A revision of the Chinese species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): parasitoids of whiteflies,scale insects and aphids (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae,Diaspididae, Aphidoidea)

The species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) known from China are revised. This study is based largely on newly-collected material from Fujian and Guangdong provinces in mainland China, and from the island of Taiwan. A total of 76 species are treated, including 29 new species, one new combination and 16 new records for China. All species are fully described or diagnosed, and illustrated. Three new specific synonymies are proposed and two lectotypes are designated. Four species are described from males only, three belonging to the perflava-group (ancistrocera, echinocera, viggianii), having modified antennae, and one (magnivena) in the strenua-group having very unusual fore wings. A key to the Chinese species of Encarsia, based largely on females, is provided.     

A review of the genus Scyracepon Tattersall, 1905 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Bopyridae), with description of a new species from China

The parasitic isopod genus Scyracepon Tattersall, 1905 is recorded from China for the first time, and a new species, Scyracepon distincta, is described from the host Jonas distinctus (Brachyura: Corystidae). Females of the new species can be distinguished from those of the other six species of Scyracepon by their subequal mid-dorsal projections on pereomeres 6 and 7 (lacking on other pereomeres) and pleonal segments with medial but not lateral fusion. Males of the new species have the first two pleomeres free, pleomeres 3–5 fused, and bear midventral tubercles on all pereomeres and the first pleomere. This is the first record of any species of Corystidae bearing parasitic isopods. Remarks on, and a key to, the seven known species of Scyracepon are provided.     

Rediscovery of the Hawaiian endemic bark beetle Xyleborus pleiades Samuleson, 1981 on Moloka‘i,with records of three new exotic bark beetles for the island (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini)

ABSTRACT

During the course of a targeted bark beetle survey of the Hawaiian Islands, insect sampling undertaken in native forest biotopes on Moloka‘i island revealed the presence of one native and three exotic species of xyleborine bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) hitherto not recorded from the island. We present detailed new island records for these species, which include the second record of Xyleborus pleiades Samuelson, 1981, an endemic Hawaiian species not recorded in over 50 years, and previously known only from two specimens from the island of Maui. The three newly recorded introduced species are widespread pantropical beetles of actual or potential pest status: Xyleborus affinis Eichhoff, 1867, Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg, 1837), and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky, 1866). The importance of the records is briefly discussed, and all newly recorded species are illustrated in colour photographs.     

A new subgenus of the genus Colastes Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Exothecinae) for species reared from bracket fungi,with description of two new species from Europe

A new Holarctic subgenus (Fungivenator subgen. nov.) of the genus Colastes Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Exothecinae) is proposed for a group of species that, as far as is known, has its larvae living on hosts in bracket fungi. The type species (Colastes sandei sp. nov. from Netherlands, Germany and England) and a second species (C. fritzeni sp. nov.) from Finland are described and illustrated. A key to the five known species is included.     

Ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen): zoogeography,distribution and description of a new species

The animal fauna of the Socotra Archipelago is influenced by three biogeographical regions, the Afrotropical, the Oriental and the Palaearctic. Consequently, the Archipelago shares faunal elements of these three regions in addition to unique endemic taxa. The ant fauna of Socotra Island was studied and is reviewed based on literature and newly collected material. In total, 28 species, belonging to 10 genera and four subfamilies, were collected from the main island. Eighteen of these (64%) are successful invasive species, seven are native (25%), and three are considered endemic (11%), Cardiocondyla longiceps Seifert, Monomorium elghazalyi sp. nov. and Monomorium nimihil Collingwood et al. Two genera are recorded for the first time from the island, Hypoponera Santschi, and Syllophopsis Santschi. Ten species are recorded for the first time, Cardiocondyla mauritanica Forel, Cardiocondyla minutior Forel, Monomorium atomum Forel, Monomorium dichroum Forel, Monomorium exiguum Forel, Pheidole pallidula (Nylander), Syllophopsis cryptobia (Santschi), Tetramorium pauper Forel, Tetramorium transformans Santschi and Hypoponera punctatissima (Roger). Ten invasive species are recorded from Socotra, reflecting human impacts on the Archipelago. These species are Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius), Cardiocondyla emeryi Forel, Monomorium exiguum Forel, Pheidole indica Mayr, Syllophopsis cryptobia (Santschi), Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr, Tetramorium simillimum (Smith), Tetramorium caldarium (Roger), Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon) and Trichomyrmex mayri (Forel). Our survey indicated a mixture of Afrotropical faunal elements (10 species, 36%), followed by cosmopolitan (nine species, 32%), Palaearctic (five species, 18%) and Oriental (four species, 14%) taxa. Two new synonyms of Monomorium exiguum Forel are proposed: Monomorium exiguum Forel = Monomorium baushare Collingwood & Agosti syn. nov. = Monomorium qarahe Collingwood & Agosti syn. nov. Tetramorium transformans Santschi is removed from synonymy with Tetramorium caldarium (Roger) and elevated to species rank. Ecological and biological notes for each species are given. Distribution maps for all species known from the Socotra Archipelago are provided.

http://zoobank/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:89612083-9CE6-48E8-8975-1CE5334E098B     

Water mites of the genus Hygrobates Koch, 1837 (Acari: Parasitengona: Hygrobatidae) from Hokkaido,northern Japan

Nine species of Hygrobates (Acari: Parasitengona: Hygrobatidae) from Hokkaido, Japan are described or redescribed from newly collected material and historical specimens. Treated herein are eight species in the subgenus Hygrobates, including one new species, H. bibi sp. nov., as well as H. calliger Piersig, ; H. foreli (Lebert, ); H. japonicus Uchida, ; H. longipalpis (Hermann, ); H. longiporus Thor, ; H. nigromaculatus Lebert, ; and H. sokolowi Thor, . Also treated is H. ezoensis Uchida, in the subgenus Rivobates. A lectotype and paralectotype are designated for H. japonicus Uchida, . Hygrobates (s. str.) heteropalpis Imamura, is synonymized with H. calliger Piersig, . The name H. ezoensis Uchida, is resurrected from synonymy with H. diversiporus Sokolow, . Six species previously known from Hokkaido were collected in the study: H. foreli, H. japonicus, H. longipalpis, H. longiporus, H. diversiporus, and H. ezoensis. New records for both Hokkaido and Japan include H. nigromaculatus and H. sokolowi. A species previously recorded from Hokkaido, H. taniguchii Imamura, , was not found in this study. Three new characters are proposed as useful for the taxonomy of the genus Hygrobates: the ratio of the distance between the P‐4 ventral setae to P‐4 length, the ratio of the length of the longest terminal seta on IV‐L‐5 to the length of IV‐L‐5, and the nature of the outer border of the genital plates.     

Anomuran Crustacea (Paguridea,Porcellanidae, and Hippidea) from Oman,principally from Dhofar province,southern Oman

Anomura (Crustacea, Decapoda) are described from 5 collection sites in Dhofar (southern Oman) and from near Muscat (northern Oman). These consist of the following: Paguridea: Aniculus erythraeus, Calcinus (3 species), Cestopagurus coutieri, Clibanarius (3 species), Dardanus (5 species), Diogenes (2 species), Paguristes (2 species) and Coenobita scaevola; Porcellanidae: Pachycheles (2 species), Petrolisthes (7 species), Pisidia (3 species) and Polyonyx (1 species, probably undescribed); and Hippidea: Emerita holthuisi, Hippa pacifica and Albunea steinitzi. The anomuran fauna of the region is not well known, and that of Dhofar has not previously been investigated. The present records establish a number of significant range extensions. The anomura species composition of Dhofar is discussed in relation to that of other areas of the Indian Ocean. In general, pagurideans appear less cosmopolitan, and more parochial within the region than porcellanids. This is discussed in relation to larval dispersal and other factors.     

Expanding the taxonomic conundrum: Three new species of groundwater crustacean (Syncarida,Bathynellacea, Parabathynellidae) endemic to the Iberian Peninsula

Two new species of the genus Iberobathynella and one new species of the cosmopolitan genus Hexabathynella are described from the Iberian Peninsula. The three new species were found in the groundwater of caves and the gravelly bank of a river, two species in the north of Spain (Cantabria and Burgos) and one in the south (Sevilla). The two new species of the genus Iberobathynella present a unique combination of characters. These character combinations for the species from Cantabria are: thoracopod 8 female with wrinkled cuticle and two teeth; seven spines on the furca; nine spines on the sympod, three barbed and one plumose seta on the exopod and two barbed setae on the endopod of the uropod; maxilla with 0, 0 and 15 setae on the three segments, respectively; five teeth on the pars incisiva and six teeth on the pars molaris of the mandible and seven segments on the antennule. The combinations of characters for the species from Burgos are: antennule with seven segments; segment 5 of the antennule with one aesthetasc; mandible with four and five teeth on the pars incisiva and pars molaris respectively; maxillule with one seta on segment 1 and 14 setae on segment 3; segment 1 of the endopod of the thoracopod 1 with two setae; uropod with six spines on the sympod, four barbed setae and one plumose seta on the exopod and no setae on the endopod; furca with five spines and the thoracopod 8 female with wrinkled cuticle and two teeth. This last species has an exclusive character for the genus: the absence of setae on the endopod of the uropod. The new species of the genus Hexabathynella has six spines of similar length on the sympod of the uropod (in all other species within the genus the distal spine is longer than the others); the form of the antennal organ in the males is shown to be a new unique character for the genus; the maxilla has three and 13 setae on segments 2 and 3, respectively; the uropod has six spines on the sympod, three barbed setae on the exopod and two smooth setae on the endopod, the endopod is twice as long as the exopod and the shape of the female thoracopod 8 is unique.     

A revision of the Caridina serrata species group,with descriptions of five new species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae)

The taxonomy of the Caridina serrata species group (Caridea: Atyidae) is revised. Neotypes of C. serrata Stimpson, 1860, and C. cantonensis Yu, 1938, are designated. Additional information on Caridina sphyrapoda Liang and Zhou, 1993 is provided. Five new species of the Caridina serrata species group are described, namely Caridina nanaoensis from Guangdong Province, C. apodosis from Hong Kong, and C. yulinica, C. wumingensis and C. mutata from Guangxi Province, all in southern China. A key to all members of the species group is included.     

A new species of Allorhogas (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) inducing ovule galls on Miconia chamissois Naudin,a potentially invasive shrub in the Brazilian cerrado

ABSTRACT

Allorhogas Gahan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a mainly Neotropical doryctine wasp genus whose species have been associated with 11 vascular plant families. All species of Allorhogas whose feeding habits are known are confirmed or presumed to be phytophagous, either by being gall inducers on seeds, seeds predators or by inquilinism of other gall former taxa. Here we describe a new species of Allorhogas from Brazil and assess its phylogenetic affinities using one mitochondrial (COI) and one nuclear (28S) marker. Different from other described species of Allorhogas that induce galls on fruits/seeds of Melastomataceae, the new species attacks floral bud ovules of Miconia chamissois Naudin (Melastomataceae), forming ‘fruit-like’ galls. We recovered a clade exclusively composed of species of Allorhogas that attack Melastomataceae species. The new species could potentially be used as a biological control of M. chamissois populations to prevent the imbalance of the plant diversity of cerrado, which is one of the most endangered biomes in Brazil.

http://www.zoobnk.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:27ADE2CD-6C55-4712-92EC-B0F209FEFD10     

A revision of Caridina yunnanensis and its allied species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae) from Yunnan,southern China,with description of one new species

The taxonomy of the Caridina yunnanensis and its allied species (Caridea: Atyidae) from Yunnan Province in southern China, is revised. A neotype for C. yunnanensis Yu, 1938, is designated. Additional information is provided on C. disparidentata Liang, Yan and Wang, 1984; C. dianchiensis Liang and Yan, 1985; C. mongziensis Liang, Yan and Wang, 1987; and C. disjuncta Cai and Liang, 1999. One new species, Caridina impensa, is described. A key to members of the species group is included.     

Synchiropus novaehiberniensis,a new species of dragonet from New Ireland,Papua New Guinea,western Pacific Ocean,with a review of subgenus Synchiropus (Neosynchiropus) and description of a new subgenus (Teleostei: Callionymidae)

A new species of dragonet, Synchiropus novaehiberniensis from off northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a male and a female specimen collected with a trawl in 74–92 m depth off Kavieng. The new species is characterized within the subgenus Synchiropus (Neosynchiropus) Nalbant, 1979 by a small branchial opening; head short (3.2–3.6 in SL); eye large (2.5–2.6 in head length); preopercular spine with a short, upcurved main tip, three curved points on its dorsal margin, ventral margin and base smooth; first dorsal fin higher than second dorsal fin, with four spines but no filaments, first spine longest; second dorsal fin distally slightly convex, with eight branched rays (last divided at base); anal fin with seven unbranched rays (last divided at base); 21–22 pectoral-fin rays; caudal fin elongate, distally rounded, slightly asymmetrical (upper rays shorter than lower rays); thorax, lower opercle and pelvic-fin base with small ocelli; back in male with four dark brown saddles; anal fin dark grey. The subgenus Synchiropus (Neosynchiropus) is reviewed and distinguished from Synchiropus (Acommissura) subgen. nov. An updated checklist of the species in the two subgenera is provided; the new species is compared with allied species. Revised keys to callionymid fish species of New Guinea, as well as of the subgenera Synchiropus (Neosynchiropus) and Synchiropus (Acommissura) subgen. nov. are presented.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AACA51E1-FBD6-412D-B09A-78540E7089B4     

First record of Monobrachium parasitum Mereschkowsky, 1877 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from Brazil,in the tropical southwestern Atlantic,and its implication for bipolarity concepts

Project HABITATS was recently initiated in the Campos Basin (20.5–24° S), state of Rio de Janeiro, to assess biological impacts of petroleum exploration and exploitation on the continental shelf and slope of Brazil. Among species discovered in benthic samples from the area is the hydroid Monobrachium parasitum Mereschkowsky, 1877, occurring in an epibiotic association with the pelecypod mollusc Mendicula ferruginosa (Forbes, 1844): this is the first report of an association between the two species. Monobrachium parasitum has always been reported from cold waters, and is generally considered bipolar. This report records the occurrence of M. parasitum at lower latitudes, where they have seldom been collected: it is also the first account of this species from South America and the southwestern Atlantic. Moreover, the bathymetric distribution of M. parasitum is extended to a depth of 998 m. No previous records exist of hydroids from the Brazilian continental slope.     

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Mount Kilimanjaro: family Pieridae,subfamily Pierinae

This paper, which presents an annotated checklist of the whites (Pieridae: Pierinae), is the third in a series on the butterfly fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro. Four genera (Colotis, Nepheronia, Belenois, Mylothris), with a total of 10 included species, are known to occur within the main forest zone, from c.1800 to c.2800 m. Of the species, only Mylothris sagala appears restricted to the primary forests. The fauna from the lower slopes, below 1800 m, is far richer, with a total of 11 genera and 40 species listed. An identification key to the genera of Pierinae that occur in Tanzania, together with a key to the adults of all pierine butterflies considered to occur or have occurred on Kilimanjaro, with 310 colour images, are included as online Supplementary Information.     

Parasite community of the golden cownose ray Rhinoptera steindachneri Evermann and Jenkins 1891 (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatidae), in Acapulco Bay,Guerrero, Mexico

The parasite community of the ray Rhinoptera steindachneri from Acapulco Bay was examined and quantified; analyses were based on the sex of the host and the date of sampling. A total of 171 specimens of R. steindachneri were examined during July–August of 2010, and May and July of 2012. Twenty-one species of parasites were found: three species of Monogenea; eight adult and one larval species of Cestoda; one larval species of Nematoda; five species of Copepoda; two species of Isopoda; and one species of Hirudinea. Cestodes had the greatest species richness (43% of the total species), followed by the copepods (24%). Two species of cestode, Glyphobothrium sp. and Rhinebothrium sp., were collected only from adult rays. At the component community level, species richness showed statistically significant variation between 13 and 16 species, which is similar to previous reports for other species of rays. The parasite component communities and infracommunities of R. steindachneri exhibited similar patterns: high species number and low numerical dominance by a particular species of parasite. The differences of body size of male vs. female rays, and a change in diet and feeding behaviour with the age of R. steindachneri, are likely important factors in the structuring of their parasite communities.     

A new species of the subterranean genus Oodinotrechus Uéno, 1998, from northern Guangxi,China, with additions to the generic diagnosis (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae)

A new eyeless species, Oodinotrechus liyoubangi n. sp, is described from northern Guangxi. All specimens of this interesting species were collected in three limestone caves in Mulun National Nature Reserve of northern Guangxi, southern China. It is the second species for the genus Oodinotrechus Uéno, 1998, distinguished from the type species O. kishimotoi Uéno, 1998 by its visible scutellum and pronotal structure. Several additional diagnostic characters for the genus and a geographical distribution map for both known species are also provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F82E3C03-0A15-4410-B674-BC8EB95607CE     

New species of Dolichopus Latreille, 1796 from China (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

The following three new species of Dolichopus are described from China: Dolichopus (Dolichopus) jilinensis sp. nov., D. (D.) longipilosus sp. nov. and D. (D.) yangi sp. nov. Three new species are reported from China, and a key to the Chinese species of the genus Dolichopus is presented for the first time.     

Two new species of feather mites (Acarina: Psoroptidia) from the blue-throated blue flycatcher,Cyornis rubeculoides (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae)

The paper describes two new species of feather mites collected from the blue-throated blue flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides (Vigors) (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) in India (Meghalaya): Trouessartia kharkhanensis Constantinescu et al. sp. nov. (Trouessartiidae) and Proterothrix cyornissimilis Constantinescu et al. sp. nov. (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae). Both sexes of T. kharkhanensis differ from the closest species, T. rubecula Jablonska, 1968 by having setae si and c2 lanceolate and setae c3 and sRIII with acute apex. In males of the new species, the adanal apodemes have a hook-like retroverse apophysis and the internal margins of terminal lamellae have a shallow invagination at the level of setae h3. Both sexes of P. cyornissimilis differ from the closest species, P. cyornis Mironov and Tolstenkov, 2013, mainly by the ornamentation of the dorsal shields: it is absent on the prodorsal shield and poorly expressed on the hysteronothal shield. In males of the new species, the supranal concavity is triangular and the genital arch has a pair of small ovoid sclerites at its tips.

http:/zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1671D6D4-8895-467B-A124-05EDBB0DF406