Description,molecular phylogeny,and natural history of a new kleptoparasitic species of gelechiid moth (Lepidoptera) associated with Melastomataceae galls in Brazil

The male, female, pupa and larva of a new species of Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera), Locharcha opportuna Moreira and Becker, are described and illustrated with the aid of optical and scanning electron microscopy. A preliminary analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences including members of related lineages is also provided. The immature stages are associated with galls induced by a species of Palaeomystella Fletcher (Lepidoptera: Momphidae) on Tibouchina sellowiana (Cham.) Cogn. (Melastomataceae), endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest. Larvae are kleptoparasitic, usurping the gall internal space and thereafter feeding on the internal tissues. By determining the variation in population density of both species and following gall development individually throughout ontogeny under field conditions, we demonstrated that the kleptoparasite completes its life cycle inside galls induced by Palaeomystella, where pupation occurs. The variation in seasonal abundance of the kleptoparasite is tied to that of the cecidogenous species, with their corresponding peaks in density occurring sequentially.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:525F6D52-8CE1-47D1-A0D9-78B564DF5565     

Breeding biology of the Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca) in southeast Brazil

ABSTRACT

Thraupis is a genus of the American endemic Thraupidae (subfamily Thraupinae), comprising seven species that inhabit tropical forests to urban centres. The Sayaca Tanager (Thraupis sayaca) is a disturbance-tolerant species of high representativeness in plant-frugivore networks, but information on its breeding biology is scarce and often restricted to non-systematic surveys. We studied the breeding biology of the T. sayaca, following 39 active nests in a periurban area of southeast Brazil during two breeding seasons (2017/2018, 2018/2019). The breeding season ranged from early September to middle December, and the nests were placed in native and exotic plants and human buildings (nest height above ground: 3.35 ± 1.73 m, mean ± SD). Only females incubated and brooded, but both adults built the nests, fed the nestlings, and removed their faecal sacs. Clutch size was 2.86 ± 0.38 eggs and nest attentiveness was 71.2%. The incubation and nestling periods were, respectively, 13.4 and 17.4 days. Males and females did not differ on nestling provisioning and nest sanitation rates. Nestling provisioning (13.35 ± 6.25 trips/hour) increased with nestling age, while mean brooding time was 37.2% and decreased with nestling age. Apparent nest success was 38.7%, and nest survival according to the Mayfield method was 27.2%. Five nests (20.8%) were parasitised by the Shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), and we recorded five events of nest-site reuse. We concluded that the most remarkable breeding traits of T. sayaca in comparison with close-related tanagers are the use of anthropogenic nest sites, the higher clutch size and number of feeding trips, and the longer nestling period.     

Reproductive biology of two species of Hyalella Smith, 1874 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) from southern Brazil

Reproduction is a critical event in the life cycle of animals, and a high amount of energy is allocated to it. The aim of this study was to characterize the reproductive biology of two recently described species of Hyalella from the north-east region of state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. The specimens were collected during 12 months from a stream source (Hyalella georginae) and from a water reservoir (H. gauchensis), in Palmeira das Missões municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Upon sampling, ovigerous females and pairs in precopulatory behaviour were separated into microtubes. In the laboratory, the cephalothorax length (CL in mm) of all specimens was measured. Male size at onset of sexual maturity was larger than that of the females, in both species. There was a correlation between the size of paired males and females: larger males carried larger females, in both Hyalella species. Precopulatory pairs were found throughout the year; however, H. georginae had a higher frequency in spring, and H. gauchensis in autumn. There was a positive correlation between the CL of ovigerous females and the number of eggs/juveniles. A reduction in the number of eggs throughout the embryonic development was observed in H. georginae. The average fecundity of H. georginae was significantly higher than H. gauchensis. The differences between the reproductive biology of these species may be related to the physical and environmental conditions at which they are exposed in their habitats.     

Breeding biology of the Pale-bellied Tyrant-manakin Neopelma pallescens (Aves: Pipridae) in south-eastern Brazil

The Pale-bellied Tyrant-manakin (Neopelma pallescens) inhabits semi-deciduous and riparian forests in central-north South America. Contrary to most manakins, there is no evident sexual dichromatism in the species and little is known about its breeding biology. We studied the breeding biology of a colour-banded population of the species from August to December 2016 and from August to October 2017 in the Campus Florestal of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, south-eastern Brazil. The breeding season extended from early September to late November. The species is promiscuous, with males exhibiting simple courtship displays (exploded leks) in individual arenas. The nest (n = 13) is a cup attached by its top lip between forked branches and is very simple, with a structural layer made with dry grass stems and heads, attached to the branch with spider silk. The outer and lining layers are absent. The mean clutch size was 1.8 eggs (n = 11), which are oval and pale coloured, covered with spots of different shades of brown, often concentrated in the larger pole. Mean egg length and width (± SD) were 21.0 ± 0.9 × 15.8 ± 0.7 mm (n = 14) and the mean weight was 2.8 ± 0.4 g (n = 10). The incubation period could not be estimated, but the nestling period was 15 days (n = 2). The simple percentage of successful nests was 15.4%, with 76.9% of the nests depredated and 7.7% abandoned. This is the first detailed study about the breeding biology of any Neopelma species, providing relevant data for the study of the evolution of life history strategies not only for the genus, but for the whole family Pipridae.     

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.     

Reproductive phenology and flower visitors' guild of Canistropsis microps (Bromeliaceae) in an Atlantic Rainforest of southeastern Brazil

The reproductive phenology and guild of the floral visitors of Canistropsis microps in an Atlantic Forest area in Ilha Grande, RJ were studied for 4 years. The rates of flowering, fruiting and mortality were related to air temperature, rainfall and photoperiod. To register the flower visitors, observations were carried out for 5 days in each reproductive season. The flowering and fruiting occurred in the rainy season and were positively related to the studied climatic variables, whereas the highest mortality rates occurred in the dry season and were negatively related to the climatic variables. The guild of floral visitors of C. microps was composed of Hymenoptera, characterizing the species as a melittophilous plant. These results indicate that the rainy season presents more favourable conditions for investment in sexual reproduction, besides being the period in which potential pollinators have larger population densities and a longer period of activity.     

Breeding in the gray-headed tody-flycatcher (Aves: Tyrannidae) with comments on geographical variation in reproductive traits within the genus Todirostrum

The gray-headed tody-flycatcher Todirostrum poliocephalum is a passerine endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. We describe the nest and nesting behaviour of this species and investigate geographical variation in breeding traits in the genus using data from the literature, museum collections, and citizen science projects. We located 21 nests of the gray-headed tody-flycatcher, 13 of which we monitored. Nest height above the ground averaged 3.3 ± 3.4 m (n = 21). Nests were built over a 16.8 ± 5.6-day period (n = 6) by both adults. Clutch sizes ranged from two to three eggs, with a mean of 2.9 ± 0.3 eggs (n = 10). Eggs measured 16.6 ± 0.5 × 12.0 ± 0.5 mm (n = 23) and weighed 1.1 ± 0.1 g (n = 19). Mean incubation period was 17 days (n = 3) and mean nestling period was 15.5 days (n = 2). Apparent reproductive success was 30.8%, with predation being the primary cause of nest failure (46.1%). Mayfield’s reproductive success was 25.9%, and daily survival rates for eggs and nestlings were 0.957 and 0.971, respectively. Clutch sizes increased with latitude, but temperature and precipitation seasonality had very low importance in explaining clutch size variation.     

Revalidation of Obidosus Roewer, 1913 and description of two new cave-dwelling species of Protimesius Roewer, 1913 from Brazil (Opiliones: Stygnidae)

The penial and tarsal morphology of Protimesius is studied and morphological data support the revalidation of Obidosus with the subsequent new combinations (20 species) and restored combinations (two species). Emended diagnoses are proposed for both genera, and two cave-dwelling new species of Protimesius are described and illustrated: P. lucifer sp. nov. (Pará state) and P. orcus sp. nov. (Ceará state). An identification key to the species of Protimesius and distributional maps of Obidosus and Protimesius are provided.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C4E9C04D-A646-41E4-AE59-B6D0C951DEAB     

Co-existence of myxomycetes and beetles in an Atlantic Rainforest remnant of Pernambuco,Brazil, with emphasis on staphylinids (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

The relationship between myxomycetes and insects was investigated in a fragment of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest located in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, north-eastern Brazil. Sixteen excursions into the Dois Irmãos State Ecological Reserve (7°55′43′′ to 8°09′17′′ S, 34°52′05′′ to 35°00′59′′ W, 387.4 ha) were carried out during different seasons between August 2005 and August 2007 for observations and collections of myxomycetes and insects on decomposing trunks and leaf litter. A total of 196 specimens of myxomycetes was obtained, representing 31 species, 16 genera and six families. Baeocera sp. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) individuals predominated (86%) in the sample, found on the sporocarps of four species of Trichiales (Arcyria cinerea, Arcyria denudata, Hemitrichia calyculata, Hemitrichia serpula) and two species of Liceales (Lycogala epidendrum, Tubulifera microsperma). No preference was observed for type of sporocarp. No seasonal influence was found for the establishment of these associations, recorded for the first time in this forest environment.     

A new genus and two new species of Pudeoniscidae Lemos de Castro 1973 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) from Brazil

To date, the family Pudeoniscidae includes six species and three genera, Pudeoniscus, Brasiloniscus and Iansaoniscus, with distributions restricted to Brazil. Here, we redefine the family Pudeoniscidae based on the discovery of a new genus and two new species, Oxossioniscus pataxo sp. nov. and Oxossioniscus akoko sp. nov., from the Brazilian Atlantic forest in the state of Bahia, and on the examination of Pudeoniscus birabeni and Pudeoniscus obscurus. Moreover, P. obscurus is re-described and new records are provided for P. birabeni.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A0123730-C623-49CE-8665-AE17FDDF994A.     

Natural history of the Lined Seedeater Sporophila lineola (Aves: Thraupidae) in southeastern Brazil

The Lined Seedeater (Sporophila lineola) is a migratory species that inhabits a variety of open habitats in South America. We studied the breeding biology and territorial behaviour of a colour-banded population of the species in the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Campus Florestal (1–19,8808ºS, –44,4136ºW), during two breeding seasons (2014/2015 and 2015/2016), which spans from December to April. We monitored 74 nests of this species. The nest is a low cup supported between a fork. Nests are mainly built with grass stems and rootlets, with spider-web used to hold the material together and to bind the nest to its supporting plant. Females are solely responsible for nest building and incubation, which is synchronic, and also for feeding nestlings to a large extent. Males are responsible for defending the territory, which corresponds to a small portion of the home range restricted to the nest environs, and also feed the nestlings. Mean clutch size is two eggs (78% of nests monitored), with clutches of three (20.3%) and four (1.7%) eggs also observed. Eggs are whitish, covered with dark brown blotches and spots to a variable extent. Mean incubation period, considered as the period between the onset of incubation and hatching of the first egg, is 11 days. Nestling period, considered as the period between hatching of the first egg and fledging of the last young, is 10 days. During the first breeding season, the simple percentage of successful nests was 34.1%, while the Mayfield success was 29.8%, with slightly higher values observed during the second breeding season, with 39.4% and 35.7%, respectively. We recorded, for the first time, three cases of polygamy in the species. We also recorded breeding site fidelity for the first time in the species, with males returning to the same territory owned in a previous breeding season.     

Home range behaviour in male and female poison frogs in Amazonian Peru (Dendrobatidae: Ranitomeya reticulata)

The poison frog Ranitomeya reticulata was studied for 3 months while mark–recapture surveys were performed. Ranitomeya species deposit terrestrial clutches and carry tadpoles to phytotelmata with few taxa performing biparental brood care including larval feeding. Home range size and spatial affinity to phytotelmata in the genus are linked to mating systems. In R. reticulata, individual home range size and overlap were similar in both sexes, indicating equal levels of site fidelity. Although territory defence was never observed, strong intrasexual intolerance within individuals' core areas was found. The large intersexual home range overlap for breeding pairs indicated that mate fidelity occurs. Individuals' home ranges were not overlapping, suggesting that R. reticulata lacks pair-bonding or strongly cooperative behaviour in parental duties. The number of ground bromeliads containing phytotelmata and home range size of males were positively correlated. Our findings suggest that females do not perform egg-feeding and male-only parental care is likely.     

On the fly fauna of the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: new country records from Riyadh Region,with a list of associated fly species and zoogeographical remarks (Insecta: Diptera)

This study presents three genera and 10 species of flies (order: Diptera) as new country records from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The flies were identified from Rawdhat Khorim National Park in Riyadh Region, the central region of KSA. The newly recorded genera are Glabellula (Mythicomyiidae), Phora (Phoridae) and Ceroptera (Sphaeroceridae), and the newly recorded species are Dilophus lingens (Bibionidae), Stichopogon deserti (Asilidae), Glabellula sp. (Mythicomyiidae), Phora sp. (Phoridae), Liriomyza lutea (Agromyzidae), Ceroptera aharonii (Sphaeroceridae), Trixoscelis deemingi, Trixoscelis migueli and Trixoscelis puncticornis (Trixoscelididae), and Physiphora leucotricha (Ulidiidae). Glabellula sp. and Phora sp. have been identified only to the genus level and are listed herein only because this is the first time they have been recorded in KSA, and additional specimens are required for their accurate identification to the species level. Also, this is the first record of Trixoscelis deemingi Wo?nica and Trixoscelis migueli Wo?nica from the Palaearctic Region. Distribution, diagnoses, remarks on biology and coloured photos are given for the recorded taxa. A list of associated fly species that were previously recorded in KSA and are identified from the study area in the present study is also presented. Zoogeographically, 33% of the identified fly species showed both Afrotropical and Palaearctic affinities, while 17% were of only Palaearctic affinity, and 8% were of only Afrotropical affinity. Elements from other regions were apparently nil. The results support the idea that the central Arabian Desert, which includes the present study area, is a transitional zone between the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions.     

Morphometry and chaetotaxy of the nymphs of Ectemnostega (Ectemnostegella) quechua (Bachmann 1961) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Corixidae)

The egg and the five nymphal instars of Ectemnostega quechua are described and illustrated for the first time. The eggs of Ectemnostega have a short stalk, and the shape, size and chorionic structure differ among groups of species. The nymphal characters most useful in identifying instars I–V of Ectemnostega are: body length; number of rostrum sulcations; number of setae on inner surface of protibiotarsus; spines and setae, and spines on posteroventral surface of mesofemur and mesotibia, respectively; setae on posterodorsal surface of mesotibia and mesotarsus; spines and setae on anteroventral surface and setae on posterior surface of metatibia; swimming hairs on anteroventral and posterodorsal surfaces of metatarsus; and the grade of development of wing pads. The nymphs of E. quechua can be easily distinguished from other species of Ectemnostega by the number of spines and setae on the posteroventral surface of mesofemur.     

Marsilea mollis (Marsileaceae) sporocarps and associated insect parasitism in southern Arizona

We report observations on reproductive phenology, fecundity, and sporocarp morphology for a population of the semiaquatic fern Marsilea mollis B.L. Rob. & Fernald in southern Arizona and document the parasitic relationships of 2 insects collected with the plants. The recently described weevil Notiodes sporocarpicus O’Brien (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) utilizes the fern’s sporocarp as a brood chamber, only the second documented instance of this form of parasitism in the United States. The wasp Lyrcus maculatus (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a parasitoid of the weevil in this system.     

Gall-inducing jumping plant-lice of the Neotropical genus Baccharopelma (Hemiptera,Psylloidea) associated with Baccharis (Asteraceae)

The genus Baccharopelma (new replacement name for Neopelma Burckhardt, 1987 Burckhardt, D. 1987. Jumping plant lice (Hoomoptera: Psylloidea) of the temperate neotropical region. Part 1: Psyllidae (subfamilies Aphalarinae, Rhinocolinae and Aphalaroidinae). Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society, 89: 299–392. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] nec Sclater, 1860 Sclater, P. L. 1860. Characters of ten new species of American bird. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 28: 461–467.  [Google Scholar]; and for its replacement name Burckhardtia Straube and Miretzki, 1999 Straube, F. C and Miretzki, M. 1999. A homonymy in Psyllidae (Homoptera): a new name for Neopelma Burckhardt. Revista brasileira de Zoologia, 16: 1233 [Google Scholar] nec Frech, 1907 Frech F 1907 Ueber Aviculiden von palaeozoischem Habitus aus der Trias von Zacatecas Comptes Rendus du Congrès Géologique International, Mexico, 10(1906), 327–335  [Google Scholar] nec Brown and Hodkinson, 1988 Brown, R. G and Hodkinson, I. D. 1988. Taxonomy and ecology of the jumping plant-lice of Panama (Homoptera: Psylloidea). Entomonograph, 9: 304?pp [Google Scholar]) is revised to include five named species and possibly two undescribed species. The junior homonym Burckhardtia Brown and Hodkinson nec Frech is replaced by Hodkinsonia nom. n. The introduction of the two generic replacement names necessitates two new combinations. Four species are described as new. Keys for the identification of adults and the last instar larva are provided along with species diagnoses and illustrations of taxonomically relevant structures. The galls and known biological features are briefly discussed for each species and the phylogenetic relationships among the species are analysed. Baccharopelma spp. are monophagous on Baccharis spp. (Asteraceae) on which they induce galls. The temperate South American genus has one species restricted to Chile, three to Brazil and one occurring in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.     

Revision of the Trogidae of South America (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

The South American Trogidae are revised. Three genera, Trox Fabricius, Omorgus Erichson (with two subgenera, Omorgus and Haroldomorgus Scholtz), and Polynoncus Burmeister, and 47 species are recorded from the continent and its islands. Trox is represented by the ubiquitous introduced species T. scaber (L.), Omorgus is represented by 13 species and Polynoncus by 33 species. Five new species are described and all others are re-described. A key to all taxa is provided. Adults of all species and their male genitalia are illustrated and their distributions mapped. Observations are presented on phylogeny, zoogeography and biology. The new species are O. capillaceus, O. indigenus, O. nocheles, P. erugatus and P. gibberosus. Four new synonymies are proposed (synonyms listed first): O. triestinae Pittino = P. suberosus (Fabricius); P. furcifer Pittino = P. bifurcatus (Vaurie); P. parafurcatus occidentalis Pittino and P. furcillifer Pittino = P. parafurcatus Pittino. Omorgus badeni (Harold) is reinstated as a valid species. Lectotypes are designated for O. batesi (Harold) and O. badeni (Harold).     

The type species of the bee genus Epicharis Klug, 1807 (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Modern authors have treated Lutz and Cockerell’s indication of Centris umbraculata Fabricius, 1804 as the first valid type-species designation for Epicharis Klug, 1807. It is argued here, however, that Epicharis dasypoda Klug, 1807, junior synonym of Apis rustica Olivier, 1789, is the valid type species of Epicharis, as designated by Desmarest, in the article on Epicharis published in 1845 in volume 5 of d’Orbigny’s Dictionnaire Universel d’Histoire Naturelle. This overlooked designation makes Epicharana Michener, 1954, and not Xanthepicharis Moure, 1945, a junior synonym of Epicharis s.str. Therefore, Xanthepicharis should be revalidated for the group containing Epicharis umbraculata (Fabricius, 1804) and related species.

htpp://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1BA1C185-25D8-45A8-BC29-109387C1E100     

Breeding biology of the rapids frog Limnomedusa macroglossa (Anura: Cycloramphidae) in southern Brazil

Limnomedusa is a monotypic genus that occurs in association with rocky outcrops and stream beds. Based on observational and mark–recapture fieldwork from 2005 to 2008, we report the breeding biology of Limnomedusa macroglossa in southern Brazil. The reproductive season lasted from late August to early February. Tadpoles were recorded from early September to late February. A clear pattern of emergence/recruitment was observed in juveniles. The occurrence of reproductive activities was clearly related to the longest photoperiods, when the highest temperatures occur. Males called from rocky or concrete substrates, mostly under rocks. Amplexus was axillary and the operational sex ratio was nearly even. Spawn occurred in lentic water bodies but tadpoles also completed their development in slow‐flowing water. Although using similar habitats for reproduction, L. macroglossa reached lower levels of specialization toward terrestriality than did the cycloramphids Cycloramphus and Thoropa. We classify L. macroglossa as a breeding habitat specialist that would be threatened by river damming.