Afrotropical mistletoe butterflies: Larval food plant relationships of Mylothris Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

A detailed list of larval food plants of Mylothris based on review of published records in the literature is presented. Food plants have been reported for some 23 species (40%), although in only eight species (14%) of butterflies have plants been identified to species level. The food plants represent two unrelated orders, Santalales and Polygonales, although nearly all records (93%) are from four closely related families in the former group. Within the Santalales, the family Loranthaceae, a diverse group of aerial stem‐parasitic shrubs (mistletoes), is most frequently exploited. Only two species of Mylothris, M. bernice (Hewitson) and M. rubricosta (Mabille), which are closely related and possibly comprise a single species, are associated with Polygonaceae (Polygonales). Comparison of the morphology of the early stages of M. bernice, and other evidence, clearly indicates that M. bernice/rubricosta belong to Mylothris and do not represent a separate genus or sister group. Comments are made on these diverse food plant relationships within the context of a modern phylogeny of the Santalales and the evolution of parasitic plant feeding in butterflies in general. It is suggested that Mylothris had its major period of evolution and adaptive radiation on the Loranthaceae, probably sometime after the differentiation of most of the families or lineages in the Santalales (rather than on an earlier ancestral branch at or near the root of the Santalales evolutionary tree), and that this association has facilitated host switching multiple times. While more field data are clearly needed to ascertain the full extent of host specificity and range of mistletoe species exploited by Mylothris, this is unlikely to significantly change the patterns of food plant utilization seen at the higher taxonomic (ordinal and familial) levels. Mylothris represents one of only a few diverse groups of Lepidoptera, and insects in general, known to feed predominantly on African mistletoes.     

A new species of Notostrix (Acari: Eriophyidae), with notes on the host plants and distribution of species of this genus

Thirteen Notostrix Keifer species are presently known, all from leaves of palm trees (Arecaceae) to which they seemingly cause no major damage. A new species of this genus, Notostrix macrothrix sp. nov., is morphologically described based on adult females and males collected from coconut, Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae), on La Reunión Island. A discussion about the presently known distribution of mites of this genus is also presented. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:14C65CB2-AF56-4D85-AD49-56FA11119EF5     

加纳共和国体育场建筑设计

本文主要介绍加纳共和国Ghana体育场建筑设计情况。     

First record of the genus Tanaostigma (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Tanaostigmatidae) from the Afrotropical region with description of three new species

ABSTRACT

The genus Tanaostigma is newly recorded from the Afrotropical region and three new species are described: Tanaostigma lasallei van Noort sp. nov. (South Africa), Tanaostigma mulu van Noort sp. nov. (Kenya) and Tanaostigma ukumbusho van Noort sp. nov. (Kenya). We provide comprehensive images of the holotypes and an illustrated identification key to the African species. New country distribution records are provided for Tanaostigmodes tambotis Prinsloo & LaSalle, 1995. All images presented here as well as supplementary images and online keys are available on www.waspweb.org

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:61D1A59D-3702-480A-B146-73067C29CD82     

南非足球世界杯决赛阶段失球特征之解析

运用录像观察法和逻辑分析法,对2010年足球世界杯决赛阶段的失球情况进行了统计与分析.结果表明:失球的战术原因主要是保护协防失误,技术原因主要是盯人不紧.由于传、接、运球被抢断和犯规而丧失控球权是导致本方失球的两个主要因素.     

非洲西部地区典型硬质沥青技术性能

随着中国在非洲西部国家援建项目逐渐增多,研究非洲西部硬质沥青在内的典型材料的技术性能,对于中国技术标准走出去和在当地属地化应用具有重要意义。研究了非洲西部地区常用的3种典型硬质沥青：Termcotank、DHS、ERES,对其常规物理性能、流变性能、高低温等级及疲劳性能进行了测试分析。研究结果表明,Termcotank沥青高温性能最好,低温性能略差,适合用于对高温性能要求较为严格的地区;DHS和ERES沥青高温性能和低温性能较好,适合针对高低温均有要求的路面;3种硬质沥青除了Termcotank的低温延度,其他指标均能满足中国规范要求。按照美国战略公路研究计划(strategic highway research program, SHRP),3种沥青的性能分级(performance grade, PG)分别为PG76-10、PG70-16、PG70-16。根据PG分级确定了两种沥青适合的气候分区,同时根据统计分析给出了评价硬质沥青低温性能的建议性能指标。     

Genetic and morphometric variation in the potamonautid river crab Potamonautes parvispina (Decapoda: Potamonautidae) from two Western Cape rivers,South Africa

Patterns of genetic and morphometric variation amongst five populations of Potamonautes parvispina from two rivers in the Western Cape, were examined. Genetic variation at 14 loci was investigated using protein gel electrophoresis. The results showed that the populations were genetically invariant within and between the two drainage systems. Discriminant functions analyses of seven carapace variables demonstrated regional differentiation between the population groups in the two drainage systems. Other morphometric characters exhibited a significant degree of variation within drainage systems. Morphometric data were highly variable and were discordant with the genetic data, which suggests that environmental factors may be responsible for the large degree of phenotypic plasticity. Results from the present study are discussed in terms of widespread gene flow and recent population divergence.     

Two new termite-eating Diores species (Araneae,Zodariidae) and some observations on unique prey immobilization

Two new taxa, Diores termitophagus n. sp. and D. magicus n. sp. are described. The species have been observed to prey on termites (Hodotermes mossambicus Hagen) and are assumed to be compulsory termite-eaters. Similar prey-specialization has recently been observed in other Diores species. Termites were observed to be immobilized and die after superficial contact with the spiders; only thereafter were they bitten and eaten.     

Two new Falcaustra Lane, 1915 species (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from African pipids (Anura)

Two new species of Falcaustra Lane, 1915 are the first to be reported in amphibians from mainland sub-Saharan Africa. Falcaustra puylaerti n. sp. occurs in hosts of the Xenopus (Silurana) tropicalis group in Sierra Leone, Togo and Nigeria. Falcaustra hinkeli n. sp. infects Xenopus (Xenopus) fraseri group hosts at localities in the Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Falcaustra hinkeli and F. puylaerti are probably sister species with respect to described congeners and can be differentiated from each other by the form of the cheilostomal structures, the morphometrics of the anterior body, and by a large difference in male spicule length. Both lack a precloacal pseudosucker and are separated from other Falcaustra spp. which share this characteristic by the pattern of male caudal papillae and by a cheilostomal ring with associated sclerotized elements and posteriorly directed projections. Evolutionary aspects of the host-parasite relationship are discussed. Although alternative hypotheses are possible, the distinctive cheilostomal morphology, the sister species relationship and the host specificity pattern of F. hinkeli and F. puylaerti are consistent with their having undergone an extended evolutionary association with the host genus.     

Revision of the obligate mushroom‐feeding African “dung beetle” genus Coptorhina Hope (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

The African genus Coptorhina Hope is revised. Nine new synonymies are established which reduces the number of valid names from 15 to six. One new species is also described. The name changes are the following: C. subaenea Janssens, C. bicolor Ancey, C. pygmaea Balthasar and C. saganicola Müller are considered junior synonyms of C. nitidipennis Boheman; C. africana Hope, C. vicina Péringuey, C. obtusicornis Boheman, C. punctata Ferreira and C. optata Péringuey are considered junior synonyms of C. klugii Hope. The new species, C. excavata sp. n., is described from southern Africa. A key to the species and notes on biology are given.