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The hypnorum-complex of bumblebees (in the genus Bombus Latreille, 1802) has been interpreted as consisting of a single widespread Old-World species, Bombus hypnorum (Linnaeus, 1758) s. lat., and its closely similar sister species in the New World, B. perplexus Cresson, 1863. We examined barcodes for evidence of species’ gene coalescents within this species complex, using the closely related vagans-group to help calibrate Poisson-tree-process models to a level of branching appropriate for discovering species. The results support seven candidate species within the hypnorum-complex (Bombus taiwanensis Williams, Sung, Lin & Lu, 2022, B. wolongensis Williams, Ren & Xie sp. nov., B. bryorum Richards, 1930, B. hypnorum, B. koropokkrus Sakagami & Ishikawa, 1972, and B. hengduanensis Williams, Ren & Xie sp. nov., plus B. perplexus), which are comparable in status to the currently accepted species of the vagans-group. Morphological corroboration of the coalescent candidate species is subtle but supports the gene coalescents if these candidates are considered near-cryptic species.
Revision of the tribe Pogonini (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae) from the Ibero-Balearic region
(2022)
In the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, Pogonini (Coleoptera, Carabidae) is the least species-rich tribe of Trechinae. Nevertheless, the taxon is relatively poorly studied in this territory, and the available records are mostly published in old and/or faunistic works. The present study provides a taxonomic revision of the 3 genera and 11 species of Pogonini occurring in the Ibero-Balearic region, with an identification key, diagnoses and illustrations of their external morphology and aedeagus. The chorology of the species was also studied, and was assessed by obtaining precise records from published papers and the collection localities of the examined material. These data were used to make updated distribution maps (with several new occurrence points) that reveal a strong regionalization of the tribe in the Ibero-Balearic territory. The species occur in humid and saline environments, especially along the meridional and Mediterranean coasts of the Iberian Peninsula and in inner arid localities of eastern Spain. This result agrees with the widely accepted halobiont condition of the group. However, sampling bias must be considered, and new records are expected to be provided from future revisions of collections and new samplings.
An annotated list, including information on type species, distribution, and number of species, is provided for all of the non-flea-beetle galerucine genera known to occur in the New World (tribes Galerucini, Metacyclini, and Luperini). A diagnostic key to the genera is provided. Habitus illustrations are provided for most genera. The following new genera are proposed: Amplioluperus gen. nov., Cornuventer gen. nov., Geethaluperus gen. nov., Megarhabda gen. nov., Mexiluperus gen. nov., Monoaster gen. nov., Pyesexora gen. nov., Texiluperus gen. nov., Trachyelytron gen. nov. and Yingabruxia gen. nov. The following new taxonomic placements are proposed: Microbrotica Jacoby, 1887 is transferred from the tribe Metacyclini to the section Diabroticites Chapuis, 1875 (tribe Luperini, subtribe Diabroticina Chapuis, 1875); Pteleon Jacoby, 1888 is transferred from the section Exosomites Wilcox, 1973 (tribe Luperini, subtribe Luperina Gistel, 1848) to the section Scelidites Chapuis, 1875 (subtribe Luperina). The following new combinations are proposed: Luperodes histrio Horn, 1895, Luperus maculicollis LeConte, 1884, and Scelolyperus cyanellus Horn, 1895 are transferred from Pseudoluperus Beller & Hatch, 1932 to Amplioluperus; Luperodes tuberculatus Blake, 1942 is transferred from Pseudoluperus to Cornuventer; Luperus flavofemoratus Jacoby, 1888 is transferred from Pseudoluperus to Geethaluperus; Trirhabda obscurovittata Jacoby, 1886 is transferred from Trirhabda LeConte, 1865 to Megarhabda; Cneorane nigripes Allard, 1889 is transferred from Scelida Chapuis, 1875 to Metacycla Baly, 1861; Luperodes wickhami Horn, 1893 and Luperus dissimilis Jacoby, 1888 are transferred from Pseudoluperus to Mexiluperus; Scelolyperus tenuimarginatus Bowditch, 1925, is transferred from Scelida to Mimastra Baly, 1865 and is synonymized with Mimastra semimarginata Jacoby, 1886 syn. nov.; Pseudoluperus fulgidus Wilcox, 1965 and Pseudoluperus linus Wilcox, 1965 are transferred from Pseudoluperus to Monoaster; Crioceris detrita detrita Fabricius, 1801, Malacosoma detrita laevicollis Jacoby, 1887, Pyesia detrita meridionalis Bechyné, 1958, Pyesia elytropleuralis elytropleuralis Bechyné, 1958, and Pyesia elytropleuralis subalutacea Bechyné, 1958 are transferred from Pyesia Clark, 1865 to Pyesexora; Luperodes spretus Horn, 1893 and Luperodes texanus Horn, 1893 are transferred from Pseudoluperus to Texiluperus; Chthoneis smaragdipennis Jacoby, 1888 is transferred from Platymorpha Jacoby, 1888 to Trachyelytron; Luperus albomarginatus Jacoby, 1888 is transferred from Pseudoluperus to Trichobrotica Bechyné, 1956; and Galleruca sordida LeConte, 1858, Monoxia apicalis Blake, 1939, Monoxia batisia Blatchley, 1917, and Monoxia brisleyi Blake, 1939 are transferred from Monoxia LeConte, 1865 to Yingabruxia; all comb. nov. Pseudoluperus decipiens (Horn, 1893), originally described in Scelolyperus Crotch, 1874, is reduced to a junior synonym of Pseudoluperus longulus (LeConte, 1857), syn. nov. Trachyscelida dichroma Viswajyothi & Clark is proposed as a nom. nov. for Racenisa bicolor Bechyné, 1958 (not Agelastica bicolor LeConte, 1884), as both species are currently placed in the genus Trachyscelida Horn, 1893.
The taxonomic status of the nominal taxon Dryophis prasinus flavescens Wall, 1910 is reevaluated herein. Based on molecular data generated from fresh collections of Ahaetulla prasina (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827) auctorum from Northeast India and, additionally, morphological data from museum specimens originating from the same areas, we resurrect this taxon as Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) comb. nov. We clarify the status, identity and locations of its type specimens, rediscover, redescribe and illustrate those specimens and also designate a lectotype in order to effect a proper taxonomic redefinition of this nominal taxon. We provide further details on the morphology and diagnosis of this species and elucidate its phylogenetic position. We also provide a summary of the natural history and distribution of this species. Adding to the known cryptic diversity and genetic divergence within Southeast Asian populations, this work also hints at the need for a taxonomic revision of the A. prasina complex. This work complements a previous study on the A. prasina complex focusing on populations in Indonesia. Taken together, these two studies represent phylogenetic reconstructions from different populations of the A. prasina complex across its distribution range, on the Asian mainland and the surrounding islands.
New state records for 33 species of Eucnemidae (Coleoptera) are reported from the eastern United States based on the examination and identifications of specimens from four institutional and personal collections over the past several years. Images of 12 eucnemid species are also provided.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DAFE70DF-394F-4ECF-A518-3EF5DD8B8B6F
New records for a new species and other exotic Dirrhagofarsus Fleutiaux (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Melasinae: Dirhagini) species are reported from throughout much of the northeastern and southern areas of the United States. Dirrhagofarsus brevis, new species, is hereby described in this study. Two other exotic species, Dirrhagofarsus modestus (Fleutiaux) and Dirrhagofarsus unicolor (Hisamatsu), new country records, are redescribed and diagnosed as they were compared with other Dirrhagofarsus species present in the Nearctic region. All Dirrhagofarsus species in this study are imaged, highlighting essential character states to facilitate better diagnosis in conjunction to the new identification key provided in this study.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:24DCE05F-14CE-465B-AB11-A2F34012FAB6
We describe and illustrate a new Neotropical predaceous midge, Parabezzia carlae Huerta, Spinelli and Grogan, new species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from males collected by Malaise trap in La Union, Ayutla de los Libres, state of Guerrero, Mexico. We also report a second record of P. alexanderi Wirth from Veracruz, Mexico. A key to the known species in Mexico is included.
Jumping bristletail (Insecta: Apterygota: Microcoryphia) records in the southeastern United States
(2020)
Few records of Microcoryphia exist for the southeastern United States, with named species being reported only from Arkansas, Tennessee, and the mid-Atlantic states, and with an unnamed species being reported from Georgia. Records are here provided from 291 specimens housed in the Mississippi Entomological Museum, including ten new species-level state records. This is also the first published report of the order Microcoryphia from Alabama and Mississippi. Species include the machilids Pedetontoides atlanticus Mendes in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina; Pedetontus cf. atlanticus in Kentucky; Pedetontus (Verhoeffilis) gershneri Allen in Arkansas; and Pedetontus (Pedetontus) saltator Wygodzinsky and Schmidt in Mississippi and North Carolina; and the meinertellid Machiloides banksi (Silvestri) in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and North Carolina.
Ancognatha aymara Mondaca, 2016 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini), a species previously known only from Chile, is recorded for the first time in northern Argentina. The new records are based on male specimens collected in the provinces of Jujuy and Salta. Illustrations of the habitus and male genitalia of the species are presented in color photographs. A map with its current distribution in Chile and Argentina is included.
There are 214 species of the suborder Tipulomorpha (Diptera) known from Panama. Of these, 162 species were described by the noted American entomologist, Charles Paul Alexander, from Panama during the period from 1912 through 1979. Panama hosts two of the four families found within the Tipulomorpha: Limoniidae (197 species) and Tipulidae (17 species). We have records of only three species from multiple provinces (n = 2) within Panama and 211 species from just one province. The vast majority of the latter are known from a single location within their respective provinces. There are 142 endemic species (66.4%) included in Panama’s Tipulomorpha fauna, with the remainder being found elsewhere in South America (48 species), Central America (44), Mexico (23 species), the Caribbean (14 species), and the United States (4 species). Whereas, this taxonomic group has benefited from collecting in the Canal Zone and the popular western highlands in Chiriqui Province, we know little or nothing of the distribution of species within the country, their natural history, or their relationship to water quality.
Matsucoccus krystalae Ahmed and Miller, new species, (Hemiptera:Coccomorpha: Matsucoccidae) is described based on morphological characters of adult females and third-instar males. We designate the lectotype of Matsucoccus alabamae Morrison. Matsucoccus alabamae Morrison and M. gallicolus Morrison are redescribed, also based on adult females and third-instar males. Detailed illustrations and descriptions are presented for each species and an identification key for the five species occurring in the eastern U.S. is provided. Analysis of 18S, 28S D2/D3, and 28S D10 loci were performed to support morphological determination. Barcodes using 5′ COI of M. alabamae and M. krystalae were generated, the first such data from authoritatively identified Matsucoccus species. Of particular interest is that most of the specimens in the study were taken in Lindgren funnel traps.
The present checklist covers the fauna of the Trichopteran family Rhyacophilidae Stephens, 1836. Based on extensive surveys done during 2003–2019 and previous species records, we find that the family Rhyacophilidae is represented by two genera and 184 species in India. The genus Rhyacophila Pictet contains 165 species in India while the genus Himalopsyche Banks contains 19 described species. The Indian Himalayan region is inhabited by more species than the rest of India.
Psyllids are an economically important group of insects. Several species are serious emerging pests with regulatory significance. About 20 adventive species have been discovered in Florida in the past 20 years, including several pests. Additionally, five species new to science have been found. We provide an annotated checklist of Florida species with taxonomic information and identification tools, including keys to Florida genera and known species. Seventy species of Psylloidea currently are reported from Florida. Forty-one are native to Florida, with 12 endemic to the state. Twenty are adventive, the majority being from the Neotropics. One was introduced deliberately for biological control, seven represent temporary populations (eradicated, reared in quarantine), and one is a dubious record. Craspedolepta euthamiae Burckhardt and Halbert, new species, Katacephala wineriterae Burckhardt and Halbert, new species, Pseudophacopteron gumbolimbo Burckhardt and Halbert, new species, Nothotrioza longipedis Burckhardt and Halbert, new species, and Trioza myresae Burckhardt and Halbert, new species are described from Florida and are native endemic species. Aphalara persicaria Caldwell is redescribed and separated from similar species. Aphalara persicaria var. cubana Caldwell is confirmed as a junior synonym of Aphalara persicaria. The Florida records of Craspedolepta spp. are revisited and revised, including Craspedolepta euthamiae Burckhardt and Halbert, new species. Bactericera nigrilla (Crawford), new combination, revived status is recognized from Florida, redescribed, and distinguished from similar species. Rhinopsylla caldwelli Tuthill is transferred to Kuwayama Crawford and becomes Kuwayama caldwelli (Tuthill), new combination.Trioza maritima Tuthill is transferred to Leuronota Crawford and becomes Leuronota maritima (Tuthill), new combination. Species of Bactericera Puton on Salix L. (Salicaceae) in North America are reviewed. Bactericera flori (Crawford), new combination, new status. is determined to be the correct name for Trioza assimilis Crawford nec Flor (= Trioza flori Crawford, replacement name, = Trioza pomonae Aulmann, replacement name), and Trioza dubia Patch, new synonym. Lectotypes are designated for Trioza marginata Crawford, Trioza minuta Crawford, Trioza minuta similis Crawford, and Trioza nigra Crawford.
A new genus, Cicatrisphaerion Lingafelter, Morris, Skillman, and Santos-Silva (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and three new species of the same authorship, C. wappesi from Quintana Roo, Mexico, C. rileyi from Chiapas, Mexico, and Eupogonius wappesi from Quintana Roo, Mexico, are described. New records and clarification on the distribution of Psyrassaforma janzeni Chemsak, 1991 and P. nitida Chemsak, 1991 are provided. Ameriphoderes amoena (Chemsak and Linsley, 1979) is redescribed based on four male specimens and a new country record from Guatemala is documented. New distributional records are provided for Estola flavobasalis Breuning, 1940 (including a new country record for Bolivia) and Estola vittulata Bates, 1874. A redescription and new distributional record are provided for Eupogonius flavovittatus Breuning, 1940 based on a female specimen.
Allomyia renoa (Milne, 1935) (Trichoptera: Apataniidae) was described from six females. The male association is verified in this paper. The original type locality information is limited: “Reno, Nev.,‘78, Morrison”. An Allomyia Banks population found at Mount Rose in Washoe County, Nevada, was compared to the A. renoa type material and found to be the conspecific. Figures, descriptions and distribution of male, female, pupal and larval A. renoa are provided.
Forty new provincial records, including two new aleocharine species for the province of Manitoba (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are provided. The two new species, Acrotona manitobensis Klimaszewski and Godin, new species, and Atheta manitobae Klimaszewski and Godin, new species, are described and illustrated. Habitat information and new locality records are provided for the newly recorded species. The current number of Aleocharinae in Manitoba stands at 120 species, including 40 new records and two new species described here. A checklist of all currently recorded species from the province, with their distribution records in Canada and USA, is included.
Previously unpublished museum specimen records are presented for 23 species of the genus Xylocopa Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) collected in portions of the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela within the Amazon River basin of South America. Dichotomous keys and dorsal habitus photographs are provided for the identification of females of the 13 species of Xylocopa subgenus Neoxylocopa Michener, and females of the 10 species of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria Lepeletier, that have been recorded to date from the Amazon River basin.
Rhagoletis cerasi (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is reported from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and Niagara County, New York, United States for the first time, new records. Specimens from Ontario were collected in 2016, and New York in 2017. This fly is subject to regulatory control and poses a risk to cherry and honeysuckle in North America.
For each of the 534 species of the millipede order Chordeumatida known from Europe, available information on taxonomy, distribution and habitat is summarized, and the distribution in 50 × 50 km UTM/MGRS squares is shown on a map. Comparisons between Chordeumatida and the equally-sized order Julida are made with respect to distribution patterns and history of exploration.
Centris xanthomelaena Moure & Castro, 2001 is a relict species, endemic to northeastern Brazil and broadly recorded within the semiarid region of Caatinga xerophilous open vegetation. It was originally included in the subgenus Paracentris Cameron, 1903 but posteriorly interpreted as remotely related to it or to the subgenus Centris s. str. Fabricius, 1804. In this paper it is proposed to recognize this species as the single member of the monotypic Relicthemisia, a new subgenus which belongs to the ‘Centris group’, one of the main internal lineages of the genus. The proposition of this new subgenus is based on both, morphological and molecular data which indicate its long history as a distinct lineage. Distribution records, floral hosts as well as photographs of both sexes of C. xanthomelaena are also provided.
The Acanthocinini genus Alcathousiella Monné, 2005 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) is revised with both the genus and the type species, Alcathousiella polyrhaphoides (White, 1855) redescribed. New country records for the species, greatly expanding its known distribution in South America, are also presented. Lastly, Alcathousiella giesberti sp. nov., from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama is described and illustrated.
The genus Levizonus Attems, 1898 is rediagnosed and shown to contain eight species from Russia (Far East), North Korea, Japan and North-East China. One species is described here as new to science: Levizonus nakhodka sp. nov. A new formal synonym is proposed: Levizonus circularis Takakuwa, 1942 = Levizonus variabilis Lokschina & Golovatch, 1977 syn. nov., the valid name being the former. Levizonus circularis Takakuwa, 1942 is recorded for the fauna of China for the first time. All currently known species of Levizonus are included in a key, mapped and discussed.
Macaronesia, with the exception of the Azores, is one of the few Palearctic provinces where basic taxonomic information on the freshwater copepods is still lacking. We redescribed Eucyclops azorensis, a cyclopid crustacean so far known only in the Azores, and report the occurrence of this species in Algeria and Madeira Island. Eucyclops azorensis was formerly considered to be a subspecies of E. agiloides (East Africa); therefore, the latter species is redescribed here as well based on type and non-type material. Morphological comparisons between E. azorensis, E. agiloides and other taxa (E. serrulatus and E. roseus), assumed to be closely related to our target species, support a closer relationship between E. azorensis and E. serrulatus (Palearctic) than between E. azorensis and E. agiloides (Afrotropical). The slight differences between E. azorensis and E. serrulatus in the surface ornamentation of the antennal coxobasis and intercoxal sclerites of legs 1 and 4 suggest a relatively young separation of these lineages. Eucyclops agiloides is morphologically close to E. roseus (temperate and subtropical Asia, southeastern Europe, East Africa). The numerous and clear-cut differences indicate a species rather than subspecies-level differentiation between E. agiloides and E. roseus, unlike what was formerly proposed in the taxonomic literature.
Polycladida (Platyhelminthes, Rhabditophora) from Cape Verde and related regions of Macaronesia
(2021)
The systematics and distribution of the order Polycladida within the Macaronesian archipelagos are analysed. New species (Marcusia alba sp. nov., Prostheceraeus crisostomum sp. nov., Parviplana sodade sp. nov., Euplana claridade sp. nov., Stylochus salis sp. nov. and Distylochus fundae sp. nov.), new variety (Pseudoceros rawlinsonae var. galaxy), new records and records of shared species among different archipelagos are studied to compare the marine flatworm biodiversity of each island. The complex of archipelagos known as Macaronesia (including Madeira, Selvagens Islands, Canary Islands, Azores and Cape Verde) share a volcanic origin and European political influence. The five archipelagos are located along the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean and are subject to similar trade winds, streams (like the Gulf Stream) and cold currents. The term Macaronesia has suffered several changes throughout the years and it still is a topic of discussion in present times. The new delimitation of Macaronesia is mainly based on systematic studies on the invertebrate fauna of the islands. The resulting analyses shed new light on the differences and similarities among these archipelagos. In addition, molecular analyses employing 28S nuclear gene sequences are compared to verify relationships among anatomically similar species of marine polyclads.
Thanks to newly collected material from the Terra Nova Bay area (Ross Sea, Antarctica), we discuss the taxonomy of the ampharetid genera Amage Malmgren, 1866 and Amythas Benham, 1921. A new species of Amage, A. giacomobovei sp. nov., is described based on morpho-anatomical data. This is the second new species described from an area which appears to be rich in ampharetids, a coastal embayment at ~500 m depth near the Italian “Mario Zucchelli” research station. The new species is characterized by having 16 abdominal uncinigers and four pairs of branchiae that readily distinguish it from its congeners. Tubes of A. giacomobovei sp. nov. are also characteristic in showing a large amount of embedded sponge spicules, suggesting a possible close association to spicule mats. Based on the amended diagnoses of the two genera, Amage septemdecima Schüller & Jirkov, 2013 is transferred to the genus Amythas. Finally, to simplify the task of ampharetid genera recognition for untrained people, we provide a dichotomic key for ampharetid genera found in Antarctica and a checklist of species occurring in Terra Nova Bay.
A review has been undertaken of herbarium records, point location and full floristic data to assess the distribution, habitat and conservation status of Macrozamia flexuosa (Zamiaceae), a rare cycad endemic to the Hunter Region of New South Wales. Spatial analysis of all records (n=588) showed that the species is most prevalent on Permian-aged sediments but also occurs on older Carboniferous sediments and younger Triassic Narrabeen and Quaternary substrates. Point records intersect with a wide range of annual average rainfall bands (<700 to 1400 mm/yr), suggesting either that the species is tolerant of a variety of soil moisture gradients, or that current distribution may be representative of a differing climatic environment. Interpolation of database records (n=397) across 175,000 hectares of high-resolution vegetation mapping showed Macrozamia flexuosa to most frequently occur within the Lower Hunter Spotted Gum-Ironbark Forest (41%), followed by Kurri Sands Swamp Woodland (16%), Coastal Foothills Spotted Gum-Ironbark Forest (15%) and Coastal Plains Smooth-barked Apple Woodland (13%). Numerical analysis of full floristic plot data (n=86) largely supported these results, with the addition of Hunter Valley Moist Forest to these four regional communities. A revised assessment of the conservation significance of Macrozamia flexuosa suggests that the existing conservation risk code of 2K be amended to 3RCa (distributional range >100km; rare but not immediately threatened; adequately conserved in at least 14 conservation reserves). An extent of occurrence of 6,319 km2 and an area of occupancy of 696 km2 have been determined for the species, and an estimated population size of between 1,740,000 and 43,500,000 individuals has been calculated. Under IUCN threat criteria, a code of NT (Near Threatened) is here considered appropriate for Macrozamia flexuosa, recognising uncertainties applicable to the assessment of Criteria A and B. It is noted, however, that Macrozamia flexuosa may currently be in slow decline due to as yet unknown limitations in flowering, pollination and/or dispersal mechanisms over a long period of time (many decades), with the longevity of individual specimens confounding any observable trends. A lack of demographic data relevant to these life traits limits comprehensive assessment, and further research to address these data gaps is recommended.
The genus Parasogata Zhou, Yang & Chen, 2018 is here reported from India represented by the new species Parasogata sexpartita sp. nov. collected in a recent exploration and survey of delphacids from Nagaland in northeastern India. A second species of Eoeurysa Muir, 1913 from India, the new species Eoeurysa sagittaria sp. nov., was found in Rampur, Una, Himachal Pradesh. Both new species are described with illustrations, and a molecular identification is given with the mtCOI gene sequence. A modified key to species of the genera is also provided.
The West African region possesses one of the largest knowledge gaps in the distribution and taxonomy of all species, especially inconspicuous ones. This work presents one of the few bat studies ever carried out in the Cabo Verde Islands. Knowledge on the distribution of the seven species recorded in this remote archipelago is still very scarce and with very low resolution (many at island level), so new records are expectable and invaluable for the establishment of conservation policies. A review on the scattered and digitally unavailable (due to the old date of publication) knowledge of the Cabo Verde bat fauna with the first bat records for two islands and new occurrence data for two species on three islands is presented. It is expected that this work can constitute a reference for future bat works in the region, while providing acoustic data that can easily be updated upon future taxonomic revisions.
Mobulinae rays are part of Cabo Verde native biodiversity and belong to two extant genera, Manta and Mobula (Paig-Tran et al. 2013, Ward-Paige et al. 2013). Mobula spp. can be distinguished from Manta spp. by the mouth position, the shape of the cephalic fins and body size (Stevens 2011). Despite their large size, little is known about their population trends and precise distribution. They are particularly difficult to study in the wild and have restricted distributions (Ward-Paige et al. 2013, Croll et al. 2015).
The authors carried out a survey of butterflies on 12 of the Cape Verde Islands from 29 October to 18 December 2013. During the survey records were also made of the few hawk-moths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) encountered during the day, or feeding at flowers at dusk and dawn. None was collected at light. Since several of our records are believed to be new island records, we present them here. The few voucher specimens collected have been deposited in the Natural History Museum, London.
A survey of butterfly species was carried out on 12 islands of the Cape Verde archipelago (Brava, Cima, Fogo, Santiago, Maio, Boa Vista, Sal, São Nicolau, Raso, Santa Luzia, São Vicente, Santo Antão) during almost eight weeks in 2013. Results include the discovery of six species not previously recorded from the islands: Vanessa atalanta, V. vulcania, Junonia oenone, Danaus plexippus, Eurema brigitta and Azanus ubaldus. Known island distribution of some resident species is extended. Status of some long-standing (and questionable) historical records and probable misidentifications are discussed in detail. Data are presented with regard to habitat, habits and host-plants of all taxa, together with a table of species, islands, status and probable original geographical source. Entomological data from Cambridge University ornithological research on Raso between 2006 and 2014 are also included. Comment is made with regard to whether butterfly studies support inclusion of the Cape Verde Islands in ‘Macaronesia’ sensu lato.
During August-September 2014 and 2015, yachtbased surveys were conducted in the Cape Verde archipelago with the main objective of trying to locate humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae during the late boreal summer (Berrow et al. 2014). Spring breeding humpbacks in Cape Verde waters are known to have their feeding grounds in the high Arctic (e.g. Wenzel et al. 2009). While these animals have generally left the breeding grounds by mid-May, a number of sightings during the summer months (June- August) have raised the possibility that animals from southern stocks may occasionally reach as far north as Cape Verde (Hazevoet et al. 2011).
Recent trade negotiations such as TTIP include investor protection clauses. Against the background of an analysis of the case for trade, the paper asks whether such clauses can be justified from a normative perspective. More specifically, what is the impact of investor protection on the domestic distribution of the gains from trade between labour and capital, and how should we assess this impact from the perspective of justice? In order to answer this question, the paper develops a series of ideal-type scenarios that reflect the consequences of investor protection on employment on the one hand, and on the distributive conflict between labour and capital on the other. While no claim is made which of these scenarios corresponds to TTIP or other trade agreements, they provide a useful normative framework to analyse such agreements.
Pitfall trapping in the National Park Thy, north-western Jutland, Denmark, in 2011 and 2013 revealed 3654 specimens of the harvestman Nelima gothica. In most European countries, including Denmark, this species has been considered rare and little information is available on its biology. The species was found predominantly in the yellow dune habitat close to the North Sea coast. Here it could be either very abundant or completely absent at localities only a few kilometres apart. It also occurred in lower numbers in the grey dunes and the dune heathland, and was rare in managed grassland; it disappeared from habitats further inland. In the yellow dunes high numbers were recorded especially in rather dense Ammophila arenaria vegetation not disturbed by sand shifting. The phenology follows the typical pattern of North-European Phalangiidae and Leiobuninae: an annual life-cycle with juveniles developing through late spring and summer months, reproduction in autumn and hibernation in the egg stage. The findings suggest that N. gothica may be found all along the coastal dunes of western Denmark and possibly the Wadden Sea area, though it may only locally reach high abundances. Earlier records also included the coasts of eastern Denmark.
Recent collections of pseudoscorpions resulted in a first record and a new species from Iran. Olpium omanense Mahnert, 1991 originally described from Oman is recorded for the first time from Iran. Three congeneric species with similar morphometric characters and trichobothrial patterns, Olpium intermedium Beier, 1959, O. lindbergi, Beier, 1959 and O. omanense can be separated by the setal numbers on the posterior margin of the carapace and tergite I. Also, specimens reported as Olpium lindbergi Beier, 1951 from Pakistan were probably misidentified and belong to O. omanense. The new species Cardiolpium bisetosum sp. nov. is described based on males from Markazi province, western Iran. Morphometric data are given in comparison to related species.
Recent data on status and distribution of resident and migrant birds in the Cape Verde Islands are presented, including records of nine taxa new to the archipelago, viz. Ciconia nigra, Ciconia ciconia, Circus macrourus, Falco naumanni, Chlidonias hybrida, Chlidonias leucopterus, Apus affinis, Ptyonoprogne fuligula and Phylloscopus inornatus. Also presented are data on a number of breeding taxa, including the first record of the endemic Cape Verde purple heron Ardea bournei outside Santiago island. The alarming situation of the magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens, of which only three individuals remain in Cape Verde, constituting the entire population in the East Atlantic, remains of great concern. Several species of birds of prey are also highly threatened and have already become extinct in some islands. Following its expansion through Northwest Africa and the Canary Islands, Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaocto has now also become established in at least three of the Cape Verde Islands.
Dragonflies from the Cape Verde Islands, collected between 1960 and 1989 and kept in institutes in Portugal and Cape Verde, were studied. The Cape Verde collection at the Centro de Zoologia, Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical, Lisbon, Portugal, includes eight species of dragonflies represented by 279 specimens collected in 1960-61 and 1969-72. The entomological collection at the Instituto Nacional de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Agrário (INIDA), São Jorge dos Orgãos, Republic of Cape Verde, includes four odonate species, represented by 27 specimens, collected in the years 1987 and 1989. Anax tristis Hagen and A. rutherfordi McLachlan, single male specimens of which were collected in Santo Antão, 27 October 1972, are new taxa for the archipelago. Both are tropical migrants of which the nearest known occurrence in continental Africa is more than 1,000 and 1,500 km, respectively, from the Cape Verde Islands. The two collections contain several specimens from new localities within the archipelago, particularly from the islands of Maio and Fogo. Current knowledge of flight season and island distribution are summarized and updated.
Recent data on status and distribution of resident and migrant birds in the Cape Verde Islands are presented, including records of nine taxa new to the archipelago, viz. Ixobrychus sturmii, Botaurus stellaris, Butorides striatus, Circus cyaneus, Porzana pusilla, Fulica atra, Chlidonias niger, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus and Hippolais polyglotta. Also presented are data on a number of breeding taxa, including the first record of the endemic Raso lark Alauda razae outside the islet of Raso. The alarming situation of the magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens, of which probably only two individuals remain in Cape Verde, constituting the entire population in the East Atlantic, is highlighted. During the past decade, breeding populations of common moorhen Gallinula chloropus appear to have become well-established on the islands of Santiago and Boavista. Following its expansion through Northwest Africa and the Canary Islands, Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaocto has now also colonized the Cape Verde Islands.
The olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea has been recorded in the Cape Verde Islands, but the most recent published data (1998-2000) are of stranded individuals and remains only. This article presents new data on olive ridleys recorded during the years 2001-2011 on Boavista and Sal islands. The presence of this species does not appear to be related to nesting activity. The possible geographical origin of these turtles is discussed. In addition, we propose some studies that could help to reinforce the conservation of sea turtles in West Africa.
Based on a collection of spiders obtained during ecological fieldwork in 2009 and an extensive literature review, we summarize the current state of knowledge of spider biodiversity on the island of Maio. The total number of species reported from Maio is now 46, representing 18 families and including 16 species (35%) endemic to the Cape Verde Islands. The family Dictynidae (meshweb spiders), represented by the saline-adapted Devade cf. indistincta, is reported for the first time from Cape Verde.
Dragonflies (Insecta, Odonata) of São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands : 10 species on a desert island
(2010)
The island of São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands, has no natural and permanent surface fresh water habitats. Surprisingly, with records of 10 species of dragonflies, the island is the most species-rich in the archipelago so far (cf. Aistleitner et al. 2008, this study). Knowledge of Odonata from São Vicente is based on a small number of reports, mostly including single records only (Calvert 1893, Kirby 1897, Lobin 1982, Aistleitner et al. 2008). During a visit to the island in August 2009, AM recorded four species as single adults. Two species were recorded on 26 August 2009, after two days of heavy rainfall which caused extensive temporary waterflows and pools in the main courses of river beds, on the plains, as well as on roads and sports grounds in and around the town of Mindelo.
First record of Straw-coloured fruit bat Eidolon helvum (Kerr, 1792) for the Cape Verde Islands
(2010)
On 8 September 2010, at 9:45 AM, a fruit bat was seen flying at a height of ca. 2 m over the sea off Ervatão, southeastern Boavista, Cape Verde Islands (16º 02’ N, 22º 41’ W). After a while, the animal landed in the beach vegetation. When captured, it did not offer any resistance to being handled and it was taken to the nearby sea turtle station, operated by the NGO Cabo Verde Natura 2000. The bat – which proved to be a female – was placed in an improvised cage made of plastic netting where it eagerly fed on the food provided, i.e. tomato, apple and banana. At 16:00 PM, the following biometric data were taken: head width 31.6 mm, humerus 81.1 mm, ulna 121.2 mm, tarsus 49.7 mm. When restrained for taking body measurements, the bat attempted to defend itself with its mouth.
Based on both stranding and sighting records, recent data on the status and distribution of whales and dolphins in the Cape Verde Islands are presented, including records of four taxa new to the archipelago, viz. Common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima, beaked whale Mesoplodon cf. europaeus and False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens. Distribution elsewhere in the tropical eastern Atlantic and some taxonomic issues are discussed.
On 31 August 2003, at 11:40 local time, c. 5 nm southwest of São Nicolau (16º33.1N, 024º27.7W), Cape Verde Islands, GT and PLS observed c. 20 Fraser’s Dolphins Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser, 1956 (Fig.1). The sighting was made under excellent weather conditions (sea state Beaufort 2 with sun) from the 39.6 m diesel engine powered oceanographic research vessel Taliarte during a two week cetacean survey conducted as part of the Hydrocarpo project.
Butterflies of the superfamilies Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea collected in the Cape Verde Islands and deposited in the Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical, Lisbon, Portugal, were studied. Some novelties are reported at the insular level and one Palearctic species of Nymphalidae is reported for the first time in the islands. The identification of the only species of Colias (Pieridae) present in the Cape Verde Islands and its biogeographical affinities are discussed.
Based on newly collected samples and data from the literature, an updated list of the marine bivalves of the Cape Verde Islands is presented. From 2004 to 2006, collections were made at 22 sampling points in the islands of Santiago, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Boavista and Maio. Using qualitative and direct sampling methods, 39 species of bivalves, belonging to 20 families, were identified. Families most represented were Veneridae (6 species), Cardiidae (5 species), Arcidae (4 species) and Mytilidae (4 species). Islands with the largest diversity of species were São Vicente (30 species) and Santiago (23 species), probably due to the larger number of sample points (64% of total). Six species not previously reported from the archipelago were collected, i.e. Irus irus, Venus declivis, Timoclea ovata, Diplodonta rotundata, Plagiocardium papillosum and Tagelus adansoni. Corbicula fluminea, supposedly a man assisted introduction, was also collected.
Recent data on status and distribution of resident and migrant birds in the Cape Verde Islands are presented, including records of 25 taxa new to the archipelago, viz. Mareca penelope, M. americana, Anas carolinensis, A. clypeata, Pterodroma arminjoniana, Sula dactylatra, Egretta thula, Ardea melanocephala, Hieraaetus pennatus, Porzana porzana, Crecopsis egregia, Porphyrula martinica, Pluvialis apricaria, Calidris fuscicollis, C. bairdii, Gallinago delicata, Larus audouinii, L. atricilla, Streptopelia decaocto, Ceryle rudis, Ptyonoprogne rupestris, Motacilla citreola, Erithacus rubecula, Oenanthe leucopyga and Lanius senator. The current situation of some endemic taxa is discussed, some of which (e.g. Ardea bournei) are critically endangered, while others (e.g. Acrocephalus brevipennis) have been shown to be more widespread than previously known.
Sauron rayi (Simon, 1881) is recorded in Austria for the first time. Male and female specimens of this rare European spider were found in two “Austrian pine forests” in Lower Austria. Data on distribution, habitat, phenology and Red List status from the Austrian localities and from published records in other countries are presented.
Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major global challenge requiring urgent action, and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011–2020) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) includes a target on the issue. Meeting the target requires an understanding of invasion patterns. However, national or regional analyses of invasions are limited to developed countries. We identified 488 IAS in China’s terrestrial habitats, inland waters and marine ecosystems based on available literature and field work, including 171 animals, 265 plants, 26 fungi, 3 protists, 11 procaryots, and 12 viruses. Terrestrial plants account for 51.6% of the total number of IAS, and terrestrial invertebrates (104 species) for 21.3%. Of the total numbers, 67.9% of plant IAS and 34.8% of animal IAS were introduced intentionally. All other taxa were introduced unintentionally despite very few animal and plant species that invaded naturally. In terms of habitats, 64.3% of IAS occur on farmlands, 13.9% in forests, 8.4% in marine ecosystems, 7.3% in inland waters, and 6.1% in residential areas. Half of all IAS (51.1%) originate from North and South America, 18.3% from Europe, 17.3% from Asia not including China, 7.2% from Africa, 1.8% from Oceania, and the origin of the remaining 4.3% IAS is unknown. The distribution of IAS can be divided into three zones. Most IAS are distributed in coastal provinces and the Yunnan province; provinces in Middle China have fewer IAS, and most provinces in West China have the least number of IAS. Sites where IAS were first detected are mainly distributed in the coastal region, the Yunnan Province and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The number of newly emerged IAS has been increasing since 1850. The cumulative number of firstly detected IAS grew exponentially.