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The Cladonematidae are a family of hydrozoans with a worldwide distribution and morphological adaptations for a benthic mode of life. Species of this family are characterized by high morphological variability, which has caused many taxonomical debates, mainly for the species of the genera Eleutheria Quatrefages, 1842 and Staurocladia Hartlaub, 1917. Herein, we describe Staurocladia dzilamensis sp. nov., a new species of crawling hydromedusa from the southern Gulf of Mexico. This finding also constitutes the first record of the genus Staurocladia for the Gulf of Mexico. The presence of additional nematocyst clusters, supplementing the apical one on the upper branch of the tentacles, places it within Staurocladia. The presence of exumbrellar buds, a conspicuous marginal ring of nematocysts, 6–11 bifid tentacles with lower branches longer than their upper counterpart, the cnidome with stenoteles of two size classes, and two nematocyst clusters on the upper branch supplementing the apical one, opposite placed alternately on its aboral and oral sides permits to differentiate S. dzilamensis from its congeners. A taxonomic key for the species of Staurocladia is provided.
Cicadellinae is a relatively large subfamily of leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with a cosmopolitan distribution with most genera known to occur in the Neotropics. Mexico houses nearly 16% of the total genera and most are endemic, inhabiting threatened native forests. Here, a new unusual Mexican genus, Christopherus gen. nov., is described to accommodate a new species of Cicadellini, C. mictlantecuhtli sp. nov., collected in the endangered Cloud Forest of Sierra Juárez, Oaxaca State of Mexico, based on dry-pinned museum specimen data. The new taxa can be separated from other Neotropical Cicadellini genera easily using male genitalia features: (i) pygofer without processes, (ii) segment 10th without processes, (iii) paraphysis absent, and (iv) edeagus with single basal atrial process elongate and asymmetrical. The monotypic genus Gillonella with its type species, G. ampulla Nielson & Godoy, 1995, are redescribed. A detailed extensive morphological description and discussion to distinguish the new genus from allied red-striped Neotropical genera in Mexico, Central America, and South America are given. Distributional data for new taxa within Mexican forests is also provided.
The North American-Caribbean genera Pholcophora Banks, 1896 and Tolteca Huber, 2000 are representatives of Ninetinae, a group of small, cryptic, and thus poorly known pholcid spiders. We present the first comprehensive revisions of the two genera, including extensive SEM data and descriptions of seven new species from Mexico (Pholcophora mazatlan Huber sp. nov., P. papanoa Huber sp. nov., P. tehuacan Huber sp. nov., Tolteca huahua Huber sp. nov., T. manzanillo Huber sp. nov., T. oaxaca Huber sp. nov., and T. sinnombre Huber sp. nov.). We add new CO1 sequences of nine species to previously published molecular data and use these for a preliminary analysis of relationships. We recover a North American-Caribbean clade including ‘true’ (mainland) Pholcophora, Tolteca (Mexico), and a Caribbean clade consisting of the genus Papiamenta Huber, 2000 (Curaçao) and Caribbean ‘Pholcophora’. First karyotype data for Tolteca (2n♂ = 13, X1X2Y and 15, X1X2Y, respectively) reveal a strong reduction of the number of chromosome pairs within the North American-Caribbean clade, and considerable karyotype differentiation among congeners. This agrees with considerable CO1 divergence among species of Tolteca but contrasts with very inconspicuous morphological divergence. Environmental niche analyses show that the widespread P. americana Banks, 1896 (western USA, SW Canada) occupies a very different niche than its Mexican congeners and other close relatives. Caribbean taxa also have a low niche overlap with ‘true’ Pholcophora and Tolteca, supporting the idea that Caribbean ‘Pholcophora’ are taxonomically misplaced.
In this study, we revise the taxonomy of the endemic Mexican genus Ceratotrupes Jekel, 1865. It comprises three species, distributed in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Ceratotrupes fronticornis (Erichson, 1847) and Ceratotrupes bolivari Halffter & Martínez, 1962), and the Sierra Madre del Sur (Ceratotrupes sturmi (Jekel, 1865)). We confirm C. mniszechi (Jekel, 1865) as a junior subjective synonym of C. sturmi. The examination of the holotype of C. sturmi and specimens recently collected in the Sierra Sur de Oaxaca (Oaxaca) and Omiltemi (Guerrero) allowed us to identify and describe a new species, Ceratotrupes gonzaloi sp. nov. from Omiltemi, Guerrero. We redescribe the morphology of C. sturmi and provide a diagnostic key to the four members of the genus Ceratotrupes. Photographs of the habitus and male genitalia of the four species, a distribution map, and observations on their ecology and biogeography are provided.
The genus Scipopus (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae) is redefined and revised to include the genera previously treated as the “Scipopus group” which included Scipopus Enderlein, Pseudeurybata Hennig, and Phaeopterina Frey. Pseudeurybata is treated as a junior synonym of Phaeopterina and the genus Scipopus is redefined to include three subgenera: Scipopus s. str., Phaeopterina and Parascipopus subgen. nov.. Redescriptions of 18 previously described species, and descriptions of 25 new species are provided as follows: S. (Parascipopus) subgen. nov., S. (Parascipopus) alturas sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) fenestratus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) kubus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) monteverde sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) nigriscapus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) otisi sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) savegre sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) tico sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) argentum sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) brunneus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) lineatus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) musculosus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) narupa sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) noturgidus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) turgidus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) vee sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) fraudator sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) metallicus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) quetzal sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) uniformis sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) brikelos sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) convexus sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) nitidus sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) planus sp. nov., and S. (Scipopus) wokomung sp. nov. Scipopus (Scipopus) limbativertex Enderlein is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) nigripennis (Hendel), S. (Scipopus) bolivianus Hennig is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) belzebul (Schiner), S. (Scipopus) frit Cresson is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) calocephalus (Bigot) and S. (Scipopus) alvarengai Albuquerque is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) erythrocephalus (Fabricius). The phylogeny of Scipopus s. lat. and its presumed outgroup (a clade containing Rainieriella Aczel) is considered using morphological and molecular data and supported with a maximum likelihood tree for the genes 12S, 28S and COI.
The first host record for the North American spider wasp Cryptocheilus severini Banks (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México is introduced with pertinent observation information. The genus Cryptocheilus Panzer in North America is briefly described, its nesting habitat and prey transport outlined, and host specificity detailed.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:65404A9D-0B4C-4F7B-B8E2-0301EE922EF4
The beetle genus Pharaxonotha Reitter (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Pharaxonothinae) is found in the cones of cycad genera in the New World, including species of Dioon Lindl., Ceratozamia Brongn., Microcycas (Miq.) A.DC and Zamia L. In this paper nine new species found in Dioon are described by Skelley, Tang and Pérez-Farrera: Pharaxonotha bicolor, P. dimorpha, P. fawcettae, P. gigantea, P. novoai, P. occidentalis, P. sclerotiza, P. woodruffi, P. vovidesi. A key to described species of Pharaxonotha inhabiting Dioon is presented, along with an account of Pharaxonotha kirschii Reitter for comparison.
In a continuation of my investigation of tropical lichenized fungi, a treatment of new or otherwise interesting lichens mainly from Brazil and Venezuela is presented. A total of 34 species are reported here, most of them new discoveries for at least one the two countries or a new discovery for a state, including 11 species new to science. These are Malmidea albomarginata Kalb & Hernández from Venezuela, differing from M. granifera by the thin, white apothecial margins and a white to yellowish medulla, M. allobakeri Kalb & M. Cáceres from Brazil, differing from M. bakeri in lacking atranorin and in having smaller ascospores, M. allopapillosa Kalb from Venezuela, differing from M. papillosa in having atranorin as a major metabolite, M. atlanticoides Kalb & M. Cáceres from Brazil, differing from M. atlantica in containing atranorin and an unknown anthraquinone as major metabolites, M. hechicerae from Venezuela, differing from M. coralliformis by the K+ lemon-yellow medulla of the thallus, M. hernandeziana Kalb from Venezuela, differing from M. fellhaneroides in having a chocolate-brown hypothecium, larger apothecia and larger ascospores, M. isidiifera Kalb from Brazil and Venezuela, differing from M. piperis in having granular to coralloid isidia and atranorin as a major metabolite, M. leucopiperis Kalb from Brazil and Venezuela, differing from M. piperis in the pale-colored hypothecium, M. rhodopisoides Kalb from Brazil, differing from M. rhodopis in having granular isidia, M. subcinerea Kalb from Venezuela, differing from M. cinerea in producing no lichen substances, and M. volcaniana Kalb & Hernández from Venezuela and Brazil, differing from M. sulphureosorediata in having an alternative anthraquinone-chemistry. In addition, the new combination Stigmatochroma glaucothecum (Fée) Kalb is proposed. New reports for Venezuela include Bacidiopsora microphylla Kalb, B. silvicola (Malme) Kalb (new also for Guatemala), Buellia albula (Nyl.) Müll. Arg., Coenogonium pyrophthalmum (Mont.) Lücking, Aptroot & Sipman, Dirinaria rhodocladonica Kalb, Schumm & Elix, Malmidea badimioides (M. Cáceres & Lücking) M. Cáceres & Kalb (new also for Mexico), M. leptoloma (Müll. Arg.) Kalb & Lücking, M. nigromarginata (Malme) Lücking & Breuss, M. perplexa Kalb, M. polycampia (Tuck.) Kalb & Lücking, M. rhodopis (Tuck.) Kalb, Rivas Plata & Lumbsch, M. sulphureosorediata M. Cáceres, D. A. Mota & Aptroot, M. vinosa (Eschw.) Kalb, Rivas Plata & Lumbsch, Psilolechia lucida (Ach.) Choisy, Rhizocarpon sipmanianum Kalb & Aptroot, Sipmaniella sulfureofusca (Fée) Kalb, Stigmatochroma glaucothecum (Fée) Kalb and Vainionora aemulans (Vain.) Kalb. A collection of Pyxine caesiopruinosa (Nyl.) Imsh. from Venezuela is mentioned and its differentiation from P. albovirens (G. Mey.) Aptroot is discussed. New reports for Brazil include Malmidea atlantica (M. Cáceres & Lücking) M. Cáceres & Kalb (for Bahia state) and M. sulphureosorediata (for São Paulo state). A morphological, anatomical and chemical comparison of type material of Malmidea polycampia (Tuck.) Kalb & Lücking and M. flavopustulosa (M. Cáceres & Lücking) M. Cáceres & Kalb revealed that both names are synonym, the first one having priority. For many species revised descriptions and revised chemistry are presented based on South American material. To facilitate the identification of anthraquinones occurring in Malmidea species a table of relative Rfvalues in solvents A, B' and C is presented.
In the present paper, we have made a taxonomic revision of the previously monotypic genus Troglostygnopsis Šilhavý, 1974. Based on the revision of diverse material, the genus is rediagnosed and the type species, Troglostygnopsis anophthalma Šilhavý, 1974 is redescribed. The new species Troglostygnopsis kalebi sp. nov. is described from specimens collected in a cave in Chiapas, Mexico, and this species is compared with T. anophthalma. A final discussion on some troglobitic genera of Stygnopsidae is addressed.
Maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function is critical on national and global scales. However, while only a fraction of the global biodiversity is known, its current decline is unprecedented, making biodiversity hotspots a conservation priority. The Sierra Gorda Biodiversity Reserve (SGBR) in Central Mexico is known for its rich biodiversity. It is an example of the juxtaposition between species discovery and extinction: aquatic species richness is mostly unknown as no efforts have investigated aquatic communities so far, but are already anthropogenically stressed. We hypothesized that invasive species are already well established in various protected areas and investigated this by assessing the threat of invasive species that are already established within the SGBR on the native biodiversity. By combining field sampling with peer-reviewed literature and local reports, we identify the presence of various non-native species in SGBR. Among these non-native species identified were opportunistic predatory fish and potentially-pathogen transmitting molluscs, but also, a habitat engineer capable of modifying ecosystem functions. Moreover, we highlight that these species were introduced despite legislation and without any knowledge among authorities. As a result, we underline the necessity to describe native species, control invasive and prevent the introduction of further non-native species. If accelerated action is not taken, we risk losing a considerable amount of described and unknown freshwater biota. Keywords: Anthropocene, Biodiversity loss, Freshwater, Invasive species, Mexico, Nature reserve.
Antoinettia, new genus (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae: Tritomini), is erected for three species: A. audbala (Skelley), new combination, A. huhnei Skelley, new species, and A. kovariki (Skelley), new combination. A genus complex involving Ischyrus Lacordaire, 1842, and Megischyrus Crotch, 1873, is defined and a preliminary key to neotropical genera of Tritomini with coarsely facetted eyes is presented.
A new species of Chrysina Kirby, C. clavellina Monzón, Blackaller, and Hawks (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) is described from Santiago Clavellinas in the Sierra Azul in Oaxaca, Mexico. Chrysina cosijoezai (Ramírez-Ponce and Curoe) is placed as a junior synonym of C. lacordairei (Boucard), and notes on the Chrysina fauna of this mountain range are included.
Four online photographs from Oaxaca, Mexico taken by N. R. Jenzen-Jones and posted on inaturalist.org reveal Selenops sp., probably S. mexicanus Keyserling (Arachnida: Araneae: Selenopidae), as a new host spider species, genus and family for the common and widespread American spider wasp Tachypompilus ferrugineus (Say) (rusty spider wasp). The wasp transported the immobilized spider up an exterior stucco wall of a house, dorsal side upward, walking backwards for 3m to her nest in a gap between the wooden planking and stucco wall beneath the roof, while grasping the femur of its right pedipalp with her mandibles.
Se revisa el género Aleuroparadoxus Quaintance y Baker (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae) y se describen e ilustran A. gabrieli García-Ochaeta y Evans, sp. nov., de Guatemala y México, A. elmarrojasi García- Ochaeta y Evans, sp. nov., de Guatemala y A. carapiai García-Ochaeta y Evans, sp. nov., de México. Se registran A. sapotae Russell y A. gardeniae Russell por primera vez para Guatemala. Se proporciona una clave ilustrada para la identificación de los grupos y especies del género.
Populus primaveralepensis A.Vázquez, Muñiz-Castro & Zuno sp. nov., a new species from relict gallery cloud forest in Bosque La Primavera Biosphere Reserve (Mexico), is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to P. subsect. Tomentosae Hart., and is morphologically similar to P. luziarum A.Vázquez, Muñiz-Castro & Padilla-Lepe, but differs from it in having taller trees without root suckers, white and ringed young stems and branches, a branching angle of ca 45º, leaves with higher blade to petiole ratio, leafs frequently elliptic or ovate to widely ovate (vs widely ovate to ovatedeltoid), denser inflorescences, and shorter capsules. The conservation status of the species was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).
The Neotropical genus Mesoconius Enderlein, 1922 is revised with the redescription or diagnosis of 20 previously described South American species, the description of one new species of the M. infestus group (M. triunfo sp. nov.) from Mexico and the description of 32 new species in four species groups from Andean South America (M. eques group: M. albiseta sp. nov., M. albitergum sp. nov., M. anchitarsus sp. nov., M. cosanga sp. nov., M. epandribarba sp. nov., M. hirsutimamma sp. nov., M. nigripleuron sp. nov., M. noteques sp. nov., M. pasachoa sp. nov., M. rufipleuron sp. nov. and M. suzukii sp. nov.; M. infestus group: M. acca sp. nov., M. albipedis sp. nov., M. nigricephala sp. nov. and M. notacca sp. nov.; M. nono group: M. aurantium sp. nov., M. bipleuron sp. nov., M. garyi sp. nov., M. nono sp. nov., M. reinai sp. nov., M. uchumachi sp. nov., M. woytkowskii sp. nov. and M. zorro sp. nov.; M. oblitus group: M. apa sp. nov., M. apicalis sp. nov., M. gelbifacies sp. nov., M. keili sp. nov., M. lobopoda sp. nov., M. nigra sp. nov., M. quadritheca sp. nov., M. rex sp. nov. and M. ruficrus sp. nov.). Calobata eques Schiner, 1868 is transferred from Cliobata Enderlein, 1923 to Mesoconius and all South American species previously treated as Zelatractodes Enderlein, 1922 are transferred to Mesoconius. Mesoconius aeripennis Enderlein, 1922 is synonymized with M. eques, M. enderleini Frey, 1927 is synonymized with M. infestus Enderlein, 1922 and Aristobata melini Frey, 1927 is synonymized with M. filipes (Enderlein, 1922). Mesoconius garleppi (Enderlein, 1922) is newly recognized as a subjective junior homonym and given the replacement name Mesoconius ottoi nom. nov. A maximum likelihood tree is provided for 29 species of Mesoconius sequenced for the barcode region of CO1 and a key is provided for all South American species of Mesoconius.
Nomenclatural and taxonomic changes are proposed for American Apomecynini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae). New synonymies: Parmenonta valida Thomson, 1868, type species of Parmenonta Thomson, 1868, is transferred to Adetus LeConte, 1852, making obligatory the synonymy of Parmenonta with Adetus; Adetus cylindricus Bates, 1866 = A. inaequalis (Thomson, 1868); Adetus leucostigma Bates, 1880 = Adetus binotatus (Thomson, 1868); Adetus tuberosus Galileo and Martins, 2003 = Typophaula melancholica Thomson, 1868; Adetus latericius Belon, 1902, and Adetus irregularis (Breuning, 1939) = Adetus nanus (Fairmaire and Germain, 1859). New records: Adetus binotatus for Chiapas, Guerrero, Tamaulipas, and Quintana Roo (Mexico), new state records; A. inaequalis for Amapá (Brazil), new state record; A. punctatus for Brazil (Rondônia), and Suriname, new country records; Adetus bacillarius Bates, 1885 for Mexico, new country record, and Brazil, new country record; Adetus insularis Breuning, 1940 for Mexico, new country record; Adetus nanus, for Brazil (Pará), new state record, Colombia and Venezuela, new country records. Adetus validus (Thomson, 1868) comb. nov. (from Parmenonta Thomson, 1868). New genera and new species: Adetus x-fasciatus Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, from Paraguay and Argentina; Adetus monteverdensis Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, from Costa Rica; Adetus pseudobacillarius Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, from Costa Rica; Adetus clinei Santos- Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, from Bolivia; Adetaptera Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, new genus, with A. albisetosus (Bates, 1880) comb. nov. designated as type species; Adetaptera schaffneri Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, from Mexico; Morrisia Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, new genus, for M. squamosa (Chemsak and Noguera, 1995) comb. nov., transferred from Adetus LeConte, 1852 and designated as type species, and M. pulchra Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, from Mexico; Skillmania Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes, new genus, with S. obrienorum Santos-Silva, Nascimento and Wappes comb. nov., from Mexico, designated as type species. New combinations: The following 15 species are transferred from Parmenonta to Adetaptera: A. albosticta (Galileo and Martins, 2003), A. chapadensis (Martins and Galileo, 1999), A. fulvosticta (Bates, 1885), A. insularis (Fisher, 1930), A. laevepunctata (Breuning, 1940), A. lenticula (Galileo and Martins, 2006), A. maculata (Martins and Galileo, 1999), A. minor (Bates, 1880), A. ovatula (Bates, 1880), A. parallela (Lameere, 1893), A. punctigera (Germar, 1823), A. strandiella (Breuning, 1940), A. thomasi (Linsley and Chemsak, 1985), A. wickhami (Schaeffer, 1908), and A. dominicana (Galileo and Martins, 2004).
Two new species of Mexican Clytini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) are described: Trichoxys giesberti Botero, Santos-Silva and Wappes (also added to a recent key) and Megacyllene giesberti Botero, Santos-Silva and Wappes. The geographical distribution of Megacyllene melanaspis (Chevrolat, 1862) is expanded to include Bolivia, new country record, and compared to the similar and sympatric Megacyllene proxima (Laporte and Gory, 1841); Megacyllene asteca (Chevrolat, 1860) is proposed as a new combination for the previous Plagionotus asteca, and Amyipunga armaticollis (Zajciw, 1964) is redescribed to correct previous errors regarding it in the literature. Additionally, characters to help separate it from the similar species Amyipunga moritzii (Thomson, 1861) are provided.
The males of Caraphia squamosa (Chemsak and Linsley, 1984) and C. seriata (Chemsak and Linsley, 1984), and the female of C. lingafelteri Ohbayashi and Yamasako, 2016 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lepturinae) are described for the first time. Two new Caraphia species are described: C. warneri Wappes and Santos-Silva, from Guatemala; and C. woodruffi Wappes and Santos-Silva, from Guatemala and Honduras. A key to American species of Caraphia and a map showing their known distribution is provided. New country records for C. seriata and C. lingafelteri are also provided. Lastly, the C. seriata record for Honduras was based on specimens of a new species (Caraphia lingafelteri), hence the Honduras record should be deleted.
A survey of the camerobiid mites living on epiphytic bromeliads and the forest floor of a Mexican tropical dry forest was carried out. We found three new species of the genus Neophyllobius, which are described in this paper; the first two, namely N. cibyci sp. nov. and N. tepoztlanensis sp. nov., were both found inhabiting bromeliads (Tillandsia spp.) and living on two tree species (Quercus obtusata and Sapium macrocarpum); the third, N. tescalicola sp. nov., was found in soil and litter under Q. obtusata. These three new species can be differentiated from other species in the genus by a combination of morphological characters in adult females, mainly those setae on femora and genua I. The idiosoma and leg setal ontogeny of a camerobiid mite is presented for the first time in this paper, illustrating chaetotaxic notations and their relative positions in N. cibyci sp. nov. larva, protonymph and adults (female and male), and establishing setal homologies among instars. Setal homology with other species in the cohort Raphignathina is briefly discussed. Additionally, a compilation and an identification key to all known species of camerobiid mites in Mexico is provided.
Xyleborus is one of the most diverse and abundant genera of ambrosia beetles, several species of which are considered important tropical pests. Given the current importance of this group, we present taxonomic keys for the 18 Mexican species of Xyleborus, using distinct external morphological features. A brief diagnosis and illustrations are included for each species.
The historical account of Aztec Emperor Auitztol's introduction of the great-tailed grackle Quiscalus mexicanus into the Valley of Mexico (1486–1502) is significant because it documents human translocation of wild birds in Mexico over 500 years ago, before the Spanish Conquest of that land. In the present paper, which defends the account from writings that dispute it, I first review the evidence of how the account was obtained and show that its many details are consistent with what is known from other sources about both the great-tailed grackle and the Aztecs (Nahuas). I then review and examine all published criticisms of the account and explain in detail why they are wrong. The critics have to date presented no persuasive evidence to support their speculation that the Aztecs confused, or might have confused, a natural invasion for an introduction. In contrast to these critics, Bernardino de Sahagún’s research group in the 1500s presented a highly credible, peer-reviewed historical account that documented Aztec introduction of the great-tailed grackle. The pioneering work of these Renaissance Mexican scholars continues to stand as one of the most important records of invasive alien species introduction in ancient times.
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.
From 1995 to 2004 collections for Bruchidae (Coleoptera) were made in La Reserva de la Biósfera Sierra de Huautla, Morelos, Mexico. Specimens were reared from mature seedpods, but also collected by net, malaise trap, and light trap. In total 72 species in 13 genera of Bruchidae were recovered. Of those two new species are here described: Amblycerus montalvoi Romero and Acanthoscelides camerinoi Romero. We record 27 host plants for the bruchids found in the study area.
The female of Nothopleurus subsulcatus (Dalman, 1823) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prioninae: Macrotomini) is described for the first time, and the female of Strongylaspis bullata Bates, 1872 is redescribed. Color photographs of the habitus of both, and key characters for the former are included. New distributional records within Mexico for N. subsulcatus and Strongylaspis championi Bates, 1884 are given.
Thirteen species of skippers (six newly described; Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae: Hesperiini) from higher elevations of Mexico and Central America are reviewed. These are included in four genera (one newly described), some with proposed new combinations. Onespa Steinhauser, 1974, originally described as monotypic, is shown to include three species in addition to its type species, Onespa nubis Steinhauser, 1974. One of these, Atrytone gala Godman, 1900, that has been misplaced in several genera since its description, represents a new combination. The other two species, distributed in montane habitats in northwestern Mexico and in Costa Rica, are described as new. Buzyges Godman, 1900, distributed in Mexico and Central America and also formerly considered monotypic, is shown to embrace four species. Besides the type species, Buzyges idothea Godman, 1900, two species long placed in Poanes Scudder, 1872, Pamphila rolla Mabille, 1883, and Poanes benito Freeman, 1979, are included as new combinations. Another species, known only from Costa Rica, is described as new. These are united by several superficial characters, but especially by genital morphology of both sexes. Librita Evans, 1955, was described to include three species of which one, Librita raspa Evans, 1955, was subsequently removed. Augiades heras Godman, 1900 is here also removed from Librita and placed in a new genus with three previously undescribed species. This completes the disintegration of Librita, which is now monotypic. The four genera, although exhibiting similarities suggesting potential alliance, differ in their unique combinations of several superficial and genital traits from each other and other hesperiine skippers.
Nineteen species of crepuscular and perhaps nocturnal eudamine skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) included in Evans (1952) group "D" genera Bungalotis Watson, Salatis Evans, Sarmientoia Berg, Dyscophellus Godman and Salvin, and Nascus Watson occur in the Cacaulândia area of central Rondônia, Brazil. Their relative abundance and phenology there are given. Taxonomic comments and comparisons with published information are made. Bungalotis lactos Evans, 1952, new status, is considered a species separate from Bungalotis borax Evans, 1952. New genera Nicephellus and Euriphellus are proposed for Eudamus nicephorus Hewitson, 1876, and Papilio euribates Stoll, 1782, respectively, removing both from Dyscophellus and creating new combinations. Discophellus porsena Bell, 1934, reinstated status, is raised from synonymy to a full species of Dyscophellus. The subspecies of Dyscophellus ramusis (Stoll, 1781), as presently recognized, are probably good species; Dyscophellus ramon Evans, 1952, new status, is considered a full species. Pseudonascus, new genus, is proposed for Papilio paulliniae Sepp, [1842], removing this species from Nascus and creating a new combination. Two new species, Bungalotis aureus from Ecuador and Dyscophellus mielkei from Rondônia, Brazil, are described. Male and female genitalia are illustrated for all taxa available from the Rondonian study site plus some from other areas.