Observations on mermithid parasitism (Nematoda: Mermithidae) in two species of Lasius ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The morphological effects of nematode parasitism by Pheromermis myrmecophila were investigated in two species of ants, Lasius flavus and Lasius niger, collected on Clare Island, Ireland. Infected males and queens were found for L. flavus but only infected queens in L. niger. The numbers of nematodes present in each infected specimen were counted and their lengths were measured. Head width, femur length and wing measurements were made for infected and non-infected individuals of both species. In queens, the length of the nematodes decreased as the number per ant increased. When single nematodes were present their mean lengths were significantly greater in L. flavus than in L. niger. In addition to the reduction in wing size for all parasitized specimens, head widths and femur lengths of the queens were significantly different in both species. A log–log graph of radial cell length versus width suggested a linear reduction of wing size.     

Urbanization impacts on the trophic guild composition of bird communities

Urbanization transforms the landscape and generates loss of pristine habitats. We investigated the urbanization effect on bird communities in a growing South American city (Santa Fe, Argentina) and hypothesized that if habitat structure and human disturbance change along an urban gradient, the richness and abundance of trophic guilds should also vary accordingly. We placed 50 transects 100 m long × 50 m wide in five districts with different levels of urbanization, determined by habitat structure variables. We recorded the number and abundance of species and the amount of pedestrians and vehicles passing through each transect. We recorded 23% of all bird species known for the Santa Fe province and categorized them within 19 trophic guilds. The percentage of area covered by herbaceous vegetation, water bodies and trees and shrubs had a positive relationship with the richness and abundance of most of trophic guilds (hawking aerial, terrestrial, bark and foliage insectivores; terrestrial and generalized granivores; generalized, aquatic diving and foliage omnivores; hawking aerial, aquatic diving and striding carnivores; nectarivores; and aquatic filters). Pavement surface and human disturbance variables had a negative relationship with the richness, and high buildings and pavement surface had a positive relationship with the abundance of terrestrial omnivores and coursing aerial insectivores. Variation partitioning revealed that habitat structure and human disturbance were better predictors of the richness than the abundance of each trophic guild. Results showed that trophic guilds associated to vegetation strata were seen to increase their richness and abundance towards green areas, even if they presented generalist or specialist habits. Urban planners should conserve or manage the surrounded natural spaces when the growth of the city is directed to these areas and increase the availability of environmental features within the urban matrix.     

The Sex Ratio of Orange-flanked Bush-robins (Aves: Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) from a Winter Population in Central China

The sex ratio of a population is an important demographic parameter, but compared with breeding populations, the sex ratios of avian winter populations have received relatively little attention. The orange-flanked bush-robin (Tarsiger cyanurus) is a migratory species whose plumage is sexually dimorphic with delayed plumage maturation wherein first-year males show female-like plumage. We investigated the sex ratio of an orange-flanked bush-robin population wintering in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve located in central China. The results show that most (> 85%) orange-flanked bush-robins of this population have female-like plumage, implying that the population sex ratio might be female-biased. However, genetic analysis revealed that most (c. 70%) individuals with female-like plumage were males, resulting in a significantly male-biased population sex ratio. Among the individuals with female-like plumage, the males were found to have significantly longer wings and tails than females, but the accuracy of a discriminant analysis employing the two morphological traits to sex them was low. The results suggest that a genetic method is a more appropriate way to sex those orange-flanked bush-robins with female-like plumage and more importantly, one needs to be cautious when using the morphology of individuals to infer the sex ratio of a population for species like orange-flanked bush-robins.     

A new species of Phrynobatrachus (Amphibia: Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) from the Northern Mountains of Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Using integrative approaches, a new large-bodied species of Phrynobatrachus is described from a series of 48 specimens from the montane forests of the West Usambara and North Pare Mountains of Tanzania. The most distinguishing morphological feature separating Phrynobatrachus ambanguluensis sp. nov from similar species is the markedly overhanging and pointed upper jaw and snout. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA indicates that the new species differs from all other species with published sequence data by a minimum distance of 4.75% and is sister to P. krefftii, with which it has been confused in the past. The new species is known from two forest reserves and is of high conservation concern given these areas are highly impacted by anthropogenic change.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E0C82A87-47A5-426B-978D-96D27FA7A3B7     

Rediscovery,natural history,and conservation status of Idiocranium russeli Parker, 1936 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Indotyphlidae)

The indotyphlid caecilian amphibian Idiocranium russeli Parker, 1936 is the only nominal species in its genus. Apart from two additional, largely overlooked locality records that we consider to be of an undescribed species, I. russeli is known with certainty from only a single collection of c.50 specimens from a single locality in 1933. We report new material from fieldwork in 2012 carried out in the vicinity of the type locality. Digging surveys at 34 sites for a total of >2000 person minutes found 50 I. russeli at 15 of these sites, extending the known range of the species by more than 40 km south and from an elevation of c.670 m to 104–820 m. The species probably occurs in nearby Nigeria and in some protected areas, is tolerant of some human disturbance, and is likely to move from Data Deficient to Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Males have relatively longer and wider heads than females. Total length measured for preserved specimens is less than for freshly anaesthetized specimens, by up to 14.1%. Previously, preserved I. russeli were reported as having a maximum length of 114 mm, but the new sample includes specimens with total lengths of 145 mm in preservation and 167 mm when fresh. The sex of the smallest independent specimens (total length 62 mm in preservation) could be determined from examination of the gonads, hatchlings are c.30 mm, and I. russeli is confirmed as one of the smallest known caecilian species.     

Patterns of asymmetry in body traits and genitalia in two distant populations of a Neotropical scorpion

The ability of a genotype to control the stable development of a phenotype under different environmental conditions may explain the level of developmental instability. An indicator to developmental instability is Fluctuating Asymmetry. Traits under pressures of sexual selection exhibit greater values of asymmetry that others. These traits have more physiological requirements during morphogenesis and a more complex development. The aims of this work are to analyze asymmetry patterns of genitalic and somatic traits in the scorpion Bothriurus bonariensis (Bothriuridae) and to compare these values between central and peripheral populations of its distribution. We observed that types of asymmetry in genitalic traits differed in both populations. Also, traits of the hemispermatophores (two halves that constitute the spermatophore) showed the highest levels of fluctuating asymmetry, particularly in those characteristics with important role for insemination success. This work offers fundamental baseline knowledge for further works focused on asymmetry of genitalia and mating success in scorpions.     

Evolutionary divergence in closely related populations of Mimulus guttatus (Scrophulariaceae)

The evolutionary divergence of five closely related populations of the yellow monkey flower. Mimulus guttatus was compared with the length of time the populations could have occupied the site and with the ability of the populations to intercross. Populations from the younger sites were found to be morphologically intermediate to populations from the older sites. Ability to intercross was not correlated with morphological divergence at this stage of evolution.       

A snapshot of a high density seahorse population in a tropical rocky reef

Seahorses are fishes that suffer high trading pressure in the international market. Three species have been recorded in Brazil, Hippocampus reidi, Hippocampus erectus and Hippocampus patagonicus, already classified as threatened or data deficient. Guaíba Island is an ecologically relevant site due to its position between two bays in Rio de Janeiro state. The present study aimed to survey the seahorse population of Guaíba Island, verifying several population structure parameters. Eight diving sites were selected around the island. Only the longsnout seahorse H. reidi was recorded. The population showed the largest density ever recorded in the world for the species. Sex ratio was 1:1 and seahorses were reproductively active. We observed three juveniles. The mean length recorded was 8.9 ± 1.64 cm. The population structure was similar to others populations studied throughout the Brazilian coast.     

The social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) of a fragment of Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia,Brazil

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems in Brazil, with only 22% of its original coverage remaining. Despite around 900 species of Polistinae being described worldwide and their being widely distributed in the Neotropical region, they are still poorly known in northeastern Brazil, especially in Atlantic Forest. The aim of this work was a survey of social wasps in three fragments of Atlantic Forest with differences in the level of regeneration and in the physiognomy, performed at Michelin Ecological Reserve (located in Igrapiúna, southern Bahia State, Brazil) and employing three methodologies – attractive solution, Malaise trap and light trap ‘Luiz de Queiroz’ – for 12 months in transects. A total of 1066 specimens, belonging to 29 species from nine genera, were collected in the reserve. Epiponini was the richest tribe (23 species) followed by Mischocyttarini (five species) and Polistini (one species). The Malaise trap was not efficient during the night, having a deficit of 5110 hours; the only nocturnal genus, Apoica, was collected with a light trap – an attractive solution that was more efficient. Once it was left for 12 discontinuous days (72 hours), showing that more than one methodology is desirable for wasp surveys. Latitudinal analysis comparing the study area with other areas grouped the Michelin Ecological Reserve with areas in southeastern Brazil, which may be related to a lack of standardization in collecting methods. This study presented the highest richness in this region.     

Pogonomyrmex ewyheei nest site density and size on a minimally impacted site in central Oregon

Little is known about the basic characteristics of the western harvester ant ( Pogonomyrmex owyheei ) in the absence of anthropogenic disturbances. We examined the role of P. owyheei as an agent of disturbance in an area of semiarid vegetation in central Oregon known as the Horse Ridge Research Natural Area (HRRNA) that has been largely free of livestock grazing and other significant anthropogenic influences for over 23 yr. We determined density and size characteristics of nest sites and estimate total area cleared by P. owyheei activities on HRRNA. From random sampling of twenty-five 0.04-ha plots we found a mean nest density/standard error of 1.6(± 0.16) nests/0.04 ha. Mean area cleared per nest site was 4.8 m 2 , which results in an estimated barren area of 46,080 m 2 on the 240-ha HRRNA. Comparing our findings to others on P. owyheei and P. occidentalis , we found nest density and mean cleared area to be in the middle range of reported observations under a variety of land-use influences. The literature suggests that moderate disturbance may increase nest site density, but little relationship exists between disturbance history and mean size of nest sites.     

First record of the genus Leptodactylus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in Cuba: Leptodactylus fragilis,a biological invasion?

The Neotropical genus Leptodactylus is currently represented by three species in the West Indies (Leptodactylus albilabris, Leptodactylus fallax and Leptodactylus validus). Based on morphological, acoustic and molecular evidence, we document the presence of a fourth species in the Caribbean region, Leptodactylus fragilis (Brocchi, 1877). The species was found at two localities in western Cuba, and molecular data suggest a northern South American origin, possibly Venezuela, for these populations. We discuss the potential invasive status of L. fragilis, based on its known distribution, relative abundance, behaviour and possible impacts on native species of Cuban amphibians.     

Foraging patterns and artificial fragrance choices of male orchid bees in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

ABSTRACT

With the aim of increasing our knowledge concerning fragrance choices by male euglossine bees (Apidae, Euglossini), we investigated: (i) possible foraging patterns and choices of artificial fragrances explored by the most frequent species attracted to scent baits during the same season across consecutive years, sampled invariably in a same study area; (ii) the foraging patterns of populations of orchid bees surveyed in two similar forest habitats (Atlantic rainforest remnants) located 24 km apart, on Superagui Island (SI) and on a private reserve (RNSM), in southern Brazil. Although in both areas males attracted to scent baits were collected with insect nets and odour traps during the warm-wet season, the number of samplings were different in both study sites, totalling 15 samplings on RNSM and five on RNSM. In both areas four euglossine species were the most abundant: Euglossa annectans, E. stellfeldi, E. iopoecila and E. roderici. Overall, we can draw three main conclusions. Firstly, there were conspicuous patterns in regard to the set of fragrances visited by the four most abundant euglossine species over the three consecutive years of surveys on SI, with some shifts in fragrance choices found only for E. annectans and E. stellfeldi. Second, the most attractive fragrances used distinctively by each species were very similar in both study areas, indicating a local intraspecific similarity in the use of some main fragrances. Third, E. annectans showed a clear tendency to occupy a broader niche, which probably resulted in the highest percentages of niche overlap.     

Home ranges and aspects of the natural history of the Black-masked Finch Coryphaspiza melanotis (Gray, 1840) (Aves,Thraupidae) in central Cerrado,Brazil

ABSTRACT

In the Cerrado, native grasslands have been dramatically lost, leading to an alarming decline in populations of bird species that require these vegetation physiognomies. Species such as the Black-masked Finch Coryphaspiza melanotis (Gray, 1840) are vulnerable to extinction and remain poorly studied. The objective of this study was to examine home ranges of the Black-masked Finch at the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, central Brazil. Ten males were studied in a patch of shrubby grassland (campo sujo) between February and December 2008. The mean sizes of home ranges were 4.47 ± 1.49 ha (Minimum Convex Polygon) and 3.48 ± 1.44 ha (Kernel 95%), and this varied significantly between seasons. Home ranges were significantly larger in the non-breeding dry season than during other periods, and significantly smaller in the breeding season than during other periods. Core areas (Kernel 50%) had a mean of 0.46 ± 0.26 ha. A large overlap of home ranges was observed. The home ranges of all banded males overlapped those of at least three co-specifics, and most had an area overlap of more than 50%. A nest containing an egg and a nestling was found in November. Small and largely overlapped home ranges can be considered as positive for the conservation of the Black-masked Finch. This is because both small grassland fragments and conservation units can substantially contribute to the conservation of its populations through the Cerrado extension.     

Nest architecture in polydomous grass-cutting ants (Acromyrmex balzani)

Acromyrmex balzani is a grass-cutting ant species frequently found in Cerrado areas. However, little is known about the architecture of the polydomous nests of this ant. Fifteen A. balzani nests located in a cerrado region in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, were studied. The polydomous nests were studied in three ways. First, we investigated the architecture in nests moulded with cement and without moulding. Second, we performed an aggressiveness test among workers in different subnests and nests. Third, we excavated the nest and collected the colony to measure the population, verifying the existence or not of a queen in all nests. A cement mould was made of seven nests to permit better visualization of internal structures such as chambers and tunnels. Eight nests were excavated without moulding and white neutral talc was used to highlight the parts of the nests. After excavation, the depth and dimensions (length, width and height) of the chambers were measured. The results showed that the nests had a single entrance hole whose structure consisted of straw and other plant residues in winter. Mounds of loose soil, if present, were found 6–48 cm from the hole. The number of chambers containing fungus ranged from one to five, with the first being found a few centimetres beneath the ground surface (4 cm) and the last up to a maximum depth of 160 cm. The length of the tunnels ranged from 12 to 28 cm. These tunnels were built in a vertical or inclined position, leading to the chambers. No waste chambers were found, with the waste being deposited externally. Additionally, the polydomous nests contained one to eight subnests. In the aggressiveness test, when concolonial workers were confronted, no aggressiveness was observed. In contrast, when allocolonial workers were confronted, there was a high incidence of aggression among them. Excavation of polydomous nests showed only one queen for each polydomous nest, i.e. subnests with a single queen. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the so far unknown nest architecture of the polydomous grass-cutting ant A. balzani.     

Individual and geographical variation in the stridulatory file of Omocestus viridulus (L.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Summary

Samples of male specimens of Omocestus viridulus from 14 European countries were used to study the individual and geographical variation in the characters associated with the stridulatory file. Significant overall variation between the samples was demonstrated for the length of file, average density of pegs, length of hind femur and ratio of file length to hind femur length.

This variation was found to be significantly correlated with several environmental factors, particularly annual range of temperature and amount of precipitation. These factors were considered to be good indicators of continentality, specimens from more continental regions having longer hind femora and longer files with a lower density of pegs. File length was found to be inversely correlated with amount of precipitation even when considered as a proportion of the hind femur. Number of pegs was also found to be inversely correlated with precipitation. In showing that femur length and file length increase and density decreases with continentality, the results agree with those of my previous study (Pitkin, 1976), in which British samples were found to have shorter femora and shorter files with a greater density of pegs than German samples.

The present study, while establishing that the stridulatory file varies geographically, does not deny its usefulness as a taxonomic tool, particularly when it is used in combination with other characters. When stridulatory characters are used on their own, individual and geographical variability within the species must clearly be taken into account.     

Genetic differentiation and gene flow of Porcellionides pruinosus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) in Tunisia

Iso-enzymatic polymorphism analysis was carried out on Tunisian populations of Porcellionides pruinosus to clarify their confused taxonomic status, previously revealed by reproductive and morphological approaches. Seventeen allozyme loci were studied, using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, in 230 adult specimens belonging to nine populations of P. pruinosus located in north, central and south Tunisia, to assess the levels of their intra-genetic and inter-genetic diversity, and to analyse their genetic structure. Our results indicate a low genetic variability with a polymorphism ratio ranging from 29.4% in Tabarka to 47.1% in the Garat Nâam and Raccada populations, and the mean number of alleles per locus was estimated at 1.51 ± 0.15. The direct-count of heterozygosity ranged between 8.1% and 15%. Substantial estimates of demic structuring were found at the total population (F_ST = 0.198), with a generalized and significant heterozygote deficiency detected in every population (with a mean value for all populations of F_IS = 0.372). Genetic distances between the studied populations were low, indicating that they belong to the same species. Nevertheless, the genetic analyses showed the divergence of the population of Tabarka from all the other studied populations, with the lowest mean gene flow, 0.58, and the highest mean genetic distance, (0.182) obtained also by the morphological and reproductive approaches.     

Two new Andean species of Anolis lizard (Iguanidae: Dactyloinae) from southern Ecuador

ABSTRACT

We describe two new species of Anolis lizard that are sympatric on the Amazonian slopes of the Andes of southern Ecuador at elevations between 1440 and 1970 m. The new species may be distinguished from other Anolis by external anatomy, mitochondrial divergence and dewlap colour. We estimate the phylogenetic positions of the new species using Bayesian analysis of DNA sequence data including all species of Dactyloa-clade Anolis for which DNA data are available. Anolis hyacintogularis sp. nov. is sister to Anolis calimae, whereas Anolis lososi sp. nov. is sister to Anolis williamsmittermeierorum, herein reported for Ecuador for the first time. Individuals of both new species were collected within a protected area in southern Ecuador, Podocarpus National Park, which suggests that at least some populations of these species are well protected.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E55FA804-E3FD-4412-8FEB-5234E29E272D     

Physiological, Morphological, and Environmental Variation Among Geographically Isolated Cottonwood (Populus Deltoides) Populations in New Mexico

The ability of a plant population to respond and eventually adapt to environmental stress ultimately determines that population's survival. This becomes especially significant in environments where important plant resource levels have radically decreased. Southwestern riparian areas have numerous plant species that are experiencing radical changes in water availability due to construction of dams, and thus their ability to respond to such changes is critical. One such species likely to be greatly affected by these hydrological changes is Populus deltoides var. wislizenii (cottonwood) because it relies heavily on both groundwater and river surface volume as primary water sources. Both water sources have been extremely impacted by impoundments along southwestern rivers. To understand how New Mexico populations of cottonwood may respond to environmental changes, we quantified environmental differences and characterized physiological and morphological variation among 4 cottonwood populations. Significant differences among study sites in water availability were indicated by both soil and groundwater salinity. The northernmost site, at Abiquiu, had the highest salinity levels in both soil and groundwater, followed by Bernardo, while San Antonio and Corrales sites had the lowest soil salinity. As expected, variation in physiological and leaf morphological characters existed among and within the tree populations, most likely in response to environmental factors. Midday xylem pressure potentials indicated that Abiquiu individuals suffered the greatest water stress and they also had the highest transpiration levels. Because of high specific leaf weights and high photosynthetic levels, cottonwoods at Corrales may better mitigate lower water availability. Such physiological and morphological trait variability among populations is ecologically important and may be of use in present reclamation and conservation efforts in these areas.