Re-evaluation of the fossil Phoridae (Diptera)

I re-evaluated the known fossil phorids after re-examining much of the Baltic amber and Dominican amber fauna. Many extant genera reported from Eocene Chinese and Eocene/Oligocene Baltic amber are actually not present; instead there are representatives of relatively primitive stem-group taxa. A new genus and species of fossil phorid, Limulomyia tyche, based on a male and a limuloid female, is described from Baltic amber. Some changes in the taxonomy of amber phorids are proposed: Pseudometopina Disney is synonymized with Metopina Schmitz (new synonymy), Diplonevra meunieri Brues is transferred to the genus Godavaria Brown (new combination), Protophorites fimbriatus Brues is considered a junior subjective synonym of Protoplatyphora tertiaria Brues (new synonymy) and Phalacrotophora tertiara Statz is transferred to the genus Gymnophora (new combination). The oldest confirmed dates for extant phorid genera are given.     

Tapinillus longipes (Taczanowski), a web-building lynx spider from the American tropics (Araneae: Oxyopidae)

Summary

For the first time a member of the spider family Oxyopidae, Tapinillus longipes (Taczanowski), is reported to utilize a web for prey capture under natural conditions. It is suggested that this behaviour is primitive for the family Oxyopidae.     

A comparative study of the larval development of Monodaeus couchi (Couch), Xantho incisus Leach and Pilumnus hirtellus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Xanthidae)

Summary

Comparative accounts are given of the larval and first crab stages of three crab species belonging to the family Xanthidae: Monodaeus couchi (Couch), Xantho incisus Leach and Pilumnus hirtellus (Linnaeus). Features are discussed that distinguish the larvae of these species from those of other N.E. Atlantic brachyrhynch crabs.     

The polymorphism of a lygaeid bug Oxycarenus (Oxycarenus) multiformis Samy

Summary

The new species Oxycarenus (Oxycarenus) multiformis Samy has been found to be a polymorphic species. Four colour forms have been found: red, banded, spotted and black. Breeding experiments under laboratory conditions have indicated that dominance is nearly complete in the order given and that the second generation is segregated in the 3:1 ratios.

These colour forms have been given the taxonomic status of a single species on the basis of: (a) identical measurements of external characters, (b) similar morphological characters in the male genitalia, (c) equal fertility of each form, (d) free interbreeding, (e) random mating, (f) occupation of the same geographical regions, and (g) host plant relationship.     

Morphological and molecular separation between Macrocamptoptera grangeri Soyka and M. metotarsa (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)

ABSTRACT

Based on morphological and molecular evidence, the European fairyfly Herulia sundholmi Hedqvist syn. n. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is removed from previous synonymy with the Nearctic Macrocamptoptera metotarsa (Girault), and synonymised with the Palaearctic M. grangeri Soyka, which is newly recorded from Georgia, Slovakia and Spain. Macrocamptoptera bulagarica (Donev) syn. n., known from Bulgaria and Italy, is also synonymised with M. grangeri. An updated key to females of the three currently recognised species of the rarely collected genus Macrocamptoptera Girault is given.     

The systematics of Microtus (Terricola) savii group: an odonthometrical perspective (Mammalia,Rodentia, Cricetidae)

ABSTRACT

The morphology of the first lower molar of Microtus savii group (M. brachycercus, M. nebrodensis, M. savii) is complex and highly variable. A morphometrical analysis done by grouping the samples into large geographical sets reveals the differentiation between northern, central and southern populations. The specific status of M. nebrodensis is confirmed while it is not possible to separate M. brachycercus. The subspecies M. savii tolfetanus and M. brachycercus niethammericus are, respectively, not well and moderate distinguished from the other populations. Finally, the distinction of M. savii group from other species of European voles is also confirmed.     

Some European Processidae (Crustacea,Decapoda, Caridea)

Summary

The name Processa canaliculata Leach has been applied to a species other than that to which the holotype belongs. The species P. canaliculata Nouvel & Holthuis non Leach has no valid name; it is re-named P. nouveli, with type material from Monaco.

P. nouveli and P. canaliculata have been considered to be conspecific by one recent author. New characters for their separation are described from Irish Sea material.

The northern form of P. nouveli differs from the Mediterranean form sufficiently to be placed in a separate subspecies. The name P. nouveli holthuisi is proposed for it, with type material from the Irish Sea.

The distribution of the four species and subspecies of Processa known to occur in northern Europe is reviewed.     

New South American Carabidae (Coleoptera) with notes on described species

Summary

The occurrence of a commensalic hydroid of the genus Eugymnanthea has been noted in the wood-boring molluscs such as Nausitora hedleyi, Teredo furcifera and Martesia striata. Both the polyp and the young medusa are described. The mode of formation of the colony, movements of the hydroid and preliminary observations on the general ecology are noted and the nature of the relationship indicated.     

Laboratory studies on the effect of crowding on phase and the life history of Schistocerca pallens (Thunberg) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Cyrtacanthacridinae)

Summary

The life-history of Schistocerca pallens (Thunberg) has been studied under controlled laboratory conditions.

Both isolated and crowded stocks passed through six nymphal instars, with which the number of eye-stripes in the compound eye correspond.

The mean length of nymphal life of isolated individuals was 64·8 days for males and 67·1 days for females. Mean duration of nymphal life of individuals reared in crowds was 60·1 days irrespective of sex.

The mean time elapsing between the last ecdysis and the first oviposition for isolated females was 32·8 days. Each female laid an average of 6·36 egg-pods with an average of 57·8 days. Each female laid an average of 6·36 egg-pods with an average of 57·8 eggs por pod; of these 63·3% hatched.

Crowded females laid their first egg-pod on the seventeenth day. They laid an average of 14·44 egg-pods per female with a mean of 60·70 eggs per pod, of which 77·58% hatched. There was no significant difference in fecundity between females grown at the two rearing densities, but there was a great difference in fertility.

There was no difference in hatchling weight between the two rearing densities.

No significant chromatic or behavioural variations occurred in relation to isolation or crowding, but morphometrics showed differences associated with rearing density.     

Mating in Wiedemannia (Diptera: Empididae)

Summary

The copulation of Wiedemannia bistigma (Curtis) and W. lepida (Melander) are compared and a detailed account of the action pattern of W. lepida is given. Swarming in Wiedemannia (Clinoceratinae) is compared to members of the subfamily Empidinae. Mate selection and aspects of possible intrasexual competition are discussed. The wing and genitalia of the heretofore unknown male of W. lepida are illustrated.     

The taxonomy and biology of the British Adelognathinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Summary

The known biology of Adelognathus, including new findings, is summarized. An illustrated key is given to the 15 species found in the British Isles. One species, A. stelfoxi, is described as new.     

Revision of the Palaearctic species of the genus Clinocentrus (Hymenoptera,Braconidae)

Revision of the Palaearctic species of the genus Clinocentrus Haliday is given. The composition and geographic distribution of the genus Clinocentrus and the probable generic position of fossil species described by Brues (1933) as Clinocentrus are discussed. The systematic position of this genus in Exothecinae is also discussed and arguments presented to support the differentiation of exothecines and rogadines. Nine species of Clinocentrus are figured and re-described. Three new species and two new subspecies are figured and described: C. kalmyk from Kalmykia, C. kozlovi from Mongolia, C. rhysipoloides from Primorsk Territory of Russia, C. umbratilis ssp. disruptus from Taiwan and C. vestigator ssp. orientalis from Primorsk Territory of Russia. C. stigmaticus Marshall, 1897 and C. jaroshevskyi Telenga, 1941 are synonymized with C. vestigator (Haliday, 1836); C. tarsalis Ashmead, 1894—with C. exsertor (Nees, 1812) and C. gracilipes (Thomson, 1891)—with C. cunctator (Haliday, 1836), Lectotypes of Exothecus analis Wesmael, 1838 and C. antefurcalis Granger, 1949 are designated. The new combination is given: Rhysipolis antefurcalis (Granger). A key to 12 Palaearctic species of Clinocentrus is given.     

The Mollissima subgroup of fannia Desvoidy,with the description of a new species from Burma and a revised key to species (Diptera: Muscidae)

Synopsis

A comparison of the type-species of the genus Coelomyia Haliday (C. mollissima Haliday) with that of the genus Fannia Desvoidy (F. scalaris Fabricius) shows that these two genera cannot be maintained as equivalent phylogenetie taxa. Coelomyia is synonymized with Fannia and its species placed in Fannia, four new combinations thus being established. The mollissima subgroup is defined and its affinities shown, a new species is described, and a revised key to species is given.     

The most primitive Scoliidae (Hymenoptera)

Summary

The subfamily Proscoliinae Rasnitsyn, 1977, (Scoliidae) was based on a single male from Armenia. Following discovery of a second species known from both sexes, the Proscoliinae and Scoliinae are redefined as subfamilies of Scoliidae, and keyed. The new species is described and figured; biological observations are given. The relationships of Scoliidae are discussed in the light of recent work. Taxonomic observations are made on the genera Colpa Dufour, 1841 (Scoliidae; Scoliinae) and Paramyzine Berg, 1898 (= Menius Buysson, 1898) (Tiphiidae; Anthoboscinae); new generic and specific synonymies are recorded.