Taxonomic revision of Steganacarus (Steganacarus) magnus (Nicolet, 1855) (Acarida,Oribatida)

The classical taxon, Steganacarus (Steganacarus) magnus (Nicolet, 1855) is redescribed on the basis of topotypic material. The study and the comparison of many European and North African populations reveals a variation in the size of the anterior notogastral tectum and consequently enables another classic entity, S. (Steganacarus) anomalus (Berlese, 1883), to be put into synonymy. These two different ecophenotypes, in the authors' opinion, seem to be linked to the presence of xeric low-altitude southern environments (S. (S.) magnus f. anomala) or cool higher-altitude mid-northern environments (S. (S.) magnus f. magna).     

New species of Eretmocerus Haldeman (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitizing Crenidorsum turpiniae (Takahashi) and Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from Taiwan

A key to females of 11 Eretmocerus species occurring in Taiwan is provided. Two new species, E. tongxiaoensis Shih & Polaszek, sp. nov. and E. lannae Shih & Polaszek, sp. nov. found infesting Crenidorsum turpiniae (Takahashi) and Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) respectively, are described. Five more Eretmocerus species are recorded here as new to Taiwan: E. bisetae Hayat, E. flavus Krishnan & David, E. queenslandensis Naumann & Schmidt, E. rui Zolnerowich & Rose and E. trialeurodis Hayat. New host records for four of these Eretmocerus species from five whitefly species are presented. The whitefly Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) is recorded for the first time from Taiwan.     

The preimaginal stages of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) and Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), parasitoids associated with Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata) (Lepidoptera,Gracillariidae)

The biology and morphology of the early larval instars of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) are redescribed and the morphology of the preimaginal stages of Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are described in detail for the first time. Both species are larval-pupal parasitoids of Phyllonorycter issikii (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), which is associated with Tilia sp. The female of M. frontalis lays her egg beside the host larva and the newly hatched first instar larva moves and has to find the host larva. The larva of P. issikii tries to continue its feeding but never pupates after paralysis. The female of C. laomedon lays its egg inside the cuticle of the larva of P. issikii, but the newly hatched parasitoid larva vacates the host larva and develops externally on its surface as an ectoparasitoid. Such behaviour might be facilitated by the constant temperature and humidity inside the mine. Some peculiarities of parasitoid–host relationships are described and discussed.     

Foraminiferan (Protozoa) epizoites on the anthuridean (Crustacea,Isopoda) Calathura brachiata (Stimpson)

Foraminiferan epizoites were studied on the isopod Calathura brachiata (Stimpson). Most individuals found belonged to the genus Cibicides. The foraminiferans were either rare or quite frequent on Calathura brachiata, indicating patchy occurrence of living foraminiferans. They were most frequent on the anterior part of the body (head, first pereonites) and the first two pairs of legs (pereopods). This pattern, which is unusual among foraminiferan epizoites on isopods, is explained by habitat selection of the foraminiferans and the behaviour of the isopod, which presumably rests between feeding with the anterior part of the body held in an upward position, allowing foraminiferans to settle on mouthparts and on the legs (first two pereopods) used in grasping prey. The size range of the foraminiferans indicates that settling of foraminiferans from the water column is more important for the development of foraminiferan epibiosis on Calathura than migration of individuals from the bottom and this may be the general pattern for most isopod species.     

Larval development of the coronuloid barnacles Austrobalanus imperator (Darwin), Tetraclitella purpurascens (Wood) and Tesseropora rosea (Krauss) (Cirripedia,Tetraclitidae)

The presence of embryos in the mantle cavity of A. imperator, T. purpurascens and T. rosea was monitored over two years. Tesseropora rosea showed a clearly defined breeding season in summer and early autumn. Seasonal breeding in A. imperator and T. purpurascens was less well defined, a small number of gravid individuals being present during most of the year. Breeding increased during the late autumn and early winter in A. imperator and during winter, spring and early summer in T. purpurascens. The larval stages of A. imperator, T. purpurascens and T. rosea are described from larvae reared in the laboratory. Separation of the larval stages between these species depends on fine morphological detail. Distinctive larval features permit the separation of coronuloid larvae from those of the other balanomorph superfamilies, but coronuloid nauplii resemble balanoid nauplii more than chthamaloid nauplii.     

A study of the Exoprosopa busiris (Jaennicke) group of Bezzi (1924) in tropical Africa (Diptera: Bombyliidae)

The tropical African species of the genus Exoprosopa Macquart placed by Bezzi (1924) in his group 10, E. busiris are reviewed. A key, short diagnoses and outline distributions are provided for each species. E. albonigra Bezzi and E. saskae Szilády are shown to be synonyms of E. luteicosta Bezzi; E. engyoptera Hesse a synonym of E. brevinasis Bezzi; and E. ferrieri Hesse a synonym of E. decastroi Hesse. Two new species are described; E. selenops from Kenya and E. glossops from Nigeria.     

The identity of Alcyonidium gelatinosum (Linnaeus, 1761) (Bryozoa: Ctenostomatida)

Since 1984, when Alcyonidium gelatinosum (Linnaeus, 1761) was shown not to be the free-growing species hitherto known by that name, it was assumed to be the valid name for A. polyoum (Hassall, 1841). We have established that its neotype is not a specimen of A. polyoum but of A. reticulum Ryland and Porter (2000) introduced for A. mytili auctt. non Dalyell (1848). A. reticulum must accordingly be relegated to the synonymy of A. gelatinosum. A. polyoum is a valid but different species and the provenance of Hassall's specimens is discussed. We deliberate the identity of the nominate species in Linnaeus' Fauna svecica (1761). While the occurrence of A. polyoum in the Kattegat-Mecklenburg Bight sea area cannot wholly be ruled out, the common species is A. reticulum (i.e. A. gelatinosum). The neotype does therefore represent the Swedish specimen(s) used by Linnaeus, and the identity of A. gelatinosum is at last correctly established.     

Ecological studies on Aechmea bracteata (Swartz) (Bromeliaceae)

In the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico, Aechmea bracteata is more frequent in the low inundated forest than in hummocks or the semi-evergreen forest. Due to its flat smooth, ovoid seeds disseminated by birds, this epiphyte generally develops on rough-barked trees at the point where a large branch forks out. The presence of a rhizome permits the formation of groups of ramets comprising different levels of development from young shoots to blossoms and the differential rotting of dead dry ramets. In green mature ramets, an amphora-shaped leaf develops around the inflorescence, delimiting a central watertight cavity. Around this central cavity, inter-leaf spaces correspond to peripheral cavities where rainwater may accumulate. This structure permits the plant to be both a phytotelm and a myrmecophytic epiphyte, with green ramets sheltering a large diversity of both aquatic (mostly Diptera larvae) and terrestrial animals (mostly ants, cockroaches, mites, and springtails). Concerning ants, peripheral cavities sheltered small Myrmicinae (31·3% of the ramets), central cavities Pachycondyla villosa (Ponerinae) or Dolichoderus bispinosus (Dolichoderinae) (91·9%; N = 248). Rotting dry ramets sheltered only terrestrial animals, mostly detritivores which are classically present in the leaf litter and ants such as Cyphomyrmex minutus, a primitive Attini and numerous Ponerinae, predators of the detritivores. Both green and dry ramets constituted good shelters for incipient colonies.     

The Anopheles (Anopheles) maculipennis complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Greece

Mosquitoes belonging to the Maculipennis Complex of Anopheles subgenus Anopheles were collected in 10 prefectures across Greece: Attiki, Evros, Florina, Fthiotida, Ioannina, Lakonia, Magnesia, Rodopi, Serres, and Xanthi. DNA was extracted from 276 specimens and sequences for the nuclear rDNA ITS2 region were obtained from 257 of these (93.1%). Four members of the An. maculipennis Meigen complex were identified: An. maculipennis, An. sacharovi Favre, An. melanoon Hackett, and An. messeae Falleroni. Species were identified based on correlation of their sequences with those available in GenBank. All four species have been incriminated as primary or secondary vectors of malaria. Species distributions in relation to potential threats of reintroduction of malaria in Greece are discussed. This study comprises the most complete study of the Maculipennis Complex in Greece to date, and contributes substantially to the current knowledge of the genetics and distributions of the four species.     

The taxonomy and ecology of Orthocladius (Eudactylocladius) fuscimanus (Kieffer), a hygropetric chironomid (Diptera)

The immature stages of Chironomidae (non-biting midges) are important biotic components of the percolating filter beds of sewage works. Orthocladius (Eudactylocladius) fuscimanus (Kieffer) is recorded from a sewage works for the first time, is described in all stages and a neotype designated. Considerable taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion concerning the species and subgenus was resolved by recognition of holotypes of Dactylocladius fuscitarsis Kieffer, D. olivaceus Kieffer, Orthocladius indivisus Kieffer and Eudactylocladius vagans Thienemann, by designation of neotypes for Dactylocladius adauctus Kieffer, D. fontium Kieffer and Orthocladius hygropetricus Kieffer and selection of a lectotype for Eudactylocladius bidenticulatus Thienemann. Orthocladius hygropetricus, O. indivisus, O. bidenticulatus, Dactylocladius adauctus, D. fuscitarsis and D. fontium are all newly synonymized with O. fuscimanus, and Eudactylocladius vagans synonymised with Orthocladius (Eudactylocladius) olivaceus (Kieffer).

The detection of numerous synonyms (and previous misidentifications) revealed a substantial amount of ecological information on the larva of O. fuscimanus. This information is reviewed and reveals that this is a frequent species of hygropetric (thin water film) habitats. A review of the fauna of percolating filters of sewage works indicates that this biotope is the ecological equivalent of naturally occurring hygropetric habitats.     

Cladistics and taxonomy of the Afrotropical Empis (Coptophlebia) chrysocera-group (Diptera,Empididae)

The Afrotropical Empis (Coptophlebia) chrysocera-group (Diptera: Empididae) is defined on the basis of two synapomorphies, namely epandrial lamellae connected anteriorly and male cerci made up of an anterior almost bare lobe and a posterior bristled lobe. This group includes 10 species: E. (C.) brazzavillensis sp. n., E. (C.) barbitos Smith, E. (C.) juxtaripa sp. n., E. (C.) lyra Smith, E. (C.) plumata sp. n., E. (C.) chrysocera Collin, E. (C.) cuthbertsoni Smith, E. (C.) machipandensis Smith, E. (C.) samaruensis sp. n. and E. (C.) singulare sp. n. All species are described and keyed. The relationships between these species are established and two complexes of species distinguished. The Empis (Coptophlebia) chrysocera-group apparently occurs everywhere in the Afrotropical region except South Africa.     

Superparasitism of Eoxenos laboulbenei De Peyerimhoff (Strepsiptera: Mengenillidae) by Idiomacromerus gregarius (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) in southern Spain

A female puparium of Eoxenos laboulbenei De Peyerimhoff (Strepsiptera: Insecta) found in Mula, Murcia, Spain was parasitized by five larvae of Idiomacromerus gregarius (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Torymidae). The parasitized puparium was kept in the laboratory until the following summer, when four I. gregarius adults emerged from it. This species of chalcidoid is rarely found. It was first described in 1943 from Italy by Silvestri and the present report is the first record from Spain. Here we re-examine and redescribe the newly discovered specimens of I. gregarius, add further details about its morphology and give a brief account of its biology including a new record (the mengenillid E. laboulbenei).     

Japanese white-eyes (Aves: Zosteropidae) as potential pollinators of summer-flowering Taxillus kaempferi (Loranthaceae)

The pollination of summer-flowering plants by birds has rarely been reported in temperate Asia and Europe. However, we recorded the Japanese white-eye Zosterops japonicus (Passeriformes: Zosteropidae) visiting the flowers of the hemiparasitic plant Taxillus kaempferi (Loranthaceae) during mid-summer (July to August) in a temperate forest in central Japan. Field observations showed that Z. japonicus was an almost exclusive flower visitor of T. kaempferi. Specifically, Z. japonicus inserted their bills frequently into the flower tubes of T. kaempferi. The corollas of T. kaempferi were shorter than Z. japonicus bills, suggesting that Z. japonicus is able to obtain floral nectar from T. kaempferi. Close-up pictures of Z. japonicus visiting flowers showed that the upper bill and facial feathers of Z. japonicus came into contact with the reproductive organs of T. kaempferi, leading to the attachment of pollen to these body parts. Thus, Z. japonicus might act as an important pollinator of the summer-flowering plant T. kaempferi.?     

Diagnoses,synonymies and occurrences of the pantropical millipeds,Leptogoniulus sorornus (Butler) and Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais) (Spirobolida: Pachybolidae: Trigoniulinae)

The trigoniuline millipeds, Leptogoniulus sorornus (Butler) and Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais), the latter apparently native to southeast Asia, have been introduced into Africa, Central and South America, and tropical islands throughout the world. Literature records are summarized, new localities are presented, and diagnostic statements and anatomical illustrations are provided. Full synonymies are presented, and the following new ones are proposed: under L. sorornus— Spirobolus suturalis Porat, S. sanctae-luciae Bollman, S. coquereli Saussure and Zehntner, Trigoniulus ambonensis Attems, T. acolastus Silvestri, Glosselus musarum Cook, and nine names authored by R. V. Chamberlin— Cairibolus antonianus, T. frater, T. garmani, T. remotus and T. philippinus, Spirostrophus socius and S. javanus, Litobolus hanevavus, and Trucobolus townesi; under T. corallinus— Iulus sumatrensis Gervais, Spirobolus sanguineus Koch, S. goësi Porat, S. cinctipes Butler, S. rugosus Voges, six names by Karsch— S. detornatus, S. punctiplenus, S. signifer, S. decoratus, S. phranus and S. punctidives—S. dominicae Pocock, S. surinamensis Bollman, S. dorsopunctatus Saussure and Zehntner, Trigoniulus sanguineus Tomosvary, T. tahitianus and T. amnestus, both by Chamberlin, and T. (Marshallbolus) takakuwai Verhoeff.     

Revision of the carpenter bee subgenus Xylocopa (Dasyxylocopa) (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The subgenus Xylocopa (Dasyxylocopa) Hurd and Moure is revised, with recognition of three valid species, one of them newly described from the highlands of eastern Brazil. In addition to X. fortuita sp. nov. and the type species X. bimaculata Friese, the subgenus includes X. piligera Maidl n. stat., having X. leucopus Friese as its junior synonym, both names here removed from synonymy under X. bimaculata and for which lectotypes are presently designated. Notes are provided on the nesting habits of X. piligera.

http:/zoobank.org/lsid:zoobank.org:pub:339CE18B-37F2-47F5-881D-A8C9C22E42F5     

Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitoids of Bemisia species in Taiwan (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The whitefly genus Bemisia (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is represented by five species in Taiwan, including the notorious global pest Bemisia tabaci. A catalogue of Encarsia species attacking these whiteflies, based almost entirely on previously unpublished records, is provided. A key for the identification of the 17 Encarsia species known to parasitize Bemisia species in Taiwan is provided. Three new species, E. guangxingana Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov., E. lineolata Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov. and E. magnalata Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov., are described from Taiwan. These new species were all reared from Bemisia giffardi.     

Description of the immature stages of Sigara (Tropocorixa) santiagiensis (Hungerford, 1928) (Insecta: Heteroptera: Corixidae)

The immature stages of Sigara santiagiensis are described and illustrated for the first time. The eggs of Sigara can be distinguished by the chorionic surface. The main characters separating the five nymphal instars of S. santiagiensis are: body and head lengths; body, head and eye widths; ocular index; numbers of transverse sulcations of the rostrum, setae on the inner surface of protibiotarsus, campaniform sensilla on posterior surface of protrochanter, spines on posteroventral surface of mesotibia and on tibial comb of metaleg, long, slender setae on posterodorsal surface of mesotarsus, spines and swimming hairs on anteroventral and posterodorsal surfaces of metatarsus; and grade of development of the wing pads. The body length, the chaetotaxy of the mesonotum, profemora and metafemora, protibiotarsus, metatibia, metatarsus and urosternites distinguish species or group of species of instars I and V of some of the species of the genus Sigara described up to now.