XL.—Deux cercopides nouveaux de l'Equateur

Summary

A history of the genus Pseudanisakis Layman &; Borovkova, 1926, is given. After studies on two species of the genus with both light and scanning electron microscopes, the genus is re-defined. A nomen novum, P. tricupola, is proposed for the type-species, P. rotundata (Rud., 1819) Mosgovoi, 1950, and another, P. baylisi, is proposed for Eustoma rotundatum (Rud., 1819) of Punt (1941). These two species are re-described, and a larval stage of P. tricupola is described for the first time. P. rajae Yamaguti, 1941, sensu nov. is included in the genus. Anacanthocheilus australis of Johnston &; Mawson (1945) is placed in the genus Acanthocheilus Molin, 1858. Acanthocheilus and Pseudanisakis are distinguished, and aspects of their life-histories commented upon.     

CXIII.-Lystrosaurus primitivus,sp. nov., and the origin of the genus Lystrosaurus

Abstract

An Anomodont specimen recovered from the Lystrosaurus-zone of the South African Karoo system is very similar to some of the Russian Dicynodonts, and is in structure intermediate between Lystrosaurus and Dicynodon. It is named Lystrosaurus primitivus, although it is too late stratigraphically to be the actual ancestor of the genus Lystrosaurus.     

A new species of Halectinosoma (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) from the Isle of Man

Summary

A new species of Halectinosoma Lang, 1948, H. pterinum sp. nov. is described from the Isle of Man. Examination of this and some other species of the genus under high magnifications suggests that the diagnosis of the genus may have to be modified.     

Field and laboratory observations on reproductive aspects of Pseudopaludicola ameghini (Cope, 1887) (Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae)

ABSTRACT

The genus Pseudopaludicola includes small-sized anurans, widely distributed throughout South America. Twenty-three out of the 25 species occur in Brazil. Although described more than a century ago, from mid-southern Mato Grosso state, central Brazil, Pseudopaludicola ameghini is poorly known. Here we describe the characteristics of reproductive site, amplexus, egg-laying behaviour, eggs and tadpoles of P. ameghini based on specimens and observations performed in the vicinities of the type locality. Pairs of P. ameghini reproduce in shallow and slow groundwater established on hydromorphic terrains, in open environments amidst the Brazilian Cerrado savanna. Reproductive activity occurred between 17:00 and 21:00 h at two sites studied from December 2013 to April 2014. Amplexus is axillary. Eggs are spherical, with a mean diameter of 5.1 mm (yolk plus jelly envelope). Oviposition occurs in shallow sites at a depth of nearly 2.0 cm. Females deposit their eggs one at a time, directly onto sediment at the bottom of waterbodies or attached to submerged vegetation. The tadpole body is oval in dorsal view and globular/depressed in lateral view; eyes are large and dorsally positioned. Nares are large, round, with a small apophysis on marginal rim, dorsally positioned, near the eyes. The spiracle is short, with posterodorsal opening. The oral disc is anteroventral, emarginated laterally, with one dorsal and two ventral gaps; the tooth row formula is 2(2)/2(1), and the upper jaw sheath is ‘arc’ shaped. Pseudopaludicola ameghini has a unique behaviour of oviposition among members of the genus. The differences in reproductive pattern and larval characteristics of P. mystacalis and P. ameghini reinforce the taxonomic validity of the latter, questioned until recently.     

A new hyaliodine genus for Megacoelum nigroscutellatum Distant with new combinations and tribal reassignment for some other species of Miridae (Heteroptera)

Summary

A new genus is erected for Megacoelum nigroscutellatum Distant in the Hyaliodinae as opposed to the Mirinae where the species was originally described. Two species previously described in the genus, Araspus Distant, viz. A. scutellaris Poppius and A. bicolor Poppius, are considered not congeneric with the genotype of the genus and are therefore transferred tentatively to Imogen Kirkaldy in the Saturniomirini. The genus Attractotomelus recently erected by Linnavuori (1975) for Attractotomus serosus Odhiambo is synonymized with Millermiris Carvalho while the transfer of the latter to the Phylinae by Schuh (1974) is confirmed. Proboscidocoris nitidus Odhiambo is transferred to Polymerus Hahn while Polymerus capitatus (Distant) is transferred to Proboscidocoris Reuter and P. antennatus (Distant) to Charagochilus Fieber.     

Taxonomic review of the Amazonian millipede genus Parastenonia Hoffman, 1977 and description of a new species from iron-ore caves (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae)

ABSTRACT

The Amazonian genus Parastenonia Hoffman, 1977 is here revised. The species P. carajas sp. nov. is described from Brazilian iron-ore caves and P. aurae (Schubart, 1947) is considered junior synonym of P. parae (Cook, 1895). In addition, the known geographic distribution of the genus is presented with the inclusion of new occurrence data.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CCBEED10-DCB4-48C9-A71D-CED3462DD72A     

New damselfly hosts and species identification of an aquatic parasitoid Hydrophylita emporos (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Taiwan

ABSTRACT

The host–parasitoid relationship and species identity of aquatic parasitoids of two damselflies Coeliccia cyanomelas (Platycnemididae) and Psolodesmus mandarinus dorothea (Calopterygidae) from Fushan and Lienhuachih in Taiwan were studied using morphological characters and DNA barcoding sequences. The parasitoids reared from the damselflies’ eggs, and the field-collected parasitoids, were morphologically identified as Hydrophylita emporos (Trichogrammatidae), a recently described parasitoid of the damselfly P. m. mandarinus from Northern Taiwan. The CO1 (cytochrome c oxidase I) gene tree supported the identification as H. emporos, as well as all parasitoid samples from C. cyanomelas, P. m. dorothea and P. m. mandarinus. The sampled H. emporos populations did not differ genetically despite their different host associations. However, some genetic differences were found between H. emporos populations from Northern and Central Taiwan, indicating that the dispersal of H. emporos may be limited by geographical distances. Our results suggest that H. emporos can parasitise not only closely related sister subspecies, P. m. mandarinus and P. m. dorothea, but also phylogenetically distant species of another damselfly family, C. cyanomelas. This is the first record of multiple damselfly hosts for the aquatic parasitoid genus Hydrophylita. This finding implies that the host range of H. emporos and congeneric species may be broader than previously thought.     

Revision of the proctotrupoid genus Pelecinus Latreille (Hymenoptera: Pelecinidae)

The extant Pelecinidae consist of the single genus Pelecinus Latreille. This group is restricted to the continental New World; miscellaneous reports and specimens from Jamaica, Australia, India and Malaysia are errors. Three species are recognized: the widespread Pelecinus polyturator (Drury), found from the southern portions of the eastern provinces of Canada, the eastern USA (west to North Dakota, Colorado and New Mexico) and Mexico south to northern Argentina; Pelecinus thoracicus Klug revised status, from western Mexico; and Pelecinus dichrous Perty revised status from northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and south-eastern Brazil. Pelecinus rufus Klug, 1841 and Pelecinus annulatus Klug, 1841 are treated as junior synonyms of Pelecinus dichrous Perty, 1833. The status of Pelecinus polyturator var. apicalis Roman is discussed and the name is treated as a synonym of P. polyturator. The only recorded host species for the genus are for P. polyturator: Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte), P. drakei Kirby, P. futilis (LeConte), P. rugosa (Melsheimer) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae); and Podischnus agenor Olivier (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae).     

Revision of Acroleptus Bourgeois, 1886 and descriptions of New Acroleptina taxa (Coleoptera,Lycidae, Calopterini)

ABSTRACT

The Neotropical lycid genus Acroleptus Bourgeois, 1886 is revised and illustrations of diagnostic characters, geographic distribution maps and an identification key to the species are presented. Acroleptus chevrolati Bourgeois, 1886 is redescribed and a lectotype and a paralectotype are designated; two new species are described for the genus: Acroleptus alvarengai new species and Acroleptus limai new species. Two Aporrhipis Pascoe, 1887 species are described: Aporrhipis obrieni new species and Aporrhipis milleri new species and a key and geographic distribution map to the species of the genus are provided. Acroleptus costae Ferreira, 2015 is moved to the genus Paracroleptus new genus, a new genus erected to accommodate Paracroleptus costae (Ferreira, 2015) new combination.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5F72E2BB-48BF-491D-8D3A-E7D878222B72     

Noyesaphytis (Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) – an unusual new genus from Madagascar,and a reassessment of Aphelininae classification based on morphology

ABSTRACT

Noyesaphytis Polaszek & Woolley gen. nov. (type species Noyesaphytis lasallei Polaszek & Woolley sp. n. ) is described from Berenty, Tuléar, Madagascar. The genus differs from its closest relatives primarily in the structure of the female antenna, which has a single, elongate flagellum preceded by four anelli, the largest of which could be interpreted as a single anelliform funicle. This type of antenna is unknown in other Aphytini, but approaches the condition found in many Signiphoridae. Noyesaphytis possesses a character state that was until now thought to be an autapomorphy of Azotidae (sole genus Ablerus), being the groove in front of the propodeal spiracle. A second putative autapomorphy shared by Azotidae and Signiphoridae, and also Noyesaphytis, is the presence of anterior projections on the metasomal sterna. However, in Azotidae and Signiphoridae these are narrow, whereas as they are broader in Noyesaphytis. The form of the wing is consistent with Aphytini, although lacking a linea calva. The presumed male of Noyesaphytis lasallei has an antennal structure completely unknown in Aphelinidae, with a 1-segmented clava preceded by an extremely elongate single funicle, and four anelli. Differences between the female and male are discussed, some of which could indicate that the male might eventually be shown to belong to a different species, although the species are undoubtedly congeneric, despite the striking difference in antennal structure which is common in Aphelinidae. The male genitalia also suggest Aphytini. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of 50 morphological characters, we provisionally place Noyesaphytis in Aphytini pending the results of a forthcoming phylogenomic analysis. The new genus is named for its collector, John Noyes (NHM, London), and the new species is named after the late John La Salle.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6EE6F35C-32A4-4E91-AE39-5E2C173E58BF     

A revision of the genus Pandalus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Pandalidae)

The genus Pandalus Leach, 1814, is revised based upon the abundant material from collections in various museums or institutions in the world. Altogether 20 species are recognized which appear to form five groups. Nineteen species are recognized in Pandalus, three of which are described as new: P. curvatus from southern Japan, and P. chani and P. formosanus from Taiwan. Four informal species groups are also recognized within the genus: P. montagui group (P. montagui Leach, 1814; P. borealis Krøyer, 1838; P. goniuruStimpson, 1860; P. jordani Rathbun, 1902; P. tridens Rathbun, 1902; and P. eous Makarov, 1935); P. stenolepis group (P. stenolepis Rathbun, 1902; P. curvatus sp. nov.); P. hypsinotus group (P. hypsinotus Brandt, 1851; P. danae Stimpson, 1857; P. prensor Stimpson, 1860; P. gracilis Stimpson, 1860; P. gurneyi Stimpson, 1871; P. nipponensis Yokoya, 1933; P. teraoi Kubo, 1937; P. chani sp. nov.; and P. formosanus sp. nov.); and P. platyceros group (P. platyceros Brandt, 1851; and P. latirostris Rathbun, 1902). The P. platyceros group appears to be most closely related to the genus Pandalopsis Bate, 1888, but Pandalus is retained as a possible paraphyletic group. Protandrous hermaphroditism is known in all but two species of the genus (P. curvatus and P. formosanus), for which only specimens of either male or female have been available. Pandalus propinqvus G. O. Sars, 1870, is transferred to a new monotypic genus Atlantopandalus, because of its lack of hermaphroditism and possession of some unique morphological characters, including one indicating a close relationsip to Dichelopandalus Caullery, 1896. All species are fully described and illustrated. The affinities and important morphological variations of the species are discussed. A key for adults is presented for the identification of the species. Biogeography of the genus is briefly discussed.     

Re-evaluation of the fossil Phoridae (Diptera)

I re-evaluated the known fossil phorids after re-examining much of the Baltic amber and Dominican amber fauna. Many extant genera reported from Eocene Chinese and Eocene/Oligocene Baltic amber are actually not present; instead there are representatives of relatively primitive stem-group taxa. A new genus and species of fossil phorid, Limulomyia tyche, based on a male and a limuloid female, is described from Baltic amber. Some changes in the taxonomy of amber phorids are proposed: Pseudometopina Disney is synonymized with Metopina Schmitz (new synonymy), Diplonevra meunieri Brues is transferred to the genus Godavaria Brown (new combination), Protophorites fimbriatus Brues is considered a junior subjective synonym of Protoplatyphora tertiaria Brues (new synonymy) and Phalacrotophora tertiara Statz is transferred to the genus Gymnophora (new combination). The oldest confirmed dates for extant phorid genera are given.     

A new genus and species of Ricaniidae from Palaeocene deposits in North Dakota

Summary

A new genus and species, Cotradechites lithinus Fennah, are proposed for a fossil tegmen of a Ricaniid (Homoptera : Fulgoroidea) collected in clay deposits of Latest Palaeocene age near Dickinson, North Dakota. The new genus is considered to be most nearly related to the modern tropical American genera Cotrades and Semestra.     

III.—Idatiella China: Two new species,with a key (Hemiptera,Miridæ)

Summary

Nine soil, freshwater, and marine species of Thecamoeba have been isolated and investigated, and nine other probably or possibly valid species were reviewed from the literature. Locomotive form/behaviour and interphase nuclear structure are adequate to distinguish all known species, and on that basis the diagnoses of several species have been clarified and questions of possible synonymy resolved.

Most known species can be placed into either a rugose or a smooth group, but it is not yet clear that the genus can be formally divided along that line.

Feeding experiments and observations on six soil and freshwater species showed interspecific differences in the kind of protozoan prey ingested. Species also differed in their rate of multiplication in culture.

One recently discovered species, T. proteoides, approaches Amoeba proteus in both morphological and cultural characteristics more than does any other known species of Thecamoeba but is clearly a member of the latter genus.