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Few species of Japygidae (Diplura) have been discovered in cave ecosystems despite their importance as large predators. A small collection of rare specimens of this hexapod group has allowed to explore the taxonomy of japygids from caves in New Zealand, Morocco and South Africa, and to describe one new genus: Imazighenjapyx Sendra & Sánchez-García gen. nov., as well as four new species: Austrjapyx wynbergensis Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov., Imazighenjapyx marocanus Sendra & Sánchez-García gen. et sp. nov., Opisthjapyx naledi Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov. and Teljapyx aotearoa Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov. For each of the new taxa we give a comprehensive description of their habitats. These new findings resulted in a revision of the distribution and allowed to re-evaluate the morphological traits of the fifteen cave-adapted japygids species already known worldwide. The functional morphology of the remarkable abdominal pincers of Japygidae and their adaptation to predation are discussed, as well as their potential role in mating behaviour.
The species of Rhyacobates Esaki, 1923 are reviewed. Three new species, R. bui sp. nov. from Guangxi, China and Lạng Sơn, Vietnam, R. elongatus sp. nov. from Hà Tĩnh, Vietnam and R. turgidus sp. nov. from Sichuan and Chongqing, China are described. Supplemental descriptions, diagnoses and new distribution records are provided for the fourteen previously known species, i.e., R. abdominalis Andersen & Chen, 1995, R. anderseni Tran & Yang, 2006, R. angustus Tran & Nguyen, 2016, R. chinensis Hungerford & Matsuda, 1959, R. constrictus Tran & Nguyen, 2016, R. edentatus Andersen & Chen, 1995, R. gongvo Tran & Yang, 2006, R. lundbladi (Hungerford, 1957), R. malaisei Andersen & Chen, 1995, R. recurvus Andersen & Chen, 1995, R. scorpio Andersen & Chen, 1995, R. svenhedini (Lundblad, 1934), R. takahashii Esaki, 1923, and R. zetteli Tran & Nguyen, 2016. Photographs and line drawings of the habitus, diagnostic characteristics of both sexes, the habitat and in-situ photographs are presented. A revised key to the species of Rhyacobates is also provided.
A new species of the spider genus Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805 from Mexico is described based on an integrative taxonomic approach. Latrodectus occidentalis Valdez-Mondragón sp. nov. is described using the molecular markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), morphology of male and female specimens, and Species Distribution Models (SDM). Four molecular methods for species delimitation were implemented. The new species is characterized by having a unique dorsal coloration pattern on the abdomen. Latrodectus occidentalis sp. nov. is considered a distinct and valid species for four reasons: (1) it can be distinguished by morphological characters (genital and somatic); (2) the average interspecific genetic variation is > 2%; (3) 12 haplotypes were recovered within the species, being separated by the next close haplogroup of L. hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935 (30 mutations); and (4) congruence was observed among the four molecular methods. The number of recorded species of Latrodectus from Mexico increases to four: Latrodectus mactans (Fabricius, 1775), L. hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935, L. geometricus C.L. Koch, 1841 (introduced), and L. occidentalis sp. nov. The diversity of the genus Latrodectus from Mexico is surely underestimated, and more sampling is needed from the different biogeographical provinces and ecoregions to fill in these gaps.
Fourteen new species of the Colletes fasciatus species group are described, all of them endemic to the winter rainfall area in South Africa: C. ascopalis sp. nov. ♀, C. carolinae sp. nov. ♀♂, C. cedarbergensis sp. nov. ♀, C. fabiani sp. nov. ♀♂, C. fuscitergus sp. nov. ♂, C. khoisanorum sp. nov. ♀, C. kogelbergensis sp. nov. ♀♂, C. littoralis sp. nov. ♀, C. longitarsus sp. nov. ♂, C. peerboomi sp. nov. ♀, C. richtersveldensis sp. nov. ♀, C. ruschia sp. nov. ♀♂, C. spinipes sp. nov. ♂, C. troetroeensis sp. nov. ♀. Two species are synonymized based on newly recognized sex associations: C. katharinae Kuhlmann, 2007 syn. nov. is synonymized with C. infracognitus Cockerell, 1937 and C. bokkeveldi Kuhlmann, 2007 syn. nov. with C. zygophyllum Kuhlmann, 2007. The previously unknown female of C. inornatus Cockerell, 1946 is described for the first time and new records of already described species are added. All of the currently known 37 species of the C. fasciatus-group are imaged and included in a key to facilitate their identification.
A new species of brittle star was collected in 2021 by the manned submersible “Fendouzhe” from the central rift zone deep waters, Philippine Sea, at a depth of 7729 m. It is described as Ophiuroglypha fendouzhe sp. nov., and is distinguished from its congeners based on the following features: slender arms, separated dorsal and ventral arm plates, overlapping large disc scales, and distally contiguous radial shields. We provide comprehensive descriptions of the external morphological features, including characteristics of the arm skeleton, and a phylogenetic analysis based on COI sequences. The interspecific genetic distance variation in the genus Ophiuroglypha found in this study was 3.89% to 24.25%. The new species constitutes the deepest known record for the genus Ophiuroglypha.
The present work reviews the deep-water cone fauna of New Caledonia and its Economic Exclusive Zone. It is based on the material collected for more than 40 years by oceanographic expeditions in the deep waters surrounding New Caledonia, organized by the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle-Paris/ORSTOM, then Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, in the framework of the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos programme. A total of 2377 lots containing 5113 specimens collected in depths between 100 and 1260 m have been examined. About 770 specimens were collected live, and allowed for radular and DNA studies. A phylogenetic analysis, based on the cox1 gene, of the deep-water cone snail fauna of New Caledonia is presented, along with a detailed, fully illustrated taxonomic account with data on geographic and bathymetric distribution and radular morphology. A total of 76 different species of cone snails were identified among the collected material. Of these, 22 corresponded to typical shallow water species, which were most likely translocated into deeper water, whereas 54 could be considered true components of the deep water (below 100 m) cone snail fauna. Species of the genus Profundiconus represent 22%, whereas those of the genera Conasprella and Conus represent 28% and 50%, respectively. Eleven deep water cone species can be considered as endemic to the New Caledonia EEZ, representing 20.3% of the total. The most abundant species found (more than 400 specimens each) were Conus (Afonsoconus) bruuni, Conasprella (Boucheticonus) alisi, Conasprella (Conasprella) boucheti, and Profundiconus vaubani. The new species Conus (Taranteconus) samadiae sp. nov. is hereby described.
Seven new species of very small Gulella Pfeiffer, 1856 are described from two regions in the interior of south-eastern South Africa within the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot. In addition, the status of Gulella darglensis benthodon van Bruggen, 1980 is revised and raised to species level. All species are very small-shelled and are narrow-range endemics. Six species, G. judithmastersae sp. nov., G. kevincolei sp. nov., G. hlathikhulu sp. nov., G. nkandla sp. nov., G. mystica sp. nov. and G. libertas sp. nov. are each known from only one locality. The first two as well as G. benthodon and G. mcmasteri sp. nov. are found only in the Amathole Mountains, where poaching, illegal harvesting of plant products and uncontrolled access of cattle take place, including in protected areas. The other four species each occur at one locality in north-central KwaZulu-Natal. The localities of three of the last-mentioned species are in protected areas although they are isolated and surrounded by a heavily transformed cultural landscape rendering enforcement of conservation legislation a challenge. Six species occur in nature reserves, highlighting the importance of small pockets of protected habitat for the conservation of terrestrial snails.
The Australian genus of Eurybrachidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) Kamabrachys gen. nov. is described to accommodate Platybrachys signata Distant, 1892 and Euronotobrachys plana Kirkaldy, 1906, the former being the type species. The new combinations Kamabrachys signata (Distant, 1892) gen. et comb. nov. and K. plana (Kirkaldy, 1906) gen. et comb. nov. are subsequently proposed. Ten new species are also included in the genus and described: K. andersoni gen. et sp. nov., K. brennani gen. et sp. nov., K. campbelli gen. et sp. nov., K. danielsi gen. et sp. nov., K. falcata gen. et sp. nov., K. fasciata gen. et sp. nov., K. pedemontana gen. et sp. nov., K. rieki gen. et sp. nov., K. v-carinatum gen. et sp. nov. and K. waineri gen. et sp. nov. The male and female genitalia of each species are illustrated and photographs of habitus, distribution maps, biological data and an identification key are provided. The mating behaviour of K. signata is described, illustrated and discussed. The genus Kamabrachys currently contains 12 species and is associated to trees in the family Myrtaceae.
Tick-borne diseases are a major health problem worldwide and could become even more important in Europe in the future. Due to changing climatic conditions, ticks are assumed to be able to expand their ranges in Europe towards higher latitudes and altitudes, which could result in an increased occurrence of tick-borne diseases.
There is a great interest to identify potential (new) areas of distribution of vector species in order to assess the future infection risk with vector-borne diseases, improve surveillance, to develop more targeted monitoring program, and, if required, control measures.
Based on an ecological niche modelling approach we project the climatic suitability for the three tick species Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus under current and future climatic conditions in Europe. These common tick species also feed on humans and livestock and are vector competent for a number of pathogens.
For niche modelling, we used a comprehensive occurrence data set based on several databases and publications and six bioclimatic variables in a maximum entropy approach. For projections, we used the most recent IPCC data on current and future climatic conditions including four different scenarios of socio-economic developments.
Our models clearly support the assumption that the three tick species will benefit from climate change with projected range expansions towards north-eastern Europe and wide areas in central Europe with projected potential co-occurrence.
A higher tick biodiversity and locally higher abundances might increase the risk of tick-borne diseases, although other factors such as pathogen prevalence and host abundances are also important.
Hurd (1952), in revising the Nearctic species of Pepsis Fabricius, separated P. cerberus Lucas from P. elegans Lepeletier based on external morphology and geography. Vardy (2005), in his Western Hemisphere Pepsis revision, combined these taxa and several Neotropical color and structural variants in a broad definition of P. menechma Lepeletier extending across ~11,250 km and two continents. Vardy (2005) synonymized the familiar and well-documented, 160-year-old P. elegans under P. menechma probably because it appeared several pages later in Lepeletier’s (1845) Histoire Naturelle des Insectes. Hyménoptères. Vardy’s (2005) interpretation of Pepsis menechma as a viable species presents a taxonomic and nomenclatural problem. He violated the principle of nomenclatural stability in synonymizing the widely and established species names P. elegans and P. cerberus under P. menechma, a name that had not been used for 160 years. Recent discoveries warrant a re-evaluation of the problematic taxonomy of this species complex. Morphological and ecological divergence of P. elegans and its sister taxon, P. cerberus, combined with their narrow sympatric distribution justifies species recognition. Hurd’s (1952) two species concept for P. elegans and P. cerberus is more practicable, useful, and nomenclaturally acceptable than Vardy’s (2005) P. menechma. Pepsis cerberus Lucas and P. elegans Lepeletier should be reinstated as species and removed from the synonymy of Pepsis menechma Lepeletier.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F59B3131-74DE-4704-9936-337E380BF3E0
The stinkbug Edessa leucogramma (Perty) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Edessinae) is reported as a pest of young yellow guayacán trees (Handroanthus chrysanthus (Jacq.) S.O. Grose, Bignoniaceae) in the metropolitan area of the Aburra Valley in Antioquia, Colombia (AMVA). We provide a short description of the adult and immature stages and report for the first-time protozoa associated with the digestive system of this species of true bug in addition to information regarding a fungus found associated with Edessa leucogramma in the field.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8D06E222-249D-413C-AA0A-48E34BF995C1
Tricondyla wiesneri Naviaux, 2002 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) is reported from China for the first time. Photographs, short descriptions, and an identification key for all six taxa of the genus Tricondyla Latreille, 1822 known from China are given.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E6D1CE86-8AC8-4934-9D1B-7EE385D25309
Cyclocephala kuijteni (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini), a new species from Suriname
(2023)
Cyclocephala kuijteni, new species (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini), is described from Suriname. It is illustrated together with its aedeagus, and the characteristics differentiating it from the most similar species C. castanea (Olivier), C. hardyi Endrödi and C. pygidialis Joly are briefly discussed.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8F673BD6-7061-4B9E-9445-F8A5C21D5892
Bostrichidae (Coleoptera) are a family of beetles with specialized xylophagous feeding habits that allow consumption of dry woody plant tissues. Bostrichids are often polyphagous and therefore pose a significant threat to many agricultural and forestry products, particularly in tropical regions. Bostrichids are commonly detected in solid wood packaging material at in ternational ports of entry. Notably, Sinoxylon anale Lesne has been intercepted in wood crates and pallets worldwide and has now become established in Brazil. This paper reports the first documented establishment of S. anale in Brazil, being found both in domestic wood pallets and within native forest and monoculture. The origin of these populations remains uncertain, but introductions through infested wood packaging at ports of entry is a likely scenario. Similarly, the exact time of establishment is unknown. Given that S. anale adults are attracted to light and ethanol, trapping using light or ethanol could be used in monitoring surveys. This species typically infests dead or decaying woody material, and therefore does not pose a direct threat to healthy, live trees. Although more common in tropical regions, S. anale has exhibited some adaptability to temperate climates, which may allow it to spread across the tropical and subtropical regions of Brazil and potentially to other parts of South America.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9B47075B-AC63-4AA4-AFB6-E2689346CC11
A new planthopper genus, Aodingus Chen & Li gen. nov. and three new species (A. hainanensis Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov., A. obscurus Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov. and A. cuongi Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov.) are described from China and Vietnam. The new genus is superficially similar to Procidelphax Bartlett, 2009 in general appearance in that the body is strongly dorsoventrally flattened. Distinctive features of the new taxon include broadly compressed body with vertex broad, apical margin broadly rounded, middle part concave, median and submedian carinae absent, frons broad and large, wider at base than at apex, forewing broad and long, aedeagus tubular, curved ventrally. A diagnosis for all species, illustrations and an identification key of new genus are provided. A key to the Chinese genera of Tropidocephalini is also provided.
A new subgenus of Orinda Kirkaldy, 1907, Montorinda subgen. nov., is described to accommodate two new species from southeastern Queensland, O. (Montorinda) eungellana sp. nov. from Eungella National Park and O. (Montorinda) montana sp. nov. from Mount Walsh National Park. The new species are compared to the other species of the genus and a new subgenus Scapulorinda subgen. nov. is described to accommodate Orinda (Scapulorinda) scapularis (Jacobi, 1928), leaving a single species in the subgenus Orinda: O. (Orinda) lucindae (Kirkaldy, 1906). Illustrations of the male holotype, a female paratype and male genitalia are provided for both new species as well as habitus and wing of O. (Scapulorinda) scapularis (Jacobi, 1928), the most closely related species, for comparison. The type series of the O. (Montorinda) montana sp. nov. was collected on Grevillea whiteana Mc Gill. (Proteaceae). The genus Orinda is only recorded from Queensland and now contains four species.
Two species of leeches were described from Georgia in the past, Dina ratschaensis Kobakhidze, 1958 from the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region and Trocheta ariescornuta Grosser, Barjadze & Maghradze, 2021 from the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. Both species were the only known typical representatives of cave leeches in Georgia. Recently, two more species of the genus Dina R. Blanchard, 1894 have been found in karst caves in this country. These leeches are morphologically similar to D. ratschaensis, from which they differ in the shape of the reproductive system, primarily the shape of the cornua of the genital atrium and the shape and extension of the vasa deferentia and ovisacs, justifying the description of two new species, Dina imeretiensis Grosser, Barjadze & Maghradze sp. nov. from the Imereti region and Dina samegreloensis Grosser, Barjadze & Shavadze sp. nov. from the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. Data on the cave dwelling invertebrate communities in the studied caves are provided. Molecular data are provided, and a phylogenetic tree based on Cox1 sequences of Dina spp. and related genera is provided and discussed.
A new species of Bathynellidae is described from Colorado (USA). Hobbsinella gunnisonensis Camacho & Taylor sp. nov. displays a unique combination of morphological characters including seven-segmented antenna lacking medial seta on exopod, antennule slightly longer than antenna, three-segmented mandibular palp, four articles on endopod of thoracopods I to VII and five spines on sympod and three spines on endopod of the uropods. Partial sequences of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and 18S have been obtained from several specimens of the new species. The mitocondrial and nuclear DNA data complement the traditional morphological taxonomic description support the validity of the new species. Molecular data for the Bathynellidae demonstrate the presence of two highly divergent genetic units, with the new species placed in the genus Hobbsinella. With the description of Hobbsinella gunnisonensis Camacho & Taylor sp. nov. and its molecular characterization, we discovered an interesting distribution of the genus, which occurs in both sides of the Continental Divide (Texas and Colorado) and different habitats.
Strange new spiders: on Roddenberryus, a new and unusual caponiid genus (Araneae, Caponiidae)
(2023)
The new nopine genus Roddenberryus gen. nov. is erected to include in total five species: three new species, R. kirk gen. et sp. nov. (male and female) from Costa Rica, R. spock gen. et sp. nov. (female) from Campeche, Mexico and R. mccoy gen. et sp. nov. (male) from Baja California Sur, Mexico, as well as two species previously misplaced in Caponina Simon, i.e., R. sargi (Pickard-Cambridge, 1899) gen. et comb. nov. from Guatemala and R. pelegrina (Bryant, 1940) gen. et comb. nov. from Cuba. A male specimen reported as C. sargi Pickard-Cambridge from Costa Rica by E. Kritscher (1957) is assigned to Roddenberryus kirk together with one female collected at the same locality. The new genus is characterized by the distally projected endites and a triangular, projected labium, a conformation unique among nopines; also by a triangular, very short, scaly gladius, serrula with interspersed multiple tooth rows, and a tarsal organ with strongly projected margins. Roddenberryus shares with Tarsonops Chamberlin the cracked tarsi and metatarsi, with multiple adesmatic joints intertwined on the cuticle and an unusual internal respiratory system with both posterior tracheae fused in a single trunk.
Two new species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 are described from India: P. godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov. (♂♀), collected from the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, and P. maldhok Kuni, Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov. (♂♀), collected from Maharashtra. Images of the endogyne and male palp of the holotype and paratype of P. narsinhmehtai Parajapati, Hun & Raval, 2021 are presented to facilitate its identification. A key to Indian species of Palpimanus and a catalogue of Indian palpimanid spiders are provided. The current distribution of all the known Indian palpimanid spiders is mapped.
This survey reports on the DNA identification and occurrence of Culex torrentium and Cx. pipiens s.s. in Belgium. These native disease-vector mosquito species are morphologically difficult to separate, and the biotypes of Cx. pipiens s.s. are morphologically indistinguishable. Culex torrentium and Cx. pipiens s.s. were identified using the COI and ACE2 loci. We recorded 1248 Cx. pipiens s.s. and 401 Cx. torrentium specimens from 24 locations in Belgium (collected between 2017 and 2019). Culex pipiens biotypes pipiens and molestus, and their hybrids, were differentiated using fragment-size analysis of the CQ11 locus (956 pipiens and 227 molestus biotype specimens, 29 hybrids). Hybrids were observed at 13 out of 16 sympatric sites. These results confirm that both species are widespread in Belgium, but while Cx. torrentium revealed many COI haplotypes, Cx. pipiens s.s. showed only one abundant haplotype. This latter observation may either reflect a recent population-wide demographic or range expansion, or a recent bottleneck, possibly linked to a Wolbachia infection. Finally, new evidence is provided for the asymmetric but limited introgression of the molestus biotype into the pipiens biotype.
The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is currently spreading across Europe, facilitated by climate change and global transportation. It is a vector of arboviruses causing human diseases such as chikungunya, dengue hemorrhagic fever and Zika fever. For the majority of these diseases, no vaccines or therapeutics are available. Options for the control of Ae. albopictus are limited by European regulations introduced to protect biodiversity by restricting or phasing out the use of pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or products of genome editing. Alternative solutions are thus urgently needed to avoid a future scenario in which Europe faces a choice between prioritizing human health or biodiversity when it comes to Aedes-vectored pathogens. To ensure regulatory compliance and public acceptance, these solutions should preferably not be based on chemicals or GMOs and must be cost-efficient and specific. The present review aims to synthesize available evidence on RNAi-based mosquito vector control and its potential for application in the European Union. The recent literature has identified some potential target sites in Ae. albopictus and formulations for delivery. However, we found little information concerning non-target effects on the environment or human health, on social aspects, regulatory frameworks, or on management perspectives. We propose optimal designs for RNAi-based vector control tools against Ae. albopictus (target product profiles), discuss their efficacy and reflect on potential risks to environmental health and the importance of societal aspects. The roadmap from design to application will provide readers with a comprehensive perspective on the application of emerging RNAi-based vector control tools for the suppression of Ae. albopictus populations with special focus on Europe.
The extent of male mate choosiness is driven by a trade-off between various environmental factors associated with the costs of mate acquisition, quality assessment and opportunity costs. Our knowledge about natural variation in male mate choosiness across different populations of the same species, however, remains limited. In this study, we compared male mate choosiness across 10 natural populations of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus roeselii (Gervais 1835), a species with overall high male mating investments, and evaluated the relative influence of population density and sex ratio (both affecting mate availability) on male mate choosiness. We investigated amplexus establishment after separating mating pairs and presenting focal males with a novel, size-matched female from the same population. Our analysis revealed considerable effects of sex ratio and (to a lesser extent) population density on time until amplexus establishment (choosiness). Male amphipods are able to perceive variable social conditions (e.g., sex ratio) and modify their mating strategy accordingly: We found choosiness to be reduced in increasingly male-biased populations, whereas selectivity increases when sex ratio becomes female biased. With this, our study expands our limited knowledge on natural variations in male mate choosiness and illustrates the importance of sex ratio (i.e., level of competition) for male mating decisions in natural environments. Accounting for variation in sex ratios, therefore, allows envisioning a distinctive variation of choosiness in natural populations and highlights the importance of considering social background information in future behavioral studies.
Paramacrobiotus bengalensis sp. nov. was discovered in a moss sample collected from a tree in West Bengal, India. We describe this new species using detailed morphological and morphometric data obtained from phase contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, along with molecular and phylogenetic data analyses. Due to the presence of a cap-like structure at the distal portion of egg processes, the new species showed the highest similarity with Paramacrobiotus garynahi (Kaczmarek, Michalczyk & Diduszko, 2005), Paramacrobiotus alekseevi (Tumanov, 2005), Paramacrobiotus filipi Dudziak, Stec & Michalczyk, 2020, Paramacrobiotus sagani Daza, Caicedo, Lisi & Quiroga, 2017, Paramacrobiotus vanescens (Pilato, Binda & Catanzaro, 1991) and Paramacrobiotus gadabouti Kayastha, Stec, Mioduchowska & Kaczmarek, 2023. However, it can be differentiated from them by some morphological and morphometric characteristics. The genetic data corroborated our phenotypic outcome further supporting the new species hypothesis.
Two species of Xorides Latreille, 1809 are reported parasitizing wood-boring insects in trunks and relatively larger twigs of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. in Kuandian Manzu Autonomous County, Liaoning, in the Palaearctic part of China. Two new species are described: X. juglanse Sheng, Broad & Sun sp. nov. and X. kuandianense Sheng, Broad & Sun sp. nov. One species, X. sapporensis (Uchida, 1928), was associated with wood-borers in J. mandshurica Maxim. for the first time. A key to the 46 species of Xorides Latreille known from China is provided.
Scelolabes, historically is a monotypic genus of Ocydromiinae (Hybotidae) that for a long time was not studied due to the absence of the type of the type species (Scelolabes bivittatus Philippi), which is probably lost or destroyed. In this context, we propose an updated diagnosis and redescription of the genus, based on specimens identified by experts and in agreement with the original description of Philippi (1865), as well as illustrating male and female terminalia for the first time. This serves as an aid to discuss and corroborate the status of Scelolabes in the Neotropical region as a genus distinct from Hoplopeza. In addition, two new species are described, and an identification key and a distribution map are provided to all the Neotropical species of the genus.
Bumblebees (Bombus Latreille, 1802), because of their large body size, bright colours and activity at times and places that coincide with biologists, are an example of a group of insects that is particularly well represented in museum collections. This is important if taxonomic revisions are to achieve greater comparability among species. Bumblebees have also attracted particular attention because they are especially ecologically and economically valuable for pollination in north temperate regions, where they are now becoming increasingly threatened. I argue that the what, the where, and the how of effective conservation management may be informed by understanding the divergent characteristics that have affected their biogeographical past: by helping us to see ‘the woods’, not just ‘the trees’, of their habitat needs. Identifying suitable habitat should be part of reconstructing historical biogeography within taxonomic revisions. For bumblebees, for example, biogeographical analysis associates major taxonomic groups either with flower-rich lowland grasslands or with flower-rich montane grasslands, highlighting their contrasting requirements for: nest sites, flowers of different depths, pollen-plant families, and especially the differing importance of early spring and late summer flowers for breeding success. This broad view of species groups helps filter the less important idiosyncrasies from local case studies in order to focus conservation actions.
Three new species of the genus Pelodera Schneider, 1866 viz., P. indica sp. nov., P. adeeli sp. nov. and P. paratretzeli sp. nov. collected from dung beetles and P. cylindrica (Cobb, 1898) collected from soil samples, are described and illustrated. Pelodera indica sp. nov. is characterised by sexual dimorphism in anterior region, cupola-shaped tail with a spike; males having punctated, striated and lobed bursa with no genital papillae originating anterior to cloaca. Pelodera adeeli sp. nov. is characterised by coarsely annulated cuticle; relatively narrow stoma; tail conoid without spike; males with punctated, lobed bursa and nine pairs of genital papillae arranged in a 2/1+2+P+3+1 configuration. Pelodera paratretzeli sp. nov. is characterised by sexual dimorphism in anterior region, stoma wide with three well-developed metastegostomal denticles; tail cupola-shaped with a long spike; males having spicules fused distally up to 12–14% of spicule length; bursa peloderan, anteriorly closed and punctated with nine pairs of genital papillae arranged in a 3/2+P+3+1 configuration. Pelodera cylindrica is described with additional details. The comparative analysis as well as phylogenetic relationship of the species belonging to the coarctata group have been elaborated by incorporating scanning electron microscopic observations. Information on the biogeographical distribution has also been provided.
The genus Parandes Muir, 1925 (Cixiinae, Andini) is recorded from China for the first time with two new species, Parandes circinatus Wang & Chen sp. nov. and Parandes fuscus Wang & Chen sp. nov. Color images for the adults of the two new species and line drawings for the genitalia are provided. A key is presented to separate all species within the genus.
We simultaneously considered morphology and molecular phylogeny to modify the generic classification of the ‘pyropterine clade’ (Lycidae, Erotinae, Dictyopterini). To place species previously included in Benibotarus Kôno, 1932 in reciprocally monophyletic genera, we propose Gomezzuritus gen. nov. with the type-species Dictyopterus alternatus Fairmaire, 1856. Further, we transfer Gomezzuritus alternatus (Fairmaire, 1856) comb. nov., G. longicornis (Reiche, 1878) comb. nov., and G. rubripes (Pic, 1897) comb. nov. from Benibotarus to Gomezzuritus gen. nov. The pyropterine clade contains five genera in the Palaearctic region: Pyropterus Mulsant, 1838, Gomezzuritus gen. nov., Helcophorus Fairmaire, 1891, Greenarus Kazantsev, 1995, and Benibotarus Kôno, 1932. The arrangement of longitudinal elytral costae proved misleading for consideration of relationships. Two genera in distant positions share only four primary costae (Pyropterus and Helcophorus), and three similarly distant genera share the shortened primary costa 3, resulting in three primary and four secondary longitudinal costae (Gomezzuritus, Greenarus, and Benibotarus). The larva of Gomezzuritus alternatus is described in detail, and it is compared with the larvae of other Dictyopterini, including the presumed larva of G. longicornis.
Oligoptilomera luberonensis gen. et sp. nov., first fossil representative of the gerrid subfamily Ptilomerinae, is described and figured from the Oligocene of Murs (Vaucluse, Southern France). Extant Ptilomerinae live in streams in warm climates, of the Indo-Malaysian, eastern Palaearctic, and Papouan regions. The discovery of this Oligocene French Ptilomerinae is in accordance with the putative age of the subfamily, at least older than the Eocene, and with the Indo-Malaysian affinities previously recorded for some other insects from the Oligocene of France. The two insect assemblages of Murs and Céreste are compared and the differences discussed. Although of similar ages, that from Murs was possibly corresponding to a more shallow water paleolake than that of Céreste.
Aname L. Koch, 1873 is an incredibly diverse genus of mygalomorph spiders endemic to Australia, occurring from coast to coast in tropical, semi-arid and arid bioregions. They are relatively gracile mygalomorph spiders that build open burrows, sometimes with a secondary entrance that functions as an escape chute. The genus currently contains 48 species, but the true diversity is likely to be closer to 200 species. Here we describe five new species (A. ningaloo sp. nov., A. salina sp. nov., A. tatarnici sp. nov., A. tenuipes sp. nov. and A. wongalara sp. nov.), primarily based on specimens collected on Bush Blitz expeditions in Western Australia (Cape Range, 2019), South Australia (Great Victoria Desert, 2017) and the Northern Territory (Wongalara, 2012). We complement these descriptions with a molecular phylogenetic analysis to place all new species into an existing phylogenetic framework.
This work provides the first revision and illustration of the type material of the ammonite species Parahoplites abichi Anthula [Type species of Protacanthoplites Tovbina] and Parahoplites aschiltaensis Anthula [Type species of Acanthohoplites Sinzow] from the upper Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) of Dagestan, Russia. The close affinities and synonymy between these two species are confirmed, and Acanthohoplites aschiltaensis is here retained as the senior valid name by its long quoting history and its historical use as a zonal index of the upper Aptian. The genus Protacanthoplites should be thus synonymised with Acanthohoplites by priority in the date of publication. Comparison with, and distinction from, closely allied Acanthohoplitidae is provided.
Here, I describe four new species of the Neoserica vulpes species group: Neoserica daxue sp. nov., N. mianningana sp. nov., N. myanmarensis sp. nov., and N. yanyuan sp. nov. Genitalia and habitus of the new species are illustrated. Additional records of species from the group are given and the key to species of the Neoserica vulpes species group is updated.
Costanana DeLong & Freytag, 1972 is a Neotropical genus of leafhoppers currently comprising 13 species with a wide distribution from Mexico to Argentina. In this study, eight new species of Costanana are described, C. xenomorpha sp. nov. from Department of Cuzco, Peru, and seven Brazilian species: C. alata sp. nov. from Minas Gerais State; C. bifida sp. nov. from Paraná and Mato Grosso states; C. cifi sp. nov., C. obtusa sp. nov. and C. piraquarensis from Paraná State; C. luzi sp. nov. from Distrito Federal; and C. rubromarginata sp. nov. from Mato Grosso and Pará states. We propose that Costanana cella DeLong & Freytag, 1972 is a junior synonym of C. praecellens (Stål, 1862) and C. asymmetrica DeLong & Freytag, 1972 is a junior synonym of Gypona viridans DeLong & Martinson, 1972. Costanana costata DeLong & Freytag, 1972 and C. flavicosta (Stål, 1862) are transferred to Gypona Germar, 1821, C. minuta (Spångberg, 1878) is transferred to Acuponana DeLong & Freytag, 1970 and Gypona nupera Van Duzee, 1907 is transferred to Costanana. Gypona costata comb. nov. and Costanana santana DeLong & Wolda, 1983 are newly recorded from Pernambuco State, and Gypona flavicosta comb. nov. is recorded from Espírito Santo and Paraná states, Brazil. The female genitalia of Costanana flavina DeLong & Freytag, 1972, C. praecellens and Gypona flavicosta comb. nov. are described and illustrated for the first time and a brief note on feeding behavior is given for C. flavina and C. praecellens. A key to males and a new diagnosis are provided for Costanana. We also describe and illustrate Metacostana cornuta gen. et sp. nov., a new Brazilian genus for Gyponini sharing characteristics with Costanana, Acuthana Domahovski & Cavichioli, 2018, Domahovana Silva et al., 2022 and Dumorpha DeLong & Freytag, 1975.
Size equivalence, seasonal synchronicity, geospatial sympatry, habitat specificity, and host-searching behavior implicate the spider wasp Chalcochares hirsutifemur (Banks) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae) as an obligate parasitoid on species of the wafer-lid spider genus Aptostichus Simon (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Euctenizidae) on coastal sandy back dunes in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, CA. This is substantiated by 2010–2022 macrophotographs, videos, and field observations. Such host evidence supports recent unpublished phylogenomic studies that place Chalcochares as a sister genus of the spider wasp tribe Aporini, in which all species are known obligate parasitoids on trapdoor spiders and related Mygalomorphae. Chalcochares hirsutifemur and C. engleharti (Banks) are separated based on morphological, geographic, and probable host spider differences. Resource partitioning on the coastal sand dunes between C. hirsutifemur and three species of smaller Aporus Spinola is proposed.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8F9A67EF-E272-4B7B-BD42-2AC9FD9CBE7B
Se revisan las especies del género Eurybia Illiger (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) de Colombia en base al estudio de especimenes depositados en colecciones nacionales publicas y privadas. Como resultado se analizaron 20 taxones y se describen como nuevas a: E. chocoensis nueva especie, E. dardus atlantica nueva subespecie, E. molochina violacea nueva subspecie, E. rubeolata nielseni nueva subspecie y E. rubeolata rufomarginata nueva subspecie. Eurybia dardus fassli Seitz, 1916, E. franciscana caerulescens Druce, 1904 y E. dardus mestiza Salazar, Villalobos y Vargas, 2021 son restituidos a nivel subespecífico. Se crea la nueva combinación de E. rubeolata silaceana basado en el estudio de su órganos genitales. Lo anterior permite concluir que Colombia es uno de los países con mayor riqueza de especies de Eurybia de la región neotropical.
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A new species of Liolaemus is described from southwest of the town of Añelo, Neuquén Province, Argentina. Integrative evidence methodology of external morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (cyt-b) is used to place the new species to the species group of Liolaemus boulengeri. The new species is phenotypically close to L. mapuche. The new Liolaemus is medium to large in size (males 77.64–83.98 mm, females 72.88–78.58 mm), with evident sexual dichromatism. Genetic distances of the mtDNA (cyt-b) between the new species and its closest relative species are greater than 3% (L. cuyanus 7.48–12.02%; L. josei 7.56–9.60%; L. puelche 8.23–9.93%; L. mapuche 8.51–9.79%). Molecular and morphological phylogenetic results show L. mapuche as the sister species of the new one. The new species is larger than L. mapuche. Dorsal and ventral scales are more numerous in the new species than in L. mapuche, precloacal pores in females are present in L. mapuche and absent in the new species. It has strict psammophilic habits, using sand mounds and sheltering, under Alpataco (Neltuma alpataco) bushes. The L. boulengeri group now contains 75 species distributed in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
Background: Efficient transfer of chemical signals is important for successful mating in many animal species. Multiple evolutionary lineages of animals evolved direct sex pheromone transmission during traumatic mating—the wounding of the partner with specialized devices—which helps to avoid signal loss to the environment. Although such direct transmission modes of so-called allohormone pheromones are well-documented in invertebrates, they are considered rare in vertebrates. Males of several species of the frog genus Plectrohyla (Hylidae, Anura) have elongated teeth and develop swollen lips during the breeding season. Here we investigated the possibility that these structures are used to scratch the females’ skin and apply allohormone pheromones during traumatic mating in several Plectrohyla species.
Results: Our behavioural observations revealed that males press their upper jaw onto the females’ dorsum during amplexus, leaving small skin scratches with their teeth. Histological examinations of the males’ lips identified specialized mucus glands, resembling known amphibian pheromone glands. Whole-transcriptome sequencing of these breeding glands showed high expression of sodefrin precursor-like factor (SPF) proteins, which are known to have a pheromone function in multiple amphibian species.
Conclusions: Our study suggests SPF delivery via traumatic mating in several anuran species: the males have specialized breeding glands in the lips for production and secretion and use their elongated teeth as wounding devices for application. We hypothesize that these SPF proteins end up in the females’ circulatory system, where understanding their exact function will require further molecular, physiological and behavioural testing.
The planthopper family Caliscelidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoromorpha) and the tribe Adenissini are recorded here for the first time from the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen). A new genus, Oceatra gen. nov., is described for two new species from Socotra Island – Oceatra litoralis gen. et sp. nov. (type species) from coastal sand dunes and salt marshes, and O. scandens gen. et sp. nov. from evergreen montane woodland and shrub communities of the Hagher mountains. Oceatra gen. nov. is similar to Perissana Metcalf, 1952 but differs in the structure of the male style and phallobase. A key to distinguish the genera of the subtribe Adenissina is provided.
Adenomera is a genus of Neotropical leaf-litter frogs widely distributed in South America and regarded taxonomic-wise challenging. One of these is the open-habitat Adenomera diptyx from Paraguay, which may correspond to a species complex. An integrative analysis of morphological variation, in combination with acoustic and molecular data of several populations from Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil resulted in the recharacterization of nominal A. diptyx and the description of a new, closely related species. Adenomera diptyx is recognized by its advertisement call given at a high repetition rate (176–299 per minute), and the dorsal color pattern consisting of a light mid-dorsal line and a dark brown interorbital bar with irregular black edges. In comparison with A. diptyx, the new species, Adenomera guarani sp. nov., produces its advertisement call at a lower repetition rate (73–147 per minute), and the dorsal color pattern consists of a light, broad, mid-dorsal stripe and a mask-like patch in the interorbital region. The redefinition of A. diptyx will contribute to future studies focusing on the taxonomic status of other genetic lineages tentatively assigned to this species complex, which could represent additional unnamed species in the open-habitat Adenomera clade.
A checklist with preliminary conservation assessments of native South American species of Acalypha is presented. This work is supported by the study of ca 6500 herbarium specimens and an in-depth literature review. As a result, 87 species (83 native and four introduced) and eight subspecies are accepted, and a further 395 names are considered synonyms. Geographical distribution, habitat, and altitudinal range for all species are also indicated. Brazil is the richest country in number of species of Acalypha (40), followed by Peru (32), Bolivia (29), Colombia and Ecuador—including Galapagos Islands—(24), Venezuela (18), Argentina (17), Paraguay (13), Guyana (8), Uruguay (5), French Guiana (4), and Suriname (3). The presence of the genus Acalypha in Chile is reported for the first time, alongside new country records of A. poiretii in Peru and A. venezuelica in Guatemala. The specimens previously identified as A. plicata from Colombia and Venezuela, are here considered belonging to A. cuspidata. The red list provided follows IUCN criteria and includes 39 species and three subspecies, 47% of total native species of Acalypha in South America: 16 species and one subspecies Critically Endangered (nine of them probably extinct), 15 species and two subspecies Endangered, and eight species Vulnerable.
The taxonomy of Loboscelidiinae in Vietnam is revised, with 16 new species being described: Loboscelidia bachmaensis sp. nov., L. barbata sp. nov., L. cilia sp. nov., L. convexa sp. nov., L. cucphuongensis sp. nov., L. cuneata sp. nov., L. do sp. nov., L. flavipes sp. nov., L. glabra sp. nov., L. komedai sp. nov., L. mediata sp. nov., L. parallela sp. nov., L. piriformis sp. nov., L. squamosa sp. nov., L. vang sp. nov. and L. vietnamensis sp. nov. In total, 24 species of Loboscelidia are recognized in the fauna of Vietnam. Keys to Indo-Chinese male and world female of Loboscelidia are provided. A brief observation of the foraging behavior of L. squamosa sp. nov. is also reported. Host-carriage and subsequent host egg burying are considered primary nesting behaviors of solitary wasps.
Viséan coiled nautiloids from North Africa are only poorly known. From the Mougoui Ayoun, Zrigat and Hamou-Rhanem formations of the eastern Anti-Atlas, we describe coiled nautiloids, which belong to the genera Rineceras, Stroboceras, Temnocheilus, Vestinautilus, Maccoyoceras, Endolobus, Epidomatoceras, Liroceras, Ephippioceras, and Solenochilus. The new species Temnocheilus imazighenorum sp. nov., Temnocheilus aubrechtovae sp. nov., Vestinautilus kesslerae sp. nov., Endolobus rota sp. nov., Epidomatoceras ebbighausenorum sp. nov., Liroceras vermis sp. nov., Liroceras karaouii sp. nov., Ephippioceras pygops sp. nov., Solenochilus lucynae sp. nov. and Solenochilus pohlei sp. nov. are described; six taxa are kept in open nomenclature. The assemblage is composed of the three superfamilies Trigonoceratoidea, Clydonautiloidea and Aipoceratoidea and shows a wide spectrum of conch morphologies, ranging from widely umbilicate compressed forms to involute compact forms, reflecting a broad ecological variation.
Spondias purpurea L. (Anacardiaceae), native to the Neotropical region, is cultivated in the Philippines for the edible fruits and the tree is economically significant. The adventive leaf beetle, Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.) (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), has become a major defoliating pest of the tree in the country. The Philippines government has initiated study of the pest, now locally called the sineguelas leaf beetle (SLB). This paper reports the results of a one-year field study on the biology of SLB on S. purpurea (red sineguelas), in Batangas City, Philippines. The SLB eggs hatch in 5–7 days. The larval period is 14–16 days with 4 larval instars, the pre-pupal period is 2–3 days, and the pupal period is 15–22 days. The total life cycle from egg to adult emergence is completed within 36–48 days. Host-choice experiments revealed that different stages of SLB do not feed on carabao mango (Mangifera indica L.) or pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.), however, they fed a little but did not survive or reproduce on cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.). A predatory bug (Eocanthecona furcellata Wolff., Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a potential natural enemy. Unidentified fungi infecting the pupae and adults of SLB were also recorded.
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A catalog of the species of Trichodesma LeConte (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) for the world is provided, including synonyms and misspellings. Six additional genera, Anobiopsis Fall, Belemia Español, Nanodesma Zahradník, Nicobium LeConte, Trichobiopsis White, and Trichodesmina Español, are also cataloged for completeness. The species name, author, year, and page number of description are given for each species, as well as references for combinations by different authors. The type depository is given when known, and followed by a “?” when unknown but suspected, and a general distribution is given by region of the world followed by country. Authorship of the genus Trichodesma in Lepidoptera is transferred to Schaus.
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The Egyptian fauna of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) is reviewed and an illustrated key to the 30 genera and 54 species is provided. Phenacoccus madeirensis Green is reported for the first time in Egypt. A new genus, Ezzatacoccus Evans and Abd-Rabou, is described and illustrated with Amonostherium arabicum Ezzat, 1960 designated as its type species. Octococcus salicicola Priesner and Hosny, 1935 is reinstated as a valid taxon and transferred to Misericoccus Ferris, new combination. Ripersia cressae Hall is transferred to Maconellicoccus Ezzat, new combination and Planococcus lindingeri (Bodenheimer) is transferred back to Formicococcus Takahashi, revised status.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8CA7B000-E8D4-463D-95B0-431BA0A7BA57
A new species of Strepsiptera of the genus Paraxenos Saunders, 1872 (Xenidae) from the United Arab Emirates is described. It was recorded from the host species Bembix kohli Morice, 1897 and represents the first occurrence of Paraxenos from Bembix Fabricius, 1775 in the Afrotropical region. A detailed redescription of the female cephalothorax of Paraxenos hungaricus (Székessy, 1955) is provided, together with the first description of the male cephalotheca. The holotype of Paraxenos krombeini Kifune & Hirashima, 1987 was redescribed. Additionally, a key for parasites of Bembix among Paraxenos species is provided based on characters of the female cephalothorax and male cephalotheca. The distribution and conservation status of Paraxenos spp. on Bembix are also discussed.
he most basic behavioural states of animals can be described as active or passive. While high-resolution observations of activity patterns can provide insights into the ecology of animal species, few methods are able to measure the activity of individuals of small taxa in their natural environment. We present a novel approach in which a combination of automatic radiotracking and machine learning is used to distinguish between active and passive behaviour in small vertebrates fitted with lightweight transmitters (<0.4 g).
We used a dataset containing >3 million signals from very-high-frequency (VHF) telemetry from two forest-dwelling bat species (Myotis bechsteinii [n = 52] and Nyctalus leisleri [n = 20]) to train and test a random forest model in assigning either active or passive behaviour to VHF-tagged individuals. The generalisability of the model was demonstrated by recording and classifying the behaviour of tagged birds and by simulating the effect of different activity levels with the help of humans carrying transmitters. The model successfully classified the activity states of bats as well as those of birds and humans, although the latter were not included in model training (F1 0.96–0.98).
We provide an ecological case-study demonstrating the potential of this automated monitoring tool. We used the trained models to compare differences in the daily activity patterns of two bat species. The analysis showed a pronounced bimodal activity distribution of N. leisleri over the course of the night while the night-time activity of M. bechsteinii was relatively constant. These results show that subtle differences in the timing of species' activity can be distinguished using our method.
Our approach can classify VHF-signal patterns into fundamental behavioural states with high precision and is applicable to different terrestrial and flying vertebrates. To encourage the broader use of our radiotracking method, we provide the trained random forest models together with an R package that includes all necessary data processing functionalities. In combination with state-of-the-art open-source automated radiotracking, this toolset can be used by the scientific community to investigate the activity patterns of small vertebrates with high temporal resolution, even in dense vegetation.
The most basic behavioural states of animals can be described as active or passive. However, while high-resolution observations of activity patterns can provide insights into the ecology of animal species, few methods are able to measure the activity of individuals of small taxa in their natural environment. We present a novel approach in which the automated VHF radio-tracking of small vertebrates fitted with lightweight transmitters (< 0.2 g) is used to distinguish between active and passive behavioural states.
A dataset containing > 3 million VHF signals was used to train and test a random forest model in the assignment of either active or passive behaviour to individuals from two forest-dwelling bat species (Myotis bechsteinii (n = 50) and Nyctalus leisleri (n = 20)). The applicability of the model to other taxonomic groups was demonstrated by recording and classifying the behaviour of a tagged bird and by simulating the effect of different types of vertebrate activity with the help of humans carrying transmitters. The random forest model successfully classified the activity states of bats as well as those of birds and humans, although the latter were not included in model training (F-score 0.96–0.98).
The utility of the model in tackling ecologically relevant questions was demonstrated in a study of the differences in the daily activity patterns of the two bat species. The analysis showed a pronounced bimodal activity distribution of N. leisleri over the course of the night while the night-time activity of M. bechsteinii was relatively constant. These results show that significant differences in the timing of species activity according to ecological preferences or seasonality can be distinguished using our method.
Our approach enables the assignment of VHF signal patterns to fundamental behavioural states with high precision and is applicable to different terrestrial and flying vertebrates. To encourage the broader use of our radio-tracking method, we provide the trained random forest models together with an R-package that includes all necessary data-processing functionalities. In combination with state-of-the-art open-source automated radio-tracking, this toolset can be used by the scientific community to investigate the activity patterns of small vertebrates with high temporal resolution, even in dense vegetation.
Eight new species of Itauara Müller, 1888 are described based on specimens collected in southeastern Brazil: I. bispinata sp. nov., I. caparao sp. nov., I. cipoensis sp. nov., I. cristata sp. nov., I. holzenthali sp. nov., I. mangaratiba sp. nov., I. robertsonae sp. nov., and I. rupicola sp. nov. In addition, we provided an updated distributional list of species of Itauara, with new records of I. jamesii Robertson & Holzenthal, 2011 and I. lucinda Robertson & Holzenthal, 2011 for Espírito Santo State (Brazil), I. plaumanni (Flint, 1974) for Paraná State (Brazil), and I. tusci Robertson & Holzenthal, 2011 for Minas Gerais State (Brazil). We performed an equal weighted parsimony analysis adding the new species to the dataset provided by Robertson & Holzenthal (2013), with modification of the interpretation of some morphological characters. The genus was recovered as monophyletic, but overall statistic support for clades was weak. Itauara is restricted to South America and has a disjunct distribution, with some species occurring in northern South America and others in southeastern South America. Probably, the diversification of Itauara in South America is related to the connections between the Amazon Forest and the Atlantic Forest through historical events at different times.
The chelodesmid genus Dibolostethus Hoffman, 2009, the sole member of the tribe Dibolostethini, is reviewed. The genus contains the type species D. sicarius Hoffman, 2009 known only from the Los Rios Province, Ecuador, and two new species from the Tropical Andes, D. inopinatus Means, Bouzan & Ivanov sp. nov. from the Morona-Santiago Province, Ecuador and D. kattani Means, Bouzan, Martínez-Torres & Ivanov sp. nov. from the Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia. We redescribe D. sicarius and provide a revised diagnosis of the genus, images of diagnostic morphological characters, and a key to the males of Dibolostethus. In addition, we provide a summary and a distribution map of the Chelodesmidae of the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot.
A new spionid polychaete, Prionospio expansa sp. nov., collected from the intertidal habitat of the Yellow Sea in Korea, is described. The new species is closely related to P. japonica Okuda, 1935 from Northeast Asia both morphologically and genetically. They share four pairs of branchiae which are cirriform and apinnate, whereas the new species differs from P. japonica in the length of the branchiae, expansion of the anteriormost body, and size of the first notopodial postchaetal lamellae. Herein, a detailed description and illustrations of P. expansa sp. nov. are provided, with molecular data for three gene fragments: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and nuclear 18S rDNA. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene fragments.
Iberian material originally identified as Hincksina flustroides is revised and five different species are now identified: the Atlantic species Hincksina flustroides is present to the NW of the Iberian Peninsula, whilst the Mediterranean species Hincksina synchysia is here reported for the first time in Iberian waters. Two new species of Hincksina are described, one from the Strait of Gibraltar area, and another from the Alboran Sea, whereas another colony from this area actually corresponds to Hincksina longispinosa. A new description of Electra angulata is given, based on the original and other historical material, as well as on newly collected colonies. The taxonomic position of the species in the genus Arbopercula is discussed, and the diagnosis of the genus itself is amended. Finally, a new species of Caberea is described from deep waters off the north Iberian coast.
A new genus, Plesioxylion Liu & Beaver gen. nov., is described for Amintinus gambianus Borowski, 2018 from West Africa with a more detailed description and new records of both sexes. We also provide a key to the ten Afrotropical genera in the tribe Xyloperthini Lesne, 1921 as the baseline information for a future study.
In this study, we revise the taxonomy of the endemic Mexican genus Ceratotrupes Jekel, 1865. It comprises three species, distributed in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Ceratotrupes fronticornis (Erichson, 1847) and Ceratotrupes bolivari Halffter & Martínez, 1962), and the Sierra Madre del Sur (Ceratotrupes sturmi (Jekel, 1865)). We confirm C. mniszechi (Jekel, 1865) as a junior subjective synonym of C. sturmi. The examination of the holotype of C. sturmi and specimens recently collected in the Sierra Sur de Oaxaca (Oaxaca) and Omiltemi (Guerrero) allowed us to identify and describe a new species, Ceratotrupes gonzaloi sp. nov. from Omiltemi, Guerrero. We redescribe the morphology of C. sturmi and provide a diagnostic key to the four members of the genus Ceratotrupes. Photographs of the habitus and male genitalia of the four species, a distribution map, and observations on their ecology and biogeography are provided.
The railway cutting near Oberrödinghausen at the northern margin of the Rhenish Mountains is the cardinal section for the investigation of Early Tournaisian (Early Carboniferous; Mississippian) ammonoids. The ammonoids from the Hangenberg Limestone (= Gattendorfia Limestone) of this and neighbouring outcrops are revised here, using the historical collections as well as undescribed new material. The ammonoid assemblages are composed of a total of 67 species, which occur in four successive ammonoid zones. The assemblages are composed of predominant prionoceratids (Order Goniatitina) with the twenty genera Mimimitoceras (two species), Globimitoceras (one species), Paragattendorfia (two species), Kornia (three species), Stockumites (eleven species), Acutimitoceras (two species), Costimitoceras (one species), Nicimitoceras (four species), Imitoceras (one species), Voehringerites (one species), Gattendorfia (eight species), Zadelsdorfia (two species), Kazakhstania (one species), Gattenpleura (one species), Weyerella (three species), Hasselbachia (three species), Paprothites (five species), Pseudarietites (three species), Rodingites (two species), Paralytoceras (one species) as well as subordinate eocanitids (Order Prolecanitida) with the genera Eocanites (eight species) and Nomismocanites (one species). The new genera Rodingites gen. nov. and Nomismocanites gen. nov. as well as the new species Mimimitoceras perditum sp. nov., Kornia fibula sp. nov., Kornia acia sp. nov., Stockumites parallelus sp. nov., Stockumites voehringeri sp. nov., Acutimitoceras ucatum sp. nov., Acutimitoceras paracutum sp. nov., Imitoceras initium sp. nov., Gattendorfia rhenana sp. nov., Gattendorfia bella sp. nov., Gattendorfia valdevoluta sp. nov., Gattendorfia schmidti sp. nov., Gattendorfia corpulenta sp. nov., Gattendorfia immodica sp. nov., Zadelsdorfia oblita sp. nov., Weyerella lenis sp. nov., Hasselbachia erronea sp. nov., Paprothites beckeri sp. nov., Paprothites kullmanni sp. nov., Eocanites delicatus sp. nov. and Nomismocanites raritas gen. et sp. nov. are described from Oberrödinghausen. Mimimitoceras mina sp. nov., Stockumites marocensis sp. nov., Zadelsdorfia zana sp. nov. and Kazakhstania kana sp. nov. are newly named for material from the Anti-Atlas of Morocco.
The early Tournaisian (Early Carboniferous; Mississippian) ammonoids from the classical abandoned limestone quarry of Gattendorf (Upper Franconia) are revised, using the historical collections as well as so far undescribed material. The ammonoid assemblage is composed of prionoceratid ammonoids of the six genera Mimimitoceras, Paragattendorfia, Stockumites, Acutimitoceras, Gattendorfia and Gattenpleura, which indicate a stratigraphic position near the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary in the earliest Carboniferous. The new species Stockumites hofensis sp. nov. and S. nonaginta sp. nov. are described.
The number of currently described species of Afrotropical parasitoid wasps does not reflect the true species diversity. One of the most severely understudied parasitoid wasp groups is Ceraphronoidea. In this first study on Afrotropical mainland Ceraphronoidea in more than 20 years, which is also the first ever taxonomic monograph focusing on Ceraphronidae, we describe 88 new species of Ceraphronidae (85 new species) and Megaspilidae (3 new species) from Kakamega Forest (Kenya), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and Ivindo NP (Gabon): Aphanogmus abaluhya sp. nov., A. ashitakai sp. nov., A. idakho sp. nov., A. ikhongamurwi sp. nov., A. isiukhu sp. nov., A. kakamegaensis sp. nov., A. lateritorum sp. nov., A. mangimelii sp. nov., A. mariae sp. nov., A. mashariki sp. nov., A. nehbergi sp. nov., A. njia sp. nov., A. vestrii sp. nov., A. yala sp. nov. (all clavicornis species group), A. dimidiatus sp. nov., A. fraterculus sp. nov., A. guenteri sp. nov., A. kakakili sp. nov., A. kisiwa sp. nov., A. maua sp. nov., A. morriconei sp. nov., A. ndefu sp. nov., A. ngai sp. nov., A. nikii sp. nov., A. pilosicoxa sp. nov., A. rafikii sp. nov., A. robustus sp. nov., A. simbai sp. nov., A. taji sp. nov., A. ukanda sp. nov. (all fumipennis species group), A. campanula sp. nov., A. kikuyu sp. nov., A. pagoda sp. nov. (all tenuicornis species group), Ceraphron banda sp. nov., C. brashi sp. nov., C. breviharpis sp. nov., C. breviscapus sp. nov., C. buyangu sp. nov., C. chemositi sp. nov., C. cingulum sp. nov., C. clavatumeris sp. nov., C. digiti sp. nov., C. eaerendili sp. nov., C. ekero sp. nov., C. ellae sp. nov., C. eulbergi sp. nov., C. herreni sp. nov., C. hitagarciai sp. nov., C. insolitus sp. nov., C. isecheno sp. nov., C. isukha sp. nov., C. ivindoensis sp. nov., C. kaharabu sp. nov., C. kaimosiensis sp. nov., C. kakamegaensis sp. nov., C. kidole sp. nov., C. kimathii sp. nov., C. lirhanda sp. nov., C. longiharpis sp. nov., C. longisetae sp. nov., C. longumerunus sp. nov., C. maathaiae sp. nov., C. malava sp. nov., C. mamamutere sp. nov., C. metapleuralis sp. nov., C. mikoi sp. nov., C. mwekaensis sp. nov., C. nandi sp. nov., C. nzoia sp. nov., C. onesimusi sp. nov., C. pilosiharpis sp. nov., C. pleurosulcus sp. nov., C. reinholdi sp. nov., C. salazar sp. nov., C. sataoi sp. nov., C. semira sp. nov., C. sungura sp. nov., C. tenuimeris sp. nov., C. tiriki sp. nov., C. trietschae sp. nov., Cyoceraphron dhahabudorsalis sp. nov., C. harpe sp. nov., C. invisibilis sp. nov., C. kahawia sp. nov., C. njano sp. nov. (all Ceraphronidae), Conostigmus kijiko sp. nov., C. koleo sp. nov., and Dendrocerus wachagga sp. nov. (all Megaspilidae). In addition, we describe four species of Aphanogmus and five species of Ceraphron without formal naming. A neotype is designated for Dendrocerus anneckei Dessart, 1985 (Megaspilidae). With these new species we more than double the number described from the Afrotropical mainland (65 vs 153). The species numbers found allow us to estimate the real worldwide species number of Ceraphronoidea as being roughly 12 000–21 000, i.e., 16–29 times the number of the currently described species (~730, including the species described herein). This study is meant to highlight that it is necessary and also possible to study the parasitoid wasps of tropical regions and provide momentum for exploring the diversity of small and diverse insect groups in the Afrotropics and elsewhere while also providing the basic knowledge that is much needed for protecting biodiversity and understanding evolution and the networks of life on earth. All described species are diagnosed and illustrated, with focus on the male genitalia. Furthermore, we provide an identification key to males of Afrotropical Ceraphronidae.
The fauna of Loricifera along a north-south longitudinal transect following the Atacama Trench was explored. Whereas no loriciferans were collected from the actual trench, the continental slope and surrounding abyssal plains yielded two species of Rugiloricus and two of Pliciloricus. All four species are considered as new to science, but only one of them could be formally described. The new species, Pliciloricus ukupachaensis sp. nov., is closely related with the North Atlantic Pliciloricus leocaudatus, and the two species share different morphological traits, including an enlarged anal field with conspicuous pentagonal and hexagonal fields formed by strong, cuticular ridges. Among other peculiar traits, the new species is characterised by having strongly reduced trichoscalid plates and no double trichoscalids. Comparison with previously published, unidentified specimens suggests that the new species’ distributional range might reach as far as Oregon off the US west coast.
The North American-Caribbean genera Pholcophora Banks, 1896 and Tolteca Huber, 2000 are representatives of Ninetinae, a group of small, cryptic, and thus poorly known pholcid spiders. We present the first comprehensive revisions of the two genera, including extensive SEM data and descriptions of seven new species from Mexico (Pholcophora mazatlan Huber sp. nov., P. papanoa Huber sp. nov., P. tehuacan Huber sp. nov., Tolteca huahua Huber sp. nov., T. manzanillo Huber sp. nov., T. oaxaca Huber sp. nov., and T. sinnombre Huber sp. nov.). We add new CO1 sequences of nine species to previously published molecular data and use these for a preliminary analysis of relationships. We recover a North American-Caribbean clade including ‘true’ (mainland) Pholcophora, Tolteca (Mexico), and a Caribbean clade consisting of the genus Papiamenta Huber, 2000 (Curaçao) and Caribbean ‘Pholcophora’. First karyotype data for Tolteca (2n♂ = 13, X1X2Y and 15, X1X2Y, respectively) reveal a strong reduction of the number of chromosome pairs within the North American-Caribbean clade, and considerable karyotype differentiation among congeners. This agrees with considerable CO1 divergence among species of Tolteca but contrasts with very inconspicuous morphological divergence. Environmental niche analyses show that the widespread P. americana Banks, 1896 (western USA, SW Canada) occupies a very different niche than its Mexican congeners and other close relatives. Caribbean taxa also have a low niche overlap with ‘true’ Pholcophora and Tolteca, supporting the idea that Caribbean ‘Pholcophora’ are taxonomically misplaced.
Recently, it has been hypothesized that the wide distribution of A. fiuzai Salles & Lugo-Ortiz is due to a wide diagnosis and conflicting keys. The same arguments can be applied to A. kallawaya Nieto. In order to test this hypothesis, we revised the type material of A. fiuzai, literature of A. kallawaya, and part of the recorded specimens in Brazil. As a result, three new species from previous records are recognized: Apobaetis pasternakae sp. nov., former A. fiuzai in Amazonas, Roraima and Maranhão states; Apobaetis jaquelinae sp. nov., former A. fiuzai in Rondônia State; Apobaetis luanae sp. nov., former A. kallawaya in Rondônia State. The new data showed that A. fiuzai does not occur in the Amazon Biome and A. kallawaya does not occur in Brazil. Records of A. fiuzai that could not be reviewed in this study are treated as putative and should be evaluated in the light of the new evidence. We also studied the intraspecific variation in A. fiuzai and A. pasternakae sp. nov. The pigment pattern of the nymphs was not considered a robust characteristic for the species differentiation due to the wide variation in and between populations, and interspecific similarity of many features. On the other hand, classical morphological characters such as mouthparts, legs, spines of terga, paraproct and caudal filaments have minimal variation, stable and reliable for specific identification.
Fourteen species of the subgenus Sinotipula (Diptera, Tipulidae) were previously known to occur in China. Here four species are described and illustrated as new to science: Tipula (Sinotipula) drolma sp. nov., T. (S.) forcipicauda sp. nov., T. (S.) heminga sp. nov. and T. (S.) longiloba sp. nov. The following three species are redescribed: T. (S.) exquisita Alexander, 1935, T. (S.) hobsoni Edwards, 1928 and T. (S.) wardi Edwards, 1928, and a key to the species of Tipula (Sinotipula) from China is presented. We also give a new replacement name for Tipula (Vestiplex) bucera Yang, Li, Pan, Liu & Yang, 2021, i.e., T. (V.) curvicornis nom. nov.
Specimens of Deuteraphorura collected in 11 Georgian caves were analysed morphologically and molecularly based on the COI gene barcode region. Two molecular delimitation methods revealed four species (MOTUs); however, only two of them were distinguished morphologically and are described in this paper as new to science. Both new species, D. colchisi sp. nov. and D. kozmani sp. nov., belong to the group with a pseudocellus on the first thoracic tergum; the differential diagnosis table to this species group is provided. The potential of the Caucasus as a hotspot region of subterranean biodiversity and evolution centre of subterranean animals is discussed.
The ant genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Myrmicinae, Crematogastrini) is diverse with 498 species described. Species are distributed predominately within the northern hemisphere with species richness decreasing closer to the tropics; contrary to other ant genera overall. In Southeast Asia, richness is relatively low and knowledge on the genus remains fragmentary, likely due to poor sampling efforts compared to temperate regions. Here, using specimens from recent sampling efforts, Temnothorax is reported for the first time from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Two new species, T. barrettoi Hamer & Guénard sp. nov. and T. haveni Lee, Hamer & Guénard sp. nov., are described based on qualitive morphological characters, with additional morphometric data also gathered. An updated key, as well as a distributional checklist of Temnothorax species from mainland China is provided. We suggest that the two new species are likely arboreal based on our collections, however, further arboreal sampling is necessary to confirm this hypothesis. We hope this study may spurn effort to generate further information on sub-tropical Chinese Temnothorax species.
Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes indicate that polar bears captured the brown bear mitochondrial genome 160,000 years ago, leading to an extinction of the original polar bear mitochondrial genome. However, mitochondrial DNA occasionally integrates into the nuclear genome, forming pseudogenes called numts (nuclear mitochondrial integrations). Screening the polar bear genome identified only 13 numts. Genomic analyses of two additional ursine bears and giant panda indicate that all except one of the discovered numts entered the bear lineage at least 14 million years ago. However, short read genome assemblies might lead to an under-representation of numts or other repetitive sequences. Our findings suggest low integration rates of numts in bears and a loss of the original polar bear mitochondrial genome.
Crenicichla is the largest and most widely distributed genus of Neotropical cichlids. The Crenicichla mandelburgeri species complex from the Middle Paraná departs from the ancestral and predominant ecomorphology of the large genus and shows parallel evolution of ecomorphs both within the complex and also to the unrelated C. missioneira species complex from the Uruguay River. Here, we formally describe a new species pair from the C. mandelburgeri species complex that has evolved a parallel morphological and ecological dichotomy to another species pair and also to species in the unrelated C. missioneira species complex. The new species pair is endemic to a single tributary (the Piray Guazú) of the Middle Paraná River where it is sympatric and partly syntopic. Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny shows the two new species as distantly related within the C. mandelburgeri species complex, each with a sister species in the Iguazú rather than in the neighbouring Paraná River tributaries. Nuclear DNA analyses demonstrate their sister-group relationship, which is however complicated by the reticulated origin of one of the new species. We present determination keys for all the currently formally described species of the C. mandelburgeri species complex including the new species described here.
A new species of Apseudidae is described from a submarine canyon in the Mediterranean Sea, Leviapseudes tethys sp. nov. The species was sampled at 600 m depth on deep muddy sand. The new species is characterized by the presence of processes on both sides of the rostrum, a pinnate seta on the inner distal margin of the maxillipedal endite, smooth distal spines of the labium palp, two spines on the cheliped basis, three ventral spines on pereopod 1 basis and an unarticulated pleopod exopod. This is the second species and the third record of the genus in the Mediterranean Sea, and raises the number of tanaid species known from the deep Mediterranean Sea to a total of 16. The diagnosis of the genus is amended in light of the new data and re-evaluation of previous works. The new species presents a set of characters that provide novel insights to understanding the diversity and taxonomy of the Leviapseudinae, as well as their geographic distribution. Finally, a list of all deep-sea Tanaidacea known in the Mediterranean Sea is provided.
Metafruticicola is a diverse land snail genus inhabiting the north-eastern Mediterranean region from S Albania to Israel. In this study, we describe Metafruticicola kavafis sp. nov., a new species for science from Kasos Island. We also focus on the reproductive system of steno-endemic species and subspecies of the genus from small islands of the Aegean Archipelago, whose anatomy was previously completely unknown. These species are M. crassicosta, M. pieperi, M. coartata gemina and M. nicosiana conciliatrix. For the latter subspecies, only the outlines of the genitalia were previously given. Additionally, we investigated in detail for the first time the genital anatomy of M. nicosiana nicosiana from Cyprus. Hitherto, information on the genital apparatus of this subspecies was based on sparse data derived from sexually immature specimens. These new anatomical data contribute to a plethora of controversies concerning the subgeneric division of Metafruticicola, which was based solely on conchological features and especially the microsculpture of the teleoconch. We suggest that the current subgeneric division of the genus should be abandoned.
The weevil genus Cryptolarynx Van Schalkwyk, 1966 is endemic to the Northern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The two previously known species of the genus, C. vitis (Marshall, 1957) and C. estriatus (Marshall, 1957), have an aberrant globular body and head shape, which has made it difficult to place the genus into the classification systems of the Curculionoidea. This paper presents the description of 21 new species of Cryptolarynx from South Africa (C. subglaber Haran sp. nov., C. squamulatus Haran sp. nov., C. muellerae Haran sp. nov., C. hirtulus Haran sp. nov., C. robustus Haran sp. nov., C. namaquanus Haran sp. nov., C. carinatus Haran sp. nov., C. variabilis Haran sp. nov., C. pyrophilus Haran sp. nov., C. pilipes Haran sp. nov., C. armatus Haran sp. nov., C. falciformis Haran sp. nov., C. oberprieleri Haran sp. nov., C. spinicornis Haran sp. nov., C. cederbergensis Haran sp. nov., C. homaroides Haran sp. nov., C. marshalli Haran sp. nov., C. endroedyi Haran sp. nov., C. oberlanderi Haran sp. nov., C. san Haran sp. nov., and C. luteipennis Haran sp. nov.) and of one new genus and species, Hadrocryptolarynx major Haran gen. et sp. nov., also from South Africa. A redescription of the genus Cryptolarynx is provided to incorporate the characters of the new species. The plant genus Oxalis (Oxalidaceae) is recorded as larval host for several species of Cryptolarynx and for Hadrocryptolarynx Haran gen. nov., as their larvae develop in the subterranean bulbs of members of the genus, and the egg, larva and pupa of C. variabilis are described. The characters of the Cryptolarynx larva confirm that Cryptolaryngini are an early-diverging group of Curculionidae, with a placement among taxa currently classified in the subfamily Brachycerinae sensu lato, and although their exact taxonomic position remains unresolved, some larval characters, and also pupal ones, suggest a close relationship between Cryptolaryngini and Stenopelmus Schoenherr. Potential use of species of Cryptolarynx in the biological control of weedy South African species of Oxalis is discussed.
The European bison was saved from the brink of extinction due to considerable conservation efforts since the early 20th century. The current global population of > 9,500 individuals is the result of successful ex situ breeding based on a stock of only 12 founders, resulting in an extremely low level of genetic variability. Due to the low allelic diversity, traditional molecular tools, such as microsatellites, fail to provide sufficient resolution for accurate genetic assessments in European bison, let alone from non-invasive samples. Here, we present a SNP panel for accurate high-resolution genotyping of European bison, which is suitable for a wide variety of sample types. The panel accommodates 96 markers allowing for individual and parental assignment, sex determination, breeding line discrimination, and cross-species detection. Two applications were shown to be utilisable in further Bos species with potential conservation significance. The new SNP panel will allow to tackle crucial tasks in European bison conservation, including the genetic monitoring of reintroduced populations, and a molecular assessment of pedigree data documented in the world’s first studbook of a threatened species.
Four new species and one new genus of Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are described: Nyssodrysilla humeralis new species (Acanthocinini), from Paraguay; Atrypanius schmidi new species (Acanthocinini), from Paraguay; Chicanatonus hovorei, new genus, new species (Acanthocinini), from Mexico; Euryestola transversa new species (Calliini), from Ecuador. The following new combinations are established: Leiopus convexus Melzer, 1934 is transferred to Hyperplatys Haldeman, 1847; Leiopus floccidus Erichson, 1847 is transferred to Anisopodus White, 1855; Leiopus marcelamonneae Audureau and Demez, 2015 and L. pleuriticus White, 1855 are transferred to Atrypanius Bates, 1864. Leiopus histrionicus Gistel, 1848 is newly synonymized with Eutrypanus dorsalis (Germar, 1823). The formal transference of Leiopus soricinus Fairmaire and Germain, 1859 to Lepturges (Lepturges) Bates, 1863, forgotten in recent catalogs and checklists, is reinforced. Atrypanius marcelamonneae new combination is excluded from the Paraguayan fauna. Euryestola cribrata (Bates, 1881) is newly recorded from Panama. Keys to species of Nyssodrysilla Gilmour, 1962 and Euryestola Breuning, 1940 are provided. The occurrence of Colobothea naevia Bates, 1865 in Ecuador is confirmed. Colobothea olivencia Bates, 1865 is newly recorded from Ecuador and from the Brazilian states of Pará and Ceará; variation in the pubescent pattern on the pronotum of this species is reported. Four new species and one new genus of Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are described: Nyssodrysilla humeralis new species (Acanthocinini), from Paraguay; Atrypanius schmidi new species (Acanthocinini), from Paraguay; Chicanatonus hovorei, new genus, new species (Acanthocinini), from Mexico; Euryestola transversa new species (Calliini), from Ecuador. The following new combinations are established: Leiopus convexus Melzer, 1934 is transferred to Hyperplatys Haldeman, 1847; Leiopus floccidus Erichson, 1847 is transferred to Anisopodus White, 1855; Leiopus marcelamonneae Audureau and Demez, 2015 and L. pleuriticus White, 1855 are transferred to Atrypanius Bates, 1864. Leiopus histrionicus Gistel, 1848 is newly synonymized with Eutrypanus dorsalis (Germar, 1823). The formal transference of Leiopus soricinus Fairmaire and Germain, 1859 to Lepturges (Lepturges) Bates, 1863, forgotten in recent catalogs and checklists, is reinforced. Atrypanius marcelamonneae new combination is excluded from the Paraguayan fauna. Euryestola cribrata (Bates, 1881) is newly recorded from Panama. Keys to species of Nyssodrysilla Gilmour, 1962 and Euryestola Breuning, 1940 are provided. The occurrence of Colobothea naevia Bates, 1865 in Ecuador is confirmed. Colobothea olivencia Bates, 1865 is newly recorded from Ecuador and from the Brazilian states of Pará and Ceará; variation in the pubescent pattern on the pronotum of this species is reported.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7C223856-CC09-4A47-8A52-E4F98C445241
The Asterolecaniidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha), known as pit scales, are currently represented by 11 genera and 52 species in the Neotropical region, and by five species in Argentina. The goal of this study is to review and update the information currently known about the biodiversity of Asterolecaniidae in Argentina. We describe Argenta Granara de Willink new genus, Argenta eduardoi Granara de Willink new species, Mycetococcus ligae Granara de Willink new species, and Sclerosococcus williamsi Granara de Willink new species; an illustration of Pollinia pollini (Costa) is also included; the species Asterolecanium puteanum Russell and Russellaspis pustulans (Cockerell) are noted for the first time in Argentina. Dichotomous keys to the genera of Asterolecaniidae and the species of Asterolecanium Targioni-Tozzetti, Mycetococcus Ferris, and Sclerosococcus McKenzie in Argentina are presented. This work increases the number of known species in Argentina to ten.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2A1FB016-1B67-4861-BB8B-2011B26679F1
Description of three new Acanthocinini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) species from Ecuador
(2023)
Three new species of Acanthocinini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) are described from Napo province, Ecuador: Anisopodus micromaculatus new species; Parabaryssinus katerinae new species; and Paracleodoxus minutus new species. A key to species of Paracleodoxus Monné and Monné (2010) is provided.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E7C66DA1-6F5F-4F94-922E-43E0B83331DD
We studied the slides of Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) deposited in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods and provided specimen label data, including geographical location, global positioning system coordinates when available, host plant, collector name, adult females/immature stages, sex of specimens on respective slides, number of slides, and collection date. In addition, we discuss its first record from Florida ornamental landscape and two most recent new host records of the species on commercial crops, including blueberries and hemp. These data will help regulatory agencies slow the spread of this pest inside and outside of Florida.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EEB2767C-9B59-4BA9-A5B5-D5B14FF7B38F
Two new genera, Skelleyus Opitz and Divulgoatus Opitz (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Enopliinae), show unusual antennal development. Funicular antennomeres become shorter as they approach an extensive capitulum. This study involves three taxa, Skelleyus leavengoodi Opitz, new species, Divulgoatus kelleri Opitz, new species, and Divulgoatus discrepans (Gorham).
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E059A916-DDE2-4193-A090-8CDD46EDC859
Bicellonycha amoena (Gorham, 1880) (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) usually flies one meter above ground level over grass, water, or open areas, where males produce a simple single flash every 2–4 seconds, having their most active flashing period from mid to late dusk and early night. In addition, nothing else is known about the behavior of this species. We conducted field observations at the “Mayan Golf Club” in Guatemala Department, and Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez Department, Guatemala; and analyzed B. amoena flashes with a spectroscope. Fireflies displayed a lime-green bioluminescence color. The male flashing activity began ~30 minutes after sunset and lasted approximately 70 minutes. For B. amoena, the spectral composition of the flash is intermediate between those known from twilight-active fireflies and nocturnalactive fireflies.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:512FB867-8E8F-47E6-AD02-B3B13C97C25D
The New World genus Mycotretus Lacordaire, 1842 (Erotylidae: Erotylinae: Tritomini) is the second most speciose genus within Erotylidae and is found mainly in the Neotropical region. Currently, the genus includes 231 available names, of which 204 are valid. Accurate species identification is hampered by the lack of taxonomic revisions, identification keys or an illustrated catalogue for Mycotretus. To correct this problem and to allow further studies, the objective in this paper is to provide an illustrated catalogue for Mycotretus and propose some taxonomic acts promoting taxonomic stability within the genus. The present catalogue is the result of more than six years of morphological studies and careful comparisons of specimens, including research in several scientific collections throughout America and Europe, searching for identified specimens and types of available names of Mycotretus. The historical literature was examined and all available names listed in the catalogue of Blackwelder (1945) are included here, along with updated information from the catalogue of Alvarenga (1994). Our main results are: (i) examination of types of 216 former available names within Mycotretus, including 74 types previously not examined or not located by Alvarenga (1994); (ii) lectotype designations for 143 available names of Mycotretus; (iii) proposal of 41 new synonyms and three new combinations; (iv) the number of valid species of Mycotretus is reduced from 204 to 174; (v) plates providing images (most of them types) of specimens representing most available names within Mycotretus. The present work is the first major step towards a nomenclatural stability that will allow further revisionary and phylogenetic studies on Mycotretus.
Ten new species of Thinophilus Wahlberg, 1844 from the Afrotropical region are described and illustrated: T. saegeri sp. nov. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, T. medvedevi sp. nov., T. longicercus sp. nov., T. cataractae sp. nov. and T. manambato sp. nov. from Madagascar, T. gallagheri sp. nov. and T. deemingi sp. nov. from Oman, T. sigwalti sp. nov. from Senegal, T. subpalpatus sp. nov. from South Africa, and T. fluvialis sp. nov. from Tanzania. Type material for 13 previously described Afrotropical species is examined. The genus Paralleloneurum Becker, 1902 is newly synonymized with Thinophilus (syn. nov.). As a result, the following new combinations are here established: Thinophilus cilifemoratus (Becker, 1902) comb. nov. and T. pygmaeus (De Meijere, 1916), comb. nov. The following new synonyms are proposed: Thinophilus annulitarsis Parent, 1936 with T. calopus Loew 1852; T. bipunctatus Curran, 1926 and T. maculatus Parent, 1929 with T. indigenus Becker, 1902. New records are given for some known species. Thinophilus argyropalpis Becker, 1910 and T. spinitarsis Becker, 1907 are reported from the Afrotropical Region for the first time. The number of species of the genus, known from continental Africa, Oman, Yemen and Madagascar, has increased to 30. An identification key to 29 Afrotropical species is compiled. Thinophilus versutus Haliday, 1851 and T. cilifemoratus (Becker, 1902), type species of the former genera Schoenophilus Mik, 1878 and Paralleloneurum Becker, 1902, are subsequently also included into the key, because the two species inhabit northern Africa.
The New World species of the genus Ceratoculicoides Wirth & Ratanaworabhan are described, illustrated and keyed in both sexes. Ceratoculicoides borkenti sp. nov., C. confusus sp. nov., C. grogani sp. nov., C. pacificus sp. nov. and C. propinquus sp. nov. are described, with C. confusus being the first record of the genus from South America (Colombia). Ceratoculicoides blantoni is a junior synonym of C. virginianus and the identity of C. longipennis remains unclear as the male morphospecies associated in taxonomic literature with the female type series is not conspecific. A morphological phylogeny of all extant species in the genus is presented and characters discussed. The moravicus species group is recognized for a clade of species with the lateral margins of the aedeagus straight or concave.
The Cyrtodactylus irregularis group, originally considered to consist of only one taxon, has been split into 26 species. We herein present the distribution of all species within the group in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and describe two new species based on integrative analyses. Cyrtodactylus chumuensis sp. nov. is discovered from Dak Lak Province and distinguished from the remaining taxa by more than 11.86% genetic divergence and by the following distinct morphological characters: size medium (SVL 67.5 mm); enlarged femoral scales on each thigh 4–5, femoral pores 0–2 in males; precloacal pores 6–7 in males; ventral scale rows 43–45; lamellae under toe IV 17–21. Cyrtodactylus arndti sp. nov. is described from Binh Dinh Province and genetically differentiated from its congeners by a minimum of 11.42% and by the following characters: adult size medium (SVL 73.4–80.8 mm); enlarged femoral scales on each thigh 5–11; femoral pores 0–2 in males; 6 precloacal pores in males, females with 6 pitted precloacal pores; ventral scale rows 26–38; lamellae under toe IV 17–22; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged. Additionally, we highlight the potential cryptic diversity with the taxon currently regarded as C. pseudoquadrivirgatus and understudied areas in Vietnam where new species will likely be discovered.
Three new species of the bamboo-feeding genus Bambusiphaga Huang & Ding, 1979, B. parvula sp. nov., B. angulosa sp. nov., and B. nigrigena sp. nov., are described and illustrated from China. A key to species of the genus is provided. Habitus photos for adults and illustrations of male genitalia are also given.
The American species of Cosmetidae, in spite of being clearly distinguished in the older literature, were mixed-up by Roewer. This, aggravated by groundless synonymies done by Goodnight & Goodnight, prevented all subsequent authors from properly recognizing and adequately naming those species. Herein, we define and characterize the three most widespread species of Cosmetidae in the USA, explaining the misleading synonymies and misidentifications in the taxonomic literature. A recent phylogenetic analysis revalidated Libitioides Roewer, 1912 from the synonymy of Vonones Simon, 1879 to include three American species: Gonyleptes ornatum Say, 1821 (from southeastern USA), Cynorta sayi Simon, 1879 (from central-southern USA) and Cosmetus albolineatus Sørensen, 1884 (from eastern USA). Expanding on that, we herein aggregate another two species to Libitioides: Vonones modestus Banks, 1909 (from Cuba, herein revalidated from the synonymy of Libitioides ornata Roewer, 1912) and Libitioides scabrissima Roewer, 1912 (from Mexico, restored from the current combination with Vonones). The following subjective synonymies are proposed: (1) Platycynorta Mello-Leitão, 1933 and Denticynorta Roewer, 1947 = Libitioides; (2) Metacynorta denticus Walker, 1928 = Cosmetus albolineatus; (3) Platycynorta secunda Roewer, 1947 = Vonones modestus; (4) Libitioides ornata Roewer, 1912 and Cynorta (Cynorta) depressa Sørensen, 1932 = Cynorta sayi. Outside Libitioides, Cynorta bimaculata Banks, 1893, currently combined under Calicynorta Goodnight & Goodnight, 1943, and originally reported from California (due to a misinterpretation of label) has its type locality corrected as to be in Costa Rica instead and is transferred to Holovonones Roewer, 1912. Accordingly, Calicynorta is herein considered a junior subjective synonym of Holovonones Roewer, 1912. Platycynorta clavifemur Roewer, 1957 from Peru is newly combined under the genus Ambatoiella Mello-Leitão, 1943, otherwise known from Ecuador. The present analysis of the distributional data suggests that the occurrence of Cosmetidae is determined not directly by temperature, but by the absence of a dry season and the presence of a hot summer.
A new species of Laubierpholoe Pettibone, 1992 (Annelida, Sigalionidae), Laubierpholoe massiliana Zhadan sp. nov., was found in two submarine caves near Marseille (France). This is the first record of the genus in the Mediterranean Sea. The new species differs from congeners by inhabiting soft sediments instead of having an interstitial lifestyle and by several morphological characters: the ventral tentacular cirri slightly shorter or of similar length to the dorsal tentacular cirri, the presence of bidentate neurochaetae, the body length, and the number of segments. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA sequences confirmed that the new species belongs to the genus Laubierpholoe, as well as the monophyly of the genus. The ecology of the new species and its adaptation to the cave-dwelling lifestyle are discussed. An identification key for all known species of Laubierpholoe is provided.
Taxonomic history and review of the Förster genera of Platygastridae (Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea)
(2023)
Platygastridae is a ʻdark taxonʼ, with many genera and species in dire need of professional attention. The taxonomic impediment is especially severe in the Palearctic Platygastrinae due to the abundance of names with vague concepts. Historical descriptions and their associated type material must be examined and clarified before further revisionary work can occur. Arnold Förster described 18 genera of Platygastridae, most of which represent distinct and recognizable lineages. The present study reviews their taxonomic history, providing diagnostic remarks, English translations, and illustrations of important specimens from the Förster collection in the Natural History Museum Vienna. The collection also includes original exemplar specimens of European species whose types have been lost. Neotypes and lectotypes are designated from this material to improve nomenclatural stability in the group. Neotypes are designated for Amblyaspis forticornis (Nees, 1834), Isocybus grandis (Nees, 1834), Platygaster striolata Nees, 1834, and Trichacis tristis (Nees, 1834). Lectotypes are designated for Leptacis spinigera (Nees, 1834) comb. nov. and for Platygaster corvina Förster, 1861, with Platygaster henkvlugi Buhl, 1996 treated as a junior synonym. Platygaster mutica Nees, 1834 stat. rev., nomen dubium, is transferred from Synopeas.
Family Corethrellidae has a worldwide distribution with most known extant species occurring in the Neotropics, many with only the adult stages described. Despite previous efforts, one remaining problem in the taxonomy of Corethrellidae is the challenge of delimiting species due to the current range of morphological characters included in descriptions to date. This paper discusses additional morphological evidence to distinguish species and their phylogenetic relationships. Together with fresh samples collected in Bahia, the only state in the Northeast Region with records of corethrellids, and slide-mounted specimens from other regions, five new species are described: Corethrella pindorama sp. nov., C. patasho sp. nov., C. fuscifimbria sp. nov. and C. unifasciata sp. nov. based on female adults; and C. bifida sp. nov. based on male and female adults, and larval and pupal exuviae. We also provide complementary descriptions comprising the novel characters for 33 previously described species, including the immature stages of nine. Fifteen species are newly recorded for Bahia and the Northeast Region, of which two are new records for Brazil. Additionally, we provide remarks about the biology of species, an updated list of species recorded in Brazil and an updated taxonomic key of New World species, modified from Borkent (2008).
Mosquito species belonging to the genus Aedes have attracted the interest of scientists and public health officers for their invasive species traits and efficient capacity of transmitting viruses affecting humans. Some of these species were brought outside their native range by human activities such as trade and tourism, and colonised new regions thanks to a unique combination of eco-physiological traits.
Considering mosquito physiological and behavioural traits to understand and predict the spatial and temporal population dynamics is thus a crucial step to develop strategies to mitigate the local densities of invasive Aedes populations.
Here, we synthesised the life cycle of four invasive Aedes species (Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus) in a single multi-scale stochastic modelling framework which we coded in the R package dynamAedes. We designed a stage-based and time-discrete stochastic model driven by temperature, photo-period and inter-specific larval competition that can be applied to three different spatial scales: punctual, local and regional. These spatial scales consider different degrees of spatial complexity and data availability, by accounting for both active and passive dispersal of mosquito species as well as for the heterogeneity of the input temperature data.
Our overarching aim was to provide a flexible, open-source and user-friendly tool rooted in the most updated knowledge on species biology which could be applied to the management of invasive Aedes populations as well as for more theoretical ecological inquiries.
Animals extract behaviorally relevant signals from “noisy” environments. To investigate signal extraction, echolocating provides a rich system testbed. For orientation, bats broadcast calls and assign each echo to the corresponding call. When orienting in acoustically enriched environments or when approaching targets, bats change their spectro-temporal call design. Thus, to assess call adjustments that are exclusively meant to facilitate signal extraction in “noisy” environments, it is necessary to control for distance-dependent call changes. By swinging bats in a pendulum, we tested the influence of acoustic playback on the echolocation behavior of Carollia perspicillata. This paradigm evokes reproducible orientation behavior and allows a precise definition of the influence of the acoustic context. Our results show that bats dynamically switch between different adaptations to cope with sound-based navigation in acoustically contaminated environments. These dynamics of echolocation behavior may explain the large variety of adaptations that have been reported in the bat literature.
Enicospilus Stephens, 1835 is the largest genus of subfamily Ophioninae (Ichneumonidae) with more than 700 extant species worldwide that are mostly nocturnal and parasitoids of larvae of Lepidoptera. In this paper, the Vietnamese species of Enicospilus are reviewed for the first time. Of the total 82 recorded species, 10 species are described as new: E. aequiscleritalis sp. nov., E. bulbipennis sp. nov., E. centraliscleritiger sp. nov., E. circuliscleritalis sp. nov., E. gialaiensis sp. nov., E. hiepi sp. nov., E. melanothoracicus sp. nov., E. nigristernalis sp. nov., E. trui sp. nov., and E. tuani sp. nov. Fifty-two species are recorded for the first time from the country: E. abdominalis (Szépligeti, 1906), E. acutus Shimizu, 2020, E. argus Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. atoponeus Cushman, 1947, E. bacillaris Wang, 1997, E. bakerielli Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. bifasciatus (Uchida, 1928), E. biharensis Townes, Townes & Gupta, 1961, E. concentralis Cushman, 1937, E. corculus (Tosquinet, 1903), E. dasychirae Cameron, 1905, E. eastopi Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. enicospilus Nikam, 1972, E. exaggeratus Chiu, 1954, E. fittoni Nikam, 1980, E. flavocephalus (Kirby, 1900), E. formosensis (Uchida, 1928), E. fusiformis Chiu, 1954, E. gasteralis Nikam, 1980, E. grandis (Cameron, 1905), E. hamatus Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. hedilis Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. iapetus Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. insinuator (Smith, 1860), E. ixion Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. javanus (Szépligeti, 1910), E. laqueatus (Enderlein, 1921), E. longitarsis Tang, 1990, E. mythrus Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. nathani Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. nigribasalis (Uchida, 1928), E. nigristigma Cushman, 1937, E. nigriventris Nikam, 1975, E. nigronotatus Cameron, 1903, E. nigropectus Cameron, 1905, E. pallidistigma Cushman, 1937, E. pantanae Tang, 1990, E. pinguivena (Enderlein, 1921), E. pseudoconspersae (Sonan, 1927), E. purifenestratus (Enderlein, 1921), E. rhetus Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. riukiuensis (Matsumura & Uchida, 1926), E. sauteri (Enderlein, 1921), E. selmatos Chiu, 1954, E. strigilatus Tang, 1990, E. teleus Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. transversus Chiu, 1954, E. tripartitus Chiu, 1954, E. urus Gauld & Mitchell, 1981, E. verticinus (Roman, 1913), E. yonezawanus (Uchida, 1928), and E. zebrus Gauld & Mitchell, 1981. A key to all Vietnamese species of Enicospilus is provided.
The species of Aphaniosoma Becker, 1903 described from Egypt by Collin in 1949 are reviewed and lectotypes designated for Aphaniosoma creperum Collin, 1949, A. fissum Collin, 1949, A. lamellatum Collin, 1949 and A. sodalis Collin, 1949. All species known from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East are reviewed, with annotations, distributions and a key to species. The following 19 species are described as new and illustrated: A. acitergum sp. nov., A. aegyptium sp. nov., A. angulitergum sp. nov., A. captiosum sp. nov., A. cristatum sp. nov., A. curvistylus sp. nov., A. daedalum sp. nov., A. denticulosum sp. nov., A. flavipyga sp. nov., A. freidbergi sp. nov., A. interispina sp. nov., A. kravchenkoi sp. nov., A. longilingua sp. nov., A. lucidum sp. nov., A. meltseri sp. nov., A. miricercus sp. nov., A. palestinense sp. nov., A. praeditum sp. nov. and A. yaromi sp. nov. Biology and ecology are commented upon.
Molluscs are the second most species-rich phylum in the animal kingdom, yet only eleven genomes of this group have been published so far. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of the pulmonate freshwater snail Radix auricularia. Six whole genome shotgun libraries with different layouts were sequenced. The resulting assembly comprises 4,823 scaffolds with a cumulative length of 910 Mb and an overall read coverage of 72x. The assembly contains 94.6 % of a metazoan core gene collection, indicating an almost complete coverage of the coding fraction. The discrepancy of ~690 Mb compared to the estimated genome size of R. auricularia (1.6 Gb) results from a high repeat content of 70 % mainly comprising DNA transposons. The annotation of 17,338 protein coding genes was supported by the use of publicly-available transcriptome data. This draft will serve as starting point for further genomic and population genetic research in this scientifically important phylum.
Molluscs are the second most species-rich phylum in the animal kingdom, yet only 11 genomes of this group have been published so far. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of the pulmonate freshwater snail Radix auricularia. Six whole genome shotgun libraries with different layouts were sequenced. The resulting assembly comprises 4,823 scaffolds with a cumulative length of 910 Mb and an overall read coverage of 72×. The assembly contains 94.6% of a metazoan core gene collection, indicating an almost complete coverage of the coding fraction. The discrepancy of ∼690 Mb compared with the estimated genome size of R. auricularia (1.6 Gb) results from a high repeat content of 70% mainly comprising DNA transposons. The annotation of 17,338 protein coding genes was supported by the use of publicly available transcriptome data. This draft will serve as starting point for further genomic and population genetic research in this scientifically important phylum.