Refine
Year of publication
- 2014 (163) (remove)
Document Type
- Part of Periodical (163) (remove)
Language
- English (163) (remove)
Is part of the Bibliography
- no (163)
Keywords
- new species (18)
- taxonomy (18)
- Coleoptera (6)
- morphology (6)
- Odonata (5)
- Taxonomy (5)
- distribution (5)
- checklist (4)
- key (4)
- systematics (4)
Institute
- Center for Financial Studies (CFS) (6)
- Evangelische Theologie (6)
- E-Finance Lab e.V. (4)
- House of Finance (HoF) (4)
- Sustainable Architecture for Finance in Europe (SAFE) (4)
- Wirtschaftswissenschaften (4)
- Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) (1)
- Gesellschaftswissenschaften (1)
- Institute for Law and Finance (ILF) (1)
- Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability (IMFS) (1)
Four species of mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) are known from the West Indies: Neocurtilla hexadactyla (Perty), Scapteriscus abbreviatus Scudder, S. didactylus (Latreille), and S. imitatus Nickle and Castner. All are adventive (not native). We document their distributions in West Indian islands/countries by use of records from the literature and examination of specimens. Scapteriscus abbreviatus has been suggested to have arrived in, and been transported about the West Indies in ship ballast (immigration). Based on records of arrival in various parts of the West Indies and the species’ inability to fly, this suggestion seems reasonable. Scapteriscus imitatus pparently was released in Puerto Rico as a result of mistaken identification (introduction – arriving with assistance from humans – although inadvertent), and has not expanded its range in the West Indies. Although the principal mode of dispersal for the other two species also has been suggested to be ship ballast, we present an alternative based on flight which would seem at least equally as plausible. We suggest that S. didactylus could have dispersed by flight from South America through the Lesser Antilles; likewise N. hexadactyla probably from the Yucatan Peninsula to Cuba, and from South America northward through the Lesser Antilles, in at least some localities assisted by wind. Our zoogeographical alternative, if correct, means that the natural range expansions of these latter two species began very long ago and without human assistance – they were not introduced recently to the West Indies.
A newly discovered population of Xystocheir brachymacris Shelley, 1996 (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae: Xystocheirini), in Placer County (Co.), California, exhibits an unusual grayish-black color dorsally with mottled, ovoid patches at paranotal bases; it cons titutes northern generic and specifi c range extensions of ~28.4 km (17.6 mi). The gonopods differ from those in the El Dorado Co. population in having shorter/acuminate prefemoral processes and blade-like, rather than spatulate, processes “B” that angle away from the solenomere instead of overhanging it. Additionally, a strong distomedial prefemoral lobe, absent from the El Dorado population, arises from the stem in Placer Co. males. Authorship of Xystocheirini is properly attributed to Hoffman, 1980.
Pinnaspis chamaecyparidis Takagi, Pinnaspis hikosana Takagi and Pinnaspis uniloba (Kuwana), occurring on Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl., Styrax japonica S. et Z. and Cleyera japonica Thunb. are newly documented in the Korean fauna of armored scales (Diaspididae). The characters of these species are here redescribed with illustrative photographs and information on distribution and hosts along with a dichotomous key to the species of Pinnaspis for correct species identifi cation. In addition, the paper discusses the current status of Pinnaspis buxi (Bouché) and Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) which are known as native armored scale insects of Korea by analyzing information on the result of the survey.
The study of the Portuguese marine ichthyofauna has a long historical tradition, rooted back in the 18th Century. Here we present an annotated checklist of the marine fishes from Portuguese waters, including the area encompassed by the proposed extension of the Portuguese continental shelf and the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ). The list is based on historical literature records and taxon occurrence data obtained from natural history collections, together with new revisions and occurrences. It comprises a total of 1191 species, distributed among 3 superclasses, 4 classes, 42 orders, 212 families and 617 genera. If considering only the EEZ and present territorial waters, this list represents an increase of 230 species (27.8%) and of 238 species (29.0%), when compared to the information available in FishBase (2012) and in the last checklist of marine and estuarine fishes of Portugal (1993), respectively. The order Perciformes shows the highest diversity, with 54 families, 162 genera and 299 species. Stomiidae (80 species), Myctophidae (71 species) and Macrouridae (37 species) are the richest families. From the listed species, 734 are present off mainland Portugal, 857 off the Azores and 766 off Madeira. Within the limits of the examined area, three species are reported for the first time in mainland Portugal and twenty-nine records are identified as doubtful. A total of 133 species have been recorded from the extended Portuguese continental shelf (2 off mainland Portugal, 117 off the Azores and 14 off Madeira), two of which are common to the Azores and Madeira extensions. Biogeographically, the Atlantic group is the most important (548 species – 46.01%), followed by the Lusitanian group (256 species – 21.49%), the African group (71 species – 5.96%), the Boreal group (34 species – 2.85%), the Mediterranean group (31 species – 2.60%), the Macaronesian group (21 species – 1.76%), the Atlantic/African group (19 species – 1.60%) and the Mediterranean/African and the Arctic groups, each with only 1 species (0.08%). Regarding the preferences for vertical habitat, the demersal fishes are the most important group (305 species – 25.61%), followed by the mesopelagic group (228 species – 19.14%), the bathypelagic group (164 species – 13.77%), the benthopelagic group (147 species – 12.34%), the bathydemersal group (115 species – 9.66%), the reef-associated group (88 species – 7.39%), the pelagic group (74 species – 6.21%), the epipelagic group (58 species – 4.87%) and 1 species (0.08%) of the benthic group. The oceanic habitat is the best represented group comprising 446 species (37.45%), followed by the shelf group (199 species – 16.71%), the slope group (164 species – 13.77%), the inner shelf group (89 species – 7.47%), the coastal group (70 species – 5.88%), the outer shelf group (29 species – 2.43%) and the oceanic/shelf group (7 species – 0.59%).
Tynommatidae, n. stat., elevated from Tynommatinae, is established as a schizopetalidean family encompassing the western North American callipodidans previously assigned to the Mediterranean Schizopetalidae. It is considered a valid taxon despite somewhat anatomically dissimilar subfamilies, and Colactidinae, Texophoninae, Diactidinae, and Aspidiophoninae constitute tribal elevations and additional new statuses. With a subbasal telopodal prefemoral process, Diactis hedini, n. sp., requires rediagnoses of all three diactidine genera, Diactis Loomis, 1937, and Florea and Caliactis, both by Shelley, 1996, and suggests that telopodal branches ‘B’ in congeners and Florea represent distal relocations of the process along the stem. Similarities in the sizes and shapes of the pleurotergal carinae suggest a sister-group relationship with the other, and partly sympatric, New World family, Abacionidae, which is supported by gonopodal similarities between Colactidinae and Abacion Rafi nesque, 1820. The Western Interior Seaway of the Cretaceous Period, Mesozoic Era, ~141–66 million years ago, appears to have fueled divergence by isolating “proto-abacionid stock” in “Appalachia,” the Eastern North American land mass, which has subsequently spread well into previously inundated areas. The allopatric position of Texophoninae, on the Gulf Coast of south Texas around 1,136 km (710 mi) east of the most proximate familial records, is attributed to this waterway, which eradicated faunal linkages with “proto-Tynommatidae” in “Laramidia,” the Western North American land mass. Texophoninae probably survived the Cretaceous on insular refugia; however, it is rarely encountered anymore and seems destined for imminent extinction. Representatives of the east-Asian families, Caspiopetalidae, Paracortinidae, and Sinocallipodidae, also possess demarcated pleurotergal crests and, implausible though it seems, may share ancestry with the North American taxa vis-à-vis the “Asiamerica” and or “Boreotropic” concepts.
Examination of the type series of Schizotus gibbifrons Lewis 1887 and Pyrochroa higoniae Lewis 1895, together with examination of the historical Lewis collection of Pseudopyrochroa japonica (Heyden 1879), provide hints as to the conspecifi city of these binomials. This evidence, together with concurrent collection events spanning more than 100 years and general anatomy suggests Pseudopyrochroa japonica (Heyden 1879) and Pseudopyrochroa gibbifrons (Lewis 1887) are conspecifi c. Schizotus gibbifrons Lewis is proposed as a new junior synonym of Pyrochroa japonica Heyden, where it joins the established synonym, Pyrochroa higoniae Lewis (1895). Schizotus theresae Pic 1911 is also proposed as a new junior synonym of Pyrochroa basalis Pic 1906, where it joins a long list of synonyms. Complete synonymies are presented for both species.
Two new species of pselaphine staphylinids in the genus Batrisodes are described: B. (Declivodes) dorothae Ferro and Carlton from Feliciana Preserve, Louisiana; and B. (Babnormodes) spretoides Ferro and Carlton from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. They differ from all other described Batrisodes species in secondary male characters, especially details of the frontal region of the head. These two species bring the total diversity of the genus in North America to 88 species. Specimens were imaged using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) techniques. Utility of multiple imaging techniques, especially micro-CT, is discussed.
Two new species and a new genus of Cerambycidae are described from South America: Cotyclytus arriagadai sp. nov., from Bolivia; and Lembu dieguezi, gen. nov., sp. nov., from Paraguay. Orthomegas irroratus (Lameere, 1915) is redescribed, based on the second and third known specimens, and its distribution is expanded to include Ecuador. The male of Jamesia fuscofasciata Dillon and Dillon, 1952 is described and illustrated for the fi rst time, and the distribution of the species is expanded to Peru. Thirty-two new country records (twelve for Paraguay, fi fteen for Peru, two for Ecuador, three for Bolivia) and one new province record (Argentina) are presented.
Trixagus steineri (Coleoptera: Throscidae), a new species and first genus record from The Bahamas
(2014)
Trixagus Kugelann 1794 is the second largest genus of Throscidae with 80 valid species presently assigned. Horn (1885, 1890) reviewed the species for the United States and Mesoamerica, and then Blanchard (1917) revised part of the family for Canada and the United States in a posthumous article edited by H.C. Fall. Schenkling (1928) provided the only published worldwide catalog. Yensen (1975) provided a modern revision for the species for Canada and the United States, and then (Yensen 1980) described T. cobosi from Panama and provided a new key to all of the described American species. Among these studies only T. chevrolati (Bonvouloir 1859) was recorded from southern Florida, thus being a species potentially shared with The Bahamas. Aulonothroscus bicarinatus Fleutiaux (1911, 1947) (Blackwelder 1944), from Guadeloupe, is the only other throscid species previously described from the West Indies. Prior to the work of Lawrence and Newton (1995) the subfamily Lissominae received divergent treatment and was usually treated as a subfamily of Throscidae (e.g., Schenkling 1928, Blackwelder 1944, Yensen 1975). This subfamily is represented in The Bahamas by two species of Drapetes Megerle 1821 (Turnbow and Thomas 2008). Representation of the subsequently restricted family in The Bahamas was provided by two undetermined species of Aulonothroscus Horn listed by Turnbow and Thomas (2008) from Andros, Eleuthera, and Great Inagua islands; these will be treated separately from here. The reporting of a new species of Trixagus from New Providence Island provides a second genus from the country and the entire Lucayan Archipelago, and suggests that related species of both genera from Hispaniola and Cuba are probable and await discovery (Peck 2005; Perez-Gelabert 2008).
Three new species of Pselnophorus are described from the Nearctic region. Pselnophorus chihuahuaensis Matthews, Gielis, and Watkins, Pselnophorus hodgesi Matthews, Gielis, and Watkins, and Pselnophorus kutisi Matthews, Gielis, and Watkins, are described and distinguished from the only previously named Nearctic congener Pselnophorus belfragei (Fish). Illustrations of the adults and male and female genitalia are provided along with a key to males.
Solaenodolichopus Verhoeff, 1924 is redefined to include S. pruvoti (Brolemann, 1931), S. rubriventris Verhoeff, 1928, S. sulcatus (Verhoeff, 1928), S. teres (Verhoeff, 1924), S. vittatus (Verhoeff, 1924) and S. walesius Verhoeff, 1928, each of which is redescribed. Lectotypes are designated for S. sulcatus, S. teres, S. vittatus and S. walesius. Parwalesoma Verhoeff, 1937 is synonymised with Solaenodolichopus and S. vittatus dorsalis (Verhoeff, 1924) with S. vittatus vittatus (Verhoeff, 1924).
The Crusade movement is one of the most important occurrences of medieval history. It took place throughout two centuries in the Levant and affected both Muslims and Crusaders and in turn changed the way in which West and East related to one another.1 When the Crusaders took control of the Holy Land and many Islamic cities in the Levant, they transferred their feudal European system there. They established four main fiefdoms or lordships, Jerusalem, Edessa, Antioch and Tripoli. In addition, there were another twelve secondary fiefdoms,2 of which Tibnīn was one. Tibnīn was called “Toron” by the Crusaders. Once the Crusaders had captured Tibnīn, they began building its fortified castle, from which the fief of Tibnīn gained its importance throughout the period of the Crusades.
This paper traces the military role of Tibnīn and its rulers in the Latin East against the Muslims until 1187/ 583. Tibnīn played a key role in overcoming the Muslims in Tyre and controlled it in 1124. It also played a vital role in the conflict between Damascus and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Tibnīn participated in defending Antioch, Banyas, Hebron and Transjordan several times. Furthermore, its soldiers and Knights joined the army of the Kingdom of Jerusalem to capture Ascalon in 1153, and joined the campaigns of Amaury I, King of Jerusalem, against Egypt from 1164 to1169. The military situation of Tibnīn under the rule of the royal house until its fall to the Muslims in 1187/ 583 will be studied as well.
The Guadeloupe Archipelago, the French overseas Département de Guadeloupe, is a geographically associated group of islands and a natural biogeographic unit. The islands have been available for terrestrial colonization since the late Tertiary. From the viewpoint of beetle systematics and biodiversity, this is the most important set of islands of the Lesser Antilles because more species have been described or recorded from Guadeloupe than any other island or group in the Lesser Antilles. We present a summary of the 1338 beetle species recorded in the literature from the archipelago, in 60 families, and 719 genera. The families with the largest numbers of species are Curculionidae (420), Staphylinidae (153), Chrysomelidae (75), Cerambycidae (69), Scarabaeidae (64), and Tenebrionidae (59). Four hundred eighty two species are known only from one or more islands of the Guadeloupe group and likely speciated there. Guadeloupe is the type locality for an additional 59 species. At least 61 species have been accidentally introduced by human activities. A total of 261 species are known only from the Lesser Antilles including Guadeloupe. The remaining species are naturally more widespread in the Lesser Antilles, or the West Indies, and elsewhere in the New World. The actual number of species on the Guadeloupe Archipelago is estimated to be around 1850 or more species.
Scolopendra morsitans L., 1758, is documented from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, the fi rst record of this anthropochoric chilopod from both the archipelago and state. Hawaii thus becomes the second American state to harbor the species, the other being Florida, where an individual has been taken in Jacksonville, Duval County. Meristic and morphological data are presented for three Hawaiian specimens. At least two other species of Scolopendra, both introduced, occur on these islands: S. polymorpha Wood, 1861, known only from one specimen from Oahu, and one or more representatives of the “S. subspinipes Leach, 1815, complex,” which is widespread and even inhabits Midway Atoll.
Taxonomic revision of North American Eusphalerum Kraatz, 1857 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Omaliinae)
(2014)
The North American species of the genus Eusphalerum Kraatz (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Omaliinae) are revised. The taxonomic history, natural history, geographical distribution of the genus, characters, species groups, diversity, and biogeography of North American species are presented. Two main phylogenetic lineages and 13 species groups are provisionally recognized. The following new synonymies are proposed: Eusphalerum farrarae (Hatch, 1944) = E. lawrencei Hatch, 1957; Eusphalerum californicum (Fauvel, 1878) = E. atriventre (Casey, 1894), = E. nigerrimum (Casey, 1894), = E. gilvipenne (Casey, 1894), = E. dichroum (Fall, 1922), = E. bonnelli (Hatch, 1944), = E. lunae Hatch, 1957; Eusphalerum fraternum (Casey, 1894) = E. minskae (Hatch, 1944); Eusphalerum rugulosum (Mäklin, 1853) = E. grayae (Hatch, 1944); Eusphalerum orientale (Bernhauer, 1912) = E. frosti (Bernhauer, 1928). The following lectotypes are designated: E. subangulatum (Casey), E. californicum (Fauvel), E. gilvipenne (Casey), E. diversicolle (Casey), E. convexum (Fauvel), E. fraternum (Casey), E. horni (Fauvel), E. orientale (Bernhauer), E. pothos (Mannerheim), and E. punctatum (Casey). The following new species are described: Eusphalerum pilosum (California); E. klimaszewskii (British Columbia); E. chatzimanolisi (California); E. carolinensis (Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia); E. caterinoi (California); E. luteipes (California); E. thayeranum (Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Indiana (doubtful record), Oregon, Washington); E. margaretae (Tennessee); E. newtoni (British Columbia, Oregon, California); E. parvispiculum (California, Oregon); E. uncinatum (British Columbia, California, Oregon, Washington). Eusphalerum lapponicum (Mannerheim, 1830) is excluded from the North American fauna. The following new combination is proposed: Xylodromus segmentarius (Mäklin, 1852: 322) (ex Omalium), wrongly attributed to Eusphalerum in the literature. Omalium marginatum Say, 1832 is considered a doubtful species, probably not Eusphalerum. A key to the 27 recognized North American Eusphalerum species and a catalog of the species are provided.
We clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of several species-group names and the family-group name for the anticheirine scarabs (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini), a group that includes nearly 550 species and subspecies in 44 genera and subgenera. These clarifications are necessary due to taxonomic and nomenclatural inaccuracies in recent revisionary works. We provide a list of genera included in the anticheirine scarabs sensu Soula. Numerous nomenclatural changes are necessary due to invalid type designations or misspellings: the valid type species of Aequatoria Arrow is Chlorota associata Waterhouse; the valid type species of Chlorota Burmeister is Rutela terminata Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau and Audinet-Serville; the valid type species of Dorysthetus Blanchard is Macraspis chlorophana Burmeister; the valid type species of Anticheira Eschscholtz is Scarabaeus virens Drury. Changes to the type species of Anticheira result in new combinations: Anticheira virens virens (Drury), new combination, Anticheira virens bleuzeni (Soula), new combination and Anticheira virens jossi (Soula), new combination. Some anticheirine species names were not associated with species descriptions or type designations, making these names nomina nuda and unavailable: “Chlorota smithi”, “Macraspis cincta guatemalensis”, “Parachlorota equatoriana”, “Parachlorota pardoi”, “Pseudothyridium (Megathyridium) bousqueti”, “Theuremaripa rivae brasiliensis” and “Thyridium cupriventre blanchardi”. Dorysthaetus rufipennis Dejean is a nomen nudum and an unavailable name. We correct numerous misspellings from Soula’s five volumes on anticheirine scarabs and provide a list to avoid propagation of these errors by future researchers. Eighteen names are unavailable infrasubspecific names, and thirty-six of Soula’s names were misspelled. These names confuse and obscure ruteline systematics. Lastly, we provide a comprehensive list of infrasubspecific names in the anticheirine scarabs and we establish these as available or unavailable names.
Besides the two species at present known belonging to the genus Trichonotuloides Balthasar (T. glyptus (Bates) and T. latecrenatus (Bates)), two new Mexican species, T. alfonsinae and T. hansferyi, are herein described (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae). The complete set of fi gures is supplied for all taxa herein dealt with.
Thirty five Western Hemisphere species of Glaresidae (Coleoptera) are recognized. Descriptions of new species, redescriptions of those previously described, keys to groups and species, and illustrations of pertinent morphological characters are presented. Nineteen newly described species are Glaresis australis, G. bajaensis, G. bautista, G. caenulenta, G. california, G. costaricensis, G. costata, G. falli, G. dentata, G. donaldi, G. imitator, G. limbata, G. montenegro, G. paramendica, G. sabulosa, G. tumida, G. warneri, G. yanegai, and G. zacateca. Glaresis cartwrighti Gordon is recognized as a junior synonym of G. inducta Horn.
Sundapyrochroa, a new genus of pyrochroine Pyrochroidae, is described from three Sunda Shelf species most recently assigned to Pseudopyrochroa Pic: Sundapyrochroa atricolor (Pic), comb. nov., recorded from Peninsular Malaysia, Sundapyrochroa nigripennis (Pic), comb. nov., recorded from Peninsular Malaysia, and Sundapyrochroa sumatrensis (Pic), comb. nov., recorded from Borneo (Malaysia: Sabah) and Sumatra (Indonesia). Schizotus rotundicollis Pic, syn. nov., is proposed as a junior synonym of S. sumatrensis. No evidence could be found to support subspecifi c categories for S. nigripennis, thus, Pseudopyrochroa nigripennis notaticeps Pic, syn. nov., is proposed as a junior synonym of S. nigripennis. Gross anatomy of the cranium (female, male), antennae (female, male), and genitalia (male) are both diagnostic and enigmatic, suggesting no clear relationships with other pyrochroine genera.
Brachiacantha Dejean (Coccinellinae: Hyperaspidini), containing 49 species, is discussed, species described, illustrations provided, and a key to all recognized taxa included. Coccinella octopustulata F., Cleothera groendali Mulsant, Hyperaspis argentinica Weise, Hyperaspis blandula Weise, and Hyperaspis egae Crotch are transferred to Brachiacantha. Cleothera billoti parva Mulsant is recognized as a valid species and transferred to Brachiacantha. Brachiacantha arrowi Brèthes, Brachiacantha australe Leng, Brachiacantha manni Nunenmacher, and Brachiacantha propria Kirsch are recognized as synonyms of Brachiacantha groendali (Mulsant). A total of 29 new species of Brachiacantha are described; B. amber, B. anita, B. april, B. cathy, B. clara, B. charlotte, B. danielle, B. darlene, B. debbie, B. eleanor, B. emma, B. esther, B. eva, B. gail, B. hazel, B. jamie, B. joanne, B. jill, B. juanita, B. lauren, B. leslie, B. lynn, B. monica, B. pauline, B. pseudoarrowi, B. regina, B. sally, B. valerie, and B. veronica. Lectotypes are designated for B. argentinica (Weise), B. armandi (Mulsant), B. arrowi Brèthes, B. bahiensis Brethès, B. bilineata Weise, B. blandula Weise, B. bruchi Weise, B. loricata (Mulsant), B. octopustulata (F.), B. propria Kirsch.
In this essay, one of the most serious problems highlighted with respect to contemporary Iranians, who are mostly known as Shi‘ite-Perso (Shi‘ite-Persian) citizens of Iran, and what their view toward abusing wine and opium is. On one hand, the wealthy Persian literature is full of poems, narrations and notes with reference to wine and opium, while on the other hand, many parts of Shi‘ite-Islamic thought deem wine unclean and illegal, and abusing opium is forbidden except under certain [hard-fulfilling] conditions. Hereby, in this essay the aim is to express why the question “are drinking wine and abusing opium known as addiction or literal culture?” is suspended throughout the young Iranian generation. In this regard, the standpoints of Persian poets and Iranian religious figures towards wine and opium will be considered.
The crape myrtle aphid Sarucallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) collected on Lagerstroemia indica (Lythraceae) is herein reported as a new invasive species in the city of Palmira, State of Valle del Cauca, and on San Andres island, in the State of San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina, Colombia. The species is illustrated and diagnosed. A brief review of recent invasive species in Colombia, i.e., Ceroplastes rubens Maskell (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Crypticerya multicicatrices Kondo and Unruh (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) [invasive on the island of San Andres], Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae); and other adventive (but non-invasive) species in Colombia, i.e., Anagyrus kamali Moursi (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), Gyranusoidea indica Shafee, Alam and Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is provided.
SAFE Newsletter : 2014, Q4
(2014)
SAFE Newsletter : 2014, Q3
(2014)
SAFE Newsletter : 2014, Q2
(2014)
SAFE Newsletter : 2014, Q1
(2014)
Eryphanis zolvizora (Hewitson, 1877) is a rare Andean endemic butterfly, described from Bolivia, which has been historically classified either as a unique species, or as part of a group of three allopatric species from Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia. In this paper, the group is revised using more than 200 specimens housed in 35 European and North and South American public and private collections. For the first time, the presence of the group in Western Ecuador and Venezuela is confirmed, and important data on Peruvian populations are provided. In some populations, individual variations of genitalia are observed. Nevertheless, male genitalia allow the distinction of four geographical groups. Considering also habitus characters, eight taxa are distinguished and considered to be subspecies, of which five are new: Eryphanis zolvizora inca ssp. nov., Eryphanis zolvizora chachapoya ssp. nov., Eryphanis zolvizora casagrande ssp. nov., Eryphanis zolvizora reyi ssp. nov., and Eryphanis zolvizora isabelae ssp. nov. In the present state of knowledge, these taxa are allopatric, except for a possible geographic overlap in central Peru, where data are insufficient to prove sympatry. The “several subspecies vs. several species” dilemma is discussed, considering its impact for conservation action and policies.
The Malagasy genus Belbina Stål, 1863 (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) is revised, transferred from the Enchophorinae Haupt, 1829 to the Aphaeninae Blanchard, 1847, and two new species, B. bourgoini sp. nov. and B. laetitiae sp. nov., are described. The genus Cornelia Stål, 1866 is proposed as a junior synonym of Belbina. The following new combinations are proposed: Belbina bergrothi (Schmidt, 1911) comb. nov. and B. nympha (Stål, 1866) comb. nov. The combination Belbina foliacea Lallemand, 1950 is restored. Aphana madagascariensis Westwood, 1851 is redescribed, transferred to Belbina and the new combination B. madagascariensis (Westwood, 1851) is proposed. Belbina vicina Lallemand, 1959 is proposed as a junior synonym of B. falleni Stål, 1863 and Cornelia atomaria (Brancsik, 1893) as a junior synonym of Belbina nympha (Stål, 1866). Neotypes are designated for B. madagascariensis (Westwood, 1851) comb. nov. and B. servillei (Spinola, 1839). The genus now comprises 12 species from Madagascar. A list of diagnostic characters, an identification key, illustrations of the male genitalia and distribution maps are provided. The falleni+ species group is defined based on characters of the male genitalia and contains the following 5 species: B. bloetei Lallemand, 1959, B. falleni Stål, 1863, B. laetitiae sp. nov., B. lambertoni Lallemand, 1922 and B. pionneaui Lallemand, 1922.
The South African endemic bees of the "euryglossiform" species of the genus Scrapter Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 are revised and illustrated. The species-group is defined for the first time and comprises 20 species, 16 of which are described here as new: Scrapter exiguus sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. gessorum sp. nov. ♀, S. inexpectatus sp. nov. ♀, S. luteistigma sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. minutissimus sp. nov. ♂, S. minutuloides sp. nov. ♀, S. minutus sp. nov. ♀, S. nanus sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. nigerrimus sp. nov. ♀, S. nigritarsis sp. nov. ♀, S. papkuilsi sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. punctatus sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. pygmaeus sp. nov. ♀, S. roggeveldi sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. spinipes sp. nov. ♀, ♂ and S. ulrikae sp. nov. ♀, ♂. For S. acanthophorus Davies, 2005 and S. sittybon Davies, 2005 the female is here described for the first time. A key to all species is provided.
Among the 125 currently recognized species of the panoceanic genus Leucothoe, L. antarctica was described in 1888 from the Antarctic seas, but was soon synonymized with the so-called cosmopolitan Leucothoe spinicarpa Abildgaard, which was cited from the Southern Ocean about 70 times since this first record. After erecting a new Antarctic species again only in 1983, “morphological variants” were observed and discussed. In this paper, we revalidate the first defined Antarctic species (Leucothoe antarctica), redescribe the second one (L. orkneyi), describe 5 new Southern Ocean species (L. campbelli sp. nov., L. longimembris sp. nov., L. macquariae sp. nov., L. merletta sp. nov. and L. weddellensis sp. nov.) and provide a key to all Antarctic and sub-Antarctic species.
The taxonomy of the family Desmodoridae (Nematoda: Desmodorida) is partially revised based on morphology. The diagnoses of the Desmodoridae and the subfamilies Desmodorinae and Spiriniinae are emended to accommodate re-analyzed morphological features. Eight known species are redescribed and the implication of the new findings for the taxonomy of the group is discussed. Amphispira and Metadesmodora are confirmed as genera inquirendae. Alaimonema and Sigmophoranema, and their corresponding type species, are proposed as inquirendae due to poor descriptions of the type material. The other three species of Sigmophoranema are transferred to the genus Onyx because they bear the diagnostic features of this group: spear-like dorsal tooth and s-shape precloacal supplements. Echinodesmodora, Paradesmodora and Stygodesmodora are transferred to the Spiriniinae based on the absence of a head capsule and on the amphidial fovea being surrounded by cuticle striation. Paradesmodora toreutes is transferred to the genus Acanthopharyngoides as A. toreutes comb. nov. The genus Onepunema does not fit in the family Desmodoridae because of diorchic males; thus, it is regarded as taxon incertae sedis.
Lists of valid genera for the two subfamilies are provided. A dichotomic key for the identification of the 14 genera within the Spiriinae is provided.
Datua brevirostris Lallemand, 1959 is transferred to the genus Egregia Chew Kea Foo, Porion & Audibert, 2011 in the Aphaeninae and the new combination Egregia brevirostris (Lallemand, 1959)
comb. nov. is proposed. Egregia marpessa Chew Kea Foo, Porion & Audibert, 2011, the type-species of the genus Egregia, is synonymized with Egregia brevirostris (Lallemand, 1959). A second species, Egregia laprincesse sp. nov. is described from Sumatra, extending the distribution of the genus hitherto recorded only from Borneo. Distribution maps and an identification key are provided. The male genitalia of E. brevirostris are illustrated and described. The genus Datua Schmidt, 1911 now contains a single species, D. bisinuata Schmidt, 1911.
The genus Paragymnopleurus Shipp, 1897 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Gymnopleurini) is characterized and its constituent taxa are keyed and illustrated. Twelve species and five subspecies are deemed valid, and five species groups are recognized. Three new synonymies include: Paragymnopleurus stipes japonicus Balthasar is synonymized with P. ambiguus Janssens, and P. maurus malayanus Ochi and Kon and P. maurus pauliani Janssens are synonymized with the nominotypical subspecies. First country and provincial records are reported for P. brahminus (Waterhouse), P. maurus (Sharp) and P. sinuatus szechouanicus Balthasar. A lectotype is here designated for Gymnopleurus singularis Waterhouse, validating an unpublished designation. A checklist of valid species and synonyms is provided.
The rediscovery of an older available name threatens the stability of the long accepted name of Strategus oblongus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1807) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Hispaniola. Using Article 23.9 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, Scarabaeus monoceros Nicolson, 1776 is designated a nomen oblitum to maintain nomenclatural stability while its junior synonym, Scarabaeus oblongus Palisot de Beauvois, 1807, is designated a nomen protectum.
Results of an Odonata survey carried out in the peatlands of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, in 2012
(2014)
The results of a survey of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) in the peat lands of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, in 2012 are presented. Fifty four species of Odonata found in the area in June-July 2012 are listed, along with brief notes and the locations in which they were found. Of the species found, twelve had not been recorded in Central Kalimantan previously, and of these at least four are completely new to science. Six species, originally described from Central Kalimantan and not recorded any- where since 1953, were rediscovered. At least sixteen of the species found during the survey are considered to be of conservation concern. The discovery of at least four new species to science in a relatively short survey indicates a high probability of occurrence of many more species that are awaiting discovery, and that many un-discovered species may be lost or highly threatened because of the rapid demise of peat swamp forest habitats. A checklist of the Odonata known from Central Kalimantan is provided in an appendix.
Tapinesthis inermis Simon, 1882, the only species in the genus, is widely distributed in western Europe. This redescription provides the first information on the ultrastructure of the species using SEM. The morphology of the spinnerets, tarsal claws and tarsal organs, and the internal structure of the female genitalia and the male palp are described and illustrated in detail. The combination of these structures is very similar to those encountered in some dysderoid spiders and supports the basal placement of Tapinesthis among Oonopinae. The phylogenetic relationships of the species are discussed. The only female among the three syntypes is designated as the lectotype.
This paper summarizes current knowledge about Central African pholcids. Central Africa is here defined as the area between 10°N and 7°S and between 6°E and 18°E, including mainly the Lower Guinean subregion of the Guineo-Congolian center of endemism. This includes all of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, most of Cameroon and Congo Republic, and parts of the neighboring countries. An annotated list of the 14 genera and 79 species recorded from this area is given, together with distribution maps and an identification key to genera. Seven species are newly described: Anansus kamwai sp. nov., Leptopholcus gabonicus sp. nov., Ninetis faro sp. nov., Pholcus punu sp. nov., P. rawiriae sp. nov., Spermophora abibae sp. nov., and S. awalai sp. nov. Additional new records are given for 16 previously described species, including 17 new country records. Distribution and diversity patterns are compared with data on West and East Africa. While West Africa contains a similar set of genera it is significantly less diverse than Central Africa. East Africa is taxonomically more distinct. It has similar levels of diversity as Central Africa, but appears to be less undersampled.
Parasitoid wasps new to Britain (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae,
Eurytomidae, Braconidae & Bethylidae)
(2014)
One genus and five species are recorded as new to Britain: Fidiobia, Fidiobia hispanica, Macroteleia bicolora (Platygastridae); Sycophila binotata (Eurytomidae); Schizoprymnus collaris (Braconidae); and Laelius pedatus (Bethylidae). Keys to British Macroteleia and Laelius are provided.
Provisional synonymy is proposed between Macroteleia minor and M. brevigaster, and synonymy is proposed between Laelius femoralis, L. microneurus and L. nigricrus. The possible mode of introduction of Sycophila binotata is discussed. A lectotype is designated for Schizoprymnus collaris.
A new species of the synthemistid genus Palaeosynthemis is described from the Trauna River valley in Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. The new species is most similar to P. cyrene from which it can be distinguished, among other characters, by the coloration of the pterostigma (jet-black in the new species vs brownish yellow in P. cyrene) and of the wing bases (not darkened vs strongly darkened). The new species also differs from P. cyrene in having a narrow, almost parallel-sided yellow lateral synthoracic stripe and a well-defined yellow marking along most of the ventral margin of the metepimeron. In P. cyrene the lateral synthoracic stripe is markedly wider and tapered, and the yellow element along the ventral margin of the metepimeron is absent. Characters of the adult male are illustrated and the affinities of the species are discussed.
The osteology of “Coccodus” lindstroemi is studied in detail and it is demonstrated that this species does not belong to the genus Coccodus, but is a rather primitive member of the pycnodontiform family Gladiopycnodontidae. Indeed, the snout of “Coccodus” lindstroemi is elongated in a rostrum formed by the prefrontal and the premaxilla. This rostrum extends beyond the lower jaw level. The toothless premaxilla is sutured by its upper margin to the lower margin of the long and broad prefrontal.
The pectoral fin is lost and replaced by a pectoral spine which articulates on the cleithrum. A long nuchal spine resting on the dermosupraoccipital is present. The body is entirely covered by scales that are flakelike in the abdominal region and scute-like in the caudal region. Joinvillichthys gen. nov. is thus erected
with “Coccodus” lindstroemi as the type species. It is also shown that specimens with dumpier head and body, usually ranged in “Coccodus” lindstroemi, represent another species of the same genus for which the taxon Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. is created. Specimens sometimes considered as possible juveniles of “Coccodus” lindstroemi form a distinctive new genus and species of gladiopycnodontid fish, Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. Pankowskichthys differs from Joinvillichthys by many
osteological structures.
Three new species of Pachygnatha, P. bispiralis sp. nov., P. intermedia sp. nov. and P. ventricosa sp. nov., are described from forest areas in western Burundi. The presence of P. procincta Bosmans & Bosselaers, 1994 in Burundi confirms its very wide distribution spanning most of Africa.
Pachygnatha appears to be an important element of the afromontane spider fauna.
The results of two expeditions into the Ulu Baleh and Ulu Balui areas of the interior of Sarawak are presented, including data from forest that was pristine at the time of sampling but that was subsequently logged. A total of 74 species are recorded, notably including Coeliccia campioni, Coeliccia new species borneensis-group, Pericnemis spp., Heliogomphusblandulus, Leptogomphus pendleburyi, Chlorogomphus ?manauand Procordulia ?new species. A discussion of the results and potential differences in the odonate fauna of comparable logged and unlogged forest sites is given.
Odonata fauna of karst streams and rivers of South Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina, West Balkan)
(2014)
Results of the odonatological survey in the Neretva River Basin in South Herzegovinakarst region of Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted from April to August 2013 are presented. The area had been pre-assessed as insufficiently known in term of its Odonata fauna, but believed to be important habitat for several species of conservation concern, particularly Coenagrion ornatum, Ceriagrion tenellum, Caliaeschna microstigma, Lindenia tetraphylla and Cordulegaster heros. Moreover, freshwater habitats of the region are increasingly threatened due to climate change and the habitat destruction due to infrastructure and hydroenergy production projects. The focus of the study was set on the streams and rivers in Neretva, Trebižat, Trebišnjica and Bregava river valleys, Hutovo blato wetland, Mostarsko blato, Dabarsko and Fatničko polje. The survey resulted in 482 Odonata records of 49 species from 52 surveyed localities. Notable results include new distribution data on species of conservation concern, particularly six new localities of C. ornatum, nine of C. microstigma and five of C. heros. Comments on species of conservation concern and brief description of habitats at all surveyed localities are provided. New data on species of conservation concern are important for better conservation planning of dragonfly species and habitats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balut and Sarangani islands are two small landmasses situated off the coast of Davao Occidental, Mindanao Island. Despite recent increase on odonatological data from various islands in the Philippines, these two remote islands have never been explored. Hence, a short survey was conducted on first week of April and November 7 – November 14, 2010 on all freshwater systems in these two islands. Twenty-five species under seven families and 21 genera were found representing the first Odonata record for the two islands.
In the second half of February 2014, Odonata were searched for nine days on Bali andfour days on Lombok, the western Lesser Sundas, Indonesia. One species, Orthetrum chrysishas been for the first time recorded for Bali and six species, Nosostictaemphyla, Idionyx murcia, Brachydiplax chalybea, Agrionoptera insignis, Neurothemisramburii, Rhyothemis phyllishave been for the first time recorded for Lombok. The previous lit-erature concerning the two islands is analysed. To the moment, 55 Odonata species (3 unidentified) are known for Bali and 39 for Lombok, although the actual faunas of both islands are supposed to be equally rich, and further studies on Lombok are necessary. Odonata faunas of Bali and Lombok mirror each other in respect of high shares,29 and 23%, of Odonata species ranging to the west and east of the two islands, respectively. Efficiency of Lombok Strait as a biogeographical boundary was estimated as high as 0.6, so Wallace Line is of importance for Odonata. Some diagnostic characters of N. emphyla, N. ramburii, R. phyllis phyllisand Procordulia sambawanaand a taxo-nomical situation around Prodasineura autumnalisand P. humeralis, which is not justified biogeographically, are discussed. Short notes on habitats and assemblages of Odonata are added.
Distributional records of the 71 tiger beetle species and subspecies known for Argentina are given together with a key and habitus photos (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Brasiella (Brasiella) cuyabaensis Mandl, 1970 and Brasiella (Gaymara) rotundatodilatata (Horn, 1925) are reported as new for the fauna of Argentina. Brasiella (Brasiella) stamatovi (Sumlin, 1979) is transferred to Cylindera (Plectographa), becoming C. (P.) stamatovi (Sumlin), new combination. Cylindera (Plectographa) siccalacicola (Sumlin, 1979) is placed into synonymy under Cylindera (Plectographa) hassenteufeli (Mandl, 1960), new synonymy. A lectotype is designated for Cylindera (Plectographa) patagonica bergiana (Horn, 1895).
Specimens of Burmagomphus asahinai Kosterin, Makbun and Dawwrueng, 2012 and Burmagomphus divaricatus Lieftinck, 1964 from SW and NE Cambodia show differences in the development of the light pattern. One male of the latter species has unusual posterior spinules on posterior hamuli. Two males of Orientogomphus minor(Laidlaw, 1931) from the same locality in NE Cambodia have substantial differences in the thoracic and abdominal pattern. NE Cambodian specimens of Gomphidia abbotti Williamson, 1907 and Lamelligomphus castor (Lieftinck, 1941) have minor differences from data on these species from literature. Caution is necessary when composing and using keys for identification of the mentioned genera of gomphids.
The known range of Oxybleptes meridionalis Smetana (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) is expanded in Florida, USA, from Indian River and Manatee counties to now include Brevard, Highlands, Orange, Seminole and Volusia. Oxybleptes davisi (Notman) is confi rmed to exist in Florida, with records from Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties in the Panhandle, and Orange County in central Florida. Lissohypnus texanus Casey is newly reported from Florida. A new species, Lissohypnus fullertoni, is described from Florida. Diochus schaumii Kraatz reverts to this original spelling; its widespread form in Florida is identical to that in the northeastern USA.
Four new species and one new genus of Cerambycinae are described from French Guiana: Sphagoeme premarginata sp. nov. and Atenizus apicalis sp. nov. (Oemini); Paraniophis signatipes gen. nov., sp. nov., and Niophis brusteli sp. nov. (Ectenessini). Three new country records for French Guiana are provided: Sphagoeme paraensis Martins, 1977, Atenizus simplex Bates, 1884, and Macroeme vittipennis (Melzer, 1934). All taxa are illustrated.
In 2012, two articles were published describing new species of the genus Chelotrupes Jekel, 1866 (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae); the fi rst one included fi ve new species and the second a single species. However, the species described in the second article, Chelotrupes annamariae Byk 2012, is identical to Chelotrupes algarvicus Hillert, Král and Schneider 2012 and should be considered a junior synonym: Chelotrupes algarvicus Hillert, Král and Schneider 2012 = Chelotrupes annamariae Byk 2012, syn. nov.
Six new species of Platypalpus Macquart, 1827 are described from tropical forest at Yangambi (Democratic Republic of the Congo): Platypalpus bolikoi sp. nov., P. ikoso sp. nov., P. lokonda sp. nov., P. manjano sp. nov., P. saffradi sp. nov. and P. yangambensis sp. nov. All species are photographed and, except for P. saffradi sp. nov. known only from females, male terminalia are illustrated for all. A key is provided for the six species of DR Congo. COI barcodes are available for all species at GenBank.
New Species of Phyllophaga Harris (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from northeastern Mexico
(2014)
Three new species of Phyllophaga are described from northeastern Mexico: P. (s.str.) gramma n. sp. from grasslands near Monterrey city, state of Nuevo Leon; P. (s.str.) jeanmathieui n. sp. from mixed forests of Sierra Chipinque, Nuevo Leon; and P. (Listrochelus) pinophilus n. sp. from pine-oak forests of mountains in Nuevo Leon and Coahuila. Illustrations of diagnostic structures and comments about the relations of each species are provided.
We provide new state and county records of biting midges in the genus Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the southeastern United States collected with CDC miniature light traps during 2007–2012 in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. The primary goals of the surveys were to identify the presence of exotic Culicoides, and determine the ranges of known and possible vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). Included are the fi rst records of: Culicoides (Amossovia) beckae Wirth and Blanton from Louisiana and Mississippi, C. (A.) oklahomensis Khalaf from Alabama and Arkansas, C. (Avaritia) alachua Jamnback and Wirth from Alabama, C. (Culicoides) neopulicaris Wirth from Alabama, C. (Drymodesmyia) butleri Wirth and Hubert from Texas, C. (Hoffmania) insignis Lutz from Mississippi, C. (Oecacta) barbosai Wirth and Blanton from Georgia, C. (Silvaticulicoides) loisae Jamnback from Alabama, and C. kirbyi Glick and Mullen from Mississippi. We also provide new Florida county records for C. alachua, C. barbosai, C. (Beltranmyia) hollensis (Melander and Brues), C. insignis, and C. (Monoculicoides) sonorensis Wirth and Jones; a new Georgia county record for C. alachua; and new Alabama county records for C. insignis, and C. sonorensis.
Aleurolobus confusus David and Subramaniam and Bemisia lespedezae (Danzig) occurring on Stephanandra incisa (Thunb.) and Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. are newly documented in the Korean fauna of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Characteristics of these species are briefly redescribed and illustrative photographs and information on their distribution and hosts are provided. A dichotomous key to whiteflies of Korea is given for correct species identification. In addition, the current status of Bemisia takahashii (Danzig) in Korea is discussed based on the results of a survey of the whiteflies of Korea and related papers.
New North American records of Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera: Crambidae, Pyralidae) from southern Florida
(2014)
We report six new North American records, one new state record, and one rare record of pyraloid moths from southern Florida, together with diagnostic characters for all taxa. We transfer Ennomosia Amsel from Spilomelinae to Glaphyriinae, Cangetta micralis (Hampson) n. comb. from Deuterophysa Warren, and Microthyris lelex (Cramer) n. comb. from Cyclocena Möschler. We revise Pseudocabotia Blanchard and Knudson rev. stat. to a subgenus of Ancylosis Zeller, with its type species A. (P.) balconiensis (Blanchard and Knudson) n. comb., and discuss the classifi cation of Cabotia Ragonot as a subgenus of Ancylosis.
Three fossil leafhopper inclusions from Eocene Baltic amber, representing three new extinct genera and species, are described and illustrated. Eomegophthalmus lithuaniensis gen. et sp. nov. is tentatively placed in Megophthalminae, although it may represent the stem group from which Megophthalminae, Ulopinae, and Membracidae arose. Xestocephalites balticus gen. et sp. nov. and Brevaphrodella nigra gen. et sp. nov. are placed in Aphrodinae: Xestocephalini based on the structure of the head, leg chaetotaxy, and male genital capsule. These new genera and species represent the oldest known representatives of their respective subfamilies and the latter is the oldest known brachypterous adult leafhopper.
NeoBiota, Volume 23 (2014)
(2014)
NeoBiota, Volume 23 (2014)
(2014)
NeoBiota, Volume 22 (2014)
(2014)
NeoBiota, Volume 21 (2014)
(2014)
NeoBiota, Volume 20 (2014)
(2014)
Considerations of the alimentary canal, mesodermal reproductive organs, and ventral nervous system and brain are provided. The treatise is based on studies of 301 species, representing 99 genera, 11 subfamilies, and two cleroid families. A comparative morphology summary is provided. Morphological variations of the stomodaeum, ventriculus, malpighian tubules, confi guration of the spermathecal capsule, shape of the bursa copulatrix, male accessory glands, and testes provide taxonomically useful characteristics. Provided are 252 illustrations. A new name, Katachaetosoma, nom. nov., is proposed to replace the preoccupied name Chaetosoma Dejean (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).
Mohammad Arkoun (٭1928, Algeria; †2010, Paris) was an influential Muslim intellectual and particularly concerned with - amongst a profound spectrum of scholarly interests – reforming the academic study of Islamic societies. Trained at the University of Algiers (Faculty of Philology) he ventured off to lecture Arab language and literature at the Sorbonne. His engagement with philosophy and sociology led in 1968 to his PhD at the Sorbonne through a work on Ibn Miskawayh’s ethics...
This exploration into Arkoun’s stances on the Quran looks onto the genesis of the Quran, the notion of the Quran as the ‘deliverer of truth’, and with that, its significane for the ‘being in the world’ of Muslim societies. I will also point out some crucial difficulties in the study of Arkoun’s views on the Quran as well as their implications for the study of Islamic cultures.
A recent paper on the phylogenetic relationships of species within the cephalopod family Mastigoteuthidae meant great progress in stabilizing the classification of the family. The authors, however, left the generic placement of Mastigoteuthis pyrodes unresolved. This problem is corrected here by placing this species in a new monotypic genus, Mastigotragus, based on unique structures of the photophores and the funnel/mantle locking apparatus.
Kempfidris : a new genus of myrmicine ants from the Neotropical region (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
(2014)
The new genus Kempfidris gen. nov. is described based on the workers of a single species, K. inusualis comb. nov., from Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Kempfidris inusualis comb. nov. was originally described by Fernández (2007) and provisionally placed in Monomorium awaiting a better understanding of the internal relationships in Myrmicinae. Kempfidris gen. nov. has a series of distinctive morphological characters including the mandibular configuration, vestibulate propodeal spiracle, propodeal carinae, and cylindrical micro-pegs on the posteromedian portion of abdominal tergum VI and anteromedian portion of abdominal tergum VII. This last trait appears to be autapomorphic for the genus.
One memorable quote from Karl Marx’s conception of religion is, “religion is the opium of the masses.” By this, he critiqued religion as an analgesic that dulls the senses, thus inducing a false sense of satisfaction, and preventing the oppressed from revolting against the grubby socio-economic system. As the sigh of the oppressed, religion makes them to resign to fate since it only gives an unrealistic eschatological hope. Rather than conceive religion from this prismatic way, contemporary events have shown that religion has become an amphetamine or a catalyst for revolt, not only at the global but also national level. This work argues that religion is used as an amphetamine, an energizing pill, to pursue other goals than religious as depicted in the activities of Boko Haram sect, which has raised security challenges in contemporary Nigeria.
Two new species and one subspecies of Pharnaciini, belonging to two different genera, are described from Vietnam: one species and subspecies of Phryganistria Stål, 1875 and one species of Phobaeticus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907. Two species currently attributed to the genus Ramulus Saussure, 1862, Ramulus magnus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) and R. chinensis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907), are transferred to Baculonistria Hennemann & Conle, 2008 comb. nov. Phobaeticus longicornis Bi & Wang, 1998 and Phobaeticus yuexiensis Chen & He, 1993 represent the male and female of Baculonistria magnus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) syn. nov. A lectotype is designated for Baculonistria chinensis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907). The genus Baculonistria now contains three species. Nearchus bachmaensis Ta & Hoang, 2004 is transferred to Phryganistria and the new combination Phryganistria bachmaensis (Ta & Hoang, 2004) comb. nov. is proposed. The species is redescribed and the authors’ attribution corrected, the egg is described and figured for the first time.
Phryganistria tamdaoensis sp. nov. is described and figured from both sexes and the egg. Females of P. tamdaoensis sp. nov. are easily recognised by the conspicuously enlarged lanceolate cerci, a character previously unknown in this tribe. The distribution range of Phryganistria heusii heusii (Hennemann & Conle, 1997) is extended to Tam Dao National Park. A new subspecies Phryganistria heusii yentuensis subsp. nov. is described from Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve from adult males and females and the eggs. Males can easily be distinguished from the nominal subspecies by their colouration. This huge subspecies represents the second longest insect recorded to date. A key to the species of the genus Phryganistria is provided. Phobaeticus trui sp. nov. is described from central Vietnam. It is the first species of Phobaeticus recorded from Vietnam. Adults of both sexes are illustrated.
The ladybeetle Anovia sp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Noviini), known as an important natural enemy of the Colombian fluted scale, Crypticeria muticicatrices Kondo and Gullan (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae) is here identified as A. punica Gordon, 1972, and reported for the first time from Peru. Here we provide information and illustrations of the great variation in color and dorsal patterns of A. punica found in Colombia and Peru.
Four taxa belonging to the complex of species around Achnanthidium minutissimum were found during the ongoing taxonomic revision of the Antarctic freshwater and limno-terrestrial diatom flora. Two taxa were previously described as Achnanthidium lailae and A. sieminskae. Two others were formerly identified as A. minutissimum but detailed light and scanning electron microscopical observations revealed sufficient morphological differences compared to the type of A. minutissimum, to justify their separation and description as new taxa: Achnanthidium indistinctum and A. maritimo-antarcticum. The morphology and ecology of all four taxa are discussed comparing the species with morphologically similar taxa. The biogeographical consequences of the splitting of the former A. minutissimum complex in the Antarctic Region are discussed.
A selection of duplicates from the collection of Michel Edmond de Selys Longchamps was found at the Übersee-Museum Bremen/Germany (UMB). Selys determined a lot of Odonata in the UMB collection and sent 80 European and 76 exotic species to Bremen on 23 April, 1875. According to the labels 121 specimens could be assigned to this shipment and eleven specimens must have been sent to UMB in later years. This collection includes two paralectotypes (Progomphus gracilis Hagen inSelys, 1853;Palaemnema nathalia Selys, 1886) and seven syntypes (Rhinocypha trifasciata Selys, 1853; Dysphaea dimidiata limbata Selys, 1859; Argia sordida Hagen inSelys, 1865; Oxyagrion dissidens Selys, 1876; Oxyagrion haematinum Selys, 1876; Oxyagrion pavi-dum Hagen in Selys, 1876; Telagrion longum Selys, 1876). In addition, a male specimen of Euphaea tricolor subcostalis Selys, 1873 might also belong to the original syntype series. Altogether three specimens with labeled nomina nuda(Diplax catharina Selys, Diplax fausta Selys, Dythemis bilineata Hagen) and two labeled with manuscript names (Diplax marcellina Selys, Perithemis ovate Bates) are in this collection.
Five new species of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from Peru and Bolivia, and two new records for Peru
(2014)
The following four new species of Cerambycidae are described from Bolivia: Chrysoprasis imitatrix (Heteropsini); Carneades vigneaulti (Colobotheini); Colobothea larriveei (Colobotheini); Colobothea boliviana (Colobotheini). Esthlogena (Pseudotaxia) bella (Pteropliini) is described from Peru. A key to species of Carneades Bates, 1869 is provided. The other new species are included in previously published keys. Additionally, two new country records are reported for the fauna of Peru.
The present paper describes five new species of candonid ostracods in two genera: Pseudocandona agostinhoi sp. nov., P. cillisi sp. nov., P. claudinae sp. nov., Candobrasilopsis elongata sp. nov. and C. acutis sp. nov. The three species of Pseudocandona belong to the caribbeana-group in this genus. With the two new species of Candobrasilopsis, this genus now comprises four species.
Candobrasilopsis elongata sp. nov. is the most common of the five new species described here, while C. acutis sp. nov. and P. claudinae sp. nov. are known from one locality only, which is furthermore the same for both species: a small streamlet entering the Paraná River. With the description of the present five species, the number of species known from the Paraná River alluvial valley, including the Taquaruçu lakes, now amounts to 49.
Cupido comyntas (Godart), the eastern tailed-blue, is a legume-feeding caterpillar native to North America. One of its three subspecies, Cupido comyntas comyntas (Godart), is distributed over the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. This subspecies was recorded for the first time feeding on cultivated soybean. Caterpillars fed upon soybean at various developmental stages, ranging from seedlings to podded plants, in several fields within a 5-km radius in Brookings County, South Dakota, from July 1 – 25, 2013. Feeding was confined to leaves, and no pod damage was observed. The caterpillars occurred at relatively low densities that were unlikely to have affected yield of soybean crops. An early maturity soybean line, H007Y12, had a lower incidence of C. comyntas comyntas caterpillars than a relatively later maturity line, H19Y11. Butterflies of C. comyntas comyntas were observed feeding from soybean flowers on multiple dates in July and early August. As the geographic distribution of C. comyntas comyntas considerably overlaps the area where soybean is grown, entomologists should watch for and document any additional infestation of soybean by these caterpillars.