Confusion in the literature over the definitive traits used to separate freshwater sponge taxa included currently in the genus Dosilia initiated this review of their taxonomic history and a re-examination of specimens to elucidate questions pertaining to determination of their identities at the species-level. A comparison was made between two North American specimens using light and scanning electron microscopy of the significant features of their gemmules and spicules. This comparison illustrated key taxonomic problems in the literature and the need for collection of additional specimens from voucher localities in order to successfully resolve questions remaining regarding inter-specific relationships in North American members of this genus.

Leptogorgia tricorata is a new shallow-water species found at 14–22 m depth at two rocky islets on the north side of Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica. The branching pattern, the small size, bright yellow color, long spindles (up to 0.2 mm), and the occurrence of tentacular rods distinguish the new species from others in the genus. Gorgoniids are rare in shallow waters at Cocos Island. Including the new species there are only three species found so far in the region. Leptogorgia tricorata is described, illustrated, and compared with other similar species of the genus reported from the eastern Pacific.

A new polychaete, Pileolaria aurita new species, of the family Spirorbidae from the Pacific coast of Honshu, Japan is described. This species clearly differs from all other species of Pileolaria Claparède, 1868 in the morphology of the brood chamber, which bears distally two cone-shaped projections resembling cat ears. Besides, it is the only species of Pileolaria with collar chaetae that lack cross-striation. Worms were found at depths of 20–22 m attached to empty oyster shells directly or to bryozoans covering those shells. The shells were collected from sandy bottoms below artificial reefs constructed for recreational scuba diving.

Mesenchytraeus megachaetus, new species, is described from northeast China. It is characterized by possessing enlarged ventral chaetae in segments V–VI (3–4 per bundle); nephridia with solid unlobed postseptale, relatively developed interstitial tissue and near-septal origin of the efferent duct; nephridia occurring in 5 pairs in preclitellar region; seminal vesicle absent, replaced by 5–8 naked “spermatozeugmata” in dorsal region of XI; spermathecae without diverticula and attached entally to esophagus in segment VI; atria tubular (indistinct from vasa deferentia) and without prostate glands; egg sac much developed (extending to XVII–XVIII).

The genus Orthopsyllus Brady & Robertson, 1873 (Harpacticoida, Orthopsyllidae) presently includes six species, as well as six subspecies considered within its type species. Orthopsyllus koprii, new species, is described from Barton Peninsula, Maxwell Bay, King George Island, Antarctica and can be distinguished from its congeners by the presence of an inner seta on the middle exopodal segments of P2 and P3. Orthopsyllus spinicaudatus Krishnaswamy, 1957 also carries an inner seta on these segments but differs in the presence of a single apical seta on the endopod of P2.

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) smilax is a stream-dwelling crayfish that appears to be endemic to the Greenbrier River basin in the Valley and Ridge province of West Virginia. Within the Greenbrier system it occurs primarily in tributaries to the Greenbrier mainstem, with stable populations in the East and West Fork, and Thorny, Knapp, and Deer creeks. The new species is morphologically most similar to C. (P.) robustus, from which it can be distinguished by a combination of the following characters: adult palm length comprising 73–76% of palm width as opposed to 63–70% in C. (P.) robustus; ventral surface of chela of cheliped with 0–2 subpalmar tubercles compared to 3–6 subpalmar tubercles in C. (P.) robustus; lack of tubercles on the dorsal surface of chela; longer, more tapering, less rectangular rostrum (47–52% rostrum width/length ratio) compared to C. (P.) robustus shorter, less tapering rectangular rostrum (54–63% rostrum width/length ratio); and the central projection of the form-I male gonopod curved ≤90 degrees to the shaft.

Short-tailed pythons, Python curtus species group, occur predominantly in the Malayan Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. The discovery of an adult female in Mon State, Myanmar, led to a review of the distribution of all group members (spot-mapping of all localities of confirmed occurrence) and an examination of morphological variation in P. brongersmai. The resulting maps demonstrate a limited occurrence of these pythons within peninsular Malaya, Sumatra, and Borneo with broad absences in these regions. Our small samples limit the recognition of regional differentiation in the morphology of P. brongersmai populations; however, the presence of unique traits in the Myanmar python and its strong allopatry indicate that it is a unique genetic lineage, and it is described as Python kyaiktiyo new species.