov.

Gosliner, Terrence M. 1994. New records of Flabellinidae (Opisthobranchia: Aeolidacea) from the tropical Americas, with descriptions of two new species. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 48(9). 171-183.

Abstract

Two new species of Flabellina are described from the tropical Americas. Flabellina vansyoci sp. nov. is widely distributed from Bahia Magdalena on the Pacific coast of Baja California to the Gulf of Chiriqui , Panama . It is compared to its close relative, F. pedata (Montagu, 1815), which is first recorded here from the Azores Islands. Flabellina hamanni sp. nov. has been found from the Bahamas to Venezuela in the Caribbean and is most closely related to F. marcusorum Gosliner and Kuzirian, 1990. Flabellina bertschi Gosliner and Kuzirisan, 1990, previously recorded only from the Gulf of California, is also found along the Pacific coast of Panama. Flabellina marcusorum, was known previously from the Gulf of California and the Caribbean and is here reported for the first time from Panama. Flabellina stohleri Bertsch and Ferreira, 1974, is considered a junior synonym of F. telja Marcus and Marcus, 1967. The range of F. telja is extended southward to the Islas Revillagigedos, Panama , and the Galapagos.

Flabellina bertschi sp. nov.
Flabellina marcusorum sp. nov.

Gosliner, T. M., and Kuzirian, A.M. 1990. Two new species of Flabellinidae Opsthobranchia Aeolidacea from Baja California, Mexico. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 47(1). 1-15.

Abstract

Two new species of Flabellina are described from Baja California. Flabellina bertschisp. nov. is widely distributed within the Gulf of California from Puerto Penasco to the area north of La Paz . Flabellina marcusorum sp. nov. has been found on the Pacific and Gulf coasts of Baja California, as well as the coast of Brazil. This species was originally recorded from Brazil as Coryphellina rubrolineata O'Donoghue, 1929. However, when compared with Indo-Pacific material of F. rubrolineata, the presently described species is consistently distinct in its internal and external morphology. A preliminary phylogeny of the Flabellinidae supports the maintenance of Flabellina as a single, large, diverse genus.

Membranobalanus pilsbry

Van Syoc, R.J. 1988. Description of Membranobalanus robinae, new species of sponge barnacle Cirripedia Archeobalanidae from Baja California, Mexico with a key to the genus. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 101(4). 832-837.

Abstract

The California Academy of Sciences, Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Geology has recently undertaken a joint research program with the Centro de Investigaciones de Ciencia y de Educacion Superior de Ensenada (CICESE). The present paper documents a new species of the sponge barnacle Membranobalanus pilsbry from Bahia de los Angeles collected during two expeditions in 1984. A key to the genus Membranobalanus is included.

Mexichromis amalguae sp. nov.

Gosliner, T.M., and Bertsch, H. 1988. A New Species of Mexichromis Nudibranchia Chromodorididae from the eastern Pacific. Veliger. 31(1-2). 127-134.

Abstract

Mexichromis amalguae sp. nov. is described from Isla Cedros and Islas San Benito off the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico. Its anatomy is contrasted with known species of Mexichromis and with other chromodorids that exhibit similar color patterns.

Pacific Nudibranchs

Behrens, David W. 2004. Pacific Coast Nudibranchs, supplement II new species to the Pacific Coast and new information on the oldies. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 55(1-12). 11-54.

Abstract

Pacific Coast Nudibranchs - A Guide to the Opisthobranchs Alaska to Baja California (Behrens 1991) presented taxonomic and biological information on 217 species of opisthobranch molluscs found within the geographic range of the title. Only a few species were excluded at that time, because of depth or rarity. Since its printing many new species have been discovered and the ranges of others found to occur within the coverage of the original work. Researchers have learned a great deal about morphological variation and the ecology of many species. The goal of this supplement is to bring current the biological, biogeographical, morphological and taxonomic information concerning those species found along this coastline by incorporating both published material and confirmed observations of field workers and opishtobranch enthusiasts. The opisthobrach fauna of the Pacific Coast, from the Bering Strait of Alaska to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico, now totals some 252 documented species.

Anglonautilus catarinae sp. nov.
Eucymatoceras sp

Sundberg, F.A. 1984. 2 Cretaceous Nautiloids From Baja-California Mexico And Southern California USA. Bulletin Southern California Academy of Sciences. 83(1). 43-52.

Abstract

Two genera of nautiloids not previously reported from the Western Hemisphere are present in the Cretaceous of Baja California, Mexico, and southern California. Eucymatoceras sp. is from the Alisitos Formation (Aptian-Albian) near Arroyo El Rosaria. Anglonautilus catarinae sp. nov. is from the Rosario Group (Maastrichtian) of Santa Catarina Landing, Baja California and Carlsbad, California and the Williams Formation (Late Campanian to Early Maastrichtian) of the Santa Ana Mountains, California.

Insects

Stenosini sp.
Stenosini sp.

Papp, Charles S. 1998. Two new Stenosini species in the genus Araeoschizus LeConte from Baja California, Mexico (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Bulletin Southern California Academy of Sciences. 97(3). 89-95.

Brooksetta californiana n. sp.
Reroscopus sonorensis n. sp.

Carvalho, J.C.M. Neotropical Miridae CCCXXIV. 1990. Two new species from the California Academy of Sciences USA Hemiptera. Revista Brasileira de Biologia. 50(3). 751-754.

Abstract

The author describes two new species of Miridae from the California Academy of Sciences, both collected in Mexico, as follows: Brooksetta californiana n. sp., Baja California and Reroscopus sonorensis n. sp., Sonora. Drawings of habitus and male genitalia are included.

Drapetis destituta n. sp.
D. torulosa n. sp.

Rogers, E. 1989. American Dance Flies of the Drapetis assimilis species group Diptera Empididae. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 46(7). 179-192.

Abstract

Eight American species are newly recognized as belonging to the Drapetis assimilis species group, including five new species described herein: Drapetis arnaudi n. sp. from Florida; D. cerina n. sp. from New Mexico; D. destituta n. sp. from Baja California; D. solaris n. sp. from Mexico (Distrito Federal); and D. torulosa n. sp.from Baja California . Lectotypes are designated for D. latipennis Melander, 1902 and D. discalis Melander, 1918. Drapetis discalis Melander is removed from Crossopalpus Bigot and redescribed. Drapetis infumata Melander is redescribed. A key to American species is provided.

P. laevinodis sp. nov.

Snelling, R.R. 1982. The Taxonomy and Distribution of some North American Pogonomyrmex and descriptions of 2 new species Hymenoptera Formicidae. Bulletin Southern California Academy of Sciences. 80(3). 97-112.

Abstract

In the nominate subgenus the new species, P. colei, is described from females and males; it is a workerless social parasite in nests of P. rugosus Emery. The previously unknown sexual forms of P. wheeleri Olsen are described, and new data on the distribution of P. tenuispinus Forel are presented. Of indeterminate status when Cole revised Pogonomyrmex, P. hindleyi Forel is synonymized with P. californicus (Buckley). In the subgenus Ephebomyrmex a new key for workers is presented, correcting errors in that of Cole and 2 spp. are added: P. guatemaltecus Wheeler and P. laevinodis sp. nov. New distribution data are cited for P. guatemaltecus, extending the range from Guatemala to Mexico . P. laevinodis is described from workers from Baja California Sur, Mexico .

Tachysphex apricus
T. bohartorum
T. irregularis
T. menkei
T. mirandus
T. musciventris
T. occidentalis
T. solaris
T. spatulifer
T. verticalis

Pulawski, W.J. 1982. New species of North American Tachysphex Wasps Hymenoptera sphecidae. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 43(3). 27-42.

Abstract

The following new North American [USA, Mexico] species of Tachysphex are described (type-localities are given in parentheses): T. acanthophorus (Arizona: Willcox), T. apricus (California: Borrego Valley), T. arizonac (Arizona: 2 mi. northeast Portal) T. armatus (Nevada: Sandy), T. bohartorum (California: Boca), T. idiotrichus (Arizona: 5 mi. west Portal), T. irregularis (California: Hallelujah Junction), T. krombeiniellus (Florida: Levy County), T. lamellatus (Mexico: Sonora: Alamos), T. menkei (California: Borrego Valley), T. mirandus (California: Palm Springs), T. musciventris (California: Borrego), T. occidentalis (California: 12 mi. east Lone Pine), T. papago (Arizona: Nogales), T. solaris (California: Borrego Valley), T. spatulifer (California: Arroyo Seco Camp), T. verticalis (California: 9 mi. west Beaumont), T. yuma (Mexico: Baja California: La Paz), and T. yolo (California: Davis).

Spiders

Banksula incredula
Banksula tutankhamen

Ubick, Darrell, and Briggs, Thomas S. 2002. The harvestman family Phalangodidae 4. A review of the genus Banksula (Opiliones, Laniatores). Journal of Arachnology. 30(2). 435-451.

Abstract

Two new species of Banksula are described. Banksula incredula enlarges the concept of the genus and is assigned to a new species group which is the likely sister group to the other Banksula. The species is unique in numerous morphological features, being the largest species in the genus, the first non-cavernicolous species, and occurring in the Coast Ranges of California, rather than in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The second new species, B. tutankhamen, is a typical member of the californica group but with more pronounced troglomorphy. Clinal variation is documented for B. grahami Briggs 1974, with B. elliotti Briggs & Ubick 1981, now placed as its junior synonym, representing the northern and most troglomorphic populations.

Zoropsidae
Zoropsis spinimana

Griswold, Charles E., and Ubick, Darrell. 2001. Zoropsidae: A spider family newly introduced to the USA (Araneae, Entelegynae, Lycosoidea). Journal of Arachnology. 29(1). 111-113.

Abstract

The spider family Zoropsidae is newly recorded for the USA, bringing the total to 68 families. Zoropsis spinimana (Dufour 1820), native to the Mediterranean region, has been established in the San Francisco Bay area since at least 1995. The identification and phylogenetic position of this species are provided.

Fishes

Gobiesox sp.

Perez, Hector Espinosa and Castro-Anguirre, Jose Luis. 1996. A New freshwater clingfish (Pisces: Gobiesocidae) from Baja California Sur, Mexico. Bulletin Southern California Academy of Sciences. 95(3). 120-126.

Abstract

A new species of freshwater clingfish is described. The species differs from other known freshwater species of the genus Gobiesox by its morphometrics, morphology, tongue position, insertion and number of teeth and by the closer position of the anus to the anal fin. This is the seventh known freshwater species of clingfish of the genus in North America, the first in the Nearctic and the second endemic freshwater fish from the Peninsula of Baja California.

Caelorinchus immaculatus
C. multifasciatus
C. nazcaensis
C. spilonotus
Hymenocephalus neglectissimus
H. semipellucidus
Kuronezumia pallida
Ventrifossa macrodon
V. teres
V. obtusirostris

Sazonov, Yuri I. and Iwamoto, Tomio. 1992. Grenadiers (Pisces, Gadiformes) of the Nazca and Sala y Gomez ridges, southeastern Pacific. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 48(2). 27-95.

Abstract

Twenty-five species of grenadiers are recorded from the Nazca and Sala y Gomez ridges in the southeastern Pacific. New species include: Caelorinchus immaculatus, C. multifasciatus, C. nazcaensis, C. spilonotus, Hymenocephalus neglectissimus, H. semipellucidus, Kuronezumia pallida, Ventrifossa macrodon, V. teres, and V. obtusirostris. Caelorinchus immaculatus is very similar to C. karrerae from the southeastern Atlantic and Indian Ocean . The H. striatissimus complex is examined using new data. Hymenocephalus semipellucidus and H. neglectissimus appear to be part of this complex. The subspecies H. s. hachijoensis from Japan is elevated to full species status. Kuronezumia, formerly considered a subgenus of Nezumia, is redefined and elevated to generic status to include K. pallida, K. bubonis, K. leonis, K. macronema, K. dara, and two undescribed species. Despite proximity of the ridges to the mainland coast of Peru , relationships of the associated fauna are to the west, particularly the western Pacific and Hawaiian Islands (USA). Of the 25 species from these ridges, eight are definitely known from the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands : Caelorinchus spilonotus, Cetonurus crassiceps, * Coryphaenoides paradoxus, * H. striatulus, Malacocephalus laevis, * Mataeocephalus acipenserinus, Nezumia propinqua, * and Pseudocetonurus septifer. Three other species whose identifications are underdetermined may be part of, or have close counterparts in, the Hawaiian fauna: Gadomus sp. c. melanopterus, Hymenocephalus sp. cf. aterrimus, and Trachonurus villosus * The four species marked with an asterisk are broadly distributed through the Pacific, India, and Atlantic oceans. Malacocephalus laevis is known from the continental slopes of southern California and on seamounts off Baja California ( Mexico ), but nowhere else along the Pacific coast of Central and South America. Caelorinchus immaculatus is also recorded from mainland South America; Nezumia convergens is questionably represented by a specimen from the Sala y Gomez Ridge.

Plants

Acanthogilia spp.

Day, A.G. and Moran, R. 1986. Acanthogilia new genus of Polemoniaceae from Baja-California Mexico. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 44(7). 111-126.

Abstract

We propose the genus Acanthogilia for the spiny desert shrub first named Gilia gloriosa Brandegee [A. gloriosa comb. nov.]. The gametic chromosome number is nine, also the basic number for nine other genera and for the family. Acanthogilia is unique among Polemoniaceae in its extreme leaf dimorphism, its persistent woody-spinose primary leaves, and its coarsely verrucate zonocolporate pollen grains. Though formerly placed in Gilia, Ipomopsis, Leptodactylon, and Loeselia, it differs further from all these genera in its persistent secondary leaf bases with deciduous blades, its numerous closely spaced corolla veins connected at several levels and its winged seeds. It does share several unusual characters, such as the superficially adnate filaments, with species of Gilia sect. Giliastrum. Acanthogilia seems closest to the Andean genus Cantua. Cantua, like Acanthogilia, is shrubby, with leaves dimorphic, on long shoots and axillary short shoots, with persistent leaf bases, with corolla veins connected at several levels, with winged seeds, with superficially adnate filaments (in some species), and with coarsely verrucate pollen grains (in one other species). Cantua differs in having the leaves broad and herbaceous, only weakly dimorphic, and neither woody-spinose nor with deciduous linear blades, the calyx entirely herbaceous, the pollen pantoporate, and the chromosome number hexaploid.

Fossils

Parabalaenoptera baulinensis

Zeigler, Carl V., and Barnes, Lawrence G. 1997. A new late Miocene balaenopterid whale (Cetacea: Mysticeti), Parabalaenoptera baulinensis, (new genus and species) from the Santa Cruz Mudstone, Point Reyes Peninsula, California. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 50(4). 115-133.

Abstract

A fossil balaenopterid whale, Parabalaenoptera baulinensis, new genus and species, is named on the basis of a partial skeleton that was collected from the Late Miocene Santa Cruz Mudstone at Bolinas Point, Point Reyes Peninsula, California. Diatoms from the Santa Cruz Mudstone indicate an age of 6.8 to 6.D Ma. The skeleton includes the cranium, dentaries, cervical and dorsal vertebrae, pectoral limb bones, and ribs, and the animal is estimated to have been 10 m in length when alive. The skull of Parabolaenoptera baulinensis has pronounced interdigitation of the rostral and cranial elements and an abrupt slope from the intertemporal region to the supraorbital process, indicating that it is a balaenopterid. However, the elongate and very narrow nasals, narrow intertemporal region, long and posteriorly tapering ascending processes of the maxillae, conspicuously elevated or swollen anterior portions of the parietals, short postglenoid processes, and long and sloping coronoid crest of the dentary distinguish P. baulinensis from fossil and recent members of the subfamilies Megapterinae and Balaenopterinae. Its unique characters indicate its separation at the subfamily level, and we assign it to the new subfamily Parabalaenopterinae.