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A comprehensive checklist and host plants of Aphididae (Aphidomorpha: Hemiptera) from Pakistan
(2024)
The family Aphididae (Hemiptera) represents one of the most diverse groups of sap-sucking insect pests referred to as aphids or plant-lice, with 366 species reported in Pakistan, associated with wide array of agricultural and horticultural crops, including fruit and forest trees, weeds, grasses, shrubs, and vines. This work aims to provide an updated checklist of aphids and their associated host plants documented across various regions of Pakistan. The checklist consolidates information from various published literature sources, including annotated checklists, regional distribution data, and host plant records from Pakistan. In this study, we present an annotated checklist of 366 aphid species, belonging to 134 genera and 11 subfamilies, associated with a total of 359 host plant species stretched over 84 families in Pakistan.
Anthrenus (Anthrenus) querneri (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), a new species from Austria
(2024)
A new species, Anthrenus (Anthrenus) querneri Holloway (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Austria is described and compared with A. pimpinellae (Fabricius, 1775), the most similar species. Images of the habitus, ventrites, antenna, aedeagus, and sternite IX are presented. Anthrenus querneri represents the 26th species belonging to the Palaearctic Anthrenus pimpinellae complex.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EF3828C0-DDD2-4619-9F86-BC8626522465
Anthrenus (Nathrenus) peacockae (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), a new species from Pakistan
(2024)
A new species, Anthrenus (Nathrenus) peacockae Holloway (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Pakistan is described and compared with A. narani Háva and Ahmed, 2014, the most similar species. Images of the habitus, ventrites, antenna, aedeagus, sternites VIII and IX are presented. Anthrenus peacockae is only the third species in the subgenus Nathrenus Casey, 1900 to be recorded from Pakistan.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F68C53E2-3BCF-4F6B-A838-A14EE2FA4B66
Until now, the genus Porcelliniodes Miers, 1877 is represented in the Ibero-Balearic region by seven species. The study of 721 specimens from Portugal and Spain has led to the identification of 11 species, including poorly known species, and the description of a new species, Porcellionides ibericus sp. nov. This new species is characterized by the absence of transverse ridges on the pereonites, medium-sized lateral lobes on the cephalon, the pleon slightly retracted in relation to the pereon, pereopods without sexual differentiation, and a truncated posterior inner tip in the male pleopod I. We consider P. glaber (Koch, 1856), P. hispanus (Vandel, 1953), P. lucasioides (Vandel, 1953), P. lusitanus (Vandel, 1946), and P. molleri (Verhoeff, 1901) as valid species, while P. buddelundi (Verhoeff, 1901) and P. rufocinctus (Dollfus, 1892) are considered species inquirendae. Five species are recorded for the first time in some Portuguese districts and seven in some Spanish provinces.
Two new species, Habrocestum sahyadri sp. nov., and Irura shendurney sp. nov. are described from the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. The unknown female of Habrocestum kerala Asima, Caleb, Babu #38; Prasad, 2022 is described and three other species: Gelotia lanka Wijesinghe, 1991, Phintella accentifera (Simon, 1901) and Vailimia jharbari Basumatary, Caleb #38; Das, 2020 are recorded from the locality. Detailed descriptions, diagnosis and illustrations of the species are provided.
The review of the taxonomic status of Herpetoreas xenura species complex, based on morphological and molecular data, revealed a new species from Myanmar, which we describe as Herpetoreas davidi sp. nov. from the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Wildlife Sanctuary in Rakhine State. It is suggested to be a sister species to Herpetoreas pealii and Herpetoreas xenura sensu stricto, and can be separated from the latter species by a combination of morphological and scalation characters, and by its pattern. Another population from the Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Sagaing Region, was previously confused with H. xenura. However, as a closer examination of its morphology, shows it to be closer to Hebius khasiensis, we herein tentatively refer to this population as Hebius khasiensis, pending further molecular data confirming its taxonomic status. Consequently, we propose to temporarily remove Herpetoreas xenura from the fauna of Myanmar. Further studies, especially in the northwestern region of Myanmar, such as near border with India in Chin Hills and Naga Hills, are required. An updated key for the species of Herpetoreas is also provided.
Members of the genus Centris Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) constitute a significant component of the Neotropical (including insular) bee fauna, exhibiting high species richness, a moderate to large body size, and extensive interactions with various important plant groups. Females of most species possess specialized morphology adapted for collecting oils from flowers. This study documents the presence of the genus in Cuba, recognizing six species: C. aethiops Cresson, C. cornuta Cresson, C. fulviventris Cresson, C. poecila Lepeletier, C. taina Genaro and Breto new species, and C. tarsata F. Smith. Detailed information is provided for each species, encompassing a diagnosis, natural history, floral associations, seasonal occurrence, and distribution. Centris taina new species is described from Cuba, based on both sexes, which were previously misidentified as C. versicolor (Fabr.) for females and C. fasciatus F. Smith for males due to sexual dimorphism. Centris tarsata is reported as a new national record for Cuba, possibly introduced by humans from South America and now established and widely distributed across the entire island. A key to differentiate the Cuban species of Centris is presented.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:257916DF-2129-4694-876C-49C858046BF6
A comprehensive review of the enigmatic genus Masona van Achterberg is provided. Two new species are described from the USA: Masona neon Dal Pos & Martens sp. nov. from Puerto Rico, and Masona wow Dal Pos & Martens sp. nov. from California. A key to the world species of Masona is presented, together with a discussion of the morphology of the genus and an annotated catalogue of the species. [Masona] timpaynei Quicke, 2019, is excluded from Braconidae and placed as incertae sedis in the Ichneumonidae, subfamily Neorhacodinae.
Abstract. New state records for 35 species of Eucnemidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) are reported from the eastern United States based on examination and identification of specimens from several institutional and two private collections in the last year. Images of 18 eucnemid species are provided.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:59455AAD-A59A-49BF-BFDE-1C7AD4B232FE
Five new state records for Idaho in the genera Agrilus Curtis, Anthaxia Eschscholtz, and Buprestis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are included herein, with brief comments thereon. Two of the species are believed to be introduced. Agrilus liragus Barter and Brown is elevated to a full species, resurrected status.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3AE72784-F368-45A2-AC90-B31E48D0D5CC
Green spaces represent the only natural areas in several cities around the world, providing good shelters for the local fauna. Based on this premise, many ecological studies have been conducted focused on these areas. Most of these works are about insects, particularly butterflies and beetles. Our study is centered on a different group: green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). These insects exhibit a similar feeding behavior to some other groups, such as beetles. We estimated diversity, richness, distribution, abundance and similarity employing two methods: sweep netting and suction trapping. Also, oviposition hosts were identified in 20 different green spaces. Approximately 740 specimens were collected representing 15 species in five genera. Seven species are new state records for Yucatán, Mexico. We identified about 300 species of plants, if which 75 are considered ovipositional associated hosts. Our work is the first of its kind, employing green lacewings in an urban ecological model and additionally providing new information about chrysopids in South Mexico. We encourage the conduct of similar studies not only in Mexico but also in other Central and South American countries.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2EDE9BDC-ECDD-4613-82A0-36C6877DD6A7
Two new species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 are described from India: P. godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov. (♂♀), collected from the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, and P. maldhok Kuni, Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov. (♂♀), collected from Maharashtra. Images of the endogyne and male palp of the holotype and paratype of P. narsinhmehtai Parajapati, Hun & Raval, 2021 are presented to facilitate its identification. A key to Indian species of Palpimanus and a catalogue of Indian palpimanid spiders are provided. The current distribution of all the known Indian palpimanid spiders is mapped.
Bumblebees (Bombus Latreille, 1802), because of their large body size, bright colours and activity at times and places that coincide with biologists, are an example of a group of insects that is particularly well represented in museum collections. This is important if taxonomic revisions are to achieve greater comparability among species. Bumblebees have also attracted particular attention because they are especially ecologically and economically valuable for pollination in north temperate regions, where they are now becoming increasingly threatened. I argue that the what, the where, and the how of effective conservation management may be informed by understanding the divergent characteristics that have affected their biogeographical past: by helping us to see ‘the woods’, not just ‘the trees’, of their habitat needs. Identifying suitable habitat should be part of reconstructing historical biogeography within taxonomic revisions. For bumblebees, for example, biogeographical analysis associates major taxonomic groups either with flower-rich lowland grasslands or with flower-rich montane grasslands, highlighting their contrasting requirements for: nest sites, flowers of different depths, pollen-plant families, and especially the differing importance of early spring and late summer flowers for breeding success. This broad view of species groups helps filter the less important idiosyncrasies from local case studies in order to focus conservation actions.
Metafruticicola is a diverse land snail genus inhabiting the north-eastern Mediterranean region from S Albania to Israel. In this study, we describe Metafruticicola kavafis sp. nov., a new species for science from Kasos Island. We also focus on the reproductive system of steno-endemic species and subspecies of the genus from small islands of the Aegean Archipelago, whose anatomy was previously completely unknown. These species are M. crassicosta, M. pieperi, M. coartata gemina and M. nicosiana conciliatrix. For the latter subspecies, only the outlines of the genitalia were previously given. Additionally, we investigated in detail for the first time the genital anatomy of M. nicosiana nicosiana from Cyprus. Hitherto, information on the genital apparatus of this subspecies was based on sparse data derived from sexually immature specimens. These new anatomical data contribute to a plethora of controversies concerning the subgeneric division of Metafruticicola, which was based solely on conchological features and especially the microsculpture of the teleoconch. We suggest that the current subgeneric division of the genus should be abandoned.
The species of Aphaniosoma Becker, 1903 described from Egypt by Collin in 1949 are reviewed and lectotypes designated for Aphaniosoma creperum Collin, 1949, A. fissum Collin, 1949, A. lamellatum Collin, 1949 and A. sodalis Collin, 1949. All species known from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East are reviewed, with annotations, distributions and a key to species. The following 19 species are described as new and illustrated: A. acitergum sp. nov., A. aegyptium sp. nov., A. angulitergum sp. nov., A. captiosum sp. nov., A. cristatum sp. nov., A. curvistylus sp. nov., A. daedalum sp. nov., A. denticulosum sp. nov., A. flavipyga sp. nov., A. freidbergi sp. nov., A. interispina sp. nov., A. kravchenkoi sp. nov., A. longilingua sp. nov., A. lucidum sp. nov., A. meltseri sp. nov., A. miricercus sp. nov., A. palestinense sp. nov., A. praeditum sp. nov. and A. yaromi sp. nov. Biology and ecology are commented upon.
A synthesis of the Phaeogenini occurring in the Afrotropical region is provided. Three species are newly described: Centeterichneumon nambi Dal Pos, Diller & Di Giovanni sp. nov. from Uganda, Chauvinia ganota Claridge sp. nov. from Kenya, and Kibalus nonnaritae Dal Pos & Di Giovanni sp. nov. from Uganda. Heterischnus mfongosi Rousse & van Noort, 2013 is newly recorded for Kenya and Tanzania and the male of the species is diagnosed for the first time. Also, the female of Arearia oxymoron Rousse & van Noort, 2013 is diagnosed for the first time from one of the paratype localities. Lusius tenuissimus (Heinrich, 1938) and Chauvinia nyanga Rousse & van Noort, 2013 are recorded for the first time for Uganda and Kenya, respectively. In addition, new localities are given for Chauvinia nitida (Heinrich, 1938), Heterischnus olsoufieffi (Heinrich, 1938) and Hoplophaeogenes curticornis Heinrich, 1938. A new combination, Nesostenodontus mkomazi (Rousse & van Noort, 2013) comb. nov., is proposed to accommodate Heterischnus mkomazi. An updated key to the Afrotropical genera of Phaeogenini and keys to the Afrotropical species of the genera Arearia Seyrig, Centeterichneumon Heinrich, Chauvinia Heinrich, Heterischnus Heinrich, Hoplophaeogenes Heinrich, Kibalus Rousse, van Noort & Diller, and Lusius Tosquinet are provided. Updated online Lucid keys to genera and species are available from http://www.waspweb.org.
In order to provide a reassessment of the Neotropical genus Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895, a cladistic analysis, biogeographic analysis, and taxonomic review were conducted in the present work. For the cladistic approach, 91 morphological characters were scored for 53 terminals as the ingroup and 10 as the outgroup. Three synapomorphies support the monophyly of the genus: presence of a longitudinal suture on the promentum, penial bases partially fused, and the internal branch of the gonopods surrounding the telopodite; and two homoplastic transformations: the lateral lobe of the collum densely striated and setae present up to the apical portion of the prefemoral process on the first leg-pair of males. The genus Pseudonannolene is recovered as sister-group of Epinannolene Brölemann, 1903 (Pseudonannoleninae). A total of 226 occurrence points were recorded for Pseudonannolene, with the majority of records from the Chacoan subregion, composed by Araucaria Forest, Atlantic, and Parana Forest provinces. The biogeographical searches using the Geographically explicit Event Model recovered two biogeographic reconstructions (cost of 79 000), with the vicariance events occurring more frequently in the deep clades, whereas sympatry and points of sympatry occurred in more inclusive clades. The first reconstruction recovered four vicariances, 13 sympatries, 4 points of sympatry, and 21 founder events, and the second reconstruction recovered four vicariances, 12–13 sympatries, 4–5 points of sympatry, and 21 founder events. The genus Pseudonannolene comprises 56 species, including 8 new species herein described: P. alata sp. nov., P. aurea sp. nov., P. bucculenta sp. nov., P. curvata sp. nov., P. granulata sp. nov., P. insularis sp. nov., P. morettii sp. nov., and P. nicolau sp. nov.; P. brevis Silvestri, 1902 and P. rugosetta Silvestri, 1897 are regarded as species inquirendae; a neotype of P. alegrensis Silvestri, 1897 is here proposed with male described for the first time. The following taxa are synonymized: P. canastra Gallo & Bichuette, 2020 and P. saguassu Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013 with P. ambuatinga Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013; P. marconii Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013 with P. longicornis (Porat, 1888); P. chaimowiczi Fontanetti, 1996, P. gogo Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013, P. rosineii Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014, P. taboa Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014, and P. longissima Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014 with P. microzoporus Mauriès, 1987; P. tricolor gracilis Brölemann, 1902 and P. tricolor rugosus Schubart, 1945 with P. tricolor Brölemann, 1902; P. auguralis Silvestri, 1902 with P. rocana Silvestri, 1902; and P. abbreviata Silvestri, 1902 with P. typica Silvestri, 1895. P. inops Brölemann, 1929 is proposed here as new status from P. bovei inops. A dichotomous identification key is presented to facilitate the species identification.
A checklist of the dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae; Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae and Scarabaeinae) of Oaxaca, Mexico, is presented for the first time. The checklist contains 252 taxa, 15 Geotrupidae, 77 Aphodiinae, and 160 Scarabaeinae. The state includes 58 genera and 15 tribes, where Onthophagus is the most species-rich genus with 49 taxa, followed by Ataenius with 22, Canthon with 17 and Phanaeus with 15 taxa. Valid names, as well as synonyms, are provided. First records, notes on presently recognized species, nomenclatural problems, and biodiversity comparisons are included. Phanaeus dionysius Kohlmann, Arriaga-Jiménez and Rös, 2018 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) is re-established as a valid species.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3DE939E2-5A69-45EF-A7E5-ED427D978BE3
In the framework of the PNRA (Italian National Antarctic Research Program) project CARBONANT focusing on biogenic carbonates and held in January–February 2002, several Ross Sea banks were sampled to obtain samples of biogenic carbonates. In the Mawson Bank, species belonging to the isopod genus Chaetarcturus Brandt, 1990 were recorded, including a specimen that did not match any described species. In this paper we describe Chaetarcturus cervicornis sp. n., which is characterized by supraocular spines and two pairs of tubercle-like protrusions on the cephalothorax. The new species is very similar to C. bovinus (Brandt & Wägele, 1988) and C. adareanus (Hodgson, 1902), but has a clearly different spine pattern. The study of the species of the genus Chaetarcturus in the Ross Sea contributes to increase our knowledge on the diversity of the Antarcturidae in the Southern Ocean. Ross Sea banks seem to hold an interesting and not-well-known fauna, deserving attention in future research.
Elusive flaws are identified in techniques widely adopted to organize the Material Examined sections in taxonomic publications, mostly regarding the usage of the term ibidem and the nesting of information such as country and states. Logical errors are identified that prevent objective retrieval of the original information and can hinder or block its interpretation, even in case-by-case analyses. It is demonstrated that the free usage of ibidem in the sense of “same as previous except as follows” compromises the interpretation of data, characterizing bad practice. Solutions are proposed for the precise usage of both the term ibidem and the nesting technique. A new technique for organizing, compressing, and presenting information, called grid-setting, is described and evaluated. Its most notable practical effect is that the Material Examined section becomes literally a coded data sheet, which can be accurately converted back to spreadsheet format. In addition, the grid-setting technique was able to generate texts up to 30% shorter than those edited with the best-known traditional techniques. The new ideas and fixes are incorporated into a new software, flexible enough to process varied and unlimited data into largely user-defined texts, which remain nevertheless universal in their format and logical interpretation.
New taxonomic data on some species of Atherigona Rondani are provided. This is partly based on recently discovered types of A. laevigata (Loew), A. maculipennis Stein, A. magnipalpis Stein, A. nigrithorax Stein and A. subnigripes (Karsch), and partly on new material that has become available. Among this new material is a new species here described: Atherigona zongoi sp. nov. The newly discovered types of Atherigona nigrithorax Stein and A. subnigripes (Karsch) are redescribed. The status of a specimen of Coenosia humeralis found among material in the Smithsonian Institution and incorrectly labelled as the type of Atherigona humeralis is clarified. The puparium of A. varia (Meigen) is partially described for the first time. New records are given for several species and distribution is updated.
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.
The spider fauna active on the bark of trees in forests on eight sites in different regions in Germany was investigated. Trunk eclectors at about 2-4 meters height on living trees were used in different regions of Germany (SW Bavaria, Hesse, Brandenburg) between 1990 and 2003. In Hesse eclectors were also used on dead beech trees (standing and lying). In this study data, mainly from beech (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce (Picea abies), from May to October are compared – whole year samples (including winter) are only available from Hesse. A total of 334 spider species were recorded with these bark traps, i.e. about one third of the spider species known from Germany. On average, each of the eight regions yielded 140.5 (± 26.2) species, each single tree 40.5 (± 12.2) species and 502 (±452) adult spiders per season (i.e. May to Oct.). The 20 most abundant species are listed and characterised in detail. Six of the 20 species were not known to be abundant on bark, three prefer conifers and three beech/broadleaf. Even in winter (December-March) there was a remarkably high activity on the trunks. However, only a few species occur exclusively or mainly in winter. Finally, the rarity of some bark spider species is discussed and details (all known records in Germany, phenology) of four of them are presented (Clubiona leucaspis, Gongylidiellum edentatum, Kratochviliella bicapitata, Oreonetides quadridentatus). The diversity and importance of the spider fauna on bark in Central Europe is still underestimated.
Three different male and female super-specific types are distinguished according to variations in the morphology of the bulb and spermathecae within the genus Nemesia Audouin, 1826. Plotting the distributions of these sexual types on a map of the Mediterranean indicates the existence of geography-related sub-generic diversity in which the Nemesia fauna of the eastern Mediterranean differs markedly from that of the western Mediterranean. While the eastern Mediterranean Nemesia fauna is highly homogeneous, the fauna of the western Mediterranean is very diverse. The eastern and western Nemesia faunae appear to overlap in the central Mediterranean. Efforts to relate the specific bulb types to the particular types of spermathecae described here were only partly successful.
New data on the distribution were the reported: Buksendya river (153º15’E, 59º12’N), Yama valley (152º59’E, 60º00’N) and Nayakhan river (158º15’E, 62º33’N), mostly single birds in late summer, autumn or early winter. Resident breeding pairs regularly occur only in the Chelomdzha and further to the west – in Inya and Ulbeya valleys, and upper heads of the Kava valley (Fig. 1). New observations in the Inya valley (July-August 1999) and in the Chelomdzha valley (July 2003) have proved that the Blakiston’s Fish Owl dwells in lush flood-plain woods along the middle and lower streams of both of these valleys. Currently, the Blakiston’s Fish Owl steadily occurs within the limits of Kava-Chelomdza forestry of the Magadansky State Reserve (Tarkhov & Potapov 1986), and, most likely, the Chelomdzha valley forms currently the north-eastern limit of the species range. In the Chelomdzha valley the regular duet singing of the Blakiston’s Fish Owl begins from early February. Usually the birds display in the evenings, 20-40 min after sunset. The longevity of evening vocalizations increases from 3-5 min in first week of February to 30-50 min in mid-March. The intervals between strophes vary from 14-55 s, 27 s on average (n = 48). The chicks hatched between 2nd and 5th of May. Daytime hours the parents spend nearby the nest in the crowns of larches. During intense chick’s growth the parents visit the nest 4-5 times in a night. Search for food and hunting takes from 40-60 min. According to photo documents, the parents feed the chicks with sculpins and graylings (18–30 cm in length). The parents spend midnight hours nearby the nest. Becoming 50 days old the chicks leave the nest and roams around supervised by the parents.
This review lists Agama smithii Boulenger 1896 as a synonym of Agama agama (Linnaeus 1758), Agama trachypleura Peters 1982 as a synonym of Acanthocercus phillipsii (Boulenger 1895) and describes for the first time Acanthocercus guentherpetersi n. sp. Without more convincing evidence, Chamaeleon ruspolii Boettger 1893 cannot be accepted as specifically distinct from Chamaeleo dilepis Leach 1819, nor Chamaeleo calcaricarens Böhme 1985 from C. africanus Laurenti 1768. Consequently, 101 species of lizard are currently recognised in Ethiopia, of which some 40% appear to be denizens of the Somali-arid zone. This significant proportion is attributable in part to the importance of the Horn of Africa as a centre for reptilian diversification and endemicity, in part to the fact that this lowland fauna was rather extensively sampled during the 1930s, but also to the conspicuous neglect of lizards in other regions of the country. Mountain and forested habitats are widespread in Ethiopia, so it seems extraordinary to record only five saurian species which are believed to be endemic in such environments. The inference that there are many more still to be discovered has important implications for conservation, because montane forest is known to be among the most threatened of Ethiopian biomes and there is clearly an urgent need for its herpetofauna to be more thoroughly researched and documented.
The taxonomy, diversity, and distribution of the aquatic insect order Trichoptera, caddisflies, are reviewed. The order is among the most important and diverse of all aquatic taxa. Larvae are vital participants in aquatic food webs and their presence and relative abundance are used in the biological assessment and monitoring of water quality. The species described by Linnaeus are listed. The morphology of all life history stages (adults, larvae, and pupae) is diagnosed and major features of the anatomy are illustrated. Major components of life history and biology are summarized. A discussion of phylogenetic studies within the order is presented, including higher classification of the suborders and superfamilies, based on recent literature. Synopses of each of 45 families are presented, including the taxonomic history of the family, a list of all known genera in each family, their general distribution and relative species diversity, and a short overview of family-level biological features. The order contains 600 genera, and approximately 13,000 species.
The former and current distribution of the quokka, Setortix brachyurus, was mapped from published and all available unpublished records. At the time of European settlement the quokka was widespread and abundant and its distribution encompassed an area of approximatelyThe former and current distribution of the quokka, Setortix brachyurus, was mapped from published and all available unpublished records. At the time of European settlement the quokka was widespread and abundant and its distribution encompassed an area of approximately 41 200 km2 of south-west Western Australia inclusive of two offshore islands, Bald Island and Rottnest Island. Historical reports indicated an extensive population decline occurred in the 1930s. The decline continued, with a previously undocumented decline apparent in the period from 1980 to 1992. However, this decline may be an artefact of the time scales used for mapping and may well equate with a previously reported decline lor a suite of south -west mammals in the 1970s. By 1992 the quokka´s distribution had been reduced to an area of approximately 17800 km2. An increased awareness of the presence of the quokka on the mainland has resulted in numerous reportings of quokka presence since 1992, has confimled the existence of several populations at the northern extent of the quokka´´s known geographic range and indicated the cmrent, 2005, distribution to be similar to that in 1992. However, survey and population estimates at six of these mainland locations from the northem jarrah forest indicated low abundance. There have been no population estimates elsewhere on the mainland. Two populations have been reported tiom the Swan Coastal Plain, but neither has been confirmed extant. Predation by the introduced fox, Vulpes vulpes, is implicated as a major cause of the quokka´s initial decline, while ongoing predation, habitat destruction and modification through altered tire regimes have contributed to the continued decline. Specific conservation management actions are recommended, namely: (i) Implementing an active adaptive management program in the northern jarrah forest to determine quokka population response to habitat manipulation through the use of fIre, fox baiting and pig control; (ii) Surveying the Stirling fumge and Green Range populations with emphasis placed on determining population size and population genetic structure; (iii) Surveying the reported occurrences from the Swan Coastal Plain, with emphasis on unambiguously determining presence. If confirmed, priority should he directed to assessing population size and determining the management requirements to ensure persistence of the population; (iv) Surveying southem forest and south coast populations to assess quokka population size, the extent of movement between sllbpopulations and assessment of the range of habitat types used by quokkas. The latter should be combined with spatial analyses of known extant populations and suitable and potentially suitable habitat; (v) Determining the role of tire in establishing and maintaining preferred habitat of southern forest and south coast populations; and (vi) Establishing a program to assess the potential effects from management operations.