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The present study focuses on the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Fauna of natural running waters and semi-natural stagnant waters of Himalayan region and Lowlands in the Ganges River Basin. Habitat quality assessment using three different biotic scores was applied for 32 sampling sites of running waters and 26 sampling sites of stagnant waters. Benthic Macroinvertebrates were used as bio-indicators. Calculation of water quality was done based on a recently established five-class system, to describe the degree of organic pollution. Sampling localities are covering all longitudinal biocoenotic zones and lateral zones to include the traditionally well defined types of running and stagnant waters of altitudinal range from 54- to 2480 m asl. The impact of natural organic load was studied to describe the variation of Ecological quality classes within different eco-regions. Ecological quality was defined as a result of the water quality class together with the eco-morphology status of the water body. Class I (Excellent) is present only in spring-near headwaters of forested areas or in running waters coming from higher elevations between 490 to 2500 m asl. Class II (Good) and III (Moderate) is the normal reference condition for lowlands and the Gangetic plains. Wetlands, oxbow-lakes and "old" ponds have usually class II or III, independent from the grade of forests due to natural organic load accumulated during monsoon flood. Water quality undergoes seasonal changes from III (moderate) in pre-monsoon to II (good) during and after monsoon. The highest diversity with >30-42 identified taxa per sampling site (Class I) was found in the Rhithron zone of densely forested parts of Nepal, followed with >20-30 identified taxa by the Metapotamon zone (Class II, III) of large rivers in the Gangetic Plains of India. In stagnant water bodies the maximum diversity reaches >30-76 identified taxa (Class II, III) in Nepal and Maharashtra between 197-1170 m asl, whereas the floodplain wetland diversity reaches only 27 taxa (Class III). The proposed use of selected Insect-groups as bio-indicators for Lowlands and Middle Mountains includes colored illustrated catalogue of Dragonflies (Odonata), Bugs (Heteroptera), and Cockroaches (Blattodea). 12 families with 31 taxa of Odonata Nymphs, 14 families with 27 taxa of Heteroptera Nymphs and Adults, one family with two taxa of Blattodea Nymphs and Adults are described and figured with identification characters and ecological habitat observations. This will be the first key based on material mainly from Nepal and India for the Ganges River Basin.
This is the first English edition of Tamara Mcheidze's monograph on the spiders of Georgia (Mcheidze 1997; in alternative transliteration: Mkheidze 1997), containing taxonomic, faunistic and ecological information on 362 spider species recorded by T. Mcheidze in Georgia between the 1920s and 1992. The English edition resembles the original text, with a preface, taxonomic comments and a part with supplementary information on the locations, a location map and an index provided by the editor.
Surveys during the summer of 2004 and August 2009 on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, USA resulted in collection of 1064 adult spiders representing 84 species. Barcoding of spiders collected in 2009 resulted in DNA barcode data for 212 specimens representing 63 species. DNA barcode data were then used to facilitate the identification of otherwise unidentifiable juvenile and female specimens as well as to investigate phylogenetically four lineages with large branch lengths between specimens. Using morphological and DNA barcode identifications provided a more complete list of identified specimens than was possible using morphological data alone.
Larvae of thirty one species of antlions (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) belonging to eleven genera live in the protection of cave mouths or large rock overhangs in Australia. New taxa proposed here include the following three new genera: Australeon, Newleon, Speleon. The following twelve new species are described: Froggattisca kakadu; Froggattisca rennerensis; Newleon fragilis; Speleon cavernicolus; Speleon pilliga; Speleon yallingup; Stenoleon xanthopsis; Xantholeon cavernicolus; Xantholeon kakadu; Xantholeon newi; Xantholeon pallens; Xantholeon pentlandensis. Two cave species are transferred into a new genus becoming new combinations: Australeon illustris (Gerstaecker), Australeon manselli (New and Matsura). The small non-cave species previously placed in Stenoleon Tillyard are transferred to Bandidus Navás, becoming B. gradostriatus (New), B. copleyensis (New), B. grandithecus (New), and B. navasi (New), new combinations. All known species of six genera (Stenoleon Tillyard, Xantholeon Tillyard, Eophanes Banks and three new genera) are known only in cave mouths. Also, species of Heoclisis Navás, Froggattisca Esben Petersen, Glenoleon Banks, Heoclisis Navás and Myrmeleon Linnaeus contain species living in cave mouths. Two main types of caves are found in Australia; those with loose organic material and those with loose inorganic material. The cave habitat is divided into four zones and several subzones. Many species are restricted to one zone or another but species of Stenoleon may overlap zones. Discussions of the species and some of their biological requirements are provided. One new parasite record is given, an undetermined species of Echthrobacella Girault (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) reared from the larvae of Speleon yallingup Miller and Stange. Diagnoses or descriptions are given for all of these cave species including distributional data. Keys to the cave mouth inhabiting antlions of Australia (adults and larvae) are provided including a revised key to the Xantholeon Tillyard.
We provide an illustrated list of species belonging to the genus Symmachia Hübner, [1819] (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Symmachiini) collected during an expedition conducted between September 10-21, 2011 in the northern part of the Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, Acre, Brazil, a remote region of Amazon rainforest. A total of 46 individuals were collected belonging to 15 species. For all recorded species, drawings of male genitalia and behavioral information are provided to support future studies on the taxonomy of the group. A new species, Symmachia divisora Dolibaina and Leite, sp. nov., is described, and a revised status for Symmachia hetaerina hesione Stichel, 1910, stat. rev., is proposed.
The genus Gromphas Brullé (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) comprises four species, of which G. aeruginosa (Perty) and G. amazonica Bates are known to occur in Peru. This paper presents a revised description of Gromphas as well as illustrated diagnoses and distributional and ecological data on the Peruvian species.
The species of the "modestus" group of the genus Psalidognathus Gray (Cerambycidae: Prioninae) (currently with four species and three subspecies), which are recognized mainly by the antennomeres without apical spines, are studied. Psalidognathus thomsoni Lameere, 1885 is revalidated as a species distinct from P. modestus Fries, 1833. Psalidognathus erythrocerus reichei Quentin and Villiers, 1983 and P. erythrocerus pubescens Quentin and Villiers, 1983 are considered as different species from P. erythrocerus Reiche, 1840. Psalidognathus colombianus Demelt, 1989 and Psalidognathus modestus chocoensis Salazar, 2005 are synonymized with P. modestus, syn. nov. Psalidognathus rufescens, although belonging to “friendii” group, is redescribed and some remarks are added. Species redescribed: P. erythrocerus; P. modestus; P. reichei; P. rufescens; P. onorei Quentin and Villiers, 1983; and P. thomsoni. Psalidognathus cerberus sp. nov. is described from Colombia and Ecuador. A provisional key is provided to males of species of "modestus" group.
The tribe Krisnini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is presently known in the New World from three species from Puerto Rico and one species from Dominican Amber, all described in the Old World genus Krisna Baker. The three species from Puerto Rico are being placed in Lipokrisna, new genus, with Krisna insularis Oman as the type species, becoming Lipokrisna insularis (Oman), new combination. The other species in this genus are L. montana (Caldwell) and L. aesta (DeLong) both new combinations. The one species from Dominican amber is placed in the Genus Archiokrisna, new genus, with Krisna garciamarquezi Dietrich as the type species, becoming Archiokrisna garciamarquezi (Dietrich), new combination. The genus, Neokrisna, new genus, is described for six new species from the Dominican Republic, with Neokrisna oncora, new species, as the type species. The other new species in the genus are N. breva, N. decliva, N. libera, N. longula, and N. stena. A key to the species of Neokrisna is included. The three genera are compared with each other and the old World genus Krisna.
Based on two “uni-ocellate” females, the world’s first introductions of the milliped order Stemmiulida are recorded from Florida, United States (US). One individual was collected in 1976 in Gainesville, Alachua County (Co.)., in northcentral peninsular Florida, and the other was taken in 1991 some 408 km (255 mi) to the south-southeast in Pompano Beach, Broward Co. The absence of further individuals and additional samples suggests that the introductions did not result in viable populations, and stemmiulidans are not presently established in the state; the Gainesville site was reinvestigated in 2012 without finding additional specimens. New records from Mexico include the first from Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Yucatan, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas states, with the northernmost ordinal locality now becoming Rancho del Cielo, northwest of Gómez Farias, in the last. A northward range expansion of about 460 km (288 mi) from the previous limit, Xalapa, Veracruz, the site lies a mere 40 km (25 mi) south of the Tropic of Cancer and only some 320 km (200 mi) south of the Rio Grande and the US border at McAllen, Hidalgo Co., Texas. Indigenous Stemmiulida are not expected in the forested Rio Grande Valley of southernmost Texas, but their occurrence in the adjoining Mexican state renders such a discovery more plausible than before.
Touroultia, a new genus of Onciderini Thomson, 1860 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) is described and illustrated. Five new species of Onciderini are also described and illustrated: Jamesia ramirezi from Costa Rica; Peritrox marcelae from French Guiana; Touroultia swifti from Ecuador; Touroultia lordi from French Guiana; Trestoncideres santossilvai from Brazil. Keys to the known species of Peritrox Bates, 1865; Touroultia gen. nov.; and Trestoncideres Martins and Galileo, 1990 are provided. The following new synonymies are proposed: Calliphenges Waterhouse, 1880 (Colobotheini) = Malthonea Thomson, 1864 (Desmiphorini); Paraclytemnestra Breuning, 1974 (Onciderini) = Jamesia Jekel, 1861 (Onciderini); Orteguaza Lane, 1958 (Apomecynini) = Clavidesmus Dillon and Dillon, 1946 (Onciderini). The following new combinations are proposed: Clavidesmus funerarius (Lane, 1958) (Onciderini); Clavidesmus lichenigerus (Lane, 1958) (Onciderini); Ischiocentra insulata (Rodrigues and Mermudes, 2011); Malthonea cuprascens (Waterhouse, 1880) (Desmiphorini); Touroultia obscurella (Bates, 1865) (Onciderini). The following species is restored to original combination: Jamesia lineata Fisher, 1926 (Onciderini). The following 13 new country records are reported: Ataxia hovorei Lingafelter and Nearns, 2007 (Pteropliini) (Haiti); Carterica soror Belon, 1896 (Colobotheini) (Ecuador); Colobothea lunulata Lucas, 1859 (Colobotheini) (Colombia); Curius punctatus (Fisher, 1932) (Curiini) (Haiti); Cyclopeplus lacordairei Thomson, 1868 (Anisocerini) (Colombia); Iarucanga mimica (Bates, 1866) (Hemilophini) (Ecuador); Pirangoclytus latithorax (Martins and Galileo, 2008) (Clytini) (Costa Rica); Porangonycha princeps (Bates, 1872) (Hemilophini) (Colombia); Trestonia lateapicata Martins and Galileo, 2010 (Onciderini) (Brazil); Tulcus dimidiatus (Bates, 1865) (Onciderini) (Colombia); Unaporanga cincta Martins and Galileo, 2007 (Hemilophini) (Colombia); Zeale dubia Galileo and Martins, 1997 (Hemilophini) (Colombia); Zonotylus interruptus (Olivier, 1790) (Trachyderini) (Colombia).
The known distribution of a rarely collected omethid, Omethes marginatus LeConte (Coleoptera), includes Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Collection and ecological notes on recent collections in Arkansas, Indiana, and Virginia are presented.
A new species of Culcua Walker (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), C. lingafelteri Woodley, new species, is described from northern Vietnam. It is diagnosed relative to other species using the recent revision of the genus by Rozkošný and Kozánek (2007). This is the first species of Culcua reported from Vietnam.
A comprehensive revision of the Subfamily Parandrinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from the Afrotropical Region is presented. Two new genera are described: Adlbauerandra and Meridiandra. The known species from the Afrotropical Region are excluded from Parandra Latreille, 1802, which resulted in the following new combinations: Acutandra beninensis (Murray, 1862), A. comoriana (Fairmaire, 1895), A. gabonica (Thomson, 1858), Adlbauerandra morettoi (Adlbauer, 2004) and Meridiandra capicola (Thomson, 1861). Eighteen new species are described: Acutandra amieti, A. barclayi, A. camiadei, A. dasilvai, A. delahayei, A. gaetani, A. garnieri, A. grobbelaarae, A. hugoi, A. jolyi, A. leduci, A. leonardi, A. lucasi, A. noellae, A. oremansi, A. plenevauxae, A. quentini, and A. vingerhoedti. The species Parandra comoriana Fairmaire, 1895 is revalidated and a lectotype is designated. Parandra beninensis Murray, 1862 and Parandra conradti Kolbe, 1893 are revalidated. A lectotype is designated for Parandra gabonica Thomson, 1858 as the designation by Quentin and Villiers (1975) was considered as invalid. Keys are presented to separate genera and all species of African Parandrinae from each other. Illustrations are provided for all the species including many special characters used in the keys.
Snoqualmia, new genus, is described for two species of polydesmid millipeds from the northwestern
United States: Snoqualmia snoqualmie, new species, from Washington State, and S. idaho, new species,
from Idaho. Males of S. idaho possess unusually complex gonopods, perhaps the most complex to be found in the Order
Polydesmida. Snoqualmia is placed in context with other polydesmid genera known from North America. The
polydesmid fauna of North America is discussed, as well as characters of the gonopods of the family.
Recent fieldwork on North Andros Island by the authors resulted in the collection of six species of Pterophoridae
(Lepidoptera), five of which were previously unrecorded for the Bahamas in published accounts. Three
additional species are noted for the Bahamian fauna based on specimens collected in the 1980s on other islands.
Representative specimens are illustrated from North Andros along with genitalic images for species where these
are not readily available in other publications. In addition, images of the larva and pupa are provided for a reared
species for which the life history was previously unknown.
Lumbrineris is restricted and redefined, and species are redescribed based upon type materials. The generic diagnostic features are chaetae of three types: simple and compound multidentate hooded
hooks, and limbate chaetae; the maxillary apparatus is labidognath with five pairs of maxillae,
maxillae II are as long as maxillae I with wide connecting plate slightly developed along the base of maxillae n. Lumbrineris, as herein redefined includes L. albifrons, L. amboinensis, L. aniara, L.
annulata, L. californiensis, L. cingulata, L. coccinea, L. crosnieri sp. nov., L. cruzensis, L.
floridana, L. futilis , L. grandis, L. higuchiae sp. nov., L, imajimai sp. nov., L, index, L, indica sp. nov., L. inflata, L. inhacea, L,japonica, L, kerguelensis, L. knoxi sp. nov., L. latreilli, L. limieola, L. magalhaensis, L. mustaquimi sp. nov., L. nasuta, L, nishii sp. nov., L. nonatoi, L, oeulata, L. oxyehaeta, L. pallida, L, paucidentata, L. perkinsi, L. reunionensis sp. nov., L. setosa, L. vanhoeffeni. The taxonomic status of 21 other species originally described as Lumbrineris is discussed. A key to all valid species is included.
In a series of excellent studies, DENNIS and co-workers, 1962, have described a new method for left heart bypass without thoracotomy. A cannula was placed in the left atrium via the superior caval vein and the right atrium, according to a method described by BEVEGARD et al., 1960, where the atrial septum is punctured with a needle from the superior vena cava. DENNIS et al. used a manually regulated roller pump for the left heart bypass. ...
Revision of the millipede family Andrognathidae in the Nearctic region (Diplopoda, Platydesmida)
(1975)
Colonies of up to 30 cats, Felis catus, which were partially dependent upon man for direct provisioning with food, were recorded on 82% of 775 English farms. They lived at a mean density of 6.3 per km2. Members of one such colony were observed intermittently from 1978-81. These cats' ranging, foraging and scent marking behaviours are described briefly as a background to observations of their social interactions. The adult male's home range was 83 ha, whereas those of three adult females averaged 13.1 (SD 7.2) ha. The cats visited the observation barn independently of each other. When in the barn each cat differed in how it positioned itself with respect to the others. Furthermore, the cats' social relationships were structured by differences in the numbers, rates and types of interactions with one another. Some individuals were classed as net initiators of interactions, whereas others were net recipients. The tendency to rub the perioral and cheek regions of the face on another cat was the clearest single indicator of initiator status. Kittens were initiators to adults, females to the adult male, and some adult females were initiators to others. On average, each adult female in the colony rubbed on another once every 25.3 h. Behaviour within the colony was generally amicable, whereas towards outsiders it was aggressive. All adult females in the colony gave birth to kittens each year, and used communal nests. Females tended, groomed and nursed kittens other than their own, and cooperated with each other during parturition. Although a female might nurse certain kittens preferentially, these preferences were not necessarily for her own kitten. The frequency with which a female nursed a kitten and the frequency with which it rubbed on her were positively correlated. A case of infanticide, when an unrelated adult male killed kittens, is described, together with circumstantial reports indicating that this incident was not unique. Farm cat society appears to be structured centripetally, with interactions flowing predominantly from socially (and, sometimes, spatially) peripheral individuals to socially central ones.
The beetle fauna of the island of Barbados is summarized. It is now known to contain 202 genera, and 254 species (in 40 families), of which 232 are named at the species level. Undoubtedly, the actual numbers of species on Barbados are much higher than now known. Nine species are possibly endemic to the island, 15 have been intentionally introduced, and 51 have probably been accidentally introduced through human activity. The remaining 157 named species may occur naturally as a result of natural over-water dispersal processes. These species mostly have a wide distribution in the Antilles and Latin America. The total named fauna is thus about 72% naturally occurring, and 28% the result of human-aided dispersal.
Review of the Natural History of the Handsome Fungus Beetles (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Endomychidae)
(2009)
The literature pertaining to natural history of Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) is reviewed. One hundred fungal host records are provided for 32 endomychid species. Twenty-three records of endomychid yeast endosymbionts are compiled. Summaries are also presented for feeding preferences, interactions with natural enemies, non-lethal symbiotic relationships, and pest activity within the family. Unusual endomychid behaviors and habitats are reviewed, with particular attention to gregariousness and defensive strategies within Endomychidae.
Two samples of the chordeumatidan family Rhiscosomididae (Rhiscosomides mineri Silvestri, 1909) and 35 of the Conotylidae establish these taxa in the Alexander Archipelago and continental parts of the Alaskan Panhandle, USA, and northern coastal British Columbia (BC), Canada. Rhiscosomides mineri is also recorded from southwestern BC and, for the first time, from Washington State, USA. Two conotylids were recovered, a juvenile male of ?Bollmanella Chamberlin, 1941, and 3 males and 33 females of a possibly parthenogenetic form of Taiyutyla Chamberlin, 1952, conforming generally to T. shawi and T. lupus, both by Shear, 2004, on Vancouver Island. Diplopoda are predicted to inhabit the southern Yukon Territory.
This study provides a species-level phylogeny and morphological characterization for the Neotropical brassoline genus Dasyophthalma Westwood, 1851. A revised generic definition is given, and two species groups are proposed. Diagnoses and illustrations of habitus and genitalia are provided for all species. Wing color, male scent organs, and male and female genitalic morphology are characterized and discussed.
Identification of caddisfly specimens from Vietnam collected by scientific field staff of the Royal Ontario Museum and the American Museum of Natural History revealed 19 new country records. All but one species were reported from other Oriental region countries, particularly Thailand and Indonesia. However, Goera kawamotonis Kobayashi 1987 was only known from the East Palaearctic region (Japan and Russian Far East). The total number of species now recorded from Vietnam is 400.
The New World euparine scarab genera Parataenius Balthasar, 1961 and Pseudataenius Brown, 1927 are revised. Ataenius brunneus Schmidt is transferred to the genus Parataenius becoming Parataenius brunneus (Schmidt), new combination. The monospecific genus Ataenioides Petrovitz, 1973, is synonymized with Pseudataenius Brown, 1927, (new synonymy) and the type species, Ataenioides gracilitarsis Petrovitz, is given the new combination Pseudataenius gracilitarsis (Petrovitz). New species of Parataenius are described from southern South America: Parataenius selvae, P. estero, and P. martinezi. Keys for species of both genera are presented and pertinent morphological details are illustrated.
Based on a study of the characters used to define it, the genus Euphoriopsis Casey is placed in synonymy with Euphoria Burmeister. Euphoria punicea Janson is placed in synonymy with Euphoria steinheili Janson. Morphological characters supporting the synonymies, and the species' distributions and biological data are reviewed.
We document the presence of Larra bicolor Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in 46 of Florida's 67 counties. The species is represented by two stocks. The first (released in 1981) originated in Pará, Brazil, but was obtained from Puerto Rico, and became established in Broward County in southern Florida. The second (released in 1988) originated in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and became established in Alachua County in northern Florida. The Bolivian stock, aided by additional satellite releases from Alachua County, is now widely distributed. The species probably occupies all counties in central and northern Florida, but may yet be absent from some southern counties. Introduction was made for classical biological control of invasive mole crickets.
The genus Haroldiataenius Chalumeau, 1981 (Aphodiinae: Eupariini) from southern United States, Mexico, and Central America is revised and nine species are recognized. The subgeneric name Sayloria Chalumeau, 1981 is synonymized with Haroldiataenius (sensu stricto) and Ataenius sabinoi Cartwright, 1974 is synonymized with A. lucanus Horn, 1871. Five species are transferred to Haroldiataenius from the genus Ataenius Harold creating the following new combinations: H. convexus (Robinson), H. griffini (Cartwright), H. lucanus (Horn), H. saramari (Cartwright), and H. semipilosus (Van Dyke). One new species,Haroldiataenius buvexus is described from Texas, USA. A key to species of Haroldiataenius is included and pertinent morphological details are illustrated.
The Oryctini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) is a large tribe of worldwide distribution with approximately 26 genera and 230 species. Fourteen genera and 113 species are found in the Neotropical region. Knowledge of the tribe in the Neotropics is fragmentary, necessitating further studies that address taxonomy, biology, and geographical distribution patterns. This study surveyed the Oryctini of the Brazilian Amazon. The composition of the group in the study area consisted of 7 genera, 18 species and 2 subspecies found in 7 states, 91 municipal districts, and approximately 167 specific localities. States with larger number of species are Amazonas and Pará, with 17 and 13 species respectively. Heterogomphus eteocles Burmeister, Heterogomphus aidoneus (Perty), Heterogomphus telamon Burmeister, Megaceras crassum Prell, and Megaceras laevipenne Prell are reported for the first time from the study area. Megaceras laevipenne is reported for the first time from Brazil. The taxonomy, descriptions, distribution maps, and biological and ecological data are provided for all species. A character analysis is provided as well as an identification key for all oryctine species that occur in the Brazilian Amazon.
Classificatory changes are made for some taxa of New World Melolonthinae based on the examination of specimens (including type specimens) and a reevaluation of some of the characters used to justify previous classification decisions. Blepharotoma angustata (Blanchard) (new combination) is transferred from the genus Aplodema Blanchard. The Neotropical members of the genus Heteronyx Guérin-Méneville are transferred to the genus Blepharotoma resulting in the following new combinations: Blepharotoma boliviana (Moser), Blepharotoma corumbana (Moser), Blepharotoma cuyabana (Moser), Blepharotoma heynei (Moser), and Blepharotoma schencklingi (Moser). The genus Blepharotoma is transferred from the tribe Liparetrini to the tribe Sericoidini. The genus Aplodema and the junior synonym Haplodema Harold are transferred from the tribe Liparetrini to the tribe Sericoidini and synonymized with the genus Sericoides Guérin-Méneville. Sericoides magellanica (Blanchard) (new combination) is transferred from the genus Aplodema and placed as a senior synonym of Apterodema acuticollis Fairmaire (new synonymy). Ampliodactylus (new genus) is described for two southern South American species: Ampliodactylus marmoratus (Curtis) (new combination) and Ampliodactylus vestitus (Philippi) (new combination). The genus Chremastodus Solier is placed in synonymy with the genus Macrodactylus Dejean (Macrodactylini) and Chremastodus pubescens Solier is placed as a junior synonym of Macrodactylus chilensis Solier (new synonymy). Macrodactylus crassipes Philippi and Macrodactylus nigrinus Philippi are placed as junior synonyms of Macrodactylus farinosus Philippi (new synonymies). The genus Astaenosiagum Martínez is placed in synonymy with the genus Pristerophora Harold (Macrodactylini). Pristerophora longipes (Philippi) (new combination) is transferred from the genus Astaenosiagum and Schizochelus ursulus Philippi is placed as a junior synonym of this species (new synonymy). Pristerophora paulseni (new species) is described. Pristerophora picipennis (Solier) is placed as a senior synonym of Schizochelus breviventris Philippi (new synonymy) and Schizochelus serratus Philippi (new synonymy). Pusiodactylus (new genus) is described for two southern South American species: Pusiodactylus mondacai (new species) and Pusiodactylus flavipennis (Philippi) (new combination). The genus Paulosawaya Martínez and D'Andretta is placed in synonymy with the genus Clavipalpus Laporte (Macrodactylini) resulting in the new combination Clavipalpus ornatissima (Martínez and D'Andretta). The following replacement names are proposed for three junior secondary homonyms the genus Plectris LePeletier and Serville: Plectris evansi (new name) for Plectris cinerascens Moser (junior secondary homonym of Plectris cinerascens (Blanchard)), Plectris katovichi (new name) for Plectris bonariensis Frey (junior secondary homonym of Plectris bonariensis (Bruch)), and Plectris tacoma (new name) for Plectris comata (Blanchard) (junior secondary homonym of Plectris comata (Blanchard)).
New Phycitiplex Porter (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Subandean Desert in northwest Argentina
(2008)
Six new species of Phycitiplex (P. obscurior, P. tricinctus, P. unicinctus, P. peralta, P. trichroma, and P. lepidus) are described from material taken by Malaise trap in a humid ravine at Santa Vera Cruz in the Subandean Desert (Monte) of La Rioja Province (Argentina). These are keyed along with several closely related described species. Except for P. eremnus from central Chile, this genus is known only from the semiarid Chaco and Subandean biogeographic provinces in the northern half of Argentina. The only available host record is of Phycitiplex doddi (Cushman) reared from larvae of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), a phycitid moth that attacks prickly pear cacti.
1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 Aim of project .To compare the abundance of invertebrate and weed seed food resources available to birds on orzanic and conventional farmland. The objective of the studv was to assess accurately the likely benefit of these farming systems to birds feeding on farrn'land, by sampling invertebrates and weed seeds. 1.1.2 Factors implicit to achieving the project aims Variation between farms within one system could influence' invertebrate or weed seed abundance and bias results, To minimise such effects and provide results 'representative of the farming systems as a whole, sampling was based on an extensive approach; farms were sampled in groups. The inference that either of the farming systems is beneficial to feeding birds is dependent on: (i) prior knowledge of the relevance of a particular invertebrate or seed as a food-source: evidence (ii) that this foodsource is present in sufficient abundance and (iii) that the food-source is readily accessible, The methodology described below was refined to address these criteria. 1.1.3 Methodology Sampling concentrated on cereal crops, with an additional comparison of organic grass ley fields at a limited number of sites. Sampling initially consisted of sucking invertebrates from the crop using a vacuum insect net and extraction from soil cores. To aid the interpretation of results from this sampling, it was decided that more information was required on the diet of birds. This was achieved by analysing faecal sacs for undigested fragments of invertebrates that therefore represented a dietary component. Skylark chick faecal sacs were chosen for analysis as this was the key species for the intensive ornithological studies and samples could be taken during routine fieldwork. As a result of this study, the main invertebrate sampling technique was changed to pitfall traps, since this was a superior method for assessing those invertebrates found to be important food-sources. It was also anticipated that pitfall trapping would provide more accurate estimates of invertebrate availability, with greater numbers per sample, than the previous two techniques. Studies of weed seed food resources consisted of field surveys using a quadrat to assess the presence and abundance of species, and the use of a small hand held suction machine to suck seeds from post-harvest stubble. The interpretation of the results emphasised the aspects of the ecology of species known to be food-sources that might influence their availability to birds. 1.2 Soil core and vacuum samples 1.2.1 Significantly more dipteran immature stages and Coleoptera were found in soil cores on organic grass ley fields and significantly more earthworms on organic cereal fields than conventional cereal fields. Earthworms and dipteran larvae such as tipulids are known to be important food-sources for birds that specialize in soil invertebrates. 1.2.2 Total numbers of invertebrates trapped by both methods did not differ significantly between the two farming systems. Significantly more invertebrates were trapped, however, by both methods on organic grass ley fields than either conventional or organic cereals. 1.2.3 Significantly more Staphylinidae tCol.), especially the species Tachyporus hypnorum, were found on conventional fields, The relevance of this species as a food-source is, however, doubtful. 1.2.4 The weevil Sitona lineatus and the carabid Demetrias atricapillus were found in significantly greater numbers on organic fields. The former may constitute a food-source for skylarks, which have been shown to feed on this insect under laboratory conditions. 1.3 Faecal sac analysis 1.3.1 Carabid beetles were an important component of skylark chick diet, forming 47 % of identifications. In some cases it was possible to identify the species present. 1.3.2 Coleoptera, other than carabids, from the families Elateridae, Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae and Staphylinidae were identified as food-sources. 1.3.3 Spiders and tipul ids were also important components. 1.3.4 Reservations are expressed that the technique may under-represent soft-bodied invertebrates, which are susceptible to complete digestion by skylark chicks. 1.4 Pitfall trap samples 1.4.1 Twelve key species of carabid beetles were analysed. of which five cornmon species were trapped in significantly greater numbers on organic farms. These were Pterostichus melanarius (the dominant species captured), Pterostichus madidus, Harpalus affinis, Harpalus rufipes and Nebria brevi collis. The other species analysed showed no significant variance between farming systems. 1.4.2 Williams' Index of Diversity was significantly greater for conventional fields, although caution is expressed over the reliability of this result due to the small sample size of species. 1.5 Botanical studies 1.5.1 The abundance of weed plants in quadrats was significantly greater on organic fields. 1.5.2 The abundance of weed seeds was not significantly different between farming systems. However, the relative proportions of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous seeds in samples differed between farming systems. A larger proportion of the seeds from organic fields were dicotyledonous and from conventional fields were monocotyledonous. 1.5.3 Preliminary examination of the size of plants and the number of seeds produced suggested that those on organic fields may have been nitrogen deficient. 1.5.4 Weed species were significantly more diverse on organic fields. although diversity has less relevance to bird feeding than abundance. 1.6 Proposals for future work 1.6.1 Replication of the pitfall trapping exercise in subsequent years would substantiate the trends established from the data of one season. It would also be beneficial 10 extend the range (If habitats sampled to take into account set-aside and other crops besides cereals. 1.6.2 More comprehensive information. on the diet of farmland birds in general. could he achieved by analysing the faecal sacs of a wider variety of species. 1.6.3 Greater integration of field studies on birds with invertebrate sampling would enhance the effectiveness of the latter as an indicator of diet. Areas of farmland frequently selected as feeding sites by birds could be sampled intensively for invertebrates and compared to other areas, selected at random. This would provide useful information on the invertebrates likely to be important as food-sources and the habitats that favour them. 1.6.4 Extending the range of farms sampled would provide more accurate results. 1.6.5 More work is required to-investigate the possible link between nitrogen deficiency in plams and organic systems, and its implications for the provision of bird food-sources, particularly for weed abundance and phytophagous insects.
The morphology of green and blue feathers of the Rose-faced Lovebird (Agapomis roseicollis) is described from light-, fluorescence-, and electron microscopical findings and discussed in relation to earlier works. The description is intended to provide a basis for future comparative studies. Special attention is given to the colour-producing elements (pigments and the short-wave reflecting spongy structure ('Blaustruktur', 'cloudy medium') of specialized medullary barb cells (spongy cells, box cells)), and the findings are correlated with macro- and microspectrophotometric measurements. Green barbs differ from those of blue ba rbs in having their cortex yellow pigmented, but are further distinguished by their spongy structure which is denser (wider keratin rods and correspondingly narrower air-filled channels) than that of blue barbs. This difference corresponds to the wave-length of maximum reflectance being shifted c. 30 nm towards longer wave-lengths compared to that of blue barbs. Thus green barbs are not the same as blue barbs only with a yellow pigmented instead of an unpigmented cortex, as usually stated. Dark green hack feathers reflect approximately half as much light throughout the visible spectrum as do green belly feathers. This difference is due to variations in yellow and black pigmentation of the barbules. These variations are described quantitatively and the importance of barbules for the resulting feather colour is stressed. Variation in size and shape of barbs and barbules are discussed, principally in relation to their optical efIects and the presumed functions of the colours. The colour produced by the spongy structure cannot be explained by Tyndall (Rayleigh) scattering as is usually done. This follows from the shapes of the barb reflectance spectra which are not in agreement with the Rayleigh equation (scattering inversely proportional to lambda4). A new model for colour production is forwarded. It is based on a model of the spongy structure in which this is considered to consist of short hollow keratin cylinders (diameter 0.3-0.35 ft) with air-filled cores. Backscattering from these cylinders is considered responsible for colour production and good agreement is obtained between values of lambda max calculated from the model and those measured spectrophotometrically. The backscattering from the Individual cylinders can be regarded as an Interference phenomenon. The colour of the spongy structure thus is an interference colour. That it appears diffuse and not iridescent, as is generally the case for interference colours in feathers, is due to the presence of many hollow cylinders oriented in all directions in the spongy structure.
Contents: Foreword I. Prolonged Diving Previous Investigations Present Investigations Diving Experiments with Seals Diving Experiments with a Beaver Investigations on Whales Diving Experiments with Penguins and Domestic Ducks II. Deep Diving Previous Investigations and Views Present Investigations Methods References Appendix (Tables)
Twelve genera, two of them new, are recognized in the tribe Adesmiini in southern Africa. Four new species of Epiphysa, one of Alogenius (placed in a new subgenus), two of Stenocara, one of Metriopus, and one placed in one of the new genera, are described. The genera are revised, and their distribution and relationship are briefly discussed
The present work deals with the problem of the essential factor regulating the wing-stroke frequency in some insects in wing mutilation and loading experiments and in subatmospheric air pressure experiments. The diverse opinions concerning this factor, appearing in the literature, are reviewed. As appears in this review, one of two factors, the inertia of the wings or the resistance of the gas medium, is claimed to be the main regulator of the wingstroke frequency. Therefore two series of experiments have been performed. In the first series the correlation between the moment oi inertia of the wings and the wing-stroke frequency is examined. The wings are mutilated by cutting them transversely, longitudinally or obliquely or loaded with a drop of collodion. It is found that (1) the wing-stroke frequency is proportional to the -0.35th power of the moment of inertia of the wings, that (2) this applies to both mutilation and loading experiments, that (3) it makes no difference whether the procedures are equal or unequal on both sides or only one-sided, and that (4) the frequency tends not to rise above a certain lirnit in mutilation experiments. In the second series of experiments the correlation between the pressure of the gas medium and the wing-stroke frequency is examined. It is found that the effect of pressure varies greatly in different insects and may even be totally absent. The wing-stroke frequency is proportional to (pressure) exp 0 to (pressure) exp -0.25. The degree of the effect is found to depend on the size and the wing-stroke frequency of the insect; the effect is absent in big insects with a medium or high frequency, and more or less present in insects with a small size or with a low frequency. The results are discussed. A theory is constructed using well established physical concepts by considering the wings as acting simultaneously as bodies performing simple harmonic rotary motion and as paddles working against the air. It is assumed that the kinetic energy is destroyed after each single stroke. By making this assumption, the frequency in the energy equation is found to be, within a constant rate of energy output, proportional to the -0.33rd power of the moment of inertia of the wings, and thus agrees very well with the correlation between these factors found experimentally. Further it is found that the aerodynamic work of the wings is in most cases very much smaller than the work done in overcoming the effect of the inertia of the wings. It is negligible in big insects with, a medium or high frequency, but more or less significant in insects with a small size or a low frequency. The magnitude of this effect thus depends, in theory, on the size and the wing-stroke frequency, which entirely agrees with the effect of atmospheric pressure found experirnentally. The inferences drawn from this theory show that (1) the energy economy in a big insect is very wasteful, that (2) the rate of energy output is not greatly varied, that (3) it is profitable for the insect to vary the aerodynamic work of the wings by altering the amplitude rather than the frequency of the stroke, that (4) the distribution of energy in flight is delicately balanced, and that (5) the frequency must be low and the amplitude large in insects of great size and weight, and that a very high frequency and a small amplitude can be afforded only by small insects. Many such observations as have been made in nature agree with these inferences. Furthermore, (6) attempts are made to calculate the muscle efficiency in some insects on the basis of the theory. In Appendix I, the technique used to check and eliminate some sources of error in the methods is described, in Appendix II, an application of tlie theory to derive a law between the wing-stroke frequency and the morphological properties of insects is attempted, and in Appendix III, some laws relating different morphological properties of the wings of insects are described.