Notes on the Amazonian genus Hyogonia China (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Proconiini) with a description of a new species

Oncometopia batesi Distant, described from northern Brazil (State unknown), is transferred to the genus Hyogonia China. Hyogonia brasiliana sp. nov. is described from Northern Brazil, Pará State, the easternmost record of the genus. The new species is easily distinguished from all other Hyogonia species by the following combination of characters: (1) pronotum without distinct transverse contrasting band; (2) pygofer with short processes that do not attain its apex; (3) both pairs of aedeagal atrial processes divergent and short, never longer than aedeagal shaft; and (4) aedeagal caudal pair of atrial processes with bases close to each other, appearing as a single bifurcated robust process. Hyogonia batesi and H. brasiliana, together with an unidentified female from Acre State, represent the first authentic records of the genus Hyogonia from Brazil. Previous records of H. reticulata (Melichar) and H. youngi Emmrich and Lauterer from Brazil are erroneous as their recorded locality ‘Cumbase’ is most probably located in Peru (San Martín Department). Other new records from countries and major federal divisions are noted as follows: the genus Hyogonia (unidentified species) from Barinas State (Venezuela); H. batesi from Ecuador (Orellana Province); H. reticulata from Amazonas and Junín Departments (Peru); and H. youngi from Ecuador (Napo Province). A key to the known species of Hyogonia is provided.     

Five new species of Monocelis Ehrenberg, 1831 (Platyhelminthes: Proseriata) from eastern Australia

Six species of the genus Monocelis Ehrenberg, 1831 have been found in eastern Australia. All are new to science. Five of them are formally described here. Three species (M. rupisrubrae sp. nov., M. nexilis sp. nov., and M. corallicola sp. nov.) have two clearly set pigmented eyespots lateral to the statocyst. They differ in details of the copulatory organ and karyotype. No clear synapomorphies among them or with other species of the genus could be detected. Monocelis beata sp. nov. and M. macrobulbus sp. nov. present extremely elongate, longitudinally oriented copulatory organs. They are sister species, and phylogenetic relationships with M. galapagoensis Ax and Ax, 1977 and M. hopkinsi Karling, 1966 are proposed. Australian Monocelis have distributions limited to recognized biogeographical provinces in eastern Australia: M. corallicola, M. beata and M. macrobulbus in the northern Australian Zone, M. rupisrubrae and M. nexilis in the ‘Overlap Zone’ of the central east coast and Monocelis sp. A in the southern Australian Region.     

A troublesome sibling species complex of scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) revisited

The complex of species resembling Megaselia pulicaria (Fallén) has proved to be one of the most troublesome challenges to attempts to resolve the recognition of species within the huge genus Megaselia Rondani. The new data presented allow more confident recognition of species and reveal that most published records represent misidentifications. The penis complex is discussed and its use in species identification demonstrated. All specimens currently assigned to M. pulicaria, other than the lectotype, are consequently reassigned to other species. These include the reinstatement of M. angusta (Wood) and its newly designated subspecies M. angusta angustina Schmitz, M. eupygis Schmitz, M. longifurca (Lundbeck) and M. monochaeta (Strobl) as valid species, and the recognition of M. buchsi sp. nov. from Germany, M. iberiensis sp. nov. from Spain, M. martensi sp. nov. from Nepal, M. nectergata sp. nov. from Britain, M. oviaraneae sp. nov. from Britain, and M. rotundapicis sp. nov. from Scotland. Five synonyms are proposed. The hitherto unknown male of M. petraea Schmitz is described. It and M. longifurca are reported from Britain and the latter from the Nearctic Region also. Natural history information is summarized for each species. In particular, it is reported that the species whose larvae prey upon spider eggs are M. angusta, M. longifurca and M. oviaraneae.     

Biotic components of dung beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from Pantanal – Cerrado Border and its implications for Chaco regionalization

We use a panbiogeographical approach to determine the distribution pattern of dung beetles from a border region between Cerrado and Rondônia biogeographical provinces in Brazil. We constructed 54 individual tracks and 12 generalized tracks. The generalized tracks infer historical events that have happened in the past, highlighting the significant role of vicariant processes and their influence on the current distribution pattern of dung beetles from the Pantanal–Cerrado Border. The study region is a biogeographical node, including representatives from different biogeographic origins. Contrary to previous suggestions, the Scarabaeinae fauna of southern Rondônia province is not related to Amazonian fauna. Rather, it shows stronger connections with Chaco. Hence we suggest the inclusion of the southern part of the province of Rondônia, representing the Pantanal depression itself, as a new biogeographical district within Chaco province.     

Revision of the Madagascan genus Madecorphnus Paulian (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae)

A scarab beetle genus, Madecorphnus Paulian, endemic to Madagascar, is revised. Nine new species are described: M. brunneus sp. nov., M. dentatus sp. nov., M. montreuili sp. nov., M. niger sp. nov., M. pauliani sp. nov., M. perinetensis sp. nov., M. peyrierasi sp. nov., M. punctatus sp. nov., M. simplex sp. nov. Diagnosis of the genus is clarified. Distribution map and a diagnostic key to all species are presented.     

New species and new records of Veliidae from Espírito Santo State and adjacent Minas Gerais State,Brazil, with notes on nomenclature (Insecta: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha)

A review of the Veliidae occurring in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, is presented. The following new taxa are described: Oiovelia brasiliensis sp. nov., Paravelia capixaba sp. nov., Rhagovelia vaniniae sp. nov., R. mangle sp. nov., R. teresa sp. nov., R. denticulata sp. nov. and R. sooretama sp. nov. Husseyella halophila, Microvelia ayacuchana, and Stridulivelia quadrispinosa are recorded for the first time from southeastern Brazil. Microvelia longipes, M. mimula, M. venustatis, R. accedens, R. bocaina, R. elegans, R. hambletoni, R. itatiaiana, R. robusta, R. tenuipes, R. triangula, R. trianguloides, R. zela and S. tersa are recorded for the first time from Espírito Santo State. The occurrence of H. diffidens in Espírito Santo is confirmed. Additional records from the Caparaó mountain range are presented for M. mimula, R. accedens, R. aiuruoca and R. triangula. A necessary nomenclatural note concerning R. ochroischion, R. sbolos, R. trianguloides and R. turmalis is presented.     

Two new South American species of Acrobelus Stål (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) with a key to the species of the genus

Two new leafhopper species of the Neotropical genus Acrobelus Stål, 1869 are described and illustrated: A. nessimiani sp. nov. from Peru (Amazonas Department) and A. rakitovi sp. nov. from Ecuador (Orellana Province). The two new species, distinguished from the other Acrobelus species by their remarkably long male subgenital plates and by the fusiform macrosetae present on these plates, seem to be closely related. A key to male specimens of the five known species of Acrobelus is provided. Taxonomic notes on the genus are included.     

A new species and the phylogeny of the South American genus Gromphas Brullé, 1837 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Phanaeini)

Gromphas jardim Cupello & Vaz-de-Mello sp. nov. is described from Bolivia and Central Brazil and is endemic to the biogeographic province of Rondônia. It resembles Gromphas amazonica and Gromphas inermis, but is distinguished primarily by the pattern of pronotal granulation and the form of the apical tubercle of male protibiae, which is modified in a tapered spur. Based on 31 morphological characters, a phylogenetic analysis returned a single most parsimonious tree where Gromphas is monophyletic and has the following internal topology: ((G. aeruginosa + G. lemoinei) (G. dichroa (G. inermis (G. amazonica + G. jardim)))).     

Cornutorogas,a new genus with four new species of the subfamily Rogadinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Oriental region

A new genus, Cornutorogas gen. nov., and four new species, Cornutorogas orientalis Chen and Belokobyskij, sp. nov. (China, Vietnam), C. maetoi van Achterberg, sp. nov. (Thailand), C. javensis van Achterberg, sp. nov. (Java) and C. sumatrensis van Achterberg, sp. nov. (Sumatra), of the subfamily Rogadinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Oriental Region are described and illustrated. The placement of this genus in the Rogadini is discussed.     

The genus Platypalpus Macquart (Diptera: Hybotidae) from Northeast Thailand with comments on the species groups in the Oriental region

The first records on the genus Platypalpus Macquart from Thailand are presented including 10 species new to science: P. fai sp. nov., P. gaemluang sp. nov., P. hualuang sp. nov., P. isaanensis sp. nov., P. nuadkhao sp. nov., P. phomyaaw sp. nov., P. seedam sp. nov., P. seeluang sp. nov., P. siamensis sp. nov., and P. thaicus sp. nov.. A key to these species is provided. All species of Platypalpus known from the Oriental Region (totally 54) are arranged into the species groups currently established for the genus. Eight species groups are recognized from the Oriental Realm and the distribution of each group is briefly discussed. The P. albiseta‐group is most diverse in the Orient with 16 species recorded. Two species of this group possess a modified structure and vestiture of certain abdominal segments that is the first record of this phenomenon in Platypalpus. Also, within the P. albiseta‐group a complex of closely related species sharing an apomorphous condition of the hypoproct has been recognized. In these species the structure of the hypoproct is likely to deal with clasping during copulation instead of the cerci and epandrial lamellae.     

Classification,reconstructed phylogeny and geographic history of the Neotropical phorid flies of the genus Gymnophora (Diptera: Phoridae)

The Neotropical species of Gymnophora are revised to include 28 species, 17 of which are new. Two subgenera, Cerocratia (in a revised sense) and Gymnophora s.s. are recognized. Cerocratia includes Gymnophora triangularis sp. nov., G. acutangula Schmitz, G. latibrachia sp. nov., G. lacertosa sp. nov., G. chilensis Borgmeier, G. parachilensis sp. nov., G. aemula Borgmeier, G. forticornis Schmitz, and doubtfully G. colona Brues. G. adumbrata Borgmeier is considered as a junior synonym of G. aemula (syn. nov.). Within Gymnophora s.s. there are four major lineages, the G. commotria-group, the G. carina-group, the G. cymatoneura-group and the G. quartomollis-group. Of these, the G. carina-group and the G. quartomollis-group are known only from the Holarctic Region. The G. commotria-group consists of the G. forcipis-series, containing G. forcipis sp. nov., subuncata sp. nov. and uncata sp. nov., and G. damula-series, whose species are further organized into the G. strigula-subseries, containing G. strigula sp. nov. and G. unidentata sp. nov., plus the G. falciformis-subseries, containing G. alces sp. nov., damula sp. nov. and falciformis sp. nov. Also included in the G. commotria-group are eight residual species whose relationships cannot be deduced at this time. Three of these species, G. commotria Schmitz, penai sp. nov. and quadrata sp. nov. are more closely related to each other than to G. auricula sp. nov., brasiliensis Borgmeier, heteroneura Schmitz, inusitata sp. nov. and trispina sp. nov. The G. cymatoneura-group contains G. cymatoneura Enderlein and G. spiracularis Borgmeier, and the male of G. spiracularis is described for the first time. A key is given that permits identification of males of most species, but females cannot be identified with certainty. A partially sequenced classification of the genus indicates the relationships of most of the included species. The genus may have originated in the Neotropical Region, although the evidence is tenuous, and shows some similarity of distribution to Andean-centered plant groups.     

Three new species of Benthana Budde-Lund (Isopoda, ‘Philosciidae’) from Brazil

Three new species of Benthana Budde-Lund, 1908 are described from material collected near São Fancisco de Paula, a town in the north-east of the southernmost Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul (RS). The new species are: Benthana serrana sp. nov., Benthana trinodulata sp. nov. and Benthana araucariana sp. nov. (from Araucaria Forest). The presence of more than one nodulus lateralis on coxal plate VII, a characteristic not previously known in the genus, is reported. New occurrences of B. picta (Brand, 1833) and B. taeniata (Araujo and Buckup, 1994) are also recorded. A method is given for defining the shape of the exopod of pleopod 1 of the male based on morphometry.     

Chelodesmid studies. XVIII. On some new or poorly-known taxa in the tribe Batodesmini (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae)

Summary

Some new and poorly-known taxa of batodesmine diplopods are described from northern South America, with notes on their affinities. New genera include Igaraparana, based on I. batesi, sp. nov. from Amazonian Colombia; Curimagua, based on C. granulata, sp. nov. from Edo. Falcon, Venezuela; and Cheirogonus, based on C. pittieri, sp. nov. from Panama. The inadequately proposed species Leptodesmus interrupticolor Silvestri (southeastern Ecuador) is redescribed and figured from type material, and referred to Cordilleronomus as its third species. The enigmatic genus Tunochilus Chamberlin, 1950, is clarified and referred to the Batodesmini from its incorrect location in the Cryptodesmidae, with notes and drawings made from a paratype of the type species T. marginis; the presumptive congener T. marcuzzii is described as new from material taken at Caracas, Venezuela.     

Synopsis of copepods associated with asteroid echinoderms,including new species from the Moluccas

Copepods associated with Asteroidea are listed, with their hosts and localities where found. Five new species and one new genus are included: Astericola carens sp. nov., Stellicola astrivagus sp. nov., Astroxynus choriasteris sp. nov., Chorioxynus moluccensis gen. nov., sp. nov., and Stellicomes bisphaerulifer sp. nov. New hosts and localities are recorded.     

New species of the bee genus Augochlorodes Moure (Hymenoptera,Apidae s. l., Halictinae)

Five new species of the bee genus Augochlorodes from Brazil are described and the type species, A. turrifaciens Moure, 1958 Moure, J. S. 1958. Augochlorodes, a new genus of Halictinae from Brasil (Hymenoptera, Apoidea).. J Kansas Entomol Soc., 31(1): 53–55.  [Google Scholar], is redescribed. The new species are: A. clementis sp. nov. (from the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), A. incomitatus sp. nov. (Rio Grande do Sul), A. politus sp. nov. (Paraná), A. rostratus sp. nov. (Rio Grande do Sul) and A. vachali sp. nov. (Paraná, Santa Catarina, São Paulo). A discriminant function analysis using head measurements is presented to help distinguish the species. An identification key for the species is provided.     

Three new species of Laelaspis Berlese from Iran (Acari: Laelapidae), with a review of the species occurring in the Western Palaearctic Region

This paper reports on five species of mites of the genus Laelaspis associated with ants in Iran – Laelaspis astronomicus (Koch) from Tapinoma simrothi, Laelaspis equitans (Michael) from Messor sp. and Camponotus sp., Laelaspis kamalii Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Tapinoma sp., Laelaspis pennatus Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Tetramorium caespitum, and Laelaspis persicus Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Pheidole pallidula. Laelaspis imitatus Reitblat has also been reported from Iran, in association with an unknown insect. A key to species of Laelaspis occurring in the Western Palaearctic Region is presented, with a summary of their host associations and biology.     

A revision of the genus Metallolophia Warren (Lepidoptera,Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The Geometrine genus Metallolophia is revised. In addition to the 11 species known, five new species are described as new. All the known species are redescribed and lectotypes are designated for M. opalina (Warren), M. arenaria (Leech) and M. danielaria (Oberthür) (=M. arenaria (Leech)). The male of M. ocellata (Warren) and the females of M. medullosa Inoue and M. devecisi Herbulot are described for the first time. The generic characters based on all species are summarized and a key to all taxa is given. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented. The new and revised taxa are: Metallolophia purpurivenata sp. nov., Metallolophia cuneataria sp. nov., Metallolophia inanularia sp. nov., Metallolophia flavomaculata sp. nov., Metallolophia stueningi sp. nov. and Metallolophia ostrumaria Xue, syn. nov. (of Metallolophia albescens Inoue).