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We present new and atypical host records for 78 species, subspecies, species-groups, and variants of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from North America and South America. The records are listed in modified taxonomic order following the Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico, Volume 2, Apocrita (Aculeata) (Krombein 1979). These records are an extension of previous host records reported by Kurczewski (2010), Kurczewski and Edwards (2012), and Kurczewski et al. (2017, 2020, 2022b). New genus and species host records are given for the genera and subgenera Calopompilus Ashmead, Chirodamus Haliday, Pepsis Fabricius, Hemipepsis Dahlbom, Priocnessus Banks, Entypus Dahlbom, Pompilocalus Roig-Alsina, Priocnemis Schiødte, Auplopus Spinola, Ageniella Banks, ?Aridestus Banks, Agenioideus (Agenioideus) Ashmead, Sericopompilus Howard, Episyron Schiødte, Poecilopompilus Ashmead, Tachypompilus Ashmead, Lophopompilus Radoszkowski, Notiochares Banks, Arachnophroctonus Howard, Anoplius Dufour, Xerochares Evans, Ammosphex Wilcke, Arachnospila Kincaid, and Priochilus Banks. New host families are presented for species of Chirodamus (Pycnothelidae), Pepsis (Actinopodidae, Idiopidae, Lycosidae), Priocnessus (Lycosidae), Pompilocalus (Barychelidae), Priocnemis (Araneidae), Ageniella (Trechaleidae), ?Aridestus (Theraphosidae), Agenioideus (Agenioideus) (Pimoidae), Tachypompilus (Theraphosidae, Amaurobiidae, Sicariidae), Lophopompilus (Tracheleidae), Arachnophroctonus (Theraphosidae), and Anoplius (Corinnidae, Cybaeidae). First-time host spider families are introduced for Chirodamus hirsutulus (Spinola) (Pycnothelidae), Pepsis albocinta Smith (Actinopodidae), P. elevata Fabricius (Theraphosidae, Lycosidae), P. plutus Erichson (Theraphosidae), P. amyntas Mocsáry (Actinopodidae), P. ?chrysoptera Burmeister (Pycnothelidae), P. viridisetosa Spinola (orange-winged variant) (Theraphosidae); Priocnessus apache Banks (Agelenidae), P. nebulosus (Lycosidae), P. nuperus (Cresson) (Agelenidae, Lycosidae), Entypus velutinus (Taschenberg) (Ctenidae), Pompilocalus nemequene Roig-Alsina (Barychelidae), Priocnemis sp. (Araneidae), Auplopus comparatus (Smith) (Sparassidae), Ageniella (Ageniella) coronata Banks (Gnaphosidae), Ageniella (Ageniella) cupida (Cresson) species-group (Agelenidae), Ageniella (Ameragenia) sanguinolenta (Smith) (Trechaleidae), ?Aridestus bergi (Holmberg) (Theraphosidae), Agenioideus (Agenioideus) humilis (Cresson) (Pimoidae), Poecilopompilus costatus (Taschenberg) (Araneidae), P. familiaris (Banks) (Thomisidae), P. fervidus (Smith) (Araneidae), Tachypompilus ferrugineus (Amaurobiidae), T. pallidus (Banks) (Theraphosidae), T. unicolor cerinus Evans (Sicariidae), Tachypompilus sp. (Theraphosidae), Anoplius (Lophopompilus) carolina (Banks) (Trachelidae), Anoplius (Notiochares) triquetrus (Fox) (Lycosidae), Anoplius (Arachnophroctonus) vividus (Smith) (Theraphosidae), ?Anoplius (Anoplius) imbellis Banks (Cybaeidae), Anoplius triquetrus (Fox) (Lycosidae), Anoplius sp. [undescribed] (Corinnidae), Arachnospila imitatrix Wahis or A. trochilinus (Holmberg) (Lycosidae), A. titicacaensis (Strand) (Lycosidae), and Priochilus regius (Fabricius) (Cyrtaucheniidae). Actinopodidae (mouse spiders), Idiopidae (true trapdoor spiders), Sicariidae (recluse and violin spiders), Cybaeidae (water spiders), and Pimoidae are reported as first-time pompilid host spider families. Our new records on nesting behavior and host spiders for the diverse family Pompilidae highlight the valuable information provided by citizen science and the use of such platforms as iNaturalist.org
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:853E1294-B73D-43B8-8D82-AFD2E0B00352
The genus Lichnanthe Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Glaphyridae) has been comprised of eight Nearctic species and contains the only New World members of their family. Here, two new species of arenicolous bumblebee scarabs are described from the central United States. The recent discovery of an undescribed Wyoming species led to the reevaluation of a dubious 134-year-old Nebraska Lichnanthe specimen, indicating that it also was an undescribed species. These two species, Lichnanthe brusti new species from central Wyoming and L. bruneri new species from central Nebraska are immediately distinguishable from all existing species of the genus by their square mandibles.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:401927DA-66D9-47A1-AE68-965210824713
Anthrenus (Anthrenus) muehlei, a new species (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Iran
(2024)
A new species, Anthrenus muehlei Holloway and Herrmann (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), from Iran is described. Images of internal and external features are presented. Only female specimens were found and described, but the bursa copulatrix contains obvious sclerites enabling easy differentiation from all other known species from the Palaearctic A. pimpinellae complex. The possible function and taxonomic implication of the sclerites is mentioned.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:97661C20-803E-4785-A4B0-58B16C94D9A2
We propose several nomenclatural changes for taxa in the subfamily Cladodinae and the lampyrid tribes Cratomorphini, Lamprocerini, Lampyrini, Photinini, and Pleotomini in the subfamily Lampyrinae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). We present evidence for the correct year of description of Calotrachelum flavolineatum Pic, 1941, Diaphanes lateapicalis breveapicalis Pic, 1954, Photinus conradti Pic, 1940, and all species described by Charles Émile Blanchard. Spellings are corrected for Diaphanes lateapicalis breveapicalis Pic, 1954, Diaphanes latipennis dartevillei Pic, 1952, Diaphanes longecarinatus Pic, 1955, Diaphanes moultoni latemarginatus Pic, 1938, Lampyris olivieriana von Heyden, 1890, and Photinus reductemarginalis Pic, 1941. We propose Lucidota puertoestrellaensis Keller and Martin nomen novum to replace Lucidota boliviana Pic, 1927, and Photinus laticollis brasiliensis Keller and Martin nomen novum for Photinus laticollis latior Pic, 1941. Seventy taxa described as variations or aberrations in the tribes Cratomorphini, Lamprocerini, Lampyrini, Photinini, and Pleotomini in the subfamily Lampyrinae by McDermott (1966), are evaluated to subspecies with their availability determined based on ICZN (1999: Article 45.6). Photinus motschulskyi Zaragoza-Caballero, Zurita-Garcia, and Ramírez-Ponce, 2023 is synonymized under Photinus intercalatus Gemminger, 1870. Lastly, we correct the type species of the genus Lucidina Gorham, 1833, and address the dates of publication for fireflies described by Blanchard.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DCD31B02-DF17-4115-A9A8-A6CBB02D8684
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
Climate change affects ecosystems worldwide and is threatening biodiversity. Insects, as ectotherm organisms, are strongly dependent on the thermal environment. Yet, little is known about the effects of summer heat and drought on insect diversity. In the Mediterranean climate zone, a region strongly affected by climate change, hot summers might have severe effects on insect communities. Especially the larval stage might be sensitive to thermal variation, as larvae—compared to other life stages—cannot avoid hot temperatures and drought by dormancy. Here we ask, whether inter-annual fluctuations in Mediterranean moth diversity can be explained by temperature (TLarv) and precipitation during larval development (HLarv). To address our question, we analyzed moth communities of a Mediterranean coastal forest during the last 20 years. For species with summer-developing larvae, species richness was significantly negatively correlated with TLarv, while the community composition was affected by both, TLarv and HLarv. Therefore, summer-developing larvae seem particularly sensitive to climate change, as hot summers might exceed the larval temperature optima and drought reduces food plant quality. Increasing frequency and severity of temperature and drought extremes due to climate change, therefore, might amplify insect decline in the future.
The vetigastropod material collected on Walters Shoal during Cruise MD208 of the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos programme is documented. In total, 50 species were obtained, 30 of which are new and apparently endemic to the seamount. Of the other 20 species, eight are regionally endemic to the south-western Indian Ocean, 11 are more widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific and one is possibly of deep-water Atlantic origin. The primary affinities of the fauna are with warm temperate South Africa and the tropical western Indian Ocean, but one species is potentially a seamount endemic of southern affinity. A new pseudococculinid genus living on decomposing bird feathers is described, a biogenic substrate association previously unknown in the Mollusca. The following new genera are described: Imbricoscelis gen. nov. and Pterodacna gen. nov. The following new species are described: Akritogyra crenulata sp. nov., Bathymophila williamsae sp. nov., Benthobrookula araneum sp. nov., Be. galeneae sp. nov., Be. laticostata sp. nov., Be. scalaroides sp. nov., Be. semisculpta sp. nov., Bruceina areneformis sp. nov., Calliostoma pantopunctatum sp. nov., Cantrainea herosae sp. nov., Carinastele achrosta sp. nov., Cornisepta marshalli sp. nov., Emarginula lentiginosa sp. nov., E. nodulicostata sp. nov., E. retrogyra sp. nov., E. salebrosa sp. nov., Fluxinella dufresneae sp. nov., Gibbula roseosticta sp. nov., Hadroconus scobina sp. nov., Kaiparathina monticola sp. nov., Lissotesta wareni sp. nov., Microcollonia miniata sp. nov., Mikro crassus sp. nov., Parviturbo cicatricosus sp. nov., Phragmomphalina candida sp. nov., Pterodacna boucheti gen. et sp. nov., Solariella asaphea sp. nov., Spinicalliotropis lepidota sp. nov., Stomatella multilirata sp. nov. and Trenchia mcleani sp. nov. The following new combinations are proposed: Brookula coronis Barnard, 1963 is transferred to Imbricoscelis gen. nov., Cantharidus nolfi Poppe, Tagaro & H. Dekker, 2006 is transferred to Kaiparathina Laws, 1941 and Solariella incisura Melvill, 1909 is transferred to Phragmomphalina Herbert & Williams, 2020. The following new synonyms are proposed: Carinastele wareni Vilvens, 2014 is a synonym of Bruceina cognata (Marshall, 1988); Fluxinella stellaris Bozzetti, 2008 is a synonym of Agagus stellamaris Herbert, 1991.
A contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Pelecium Kirby (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Peleciini)
(2024)
Pelecium Kirby, 1817 is a neotropical genus of flightless carabid beetles comprising 34 species, distributed from Panama to middle Argentina. Most species of Pelecium are known from short series and few localities, in some cases only from the holotype. Male and female abdominal terminalia are not described for the majority of the species, a situation that makes it difficult to describe new species or to study intraspecific variation. Here, we describe nine new species based on individuals from Brazil: Pelecium buckupi sp. nov., P. fistulosus sp. nov. and P. zaguryi sp. nov. from the Centre-West region, P. belloi sp. nov., P. chrissquirei sp. nov., P. straneoi sp. nov. and P. zophos sp. nov. from the Southeast region, and P. balli sp. nov. and P. grossii sp. nov. from the South region. We also provide new distributional records and descriptions of abdominal terminalia for twelve species: Pelecium atroviolaceum Straneo & Ball, 1989, P. bolivianum Straneo & Ball, 1989, P. cyanipes Kirby, 1817, P. helenae Straneo & Ball, 1989, P. laeve Chaudoir, 1854, P. negrei Straneo, 1962, P. drakei Quedenfeldt, 1890, P. punctatostriatum Straneo, 1970, P. purpureum Straneo, 1955, P. rotundipenne Schaum, 1860, P. striatum Straneo, 1955 and P. violaceum Brullé, 1838.
Previous phylogenetic analyses of the grass-specialist leafhopper tribe Chiasmini have resolved relationships among genera but have included few representatives of individual genera. Here the phylogeny of 20 Chinese species belonging to 8 chiasmine genera was investigated by combining DNA sequence data from two mitochondrial genes (COI, 16S) and two nuclear genes (H3, 28S). In both maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses, relationships among genera were largely consistent with prior analyses, with most members of the tribe placed into two sister clades: (Exitianus + Nephotettix) and the remaining five sampled genera. To examine morphology-based species definitions in the taxonomically difficult genus Exitianus Ball, 1929, one mitochondrial gene (COI) and one nuclear gene (ITS2) were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships and status of two common and widespread species and compare the performance of different molecular species-delimitation methods. These analyses divide the included populations into two well-supported clades corresponding to current morphological species concepts but some inconsistencies occurred under the jMOTU, ABGD and bPTP methods depending on the which gene and analytical parameter values were selected. Considering the variable results yielded by methods employing single loci, the BPP method, which combines data from multiple loci, may be more reliable in Exitianus.
The Cladonematidae are a family of hydrozoans with a worldwide distribution and morphological adaptations for a benthic mode of life. Species of this family are characterized by high morphological variability, which has caused many taxonomical debates, mainly for the species of the genera Eleutheria Quatrefages, 1842 and Staurocladia Hartlaub, 1917. Herein, we describe Staurocladia dzilamensis sp. nov., a new species of crawling hydromedusa from the southern Gulf of Mexico. This finding also constitutes the first record of the genus Staurocladia for the Gulf of Mexico. The presence of additional nematocyst clusters, supplementing the apical one on the upper branch of the tentacles, places it within Staurocladia. The presence of exumbrellar buds, a conspicuous marginal ring of nematocysts, 6–11 bifid tentacles with lower branches longer than their upper counterpart, the cnidome with stenoteles of two size classes, and two nematocyst clusters on the upper branch supplementing the apical one, opposite placed alternately on its aboral and oral sides permits to differentiate S. dzilamensis from its congeners. A taxonomic key for the species of Staurocladia is provided.
This paper reviews little-known species of the dysderid spider genera Dysdera Latreille, 1804, and Dysderella Dunin, 1992 based on specimens collected in the Caucasus, Middle East, and Central Asia. After combining molecular phylogeny of five mitochondrial and three nuclear genes with morphological evidence, Dysderella is proposed as a junior synonym of Dysdera. In addition, three species are described as new to science: D. jaegeri Bellvert & Dimitrov sp. nov., D. naouelae Bellvert & Dimitrov sp. nov., and D. kourosh Bellvert, Zamani & Dimitrov sp. nov. Four combinations are proposed: Dysdera caspica Dunin, 1990 comb. rev., Dysdera transcaspica Dunin & Fet, 1985 comb. rev., Dysdera elburzica (Zamani, Marusik & Szűts, 2023) comb. nov. and Dysdera sancticedri (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov. (ex. Dasumia Thorell, 1875). Furthermore, we report a first record of D. festai Caporiacco, 1929 in Turkey and its male cheliceral polymorphism. Our results illustrate the deficiencies that undermine the current taxonomy of this genus. For example, many species are described based on only one or few specimens or limited locality data. The advancements in DNA sequencing technologies applied to museum specimens reduce the need for fieldwork collection and export of fresh specimens. This highlights the significance of museum collections for improving research in this field.
A new family of Cyphophthalmi with disjunct Mediterranean distribution, Parasironidae fam. nov., is proposed. The new family comprises four genera and seven species. Cimmerosiro gen. nov., Tirrenosiro gen. nov. and Ebrosiro gen. nov. are described as new genera, and Tirrenosiro axeli gen. et sp. nov., Cimmerosiro krivolutskyi gen. et sp. nov., C. juberthiei gen. et sp. nov. and C. rhodiensis gen. et sp. nov. as new species. Parasironidae stands out by a set of characteristics that we recognize as predominantly plesiomorphic. These characteristics and the present distribution indicate the great age of the family, probably early Mesosoic. We attribute its origin to the western part of the Cimmerian terrane, and its current distribution and diversification of the major clades to geotectonic events during the Mesozoic. Additionally, a new sensory organ (sensilla) has been discovered in Cyphophthalmi. This organ is located on the pedipalp coxae and is believed to have a potential hygroreceptive function.
The monotypic banchine ichneumonid genus Shortia is rediscovered after 39 years, based on two new species from India, far away from the type locality in Australia: S. karumban Ranjith sp. nov. and S. manjapulli Ranjith sp. nov., collected from the Western Ghats, India. The generic concept of Shortia is revised. Both new species and the type species of the genus, S. siccula Gauld, 1984, are illustrated. A taxonomic key for the identification of species of Shortia is provided and the possible causes for the disjunct distribution are discussed.
Palaeosphryon menatensis gen. et sp. nov., first unambiguous representative of the longhorn beetle subfamily Prioninae from the Paleocene of Menat (France), is described and illustrated. The new fossil is placed into the tribe Prionini, showing some similarities with some species of the extant genera Osphryon (Papua New Guinea) and Titanus (Brazil, Colombia, Guianas, Ecuador, Peru), viz. in general body shape, antennomere 3 as long as first and second together but shorter than the length of fourth plus fifth, elongate elytra, and small spines on the lateral margin of the pronotum disposed in a relatively similar way as in Osphryon. Nevertheless, the exact affinities of the new fossil within the Prionini remain uncertain because of the lack of a recent phylogenetic analysis in which it could be integrated. This fossil beetle is exceptional for its very large size, with a body 70 mm long. Some other large longhorn beetles have been found in the same outcrop, and are awaiting description. The positions of the previously described Cerambycidae from Menat are also discussed. This exceptional fauna of Cerambycidae is in accordance with the current palaeoenvironmental reconstruction for the Menat Konservat-Lagerstätte, as a small maar lake surrounded by a warm and humid, probably evergreen forest.
Two new species of terrestrial isopods are described from iron ore caves in Brazil, within the Amazon biome, Circoniscus mendesi López-Orozco, Campos-Filho & Bichuette sp. nov. and C. xikrin López-Orozco, Campos-Filho & Carpio-Díaz sp. nov. (Scleropactidae). In addition, the knowledge of the distribution of Ctenorillo ferrarai Campos-Filho, Araujo & Taiti, 2014 (Armadillidae) is extended to Parauapebas, and Benthanoides tarzan Cardoso & Ferreira, 2023 to south area of the Campos Ferruginosos National Park, both in the State of Pará. Moreover, a distribution map and photographs of the species are given.
Three new species of Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe, 1832 (Araneae, Sicariidae) from Brazilian caves
(2024)
Three new species of recluse spiders are described from Brazilian caves with both males and females. Loxosceles boqueirao Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. is found in the State of Bahia, in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, it belongs to the rufescens species group, and is closely related to L. cardosoi Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, 2018 and L. carinhanha Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, 2018 from the same karst area. Thus, there are now three species in the Serra do Ramalho karst area closely related, but noticeably distinct morphologically from other species of Loxosceles. Loxosceles planetaria Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. and L. bodoquena Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. are found in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, in the Serra da Bodoquena karst area. They belong to the gaucho species group and are closely related to L. gaucho Gertsch, 1967. These are the first species of Loxosceles described from this karst area in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Loxosceles boqueirao sp. nov. and L. bodoquena sp. nov. bear some troglomorphisms and are, herein, proposed as troglobitic species, whereas L. planetaria sp. nov. is proposed as a troglophilic species. Brazil has now 22 described species of Loxosceles.
A remarkable morphologically and genetically distinct species of the genus Ero C.L. Koch, 1836 is described based on both sexes from the cloud forest of the island of Saint Helena: Ero lizae sp. nov. Another new species, Ero natashae sp. nov., is also described on the basis of morphological differences in the male and female genitalia. Both species were initially reported a single species, Ero aphana (Walckenaer, 1802), from the island by Unzicker (1977).
The remarkable sharpshooter Prodigiella silvanoi gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated (including the external form, color, male and female terminalia) from the Atlantic Forest of southern and southeastern Brazil (states of Paraná and Rio de Janeiro). The new genus can be distinguished from other Neotropical genera of the Cicadellini by a combination of various morphological features, including an asymmetrical aedeagus with a bifid shaft and peculiar basal and apical processes and ovipositor valvula II distinctly expanded beyond basal curvature, its dorsal margin with 35–40 teeth, and ventral margin without preapical prominence. A discussion comparing Prodigiella with superficially similar taxa of the genera Macugonalia Young, 1977, Ruppeliana Young, 1977, and Versigonalia Young, 1977 is provided. The discovery of this peculiar new genus indicates that much collecting work in the remaining parts of the Atlantic Forest is clearly and urgently needed.
The genus Spaeleoleptes was proposed by H. Soares in 1966 to accommodate the first Brazilian troglobitic species of harvestmen, Spaeleoleptes spaeleus H. Soares, 1966. In this work, we redescribe this species, including digital images of the type material and drawings of the male genitalia. Since its description, Spaeleoleptes has remained monotypic, and after 56 years, herein is described the second species of the genus, the troglobitic Spaeleoleptes gimli sp. nov. Both species share sexually dimorphic legs I and II with modified regions and swelling on the tibiae and patellae I and II; a penis with robust conductors covering all or part of the capsula interna and a capsula interna with two lateral projections. They are clearly separated by the shape of the modified region of the tibia; by the presence of an apical projection on the apical lamina of the pars distalis in S. spaeleus; and the lateral projections of the capsula interna, which is flattened in S. gimli. Spaeleoleptes gimli greatly increases the distributional range of the genus, as it is now recorded from caves located in two Brazilian phytophysiognomies from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais to the Caatinga of Bahia.
The ammonoids of the family Maenioceratidae from Givetian sedimentary rocks of the Anti-Atlas (Morocco) are investigated. The study is based on new collections stored in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin. The genera Maenioceras Schindewolf, 1933 and Afromaenioceras Göddertz, 1987 are revised; the genus Trimaenioceras is newly described. The species Maenioceras afroterebratum sp. nov., Maenioceras mzerrebense sp. nov., Maenioceras oufranense sp. nov., Maenioceras beckeri sp. nov., Afromaenioceras sulcatostriatum (Bensaïd, 1974), Afromaenioceras hiemale sp. nov., Afromaenioceras bensaidi sp. nov., Afromaenioceras brumale sp. nov., Afromaenioceras crassum (Bensaïd, 1974), Trimaenioceras klugi gen. et sp. nov., Trimaenioceras eculeus gen. et sp. nov., Trimaenioceras fuscina gen. et sp. nov. and Trimaenioceras paucum gen. et sp. nov. are described in detail.
A first-time analysis of taxonomically relevant characters, functional morphology, geographic distribution, ecoregion preference, and hypothetical host spiders of Pepsis basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) is presented. This analysis is compared with other Nearctic species in Vardy’s (2005) Pepsis menechma species-group, particularly P. cerberus Lucas and P. elegans Lepeletier which are suspected parasitoids of trapdoor spiders. Pepsis basifusca females differ from females of these species in possessing a rounded gena-postgena in dorsal view; straight mid and hind tibial spurs; short hind tibial inner spur; and short, very stout, and backward slanted hind tibial bristles. Pepsis basifusca Level III Ecoregions comprise mountains, plateaus, highlands, and tablelands, often at high elevation (~3,000–5,000 feet (914–1,524 meters), from Utah, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri to Panama. Pepsis basifusca, the smallest Nearctic congener, should be expected to capture comparatively small mygalomorph spiders like some other species in Vardy’s (2005) Pepsis menechma species-group. Based on taxonomic, morphological, biogeographical, and potential host spider criteria, P. basifusca should probably be removed from this group and transferred to another species-group.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4D3BF37C-3358-4C25-B56A-104C57301AE2
High resolution images are provided for type specimens of Platygastroidea (Hymenoptera: Apocrita) in the Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford University. We formally resurrect Trissoscelio Kieffer revised status to accommodate T. bifasciata (Dodd) new combination, T. indica (Mani) new combination, T. nigriceps Kieffer revised combination, T. ruficeps Kieffer revised combination, and T. punctaticeps Kieffer revised combination. Paridris subplana (Dodd) new combination is transferred from Sceliacantha Dodd to Paridris Kieffer and treated as a senior synonym of P. coorgensis Sharma.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EB97FE10-B01D-4D45-AF6E-D247ED0040BE
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
Two new species and one new genus of Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are described in Acanthocinini: Embera flava new species, new genus, from Panama; and Nealcidion lingafelteri new species from Costa Rica. The species-group name of Nealcidion napoensis Nascimento and McClarin, 2018 is corrected and morphological variations in Leptostylus cristulatus Bates, 1872 are reported. Trypanidius mimicavus Carelli, Monné, and Souza, 2013 is redescribed and transferred to Carphina Bates, 1872, forming the new combination Carphina mimicavus. Colombicallia curta Galileo and Martins, 1992 (Calliini) is recorded from Panama for the first time.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7DD2EF0F-7DC9-4A85-83DA-10F4EE8CA8CB
Identifications of recently collected Eucnemidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) borrowed from two collections have resulted in the discovery of two new species: Entomophthalmus abbreviatus Otto (Cuba) and Trigonopleurus cordobaalfaroi Otto (Guatemala and Louisiana, USA). Images of the two newly described species along with two New World Entomophthalmus Bonvouloir species for comparative purposes are included.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E83B2AC6-33ED-4680-8F2E-4E455A26D4C8
Type specimens of Oedionychina Chapuis, 1875 described by Fabricius from the Kiel collection are examined and illustrated. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Chrysomela albicollis Fabricius, 1787; Chrysomela nobilitata Fabricius, 1787; Chrysomela quadrifasciata Fabricius, 1787; Chrysomela quadriguttata Fabricius, 1781; Galleruca atomaria Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca decemguttata Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca fasciata Fabricius, 1798; Galleruca humeralis Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca lunata Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca nitida Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca obsoleta Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca petaurista Fabricius, 1801; Galleruca quadrinotata Fabricius, 1798; Galleruca sellata Fabricius, 1801. The species status is restored for Chrysomela quadriguttata Fabricius, 1781 and Alagoasa areata (Germar, 1824) comb. nov. The following new combinations are proposed: Phenrica quadriguttata (Fabricius, 1781), Asphaera nitida (Fabricius, 1801), Phenrica obsoleta (Fabricius, 1801), Alagoasa areata areata (Germar, 1824), Alagoasa areata decempunctata (Latreille, 1833), Alagoasa areata escuintla Bechyné, 1955, Alagoasa areata macromela Bechyné, 1958, Alagoasa areata praecessa Bechyné, 1959, Alagoasa areata recuperata Bechyné, 1959; all comb. nov. New placement: Galleruca avicenniae Fabricius, 1792 is removed from Alticini and placed in Galerucini incertae sedis; Galleruca trifasciata Fabricius, 1801 is removed from Chrysomelidae and placed in genus Ora Clark, 1865 (Scirtidae Fleming, 1821).
The “trachystreptoform” species of Spirostreptidae, i.e., species which would formerly have been ascribed to the tribe Trachystreptini, from the Udzungwa Mountains are (re)described, including one new genus and five new species: Attemsostreptus reflexus Akkari & Enghoff, 2019, A. cataractae Enghoff sp. nov., A. leptoptilos Enghoff sp. nov., A. julostriatus Enghoff sp. nov., Lophostreptus tersus (Cook, 1896) (= L. ptilostreptoides Carl, 1909 syn. nov.), L. magombera Enghoff sp. nov., and Udzungwastreptus marianae Enghoff gen. et sp. nov. The type material of Lophostreptus regularis Attems, 1909 (= L. tersus) is discussed. The discussion includes paragraphs on the classification and the Udzungwa fauna of Spirostreptidae, on grouping of the Udzungwa trachystreptoform species in relation to altitude, and on the possibly recent immigration of A. reflexus and L. tersus into the Udzungwa Mts.
Sixteen species of Issidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) were recorded in a single day of collecting in Dong Son-Ky Thuong Nature Reserve, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, of which a checklist is provided. Among them, eight species are new to science and described in different tribes and subtribes: in the Hemisphaeriini Hemisphaeriina: Gergithoides olivaceus sp. nov., Hemisphaerius bresseeli sp. nov. and Neogergithoides scapularis sp. nov.; Hemisphaeriini Mongolianina: Mongoliana vietnamica sp. nov.; Kodaianellini: Kodaianella mua sp. nov.; Parahiraciini Parahiraciina: Pusulissus quangninhensis sp. nov. and Rostrolatum curviceps sp. nov.; Sarimini: Pseudocoruncanius obliquus sp. nov. The new genus Melichergithus gen. nov. is described to accommodate Gergithus gravidus Melichar, 1906 and the new combination Melichergithus gravidus (Melichar, 1906) gen. et comb. nov. is proposed; a black form of the species is recorded for the first time and described. Two species, Longieusarima lunulia Wang, Bourgoin & Zhang, 2017 and Parallelissus fuscus Meng, Qin & Wang, 2020, are recorded from Vietnam for the first time, while another species Maculergithus luteomaculatus (Constant & Pham, 2016) is recorded for the first time from Quang Ninh Province. Four species were represented by single females that could not be identified to species level, belonging to the genera Clypeosmilus Gnezdilov & Soulier-Perkins, 2017, Fortunia Distant, 1909 (two species) and Kodaianellissus Wang, Bourgoin & Zhang, 2017. The five following genera are recorded from Vietnam for the first time: Kodaianella Fennah, 1956, Rostrolatum Che, Zhang & Wang, 2020, Longieusarima Wang, Bourgoin & Zhang, 2017, Parallelissus Meng, Qin & Wang, 2020 and Kodaianellissus. The type material of Hemisphaerius rufovarius Walker, 1858 and its junior synonyms H. scymnoides Walker, 1862, H. testaceus Distant, 1906 and H. virescens Distant, 1906 was studied and the male terminalia described; as a result, H. rufovarius is removed from the fauna of Vietnam and China. Hemisphaerius bipunctatus Melichar, 1906 is also removed from the fauna of Vietnam after examination of the corresponding specimens. This study provides a 25% increase in the number of Issidae of Vietnam; a complete list of the 51 species recorded from the country, as well as a map of the number of recorded species per province, are given and discussed.
Background: In the speciation continuum, the strength of reproductive isolation varies, and species boundaries are blurred by gene flow. Interbreeding among giraffe (Giraffa spp.) in captivity is known, and anecdotal reports of natural hybrids exist. In Kenya, Nubian (G. camelopardalis camelopardalis), reticulated (G. reticulata), and Masai giraffe sensu stricto (G. tippelskirchi tippelskirchi) are parapatric, and thus, the country might be a melting pot for these taxa. We analyzed 128 genomes of wild giraffe, 113 newly sequenced, representing these three taxa.
Results: We found varying levels of Nubian ancestry in 13 reticulated giraffe sampled across the Laikipia Plateau most likely reflecting historical gene flow between these two lineages. Although comparatively weaker signs of ancestral gene flow and potential mitochondrial introgression from reticulated into Masai giraffe were also detected, estimated admixture levels between these two lineages are minimal. Importantly, contemporary gene flow between East African giraffe lineages was not statistically significant. Effective population sizes have declined since the Late Pleistocene, more severely for Nubian and reticulated giraffe.
Conclusions: Despite historically hybridizing, these three giraffe lineages have maintained their overall genomic integrity suggesting effective reproductive isolation, consistent with the previous classification of giraffe into four species.
Background: In the speciation continuum the strength of reproductive isolation varies, and species boundaries are blurred by gene flow. Interbreeding among giraffe (Giraffa spp.) in captivity is known and anecdotal reports of natural hybrids exist. In Kenya, Nubian (G. camelopardalis camelopardalis), reticulated (G. reticulata), and Masai giraffe sensu stricto (G. tippelskirchi tippelskirchi) are parapatric, and thus the country might be a melting pot for these taxa. We analyzed 128 genomes of wild giraffe, 113 newly sequenced, representing these three taxa.
Results: We found varying levels of Nubian ancestry in 13 reticulated giraffe sampled across the Laikipia Plateau most likely reflecting historical gene flow between these two lineages. Although comparatively weaker signs of ancestral gene flow and potential mitochondrial introgression from reticulated into Masai giraffe were also detected, estimated admixture levels between these two lineages are minimal. Importantly, contemporary gene flow between East African giraffe lineages was not statistically significant. Effective population sizes have declined since the Late Pleistocene, more severely for Nubian and reticulated giraffe.
Conclusions: Despite historically hybridizing, these three giraffe lineages have maintained their overall genomic integrity suggesting effective reproductive isolation, consistent with the previous classification of giraffe into four species.
Animals living in human care for several generations face the risk of losing natural behaviors, which can lead to reduced animal welfare. The goal of this study is to demonstrate that meerkats (Suricata suricatta) living in zoos can assess potential danger and respond naturally based on acoustic signals only. This includes that the graded information of urgency in alarm calls as well as a response to those alarm calls is retained in captivity. To test the response to acoustic signals with different threat potential, meerkats were played calls of various animals differing in size and threat (e.g., robin, raven, buzzard, jackal) while their behavior was observed. The emitted alarm calls were recorded and examined for their graded structure on the one hand and played back to them on the other hand by means of a playback experiment to see whether the animals react to their own alarm calls even in the absence of danger. A fuzzy clustering algorithm was used to analyze and classify the alarm calls. Subsequently, the features that best described the graded structure were isolated using the LASSO algorithm and compared to features already known from wild meerkats. The results show that the graded structure is maintained in captivity and can be described by features such as noise and duration. The animals respond to new threats and can distinguish animal calls that are dangerous to them from those that are not, indicating the preservation of natural cooperative behavior. In addition, the playback experiments show that the meerkats respond to their own alarm calls with vigilance and escape behavior. The findings can be used to draw conclusions about the intensity of alertness in captive meerkats and to adapt husbandry conditions to appropriate welfare.
Known by many names, the Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa L.) is a monoecious plant species originating from south-eastern Asia which has been introduced as an ornamental in numerous areas outside its native range, including the Mediterranean. Like every species of Ficus, it is associated with a series of chalcid wasp species, known as fig wasps. These species are distributed in the families Agaonidae, Epichrysomallidae, Eurytomidae, Ormyridae and Pteromalidae. In this publication, we describe a new species of Ormyrus Westwood, 1832 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Ormyridae), O. microcarpae Askew & Koutsoukos sp. nov., reared from figs of F. microcarpa collected from Greece and Cyprus. The new species is compared with O. lini and O. watshami. This species is likely to be a parasitoid of Meselatus bicolor Chen, 1999 (Hymenoptera, Epichrysomallidae). In addition, the previously unknown female of O. lini is also described and illustrated. This publication constitutes the first report of species of Ormyrus associated with figs in Europe.
Several adult female monstrilloid copepods, collected in March 2022 from the protected reef area of Xcalak, on the southern part of the Mexican Caribbean coast, proved to belong to two undescribed species of Monstrilla Dana, 1849. They are described here as M. xcalakensis sp. nov. and M. annulata sp. nov., partly by use of scanning electron microscopy. Females of the two species are generally similar but differ in: (1) antennular segmental structure, (2) antennular armature and ornamentation, (3) structure and setation of the fifth leg, (4) number and modifications of the caudal setae, and (5) integumental ornamentation. Comparison with congeneric species revealed distinctive features for both species that support their status as new. These two species are interesting additions to the reef-dwelling monstrilloid copepod fauna of the Mexican Caribbean and confirm Monstrilla as the most diverse genus of monstrilloids in this area, now represented by nine species.
A new family-level taxon of deep-sea isopods, Basoniscus hikurangi gen. et sp. nov., was recovered from the Hikurangi Plateau in the deep sea off eastern New Zealand. The broad-bodied, eyeless, seemingly unremarkable isopod was unusual in its possession of features that characterize two different families: the shallow water Joeropsididae Nordenstam, 1933 and the deep-sea Haploniscidae Hansen, 1916. An analysis of superfamily Janiroidea G.O. Sars, 1897 was conducted to establish the affinities of the species. Multiple analyses were done using unweighted and implied weighted characters. Existing families were well supported, with B. hikurangi intermediate between Joeropsididae and Haploniscidae. The new species, however, cannot be placed in either family owing to its lack of important defining synapomorphies of each family. As a result, Basoniscidae fam. nov. was created to contain this new species. That rocky hard substrates are undersampled is another implication. Our understanding of deep-sea species richness will not be accurate until more efforts are made to survey these habitats, especially more sites in the southern hemisphere. These gaps in our knowledge of the deep sea impairs any general claims about the distribution of biodiversity on a global scale. This find demonstrates that museums hold underused but valuable resources for understanding and describing the biodiversity of the deep sea.
Graphium chironides malayanum Eliot, 1982 was described as a taxon occurring sympatrically with G. bathycles bathycloides in Peninsular Malaysia. However, the validity of the subspecies has been questioned in a recent publication that was based on a study of DNA and morphology, implying that G. c. malayanum is a synonym of G. b. bathycloides and G. chironides is absent from the Peninsula. A re-examination of male wing morphology, genitalia and DNA shows that G. c. malayanum is a valid taxon distinguished from G. b. bathycloides by wider discal markings, a less falcate forewing, distinct differences in the arms of the harpe in the male genitalia and clearly divergent mtDNA COI genes. In the DNA analysis, G. c. malayanum formed a monophyletic clade closely related to G. chironides from China, and both were well-separated from the G. b. bathycloides clade. An examination of characters used in the previous study showed that the conclusions reached were due to misinterpretation of diagnostic characters, misidentification of specimens and the absence of G. c. malayanum among the specimens examined. When these characters were correctly interpreted, each specimen was readily assigned to the correct taxon. Diagnostic morphological characters are reclarified based on the current data.
Six species of the spider genus Spinirta Jin & Zhang, 2020 from southern China (Araneae: Corinnidae)
(2024)
In the current study, six species of the genus Spinirta from southern China are recognized, four new species are described: S. hongyui Wang, Lu & Z.S. Zhang sp. nov. (♂♀), S. liuae Wang, Lu & Z.S. Zhang sp. nov. (♂♀), S. simianshan Wang, Lu & Z.S. Zhang sp. nov. (♂♀) and S. yintiaoling Wang, Lu & Z.S. Zhang sp. nov. (♂). Females of S. aviforma Jin & Zhang, 2020 (♂♀) and S. quadrata Jin & Zhang, 2020 (♂♀) are described for the first time. Photos of the body and copulatory organs, as well as the locality map are provided.
The koinobiont endoparasitoid genus Triraphis Ruthe, 1855 (Rogadinae Foerster, 1863) is a group of braconid wasps that contains 74 species distributed along the Nearctic, Neotropical, Oriental and Palearctic regions. We amplified a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) for 19 specimens of Triraphis from the Chamela Biological Station (CBS), a region mainly composed of tropical dry forest near the Pacific coast of Jalisco, Mexico. Based on genetic distances among specimens of Triraphis from the CBS and all COI sequences of BINs assigned to Triraphis and Rogas Nees, 1819 available in the BOLDSYSTEMS database, we identified three clusters in the CBS that correspond with T. bradzlotnicki Sharkey, 2021, T. davidwahli Sharkey, 2021 and T. defectus Valerio, 2015, which were previously described from Costa Rica. Based on morphology, we identified individuals of T. fusciceps Cresson, 1869 and provided COI sequences of this species for the first time. Four genetic clusters of Triraphis correspond to four new species that are described here: T. kardia sp. nov., T. ocellatus sp. nov., T. divergens sp. nov. and T. luzabrilae sp. nov. Since T. bradzlotnicki and T. davidwahli were exclusively described with molecular data (COI), we morphologically described them based on Mexican specimens.
Widely distributed phoretic blister beetles usually display unstructured geographic patterns of genetic diversity within species, resulting from recurrent long-dispersal events across their range. To investigate the extent of this pattern in the phoretic genus Lampromeloe, and particularly in western Mediterranean and European populations of L. variegatus, we performed: (1) a phylogeographic analysis based on fragments of the mitochondrial genes COI and 16S, and (2) a morphological revision based on qualitative and morphometric traits. Two allopatric lineages were recovered within L. variegatus, one distributed across Europe and the other in North Africa. These lineages are readily distinguishable based on morphological traits. We conclude that these lineages constitute two diagnosable evolutionary units and, consequently, we describe the North African populations as a new species, Lampromeloe pantherinus sp. nov. The new species is closely related to L. variegatus, from which it differs mainly by the elytral macrosculpture and by the shape of male genitalia. The elytral macrosculpture of L. pantherinus is somewhat similar to that of L. cavensis, a species widely distributed in the lowlands of the Mediterranean Basin. However, these two non-sister species can be distinguished by the morphology and macrosculpture of the pronotum and by the shape of the male genitalia.
The first sawfly from the Oligocene of Céreste (Southern France (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae)
(2024)
Luberotenthredo cerestensis gen. et sp. nov. is the first record of the sawfly family Tenthredinidae from the Oligocene of Céreste (Southern France). This taxon is described and illustrated based on a well-preserved specimen. This genus resembles the extant genus Perineura (subfamily Tenthredininae, tribe Perineurini) with which it shares forewing venation similarities and numerous morphological characters. This new taxon is the first fossil representative of the tribe Perineurini and can be used as a calibration point for future investigation of the diversification of the family Tenthredinidae.
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
Three species of bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Colletidae) are newly recorded for Guatemala: Centris obscurior Michener, Centris vidua Mocsáry, and Zikanapis inbio (Michener, Engel and Ayala). We discuss aspects of their biology and circumstances of the collecting events and provide information on their presently known distribution.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A19C3260-B215-4F61-AF9C-72D88DD06456
The Neotropical eucnemid genus, Dyscolotaxia Horn, is revised following the examination of specimens from five collections, examination of the published original description of Plesiofornax tetratoma Chassain, and from images provided by Fernanda Salazar-Buenaño (QCAZI). Dyscolotaxia championi Horn is redescribed with included descriptions of the male genitalia and a female specimen. Three new species of false click beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) are described from the Neotropical region. These new species are: Dyscolotaxia chiriquiensis (Panama), Dyscolotaxia hispaniolensis (Dominican Republic) and Dyscolotaxia picea (Ecuador). Amazotaxia new genus is described from South America for Plesiofornax tetratoma Chassain, creating Amazotaxia tetratoma (Chassain) new combination. Morphology of both Dyscolotaxia and Amazotaxia in relation to Pleisofornax Cocquerel are reviewed along with biogeographical hypotheses for these groups. An identification key is provided for species of Dyscolotaxia in the Neotropical region. Images for all species of Dyscolotaxia and Amazotaxia are provided.
A century and a half since the time of Hewitson, we are experiencing a renaissance in species discovery fueled by whole genome sequencing. A large-scale genomic analysis of Hesperiidae Latreille, 1809 (Lepidoptera), including primary type specimens, reveals a deluge of species new to science. One hundred of them (one in a new genus) are described here from the New World (type localities are given in parenthesis): Drephalys (Drephalys) diovalis Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Euriphellus panador Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Esmeraldas), Euriphellus panamicus Grishin, new species (Panama: Panama), Cecropterus (Thorybes) viridissimus Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Zamora-Chinchipe), Cecropterus (Murgaria) dariensis Grishin, new species (Panama: Darien), Urbanus (Urbanus) mericuti Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Telegonus (Telegonus) pastus Grishin, new species (Panama: Panama), Autochton (Autochton) dora Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Pastaza), Astraptes centralis Grishin, new species (Panama: Colón), Aguna claxonica Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Aguna esmeralda Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Esmeraldas), Aguna lata Grishin, new species (Guyana), Ridens angulinea Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Pythonides lera Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Pythonides latemarginatus Grishin, new species (Panama: Panama), Gindanes variegatus Grishin, new species (Brazil: Mato Grosso), Milanion (Milanion) virga Grishin, new species (Brazil: Rondônia), Milanion (Milanion) furvus Grishin, new species (Panama: Panama), Milanion (Milanion) laricus Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Charidia ronda Grishin, new species (Brazil: Rondônia), Pseudodrephalys tinas Grishin, new species (Peru: Loreto), Pseudodrephalys argus Grishin, new species (Suriname: Para), Achlyodes calvus Grishin, new species (Brazil: Santa Catarina), Spioniades artemis Grishin, new species (Panama: Panama), Spioniades artemidoides Grishin, new species (Brazil: Santa Catarina), Myrinia orieca Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Orellana), Myrinia aragua Grishin, new species (Venezuela: Aragua), Myrinia maculosa Grishin, new species (Guatemala), Myrinia manchada Grishin, new species (Guyana), Polyctor (Fenops) lamperus Grishin, new species (Panama: Darien), Nisoniades (Nisoniades) lutum Grishin, new species (Mexico: Guerrero. ), Bolla (Stolla) vena Grishin, new species (Venezuela: Aragua), Staphylus (Vulga) vula Grishin, new species (Mexico: Veracruz), Staphylus (Vulga) vulga Grishin, new species (Panama: Darien), Staphylus (Staphylus) rotundalus Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Staphylus (Staphylus) yucatanus Grishin, new species (Mexico: Quintana Roo/Yucatan), Heliopetes (Heliopetes) lana Grishin, new species (Guatemala), Canesia ella Grishin, new species (Venezuela: Barinas), Paches (Paches) loxeca Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Morona-Santiago), Clito congruens Grishin, new species (Panama: Colón), Cycloglypha corax Grishin, new species (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro), Festivia peruvia Grishin, new species (Peru: Huánuco), Decinea notata Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Pompeius fuscus Grishin, new species (Brazil: Minas Gerais), Vernia clara Grishin, new species (Panama: Chiriquí), Oligoria (Oligoria) obtena Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Thespieus mandal Grishin, new species (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro), Psoralis (Saniba) magnamacus Grishin, new species (Panama: Darien), Alychna ayonis Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Wahydra banios Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Tungurahua), Wahydra cuzcona Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Cynea (Cynea) aureofimbra Grishin, new species (Ecuador), Cynea (Nycea) quada Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Cynea (Quinta) achirae Grishin, new species (Mexico: Tamaulipas), Eutus amazonicus Grishin, new species (Peru: Madre de Dios), Eutus incus Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Eutus septemaculatus Grishin, new species (Brazil: Mato Grosso), Godmia viridicapita Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Rhomba pulla Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Niconiades victoria Grishin, new species (Mexico: Tamaulipas), Lancephallus purpurus Grishin, new genus and new species (Guyana), Mnasicles (Remella) ecua Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Pichincha), Amblyscirtes (Amblyscirtes) aeratus Grishin, new species (Mexico: Oaxaca), Amblyscirtes (Mastor) chrysoplea Grishin, new species (Mexico: Oaxaca), Amblyscirtes (Mastor) chrysomisa Grishin, new species (Mexico: Chiapas), Amblyscirtes (Flor) meridus Grishin, new species (Mexico: Veracruz), Rectava chiriquensis Grishin, new species (Panama: Chiriquí), Cobalopsis adictys Grishin, new species (Panama: Veraguas), Cymaenes melaporphyrus Grishin, new species (Mexico: San Luis Potosí), Lerema (Morys) ecuadorica Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Pichincha), Saturnus obscurior Grishin, new species (Panama: Darien), Cantha zoirodicta Grishin, new species (Peru: Madre de Dios), Cantha meiodicta Grishin, new species (Peru: Madre de Dios), Phlebodes duplex Grishin, new species (Guatemala: Cayuga), Lychnuchus (Enosis) valle Grishin, new species (Colombia: Valle), Eutychide ochoides Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Dion bora Grishin, new species (Panama: Darien), Dion occida Grishin, new species (Peru: Madre de Dios), Eprius (Eprius) veledinus Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Pichincha), Radiatus panamensis Grishin, new species (Panama: Panama), Pheraeus pulcher Grishin, new species (Peru: Madre de Dios), Callimormus rades Grishin, new species (Panama: Panama), Gubrus lubens Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Loja), Ludens labens Grishin, new species (Panama: Darien), Rigga isa Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Napo), Flaccilla lactea Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Falga athena Grishin, new species (Panama: Darien), Panoquina jay Grishin, new species (Peru: Loreto), Calpodes salianus Grishin, new species (Peru: Madre de Dios), Calpodes stingo Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Sucumbíos), Aides nobra Grishin, new species (Panama: Colón), Thracides pavo Grishin, new species (Mexico: Tabasco), Talides eluta Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Talides laeta Grishin, new species (Peru: Cuzco), Neoxeniades angustior Grishin, new species (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro), Damas zea Grishin, new species (Guyana), Tromba xantha Grishin, new species (Mexico: Veracruz), Perichares fura Grishin, new species (Ecuador: Pichincha), Carystoides (Balma) goliath Grishin, new species (Colombia: Valle), and Agathymus galeana Grishin, new species (Mexico: Nuevo Leon). Additionally, we present evidence to support 22 taxa as species (not subspecies or synonyms) and synonymize one genus and four species. Namely, the following taxa are species: Milanion pilta Evans, 1953 (not Milanion pilumnus Mabille and Boullet, 1917), Milanion latior Mabille and Boullet, 1917 (not a synonym of Milanion marciana Godman and Salvin, 1895), Charidia pilea Evans, 1953, and Charidia pocus Evans, 1953 (not Charidia lucaria (Hewitson, 1868)), Paches (Paches) gloriosus Röber, 1925 and Paches (Paches) loxana Evans, 1953 (not Paches (Paches) loxus (Westwood, 1852)), Spioniades anta Evans, 1953 (not Spioniades abbreviata (Mabille, 1888)), Decinea onasima (Hewitson, 1877) and Decinea formosus (Hayward, 1940) (not Decinea dama (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Thespieus guerreronis (Dyar, 1913) (not Thespieus dalman (Latreille, [1824])), Cynea (Nycea) erebina (Möschler, 1879) and Cynea (Nycea) cleochares (Mabille, 1891) (not Cynea (Cynea) diluta (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Amblyscirtes (Mastor) repta Evans, 1955 (not Amblyscirtes (Flor) florus (Godman, 1900)), Saturnus tiberius (Möschler, 1883), Saturnus conspicuus (E. Bell, 1941), Saturnus meton (Mabille, 1891), and Saturnus obscurus (E. Bell, 1941) (not Saturnus reticulata (Plötz, 1883)), Phlebodes sifax Evans, 1955 (not Phlebodes campo (E. Bell, 1947)), Eutychide ochus Godman, 1900 and Eutychide rogersi (Kaye, 1914) (not a subspecies and a synonym, respectively, of Eutychide subcordata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Falga mirabilis Evans, 1955, Falga jacta Evans, 1955, and Falga ombra Evans, 1955 (not Falga jeconia (A. Butler, 1870)); and the following taxa are junior subjective synonyms: Libra Evans, 1955 (of Phemiades Hübner, [1819]), Papilio clito Fabricius, 1787 of Milanion hemes hemes (Cramer, 1777), Pamphila hycsos Mabille, 1891 of Cynea (Nycea) erebina (Möschler, 1879), Hesperia olympia Plötz, 1882 of Eutychide subcordata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), and Hesperia ocrinus Plötz, 1882 of Aides aegita (Hewitson, 1866). Furthermore, we propose new combinations for genus-species: Lychnuchus (Enosis) ponka (Evans, 1955) (not Thoon Godman, 1900), and species-subspecies: Charidia pocus mayo Evans, 1953 (not Charidia lucaria (Hewitson, 1868)), Decinea onasima boliviensis (E. Bell, 1930) (not Decinea dama (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Cynea (Nycea) erebina somba Evans, 1955 (not Pamphila hycsos Mabille, 1891), Saturnus tiberius suffuscus (Hayward, 1940) (not Saturnus reticulata (Plötz, 1883)), and Falga mirabilis odol Evans, 1955 (not Falga jeconia (A. Butler, 1870)). Then, Milanion pilumnus var. hemestinus Mabille and Boullet, 1917 is a junior subjective synonym of Milanion pilumnus pilumnus Mabille and Boullet, 1917, not of Milanion leucaspis (Mabille, 1878). Lectotypes are designated for nine taxa (names in original combinations below): Pellicia bromias Godman and Salvin, 1894 (Mexico: Veracruz, Atoyac), Nisoniades perforata Möschler, 1879 (Colombia), Helias ascalaphus Staudinger, 1876 (central Panama), Pamphila hycsos Mabille, 1891 (Colombia), Amblyscirtes fluonia Godman, 1900 (Mexico: Guerrero, Xocomanatlan), Mastor anubis Godman, 1900 (Mexico: Guerrero, Omiltemi), Eutychide ochus Godman, 1900 (Mexico: Veracruz, Atoyac), Cobalus subcordata Herrich-Schäffer, 1869 (Southeast Brazil), and Thracides xanthura Godman, 1901 (Panama: Chiriquí Province, Bugaba). A neotype is designated for Eudamus briccius Plötz, 1881 (Guyana: Iwokrama Forest).
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:ACDF923B-906D-460E-9707-259E0ECDBCA8
Plagiosarus transversus Vlasak and Santos-Silva, new species (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Acanthoderini), is described from Costa Rica. The rank of Plagiosarus melampus congestus Bates, 1885 is discussed.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:71496BE9-C69F-43B4-AF33-E3376DA6E083
Trichodesma nancyae, new species (Coleoptera: Ptinidae), is described from Mexico. The species is illustrated and diagnosed, bringing the total number of extant species in the genus to 73. Lectotypes for Trichodesma beyeri Fall, Trichodesma scripta Champion, and Trichodesma texana Schaeffer are here designated. Habitus and label photographs are provided for types of 12 of the 13 species occurring in Mexico.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F608D6CF-885B-49EA-9E8C-F0A12AE39424
The endemic Mexican genus Lamoana Casey, 1915 stat. rev. is revalidated through a comparative morphological analysis of both male genitalia and somatic characters of all genera with perpendicular parameres. A comparative study and general description of the basic patterns in the morphology of the genitalia for the American genera are provided. A full redescription of the genus and a redescription of L. villosella (Blanchard, 1851) comb. rev. is provided herein, with the addition of generic and specific diagnostic characters and data about its geographical distribution. Further, possible relationships at generic level among American genera are provided. With this study, the number of Anomalini genera known for America and Mexico is now elevated to 17 and 14, respectively.
Coilodes Westwood, 1846 is a Neotropical genus of Hybosorinae. Despite being a morphologically homogeneous genus, it presents a great deal of intraspecific variation, especially with reference to the colour of integuments. This makes identification of species even more difficult, since the majority of original descriptions present the colour as the main diagnostic character. To solve this problem, the first taxonomic revision of Coilodes is presented. The genus now comprises 13 species. Redescriptions of C. castaneus Westwood, 1846, C. fumipennis Arrow, 1909, C. humeralis (Mannerheim, 1829), C. niger (Mannerheim, 1829), C. ovalis Robinson, 1948, C. parvulus Westwood, 1846, and C. punctipennis Arrow, 1909 are presented. Coilodes niger (Mannerheim, 1829) has its status revalidated and three new synonyms are proposed: C. gibbus (Perty, 1830) and C. chilensis Westwood, 1846 with C. humeralis, and C. nigripennis Arrow, 1903 with C. castaneus. Biological and geographical distribution data are expanded. Lectotypes are designated for C. humeralis and C. niger. Six new species are described: C. bezerrai Basílio & Vaz-de-Mello sp. nov., C. edeiltae Basílio & Vaz-de-Mello sp. nov., C. lunae Basílio & Vaz-de-Mello sp. nov., C. mayae Basílio & Vaz-de-Mello sp. nov., C. ravii Basílio & Vaz-de-Mello sp. nov., and C. skelleyi Basílio & Vaz-de-Mello sp. nov. An identification key for the males of the species is presented.
A new species Alainites neeru sp. nov. is described based on larvae collected from a hill stream in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the first report of the genus Alainites Waltz & McCafferty, 1994 from India. The new species is closely related to the Palearctic species A. muticus (Linnaeus, 1758), but can be distinguished from the latter by the length of the maxillary palp, the reduced number of spine-like setae on the margin between the prostheca and mola of the right mandible, the reduced tracheation in the tergalii, and by a reduced number of spines on the prolongation of the paraproct. With this record, the genus Alainites encompasses a total of twenty-two species.
Serratichneumon Riedel & Sheng gen. nov. and Serratichneumon maculatus Sheng & Riedel gen. et sp. nov. belonging to the tribe Ichneumonini of subfamily Ichneumoninae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), collected in the Oriental Region (China, Vietnam, and Indonesia), are described and illustrated. The new genus is placed in Tereshkin’s key to the Palaearctic genera of the subtribe Amblytelina, and compared with similar genera, Hepiopelmus Wesmael, 1845, and Tricholabus Thomson, 1894.
The taxonomy of the Neotropical Carcharodini genus Viuria Grishin, 2019 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Pyrginae) is presented. Two new species are described: Viuria inanna sp. nov. from south-southeastern habitats Brazil and Paraguay, and Viuria acadia sp. nov. from Brazil and Ecuador. Illustrations of adults, including morphology of secondary sexual organs in males, male and female genitalia, diagnoses, remarks, and updated geographical distributions are also provided for all species.
The Andean genus Priscula Simon, 1893 includes the largest Neotropical pholcid spiders, but due to their mostly cryptic lifestyle they remain poorly collected and poorly studied. Many species available in collections remain undescribed and nothing has been published about the phylogeny and the biology of the genus. Here, we deal with a recent collection of Priscula spiders from Ecuador, the country of origin of the type species, P. gularis Simon, 1893. We describe eight new species, collected at 17 localities at altitudes from 640–3160 m, all based on males and females: P. azuay sp. nov., P. llaviucu sp. nov., P. espejoi sp. nov., P. esmeraldas sp. nov., P. chapintza sp. nov., P. pastaza sp. nov., P. bonita sp. nov., and P. lumbaqui sp. nov. We use a sample of approximately 26 species-level taxa, mostly from Ecuador and Venezuela, to propose a first hypothesis about relationships within the genus. Our data (mainly CO1) suggest the existence of five species groups, three of which are represented in Ecuador. The cave-dwelling P. pastaza sp. nov. is only slightly troglomorphic (paler than usual; anterior median eyes strongly reduced or lost) but differs dramatically from forest-dwelling congeners in its biology: it hangs fully exposed in its web during the day; it produces egg sacs with only 6–7 eggs (average in 15 other species: 42 eggs); and it produces the largest eggs relative to body size of all studied species.
Here, we report on 33 molluscan species from Miocene ’Calcari a Lucina’ hydrocarbon-seep deposits in northern Italy. Three new species are described: the chilodontaid gastropod Putzeysia diversii sp. nov., the lucinid bivalve Miltha (sensu lato) romaniae sp. nov., and Sisonia ultimoi sp. nov., a heterodont bivalve of uncertain taxonomic affinity. Fourteen species are described in open nomenclature. The common but enigmatic gastropod species Phasianema taurocrassa is here suggested to belong to the seguenzioid genus Cataegis. Most gastropod species are inhabitants of the deep-sea floor in general, and are not restricted (obligate) to sites of hydrocarbon-seepage. The gastropod Putzeysia diversii sp. nov. and the bivalve Sisonia ultimoi sp. nov. are the geologically oldest members of their genera known to date. While the genus Putzeysia is geographically restricted to the NE Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Sisonia ultimoi sp. nov. represents another link of the Miocene Mediterranean seep fauna to that of the central Indo-West Pacific Ocean.
Lacewing larvae in the Cretaceous were more diverse in appearance than they are today, best documented by numerous fossils preserved in amber. One morphotype of an unusual larva from about 100 Ma old Kachin amber (Myanmar) was formally recognised as a distinct group called Ankyloleon. The original description erected a single formal species, Ankyloleon caudatus. Yet, it was indicated that among the five original specimens, more species were represented. We here report five new specimens. Among these is the so far largest as well as the so far smallest specimen. Based on this expanded material we can estimate certain aspects of the ontogenetic sequence and are able to recognise a second discrete species, Ankyloleon caroluspetrus sp. nov. We discuss aspects of the biology of Ankyloleon based on newly observed details such as serrations on the mandibles. Long and slender mouthparts, legs and body together with a weakly expressed outer trunk segmentation provide indications for a lifestyle hunting for prey in more confined spaces. Still many aspects of the biology of these larvae must remain unclear due to a lack of a well comparable modern counterpart, emphasising how different the fauna of the Cretaceous was.
Taxonomic revision of the African assassin bug genus Fusius (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae)
(2023)
The African assassin bug genus Fusius Stål, 1862 is revised after the examination of type specimens with redescriptions of four species. Lectotypes of Pirates (Fusius) H-flavum Reuter, 1881 and Pirates rubricosus Stål, 1855 are designated. The status of P. (Fusius) H-flavum Reuter, 1881 is revalidated with its current name as F. hflavus (Reuter, 1881) stat. rev. et comb. nov. Seven new synonyms are proposed: F. dilutus Miller, 1957 = F. gowdeyi Miller, 1957 syn. nov. = F. liberiensis Miller, 1957 syn. nov. = F. dilutus anonymus Dispons, 1969 syn. nov. = F. dilutus vicinus Dispons, 1969 syn. nov.; F. distinctus Miller, 1957 = F. sylvestris Miller, 1957 syn. nov.; F. hflavus (Reuter, 1881) = F. hargreavesi Miller, 1957 syn. nov.; F. rubricosus (Stål, 1855) = F. ugandensis Miller, 1957 syn. nov. A key is provided to separate the four species of this genus. Diagnosis and distribution of Fusius are briefly discussed.
The nitidus species group of the bee genus Scrapter Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 is redefi ned, revised and 15 species are described as new for science: S.caeruleus sp. nov. ♀, S.confusus sp. nov. ♀♂, S.convexoides sp. nov. ♂, S. convexus sp. nov. ♀♂, S. crassipunctatus sp. nov. ♀♂, S.felicis sp. nov. ♀♂, S.fl avipunctatus sp. nov. ♀♂, S.imparilis sp. nov. ♀♂, S. littoralis sp. nov. ♀, S.longicornis sp. nov. ♂, S.montanus sp. nov. ♀♂, S.mpumalangensis sp. nov. ♀♂, S.obtusus sp. nov. ♀♂, S. perpunctatulus sp. nov. ♂ and S.variabilis sp. nov. ♀♂. The previously unknown males of S. divergens (Friese, 1925), S. semirufus Cockerell, 1932 and S. perpunctatus Cockerell, 1933 are described for the fi rst time. All currently known 28 species of the S. nitidus species group are redescribed, imaged and included in a key to facilitate their identifi cation.
The blind centipede genus Scolopocryptops Newport, 1844 comprises two lineages: the “Asian/North American” group and the “Neotropical/Afrotropical” group. The former can be further split into two groups, a clade comprising Scolopocryptops elegans (Takakuwa, 1937) and Scolopocryptops curtus (Takakuwa, 1939), and a clade comprising all other “Asian/North American” species. Here, Scolopocryptops miyosii sp. nov. from Kyushu and Amami Island and Scolopocryptops brevisulcatus sp. nov. from Izena Island and Okinawa Island in southern Japan are described. The two new species have external features similar to S. elegans and S. curtus. They can be distinguished from most other “Asian/North American” Scolopocryptops by the absence of complete sulcus/sulci along the lateral margin of the cephalic plate and the presence of sternal longitudinal sulci. They can be distinguished from each other by several external features, such as the density of antennal setae and the shape of the anterior margin of the coxosternite. Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear and mitochondrial markers also support the monophyly of the four species, which form a clade sister to all other “Asian/North American” Scolopocryptops.
North-western Africa has a large Andrena fauna, but parts of the country away from coastal areas remain poorly studied, and confusion persists as to the identity of certain taxa due to the long history of study combined with imperfectly examined type material. New fieldwork, genetic barcoding, and study of museum material has substantially improved our understanding of this region. Eleven new species are described: A. (Aciandrena) bendai sp. nov., A. (Aciandrena) ifranensis sp. nov., A. (Euandrena) berberica sp. nov., A. (Hoplandrena) darha sp. nov., A. (Micrandrena) anammas sp. nov., A. (Micrandrena) gemina sp. nov., A. (Micrandrena) tinctoria sp. nov., and A. (incertae sedis) muelleri sp. nov., all from Morocco, and A. (Aciandrena) quieta sp. nov., A. (Euandrena) abscondita sp. nov., and A. (Taeniandrena) prazi sp. nov. from Morocco and Tunisia. Andrena (Aciandrena) nitidilabris Pérez, 1895 was misdiagnosed, and is actually the senior synonym of A. (Graecandrena) montarca parva Warncke, 1974 syn. nov. Andrena (Aciandrena) pisantyi sp. nov. is described from Algeria, Tunisia, and Israel, conforming to A. nitidilabris auctorum sensu Warncke. Andrena (Graecandrena) andina Warncke, 1974 stat. nov. and A. (Micrandrena) heliaca Warncke, 1974 stat. nov. are elevated from sub species to species status. Lectotypes are designated for A. (Melanapis) ephippium Spinola, 1838,
A. (Melanapis) rutila Spinola, 1838, A. (Simandrena) rhypara Pérez, 1903, and A. (Suandrena) savignyi Spinola, 1838. Neotypes are designated for A. (Melandrena) soror Dours, 1872 and A. (Notandrena) nigroviridula Dours, 1873. The female of A. (Aciandrena) triangulivalvis Wood, 2020 is described. The following seven additional synonymies are reported (senior name first): A. (Chrysandrena) testaceipes Saunders, 1908 = A. (Chrysandrena) rubricorpora Wood, 2021 syn. nov., A. (incertae sedis) maidaqi Scheuchl & Gusenleitner, 2007 = A. (Carandrena) hoggara Wood, 2021 syn. nov., A. (Lepidandrena) tuberculifera Pérez, 1895 = A. (Poecilandrena) nigriclypeus Wood, 2020 syn. nov., A. (Notandrena) albohirta Saunders, 1908 = A. (Notandrena) eddaensis Gusenleitner, 1998 syn. nov., A. (Notandrena) microthorax Pérez, 1895 = A. (Notandrena) nigrocyanea Saunders, 1908 syn. nov., A. (Simandrena) rhypara = A. (Simandrena) palumba Warncke, 1974 syn. nov., and A. (Taeniandrena) poupillieri Dours, 1872 = A. (Taeniandrena) lecerfi Benoist, 1961 syn. nov. Andrena (Notandrena) viridiaenea Pérez, 1903 is returned to synonymy with A. nigroviridula. Relative to the 2020 baseline, 16 Andrena species are newly recorded for Morocco, and six species are removed from the faunal list. These revisions bring the total number of Andrena species known from Morocco to 202 with 25 endemic species, making it one of the hotspots for Andrena diversity globally.
Revision of the genus Sulciclivina Balkenohl, 2022 from Asia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Clivinini)
(2023)
The Oriental genus Sulciclivina is revised based on 770 specimens. Sulciclivina attenuata attenuata (Herbst, 1806), S. bhamoensis (Bates, 1892), S. striata striata (Putzeys, 1846), S. sulcigera (Putzeys, 1866), and S. sagittaria sagittaria (Bates, 1892) are redescribed. In order to maintain stability of the nomenclature, lectotypes have been designated for S. attenuata attenuata, S. bhamoensis, S. striata striata, and S. sagittaria sagittaria. The following twelve new taxa are described: S. attenuata semireticulata subsp. nov., S. striata kottea subsp. nov., S. coxisetosa sp. nov., S. basiangusta sp. nov., S. splendida sp. nov., S. mikirensis sp. nov., S. karelkulti karelkulti sp. nov., S. karelkulti medanensis subsp. nov., S. curvata sp. nov., S. oculiangusta sp. nov., S. andrewesi sp. nov., and S. sagittaria singaporensis subsp. nov. An identification key to the species is provided which includes the characterization of the two new species groups attenuata and sagittaria. All taxa are figured including male and female genitalia, if available. The available faunistic information is provided, and distribution records are displayed on a map.
Four new species of Alloxysta (Hym.: Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae) from Petr Starý’s collection
(2023)
After the revision of Petr Starý’s Charipinae collection, four new species of Alloxysta Förster, 1869 have been found. This collection represents a good overview of the Charipinae fauna worldwide, although the best represented area is Central Europe. Here, we describe four new species of Alloxysta: A. llumae Ferrer-Suay sp. nov., A. onae Ferrer-Suay sp. nov., A. poli Ferrer-Suay sp. nov. and A. staryi Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. nov. Three of these new species are based on reared specimens. Diagnosis, distribution, and description of the new species are given and illustrated.
A review of the genus Stratiomys from India is presented. The new species Stratiomys brunettii sp. nov. is described based on male and female specimens collected from the Kashmir Himalayas. The only other congener previously recorded in India, Stratiomys approximata, is redescribed. A key to the species is presented.
The Australian genus Pleuroseta Richards, 1973 is revised, including P. wentworthi (Richards, 1973) and three new species: P. ingens sp. nov. (Queensland), P. monteithi sp. nov. (Queensland) and P. occidentalis sp. nov. (Western Australia). Leptocera (Biroina) dorrigonis Richards, 1973 is treated as a new junior synonym of Pleuroseta wentworthi.
The genus Plateosaurus is one of the most challenging aspects of early-diverging sauropodomorph taxonomy, with a total of 29 names and a century of revisions. As a result, nomina dubia have been treated as synonyms of Plateosaurus trossingensis, adding to the confusion about the extent of morphological variability. Here, we provide a thorough revision of the taxonomy proposed by von Huene as well as the subsequent taxonomic interpretations of Plateosaurus through a complete inventory of the specimens stored in the Palaeontological Collection of Tübingen. We reassess the status of the specimens in the collection and propose that the sauropodomorph-bearing layers are not necessarily monospecific. Most of the original fieldwork documentation has been lost, but we use the taxonomy established by von Huene as a historical reference point to reconstruct what was known at the time. This revised taxonomy of Plateosaurus narrows the genus to three species: Pl. trossingensis, Pl. longiceps, and Pl. gracilis (as a metataxon), and restricts the genera Gresslyosaurus and Pachysaurus to large and robust individuals, as pragmatic decisions aimed to test their affinities to other Late Triassic sauropodomorphs. Future studies should consider not only morphological variability, but also stratigraphy, palaeogeography, and environmental data when delineating species within and outside the Plateosaurus plexus.
A review of Mexican Stamnodes (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) with the description of 16 new species
(2023)
The Mexican Stamnodes Guenée, [1858] fauna is reviewed. Thirty-six species are documented, including sixteen new species: S. aumatlapalli sp. nov., S. calcarea sp. nov., S. carota sp. nov., S. catarina sp. nov., S. ceniza sp. nov., S. churro sp. nov., S. clara sp. nov., S. disrupta sp. nov., S. erupta sp. nov., S. favilla sp. nov., S. ferropulvisa sp. nov., S. fuego sp. nov., S. mariachi sp. nov., S. matrona sp. nov., S. saltillo sp. nov., and S. tenebrosa sp. nov.; and two new synonymies are proposed: S. artemis Rindge, 1958 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. agapetica (Dyar, 1916), and S. similis Wright, 1927 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. ululata Pearsall, 1912. Illustrations and a brief summary of the taxonomic status, biology, and distribution for each species are provided. Full descriptions accompany new species accounts. Genitalic descriptions and illustrations are provided for new species and species described from Mexico without past genitalic study, and COI barcode data are presented for 27 of the 36 species treated herein.
Detection of morphologically indistinguishable cryptic species implies using an integrative taxonomic approach with a combination of molecular, contemporary morphological, ecological and other relevant analyses. Within a contemporary morphological analysis, two approaches are commonly used in hoverfly taxonomy: a geometric morphometric analysis of the wing and surstyle shape. Here, the importance of the R4+5 vein shape is tested in cryptic species delimitation within four Merodon species groups using linear and semilandmark geometric morphometric analyses. As expected, geometric morphometrics showed a stronger resolution compared to linear morphometrics. Linear morphometrics failed to detect differences related to sexual dimorphism or differences among the species M. pruni and M. obscurus. However, all cryptic species and sexes were separated with high significance based on the R4+5 vein shape. Moreover, obtained results concurred with the landmark-defined wing shape and molecular results published in previous studies. Additionally, combining two characters, the semilandmark R4+5 vein shape and the landmark-defined wing shape, provided more detailed and precise insights into the shape differences. Our results showed that the R4+5 vein shape stands out as an important character in species delimitation of hoverflies where the sinuation of this vein is present. Therefore, it can be beneficial as a single character or in combination with a landmark-based wing shape analysis.
The avian magnetic compass was analyzed by testing migratory birds, using their orientation as an indicator. These tests revealed some remarkable properties of the avian magnetic compass: (1) It is an inclination compass’, (2) it is light-dependent, with (3) receptors located in the right eye. These characteristics are in agreement with the Radical Pair model proposed by Ritz et al. (2000). Using the same experimental set-up, we tested the model by behavioral spectroscopy’, exposing migratory birds to radiofrequency fields of different frequencies and intensities. Such fields affected the orientation only when applied at an angle to the field lines. Tests with different frequencies led to an estimate of the life time of the crucial radical pair between 2-10 μs. We also could identify an extremely sensitive resonance at the Larmor frequency, which implies specific properties of the radical pair. Cryptochromes, a blue-light absorbing photopigment, has been proposed to be the receptor-molecule; it has been found to be present in the retina of birds.
In recent decades, zoos have been increasingly transformed into education centers with the goal of raising awareness about environmental issues and providing environmental education. Probably the simplest and most widespread environmental education program in the zoo is the guided tour. This study therefore aims to test whether a one hour zoo tour has an influence on the participants’ connection to nature and attitude towards species conservation. For this purpose, 269 people who had voluntarily registered for a zoo tour were surveyed before and after the tour. In addition to the regular zoo tour, special themed tours and tours with animal feedings were included. The results show a positive increase in connection to nature and a strengthening of positive attitudes towards species conservation for all tour types. For nature connectedness, in particular, people with an initial high connection to nature benefitted from the special themed tours and the tours, including animal feedings. For attitudes towards species conservation, no difference was found between the tour types. The results prove the positive influence of a very simple environmental education program, even for people with a preexisting high level of connection to nature and positive attitude towards species conservation.
A faunal study for the order Phasmatodea of the Chicaque Natural Park is presented, including a list of species found, descriptions, redescriptions, and biological notes. A total of nine species were found and studied; two new genera: Ramandeun new genus, Nubilophasma new genus, and four new species: Atratomorpha jorgei new species, Isagoras franciscoverai new species, Nubilophasma chicaquensis new genus and new species, and Ramandeum coronatum new genus and new species are described. The description of the eggs of the new taxa, of the previously unknown eggs of Paraceroys quadrispinosus (Redtenbacher, 1906), and the redescription of the eggs of Libethra rabdota Stål, 1875, and Libethra inchoata Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907 are provided. Additional comments on the ecology and morphological variation of the reviewed taxa are included. Finally, further studies on the stick insect fauna of the Colombian Andes are discussed and recommended to provide more information to broaden the understanding of the species that inhabit this complex mountain system.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7D34FF9A-CDEE-4DD4-A643-E0F467E00A5B
The interactions between the lacewing Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navás) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) larva and the coconut mealybug Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) were recorded. The third-instar lacewing larva constructed a dorsal packet using mealybug wax from both male pupal cases and the bodies of adult females. Surprisingly, live nymphs were also frequently placed into the dorsal packet. Prey mealybugs were discarded and not incorporated into the packet after consumption. When disturbed, adult female mealybugs reflex bled from their dorsal ostioles, contacting the mouthparts of the lacewing. The lacewing quickly retreated to clean the mouthparts on the substrate, providing further evidence that ostiolar fluids act as a defense mechanism for mealybugs. Despite repeatedly contacting the ostiolar fluid, the lacewing pupated and eclosed successfully. Macro video footage of dorsal packet construction and ostiolar reflex bleeding is included. This is the first report of C. claveri preying on N. nipae, the first evidence of C. claveri using mealybug wax to construct the dorsal packet, and the first account of reflex bleeding via the dorsal ostioles to deter predators in N. nipae.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CCEE7B47-B6E9-4D36-8860-A7F4DE5E717B
Aksakidion odontokeras, new genus and new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae: Eumolpini), is described from four specimens in the Bowditch Collection at Harvard University. It is distinguished from all other genera in the Eumolpinae by an elongate, seta-bearing, tusk-like projection on the dorsal side of each mandible. Although locality data only mention Paraguay as the country of origin, information about the collector indicates it was collected in the late 19th century in the vicinity of Asunción.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:65DABC23-2BF6-42D3-B445-AC2B9EDA66E8
Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) and Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley are major pests of pineapples, ornamentals, and vegetable crops in many countries around the world. The potential distribution of these mealybug pests into South Korea remains a prime concern because of their high incidence in interceptions screened during inspection. Hence, these species prompted a modelling effort to assess their potential risk of introduction. Potential risk maps were developed for these pests with the CLIMEX model based on occurrence records under environmental data. The potential distribution of these pests in South Korea in the 2020s, 2050s and 2090s is projected based on the RCP 8.5 climate change scenario. Results show that D. brevipes and D. neobrevipes have little potential for invasion in the exterior environment of South Korea due to high cold stress. However, for D. brevipes, three locations in Jejudo were predicted to be marginally suitable for this pest under future climate factors. In that respect, the results of these model predictions could be used to prepare a risk-based surveying program that improves the probability of detecting early D. brevipes and D. neobrevipes populations.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CE2390B2-6C56-45E7-B4A7-BE30FEEB3F34
Genomic analysis of Pyrginae Burmeister, 1878 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae Latreille, 1809) with an emphasis on the tribes Achlyodini Burmeister, 1878 and Carcharodini Verity, 1940 reveals many inconsistencies between the resulting phylogeny and the current classification. These problems are corrected by proposing new taxa, changing the ranks of others, or synonymizing them, and transferring species between genera. As a result, five subtribes, one genus, 20 subgenera, and one species are proposed as new: Cyclosemiina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Cyclosemia Mabille, 1878), Ilianina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Iliana E. Bell, 1937), Nisoniadina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Nisoniades Hübner, [1819]), Burcina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Burca E. Bell and W. Comstock, 1948), and Pholisorina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Pholisora Scudder, 1872), all in Carcharodini; Lirra Grishin, new genus (type species Leucochitonea limaea Hewitson, 1868) in Pythonidina Grishin, 2019; Trifa Grishin, new subgenus (type species Tagiades jacobus Plötz, 1884), Tuberna Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pythonides contubernalis Mabille, 1883), Ebona Grishin, new subgenus (type species Quadrus eboneus E. Bell, 1947), Noctis Grishin, new subgenus (type species Achlyodes accedens Mabille, 1895), and Cyrna Grishin, new subgenus (type species Achlyodes cyrna Mabille, 1895) of Quadrus Lindsey, 1925; Liddia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Helias pallida R. Felder, 1869), Minna Grishin, new subgenus (type species Achlyodes minna Evans, 1953), and Thilla Grishin, new subgenus (type species Eurypterus later Mabille, 1891) of Eantis Boisduval, 1836; Torgus Grishin, new subgenus (type species Ouleus gorgus E. Bell, 1937) of Iliana E. Bell, 1937; Fenops Grishin, new subgenus (type species Cabares enops Godman and Salvin, 1894) of Polyctor Evans, 1953; Bezus Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pellicia bessus Möschler, 1877) and Macarius Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pellicia macarius Herrich-Schäffer, 1870) of Nisoniades Hübner, [1819]; Quadralis Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pterygospidea extensa Mabille, 1891) of Gorgopas Godman and Salvin, 1894; Menuda Grishin, new subgenus (type species Nisoniades menuda Weeks, 1902) and Narycus Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pythonides narycus Mabille, 1889) of Perus Grishin, 2019; Bovaria Grishin, new subgenus (type species Achlyodes cyclops Mabille, 1876), Sebia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Nisoniades eusebius Plötz, 1884), and Stolla Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pholisora balsa E. Bell, 1937) of Bolla Mabille, 1903; Vulga Grishin, new subgenus (type species Achlyodes vulgata Möschler, 1879) and Capilla Grishin, new subgenus (type species Helias aurocapilla Staudinger, 1876, currently a junior subjective synonym of Hesperia musculus Burmeister, 1875) of Staphylus Godman and Salvin, 1896; and Quadrus (Zera) vivax Grishin, new species (type locality in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro). The following 10 are subgenera, not genera or synonyms: Ouleus Lindsey, 1925 and Zera Evans, 1953 of Quadrus Lindsey, 1925; Atarnes Godman and Salvin, 1897 and Eburuncus Grishin, 2012 of Milanion Godman and Salvin, 1895; Pachyneuria Mabille, 1888 and Austinus O. Mielke and Casagrande, 2016 of Sophista Plötz, 1879; Hemipteris Mabille, 1889 and Mictris Evans, 1955 of Pellicia Herrich-Schäffer, 1870; and Hesperopsis Dyar, 1905 and Scantilla Godman and Salvin, 1896 of Staphylus Godman and Salvin, 1896. The following 7 are species, not subspecies: Quadrus (Ebona) cristatus (Steinhauser, 1989) (not Quadrus (Ebona) negrus (Nicolay, 1980)), Quadrus (Quadrus) ophia (A. Butler, 1870) (not Quadrus (Quadrus) lugubris (R. Felder, 1869)), Quadrus (Zera) gellius (Mabille, 1903) and Quadrus (Zera) servius (Plötz, 1884) (not Quadrus (Zera) hyacinthinus (Mabille, 1877)), Mimia pazana Evans,1953 (not Mimia phidyle (Godman and Salvin, 1894)), Polyctor (Polyctor) dagua Evans, 1953 (not Polyctor (Polyctor) polyctor (Prittwitz, 1868)), and Staphylus (Vulga) satrap Evans, 1953 (not Staphylus (Vulga) saxos Evans, 1953); and these 8 are species, not synonyms: Quadrus (Zera) menedemus (Godman and Salvin, 1894) (not Quadrus (Zera) tetrastigma (Sepp, [1847])), Pellicia (Pellicia) bilinea Mabille, 1889 (not Pellicia (Pellicia) dimidiata Herrich-Schäffer, 1870), Pellicia (Hemipteris) nema Williams and Bell, 1939 (not Pellicia (Pellicia) theon Plötz, 1882), Bolla (Bovaria) sodalis Schaus, 1913 (not Bolla (Bolla) imbras (Godman and Salvin, 1896)), Bolla (Bovaria) aplica (E. Bell, 1937) (not Bolla (Sebia) eusebius (Plötz, 1884)), Bolla (Sebia) chilpancingo (E. Bell, 1937) (not Bolla (Bolla) subapicatus (Schaus, 1902)), and Bolla (Stolla) madrea (R. Williams and E. Bell, 1940) and Bolla (Stolla) hazelae (Hayward, 1940) (not Bolla (Stolla) zorilla (Plötz, 1886)). The following 2 are junior subjective synonyms: Achlyodes erisichthon Plötz, 1884 of Quadrus (Zera) servius (Plötz, 1884) (not a subspecies of Quadrus (Zera) tetrastigma (Sepp, [1847]) and Staphylus subapicatus Schaus, 1902 of Bolla (Bolla) imbras (Godman and Salvin, 1896). Furthermore, we propose the following additional new genus-species combination: Gindanes homer (Evans, 1953), Gindanes nides (O. Mielke and Casagrande, 2002), Gindanes maraca (O. Mielke and Casagrande, 1992), Gindanes jenmorrisae (Shuey and Ramírez. 2022), Gindanes tullia (Evans, 1953), Gindanes herennius (Geyer, [1838]), Gindanes proxenus (Godman and Salvin, 1895), Gindanes parallelus (Mabille, 1898), Gindanes braga (Evans, 1953), Gindanes hampa (Evans, 1953), Gindanes rosa (Steinhauser, 1989), Gindanes neivai (Hayward, 1940), Gindanes mundo (H. Freeman, 1979), Gindanes eminus (E. Bell, 1934), Quadrus (Trifa) francesius Freeman, 1969, Quadrus (Trifa) ineptus (Draudt, 1922), Quadrus (Trifa) jacobus (Plötz, 1884), Quadrus (Tuberna) lancea (Hewitson, 1868), Quadrus (Ebona) pescada (E. Bell, 1956), Lirra pteras (Godman and Salvin, 1895), and Lirra limaea (Hewitson, 1868) (not Pythonides Hübner, 1819); Quadrus (Cyrna) zora (Evans, 1953) (not Bolla Mabille, 1903); Eantis later (Mabille, 1891) and Eantis haber (Mabille, 1891) (not Aethilla Hewitson, 1868); Iliana (Torgus) gorgus (E. Bell, 1937) and Iliana (Torgus) taurus (Evans, 1953) (not Eantis Boisduval, 1836); Bolla (Stolla) evemerus (Godman and Salvin, 1896), Bolla (Stolla) chlora (Evans, 1953), Bolla (Stolla) astra (R. Williams and E. Bell, 1940), Bolla (Stolla) balsa (E. Bell, 1937), Bolla (Stolla) tridentis (Steinhauser, 1989), Bolla (Stolla) esmeraldus (L. Miller, 1966), Bolla (Stolla) chlorocephala (Latreille, [1824]), and Bolla (Stolla) incanus (E. Bell, 1932) (not Staphylus Godman and Salvin, 1896). Finally, lectotypes are designated for Achlyodes servius Plötz, 1884 (type locality in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro), Pellicia theon Plötz, 1882 (type locality in South America), and Nisoniades eusebius Plötz, 1884 (type locality in Central America). Unless stated otherwise, all subgenera, species, subspecies, and synonyms of mentioned genera and species are transferred with their parent taxa, and others remain as previously classified.
ZooBank registration. http://zoobank.org/B9AFA1A9-8664-4F31-B4D9-ACF7780C7CC6
Driven by globalization, urbanization and climate change, the distribution range of invasive vector species has expanded to previously colder ecoregions. To reduce health-threatening impacts on humans, insect vectors are extensively studied. Population genomics can reveal the genomic basis of adaptation and help to identify emerging trends of vector expansion. By applying whole genome analyses and genotype-environment associations to populations of the main dengue vector Aedes aegypti, sampled along an altitudinal gradient in Nepal (200–1300 m), we identify putatively adaptive traits and describe the species' genomic footprint of climate adaptation to colder ecoregions. We found two differentiated clusters with significantly different allele frequencies in genes associated to climate adaptation between the highland population (1300 m) and all other lowland populations (≤800 m). We revealed nonsynonymous mutations in 13 of the candidate genes associated to either altitude, precipitation or cold tolerance and identified an isolation-by-environment differentiation pattern. Other than the expected gradual differentiation along the altitudinal gradient, our results reveal a distinct genomic differentiation of the highland population. Local high-altitude adaptation could be one explanation of the population's phenotypic cold tolerance. Carrying alleles relevant for survival under colder climate increases the likelihood of this highland population to a worldwide expansion into other colder ecoregions.
Background: Driven by globalization, urbanization and climate change, the distribution range of invasive vector species has expanded to previously colder ecoregions. To reduce health-threatening impacts on humans, insect vectors are extensively studied. Population genomics can reveal the genomic basis of adaptation and help to identify emerging trends of vector expansion.
Results: By applying whole genome analyses and genotype-environment associations to populations of the main dengue vector Ae. aegypti, sampled along an altitudinal temperature gradient in Nepal (200- 1300m), we identify adaptive traits and describe the species’ genomic footprint of climate adaptation to colder ecoregions. We found two clusters of differentiation with significantly different allele frequencies in genes associated to climate adaptation between the highland population (1300m) and all other lowland populations (≤ 800 m). We revealed non-synonymous mutations in 13 of the candidate genes associated to either altitude, precipitation or cold tolerance and identified an isolation-by-environment differentiation pattern.
Conclusion: Other than the expected gradual differentiation along the altitudinal gradient, our results reveal a distinct genomic differentiation of the highland population. This finding either indicates a differential invasion history to Nepal or local high-altitude adaptation explaining the population’s phenotypic cold tolerance. In any case, this highland population can be assumed to carry pre-adapted alleles relevant for the species’ invasion into colder ecoregions worldwide that way expanding their climate niche.
Nitrogen pollution is a major constituent of global change, threatening local biodiversity, ecosystem services, and causing serious environmental damage. Specifically, in areas with heavy agricultural soil-use, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer pollutes the groundwaters with nitrates, but also with ammonia and nitrites. Freshwater fish and other aquatic fauna are especially vulnerable to nitrites, which can cause massive mortalities at even low concentrations < 0.1 mg/l NO2- - N. Adaptation of fish to environments with relatively high concentrations of chemicals has occurred throughout the history of life, although contemporary evolution acts at a much more rapid pace. The growing use of land for mass agriculture and livestock industries in the last 50 years in the US has dramatically increased the nutrient loading into the surface and groundwaters. Nitrite poses a serious threat for freshwater fauna as it is rapidly up taken and disturbs ion homeostasis and blood gas transport in fish. In this study, we evaluated, by means of a laboratory experiment, the tolerance of fish to nitrite using six different populations of wild eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) from two regions, North FL and NC, and with different background nitrogen pollution histories. Mosquitofish females were exposed to nitrite in the lab, to either < 0.005 mg/l NO2- (control) or 0.3 mg/l NO2- for ten days and we assessed at the end of the exposure period their blood O2 transport capacity by measuring the concentration of four different types of hemoglobin, their total hematocrit, and their respiratory rates. Preliminary results show significant varying patterns in the response of the exposed fish, depending on the population source, as evidenced by their respiratory rates and the blood erythrocyte counts. Mortality was very low, and hemoglobin profiles indicate high tolerance of G. holbrooki to nitrite contamination – a factor supporting their invasion success in agriculturally dominated regions around the world
Nitrogen pollution is a major constituent of global change, threatening local biodiversity, ecosystem services, and causing serious environmental damage. Specifically, in areas with heavy agricultural soil-use, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer pollutes the groundwaters with nitrates, but also with ammonia and nitrites. Freshwater fish and other aquatic fauna are especially vulnerable to nitrites, which can cause massive mortalities at even low concentrations < 0.1 mg/l NO2- - N. Adaptation of fish to environments with relatively high concentrations of chemicals has occurred throughout the history of life, although contemporary evolution acts at a much more rapid pace. The growing use of land for mass agriculture and livestock industries in the last 50 years in Florida has dramatically increased the nutrient loading into the groundwaters that feed the springs. Nitrite poses a serious threat for freshwater fauna as it is rapidly up taken and disturbs ion homeostasis and blood gas transport in fish. In this study, we evaluated, by means of a common-garden experiment, the tolerance of fish to nitrite using three different populations of eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) with different background nitrogen pollution histories. Mosquitofish females were exposed to nitrite in the lab, to either < 0.005 mg/l NO2- (control) or 0.3 mg/l NO2- for ten days and we assessed at the end of the exposure period their blood O2 transport capacity by measuring the concentration of four different types of hemoglobin, their total hematocrit, and their respiratory rates. Preliminary results show slight but significant varying patterns in the response of the exposed fish, depending on the population source, as evidenced by their respiratory rates and the blood erythrocyte counts. Mortality was very low, and hemoglobin profiles indicate high tolerance of G. holbrooki to nitrite contamination – a factor supporting their invasion success in agriculturally dominated regions around the world.
Six new species are described in the Australian planthopper genus Innobindus Jacobi, 1928. A new species group, the artus group, is created for Innobindus artus sp. nov., I. kaanti sp. nov. and I. loriensis sp. nov.; Innobindus gimani sp. nov. is added to the licinus group and I. geminatus sp. nov. to the multimaculatus group. Another new species, Innobindus oppositus sp. nov., could not be assigned to a species group as it shows unique features within Innobindus regarding forewing venation and chaetotaxy. A checklist and identification key to males of all 13 species of Innobindus is provided. Innobindus is endemic to the eastern parts of New South Wales and Queensland, distribution maps for each species are presented.
Ongoing climate change is a major threat to biodiversity and impacts on species distributions and abundances are already evident. Heterogenous responses of species due to varying abiotic tolerances and dispersal abilities have the potential to further amplify or ameliorate these impacts through changes in species assemblages. Here we investigate the impacts of climate change on terrestrial bird distributions and, subsequently, on species richness as well as on different aspects of phylogenetic diversity of species assemblages across the globe. We go beyond previous work by disentangling the potential impacts on assemblage phylogenetic diversity of species gains vs. losses under climate change and compare the projected impacts to randomized assemblage changes.
We show that climate change might not only affect species numbers and composition of global species assemblages but could also have profound impacts on assemblage phylogenetic diversity, which, across extensive areas, differ significantly from random changes. Both the projected impacts on phylogenetic diversity and on phylogenetic structure vary greatly across the globe. Projected increases in the evolutionary history contained within species assemblages, associated with either increasing phylogenetic diversification or clustering, are most frequent at high northern latitudes. By contrast, projected declines in evolutionary history, associated with increasing phylogenetic over-dispersion or homogenisation, are projected across all continents.
The projected widespread changes in the phylogenetic structure of species assemblages show that changes in species richness do not fully reflect the potential threat from climate change to ecosystems. Our results indicate that the most severe changes to the phylogenetic diversity and structure of species assemblages are likely to be caused by species range shifts rather than range reductions and extinctions. Our findings highlight the importance of considering diverse measures in climate impact assessments and the value of integrating species-specific responses into assessments of entire community changes.
The ant genus Vollenhovia Mayr, 1865 (Myrmicinae, Crematogastrini) mostly occurs in the Australasian and Oriental regions. We revised its diversity in India and Sri Lanka based on qualitative and quantitative morphology, recognizing eleven taxa, including a new species which is described herewith: V. escherichi Forel, 1911, V. gastropunctata Bharti & Kumar, 2013, V. karimalaensis Dhadwal et al., 2023, V. keralensis Kripakaran & Sadasivan, 2022, V. mawrapensis Dhadwal et al., 2023, V. oblonga laevithorax Emery, 1889, V. penetrans (Smith, 1857), V. pfeifferi Bharti et al., 2023, V. taylori Rilta et al., 2023, V. terayamai Rilta et al., 2023, and V. yasmeenae sp. nov. The subspecies status of V. oblonga laevithorax and its relationship with V. penetrans, whose type series does not contain workers, still requires to be assessed in the context of a broader revision including the whole Oriental region. The known distribution of the genus in the Indian subcontinent appears to be fragmentary, still requiring extensive sampling efforts. Four species are from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in the southern Indian state of Kerala, one is endemic to the biogeographically related Sri Lanka, three are known from Eastern India near the border with Bangladesh, two are reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and one is restricted to the Himachal Pradesh in northern India. A comprehensive key of the known Vollenhovia species from India and Sri Lanka is provided.
The present paper is devoted to the description of three new species of the genus Acanthophorella Antić & Makarov, 2016 from Georgia, western Caucasus: A. devi Antić sp. nov. and A. valerii Antić sp. nov., both presumed troglobionts and each from a single cave, and the epigean A. aurita Antić sp. nov. The troglobiotic Acanthophorella barjadzei Antić & Makarov, 2016 is reported from two additional caves, with further descriptive notes given. Notes on the ecology and localities, and a distribution map for all six species of the genus are presented. A key is given to all members of the Flagellophorella complex. The relationships within the complex and the distribution and troglomorphism in the genus Acanthophorella are briefly discussed.
A new fossil ceratopogonid genus and species from Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber, Baskintoconops maaloufi Pielowska-Ceranowska gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The studied material originates from a newly discovered amber site in the Lebanese village Baskinta at a locality dubbed Qanat Bakish. The described genus is typified by its wing venation pattern combining characters of genera Fossileptoconops and Jordanoconops belonging to the subfamily Leptoconopinae.
A review of the Ptocasius Simon, 1885 spiders of Gaoligong Mountains, China (Araneae: Salticidae)
(2023)
Sixteen new species of the genus Ptocasius are described from Mt. Gaoligong, Yunnan: P. angulatus sp. nov. (♀); P. circulus sp. nov. (♀); P. danzhu sp. nov. (♂♀); P. davidi sp. nov. (♀); P. filiformus sp. nov. (♂♀); P. foliolatus sp. nov. (♀); P. geminus sp. nov. (♂♀); P. jietouensis sp. nov. (♂♀); P. longapophysis sp. nov. (♂♀); P. longlingensis sp. nov. (♂♀); P. rectangulus sp. nov. (♀); P. robustus sp. nov. (♀); P. tengchongensis sp. nov. (♂♀); P. umbellulatus sp. nov. (♀); P. zabkai sp. nov. (♂♀) and P. zonatus sp. nov. (♀). Including P. montanus (Żabka, 1981) and P. pseudoflexus (Liu, Yang & Peng, 2016), a total of eighteen species of Ptocasius have been reported from Mt. Gaoligong. For each new species, a morphological description, photos of the body and copulatory organs, line drawings of copulatory organs, and locality maps are provided.
A taxonomic study on twenty-nine species of jumping spiders from South China is presented. Twenty new species are diagnosed and described: Heliophanoides proszynskii Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), Myrmage lii Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), Myrmarachne hamata Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂), M. xingrenensis Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), M. yinae Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), Phintella fodingensis Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), P. jiugongensis Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), P. liae Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂), P. liui Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), P. subpanda Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), P. wandae Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), Ptocasius dian Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), P. subhubeiensis Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), Rhene elongata Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), Stertinius donglinsiensis Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), S. logunovi Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂), Synagelides fanjingensis Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), Thyene xingrenensis Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), Toxeus fodingensis Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀), and Yaginumaella zabkai Wang, Mi & Peng sp. nov. (♂♀). The genus Heliophanoides Prószyński, 1992 is redefined and two new combinations, transferred from the genus Phintella Strand, 1906, are proposed: H. tengchongensis (Lei & Peng 2013) comb. nov., and H. longlingensis (Lei & Peng 2013) comb. nov. The unknown sexes of the following six species are described for the first time: Phintella fanjingshan Li, Wang, Zhang & Chen, 2019, P. panda Huang, Wang & Peng, 2015, P. pygmaea (Wesołowska, 1981), P. sancha Cao & Li, 2016, P. wulingensis Huang, Wang & Peng, 2015, and Rhene yunnanensis (Peng & Xie, 1995). Brettus anchorum Wanless, 1979 and Phintella aequipeiformis Żabka, 1985 are newly recorded from China. Icius indicus (Simon, 1901) comb. nov. (transferred from Phintella) is re-described. Phintella levii Huang, Wang & Peng, 2015 is assigned to be a synonym of P. arcuata Huang, Wang & Peng, 2015. Thyene zhangi (Peng, Yin, Yan & Kim, 1998) comb. nov. is transferred from Plexippoides Prószyński, 1984, and T. bilaguncula (Xie & Peng, 1995) comb. nov. is transferred from Ptocasius Simon, 1885. Diagnostic illustrations of the twenty-nine species and the distributional maps of the studied specimens are provided.
The genus Scipopus (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae) is redefined and revised to include the genera previously treated as the “Scipopus group” which included Scipopus Enderlein, Pseudeurybata Hennig, and Phaeopterina Frey. Pseudeurybata is treated as a junior synonym of Phaeopterina and the genus Scipopus is redefined to include three subgenera: Scipopus s. str., Phaeopterina and Parascipopus subgen. nov.. Redescriptions of 18 previously described species, and descriptions of 25 new species are provided as follows: S. (Parascipopus) subgen. nov., S. (Parascipopus) alturas sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) fenestratus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) kubus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) monteverde sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) nigriscapus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) otisi sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) savegre sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) tico sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) argentum sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) brunneus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) lineatus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) musculosus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) narupa sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) noturgidus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) turgidus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) vee sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) fraudator sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) metallicus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) quetzal sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) uniformis sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) brikelos sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) convexus sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) nitidus sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) planus sp. nov., and S. (Scipopus) wokomung sp. nov. Scipopus (Scipopus) limbativertex Enderlein is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) nigripennis (Hendel), S. (Scipopus) bolivianus Hennig is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) belzebul (Schiner), S. (Scipopus) frit Cresson is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) calocephalus (Bigot) and S. (Scipopus) alvarengai Albuquerque is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) erythrocephalus (Fabricius). The phylogeny of Scipopus s. lat. and its presumed outgroup (a clade containing Rainieriella Aczel) is considered using morphological and molecular data and supported with a maximum likelihood tree for the genes 12S, 28S and COI.
Two new species, Camponotus sholensis sp. nov. and Camponotus meghalayaensis sp. nov. are described from India and redescriptions of four species (C. habereri Forel, 1911, C. keihitoi Forel, 1913, C. quadrinotatus Forel, 1886 and C. simoni Emery, 1893) new to India are provided. We also recorded and described an unidentified form ‘Camponotus sp. 101’ that does not correspond to any species already known in India. An identification key supplemented with digital images of the known species of the genus is also provided.
The species of the ant genus Strumigenys Smith, 1860 from Southeast Asia are reviewed based on recent sampling efforts as well as unreported historical material from southern mainland China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. We report 42 new species records for these regions. A total of 20 species new to science are described: S. anhdaoae sp. nov., S. claviseta sp. nov., S. crinigera sp. nov., S. decumbens sp. nov., S. delicata sp. nov., S. densissima sp. nov., S. doydeei sp. nov., S. fellowesi sp. nov., S. intermedia sp. nov., S. jaitrongi sp. nov., S. liuweii sp. nov., S. longidens sp. nov., S. mediocris sp. nov., S. rongi sp. nov., S. scutica sp. nov., S. strummeri sp. nov., S. xenopilus sp. nov., S. yamanei sp. nov., S. zanderi sp. nov. and S. zhenghuii sp. nov. The descriptions of the existing species S. elegantula (Terayama & Kubota, 1989) and S. nathistorisoc Tang et al., 2019 are revised. Strumigenys formosensis Forel, 1912 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. feae Emery 1895 in the light of recently collected specimens. Three species complexes are created within the S. leptothrix-group: elegantula-complex, leptothrix-complex and zanderi-complex, based on differences in dentition. A new species group, S. nathistorisoc-group, is introduced. The key to Strumigenys of East Asia (as Pyramica) by Bolton is partially revised to accommodate species from these species groups that were described since the publication of the key. Finally, the implication of our results to the region and the current limitation of species groups and complexes of the genus is discussed.
We revise all the species of the genus Cholovocera Victor, 1838 (Coleoptera: Endomychidae), with descriptions, illustrations and complete synonymies, based on the examination of 1878 specimens of Cholovocera and a few beetles of other genera, collected by the senior author and from museum collections, including primary types. We recognise eight valid species, resurrecting three species from synonymy, sinking three as new junior synonyms, and describing a new species. Geographic distributions and a key for the identification of all the species are also given. Species which have been incorrectly associated with Cholovocera are listed and discussed.
The genera Colpixys and Xiphentedon are revised. Both genera are of Afrotropical distribution and are very similar to Entedon, but distinguished by a median strip or furrow on the propodeum replacing the median carina of Entedon. The genus Xiphentedon is characterized by the complete lateral propodeal sulci delimiting convex submedian areas, prosternum with a flange, axillula with indentate projection, and densely hairy central mesopectus. The subgenus Cederholmia Gumovsky, 1997 of Entedon is considered a junior synonym of Xiphentedon, so two of its species are moved to the genus as X. halli (Gumovsky, 1997) comb. nov. and X. danielssoni (Gumovsky, 1997) comb. nov. The genus Colpixys is characterized by the lack of characters of Xiphentedon, but also by the broadly sculptured propodeum with the deep median furrow delimited laterally by two sinuous margins. Three (one new) species are recognized in Colpixys and sixteen (thirteen new) species allocated to three groups (kayovei, danielssoni and forceps), are assigned to Xiphentedon. The new species are: Colpixys eburnus sp. nov. from Ivory Coast and the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Xiphentedon neserorum sp. nov. from RSA, X. simoni sp. nov. from Tanzania, X. dewittei sp. nov. and X. musimba sp. nov. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), X. jeanyvesi sp. nov. from Tanzania, the Central African Republic (CAR) and RSA, X. wieringai sp. nov. from Gabon and Ivory Coast, X. kivuensis sp. nov. from DRC, X. palabora sp. nov. from RSA, X. sangha sp. nov. from CAR, X. nimba sp. nov. from Guinea, X. forceps sp. nov. from Ivory Coast, Benin and RSA, X. gerardi sp. nov. from Benin, DRC and RSA, and X. acutigena sp. nov. from Ivory Coast, DRC, Tanzania and RSA. Morphological peculiarities and possible relationships of Colpixys, Xiphentedon, Entedon and some other genera, are discussed.
Madagascar is a freshwater biodiversity hotspot, yet the current understanding of freshwater bryozoan diversity is limited. Using a dissecting microscope, bryozoan statoblasts were collected during macrofossil analysis of a sediment core, which was taken from Lake Sofia, Madagascar, in 2019. There was a peak in the abundance of statoblasts prior to 1900, with 67 statoblast valves found at 45.5 cm and a decline in more recent sediments. A subsample of 14 specimens was examined under a scanning electron microscope to determine species identification. One of the species found was Plumatella kinesis. Two new species, Plumatella tsimiheta sp. nov. and Plumatella sofiae sp. nov. were also found and described. These results show the potential of lake sedimentary bryozoan remains for categorising species presence and distribution. Although poor preservation was a limitation for identification, there is still value in having a historical record of past biodiversity, especially when species may no longer be extant. This study highlights the need for further research to better understand the status of these species and other potential new species of bryozoan in Madagascar.
New and notable stomatopods are reported on and added to the Mozambican faunal list, based principally on material housed in the collections of the Iziko South African Museum. Seven species are reported for the first time from Mozambican waters including one undescribed species of Clorida Eydoux & Souleyet, 1842, bringing the total known Mozambican stomatopod fauna to 22 species, comprising 17 genera and eight families. The known fauna is tabulated and taxonomic accounts of eight species are given, seven of these representing the new species records including one undescribed species, while the eighth species account is of the previously poorly documented Erugosquilla woodmasoni (Kemp, 1911), which is reported on from unpublished material. The new record of Manningia australiensis Manning, 1970 represents the first record of the family Eurysquillidae from southern Africa.
The historical context of Myxicola species identification, around the UK and Europe, is reviewed and confusion surrounding the type species for the genus, Myxicola infundibulum (Montagu, 1808), discussed. Myxicola infundibulum is re-described and a neotype designated. A new species, M. polychroma sp. nov., is also described from the UK and is discussed, along with M. infundibulum, in relation to historical synonymised species from the region as well as current species known worldwide. Genetic and morphological details are provided for both species to aid in distinguishing them and determining the validity of other taxa in the future. Myxicola polychroma sp. nov. is distinguished through a combination of non-differentially coloured radiole tips, long, fine pinnulae that terminate below the lower margin of the basal membrane, large, fleshy, triangular radiolar appendages that arise centrally, interramal eyespots, dense, fine notochaetae and uncini with upper teeth 0.6–0.8 × length of the main fang. The type specimens of Myxicola steenstrupi Krøyer, 1856 and the status of that species are also discussed.
Paratelenomus saccharalis (Dodd) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitizing Brachyplatys subaeneus (Westwood) eggs is reported for the first time for Panama. Brachyplatys subaeneus is an invasive species from Asia and is regarded as an important agricultural pest in the Americas.
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Acmaeodera natlovei new species (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is described from the southwestern United States. Details of phenology, geographic range, larval, flower and adult host plants, and similar species are discussed. Acmaeodera yuccavora Knull, 1962 is newly synonymized with Acmaeodera conoidea Fall, 1899. Acmaeodera thoracata Knull, 1974 and A. bryanti Van Dyke, 1953 are newly synonymized with Acmaeodera neoneglecta Fisher, 1949. New state and host records are reported for United States. A key to the 46 species of Acmaeodera occurring east of the Rocky Mountain states is provided.
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After 105 years of study and 425 recent natural photographs, the host spider and nesting behavior of Pepsis elegans Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) remain a mystery. Pepsis elegans is the only species in the large and impressive genus Pepsis Fabricius that lives east of the Mississippi River, mainly in the southern U.S. The other 14 Nearctic Pepsis species inhabit the southern U.S. west of the Mississippi River and northern Mexico. They capture and provision their nests with large, hairy, heavy-bodied, stout-legged tarantulas of the genus Aphonopelma Pocock (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae), the only native theraphosid genus in this region. There are no tarantulas east of the Mississippi River, except in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA, and no valid host spider records or nesting biology information for P. elegans, the largest spider wasp in the eastern US. Rau and Rau’s (1918) questionable field observation of this secretive, dark, violaceous-winged spider wasp yielded no nest, host spider or wasp specimen, and only initiated questions about its identification and nesting biology. The method of host spider transport, as described in Rau and Rau’s (1918) observation, is identical with that of Entypus fulvicornis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae), a species similar in size and color to P. elegans and often misidentified as such and vice versa. Potential host spider for P. elegans may include cork-lid trapdoor spiders in the genus Ummidia Thorell, especially U. audouini (Lucas) (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Halonoproctidae). This spider is abundant, sizeable, and stout enough to provide sufficient food for the developing P. elegans larva. The genus Ummidia and P. elegans have nearly identical geographic location maps and occur in the same habitat. Pepsis elegans could conveniently use the spider’s burrow as a nest without having to excavate one from the ground surface and be detected by the burrowing activity or lengthy, arduous, and cumbersome host spider transport. Pepsis elegans females from various localities had dried mud on the forewings and body inferring they were underground in moist, fine-grained soil as in a burrow. Females were active at night introducing the possibility of cryptic nocturnal nesting, as in some other Pepsis species. Ummidia audouini is nocturnally accessible in its burrow entrance, holding the trapdoor slightly ajar as it waits in the darkness to ambush unsuspecting prey. Punzo’s (2005) study of the closely related, orange-amber-winged, southwestern U. S. and Mexican P. cerberus Lucas is questionable based on the spider misidentification, possible wasp misidentification, and incompatible spider wasp-tarantula size difference. The host of P. cerberus and P. novitia Banks, a possible P. cerberus × P. elegans hybrid (Hurd 1952), is likely the southwestern wafer-lid spider Eucteniza relata (O. P.-Cambridge) (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Euctenizidae) (Gillaspy 1990) and not Aphonopelma as indicated by Punzo (2005).
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New state records for 33 species of Leiodidae (Coleoptera) are reported from Ohio, with the majority of records from one locality in the southeastern portion of the state. This doubles the known members of
the family in Ohio to 66 species in 20 genera.
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t. This paper presents a taxonomic review of the genus Melanocanthon Halffter, a group of ball-rolling (telocoprid) dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) endemic to eastern North America. The genus comprises five species, each keyed, diagnosed, illustrated and presented with information on distribution, relationships, and biology: Melanocanthon punctaticollis (Schaeffer), M. granulifer (Schmidt), M. nigricornis (Say), M. bispinatus (Robinson) and Melanocanthon vulturnus Edmonds, new species.
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Five species of the cheiracanthiid spider genus Cheiracanthium C.L. Koch, 1839 collected from China are diagnosed and described as new to science based on morphological characters: Cheiracanthium arcilongum sp. nov. (♂♀) from Yunnan, C. circulum sp. nov. (♂♀) from Yunnan, C. digitatum sp. nov. (♂♀) from Anhui, C. jiuquan sp. nov. (♂♀) from Guangxi and C. xinjiangense sp. nov. (♂♀) from Xinjiang. In addition, the photos of the habitus, copulatory organs and distribution map are provided for all species. However, DNA barcodes information is only provided for four species.
The southern South American genus Guaranita includes tiny spiders (body length ~1 mm) that lead reclusive lives under ground-objects and run rapidly when disturbed. As a result, they have been poorly collected and studied. Here we report on a recent collection of Guaranita spiders from Argentina, describing one new species (G. auadae Huber sp. nov.) and the previously unknown female of G. dobby Torres et al., 2016. In addition, we provide CO1 barcodes for all (now five) known species, first SEM data, and first chromosome data for the genus. The diploid number of Guaranita goloboffi Huber, 2000 (2n♂ = 11) is among the lowest in araneomorph spiders with monocentric chromosome structure.
The mountain bumblebees of the subgenus Alpigenobombus Skorikov, 1914, are uniquely distinctive because the females have enlarged mandibles with six large, evenly spaced teeth, which they use to bite holes in long-corolla flowers for nectar robbing. Recognition of species in this subgenus has been uncertain, with names used in various combinations. To revise the species, we examined COI-like barcodes for evidence of species’ gene coalescents using MrBayes and PTP and we compare the coalescent groups with morphological variation for integrative assessment. While we seek to include only orthologous barcodes (the ‘good’) and exclude all of the more strongly divergent barcode-like numts (the ‘bad’), for some nominal taxa only low-divergence numts could be obtained (the ‘ugly’). For taxa with no orthologous sequences available, using a minimum number of the lowest divergence numts did yield coalescent candidates for species that were consistent with morphologically diagnosable groups. These results agree in recognising 11 species within this subgenus, supporting: (1) recognising the widespread European Bombus mastrucatus Gerstaecker, 1869 stat. rev. as a species separate from the west Asian B. wurflenii Radoszkowski, 1860 s. str.; (2) the recently recognised B. rainai Williams, 2022, as a species separate from B. kashmirensis Friese, 1909, within the western Himalaya; (3) the recognition once again of B. sikkimi Friese, 1918 stat. rev. and B. validus Friese, 1905 stat. rev. as species separate from B. nobilis Friese, 1905 s. str. within the eastern Himalaya and Hengduan regions; (4) confirming the recognition of B. angustus Chiu, 1948, B. breviceps Smith, 1852 s. lat., B. genalis Friese, 1918, and B. grahami (Frison, 1933) as separate species within the Himalaya, China, and Southeast Asia; (5) recognising the conspecificity of the nominal taxa (not species) channicus Gribodo, 1892 (Southeast Asia) and dentatus Handlirsch, 1888 (Himalaya) as parts of the species B. breviceps s. lat. (southern and eastern China); and (6) recognising the conspecificity of the rare taxon beresovskii (Skorikov, 1933) syn. n. as part of the species B. grahami within China. Nectar robbing by bumblebees is reviewed briefly and prospects for future research discussed.