Tydeoid mites (Acari: Tydeidae,Edbakerellidae, Iolinidae) occurring on Citrus in southern Africa

Tydeoids were collected from different southern African localities by beating citrus foliage and branches. Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor) was the most frequently encountered, followed by Tydeus munsteri Meyer and Ryke. Some species appeared to be restricted to certain climate types, e.g. Parapronematus geminus Meyer and Rodriques being found only in coastal conditions of Mozambique and Triophtydeus immanis Kuznetzov only occurring in the arid lower Orange River Valley. Four new genera (Tetratriophtydeus, Orfareptydeus, Kakamasia, and Lourus) are proposed along with four new species (O. stepheni, K. cataracta, Pseudopronematulus augrabiensis, and L. citricolus). A key is presented and has been created to facilitate the identification of the tydeoids found and to encourage further research on the role of tydeoids in the citrus ecosystem in southern Africa.     

Scorpion-flies of the Panorpa cognata-complex in the western palaearctic region (Mecoptera)

Summary

The Panorpa cognata-complex comprises four morphologically distinct species two of which, P. cognata and P. meridionalis, show a confusing degree of variation. P. meridionalis is separated by the bi-lobed ventral parameres, which are singlelobed in P. cognata, P. annexa and P. etrusca. P. meridionalis is also allopatric and has two geographical forms which may prove to be biologically distinct species. P. cognata is sympatric with, and closely related, to P. annexa. P. cognata and P. etrusca are also sympatric. There is a clear morphological and distributional division between P. annexa and P. etrusca, for which reason the latter is raised to species level. Based on morphological evidence P. ghilianii, P. cognata osellai and P. adnexa [sic] var. subalpina are synonymized with P. cognata and P. meridionalis var. commissa, P. meridionalis var. germanizans and P. meridionalis var. liberata are synonymized with P. meridionalis.     

A revision of the genus Pandalus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Pandalidae)

The genus Pandalus Leach, 1814, is revised based upon the abundant material from collections in various museums or institutions in the world. Altogether 20 species are recognized which appear to form five groups. Nineteen species are recognized in Pandalus, three of which are described as new: P. curvatus from southern Japan, and P. chani and P. formosanus from Taiwan. Four informal species groups are also recognized within the genus: P. montagui group (P. montagui Leach, 1814; P. borealis Krøyer, 1838; P. goniuruStimpson, 1860; P. jordani Rathbun, 1902; P. tridens Rathbun, 1902; and P. eous Makarov, 1935); P. stenolepis group (P. stenolepis Rathbun, 1902; P. curvatus sp. nov.); P. hypsinotus group (P. hypsinotus Brandt, 1851; P. danae Stimpson, 1857; P. prensor Stimpson, 1860; P. gracilis Stimpson, 1860; P. gurneyi Stimpson, 1871; P. nipponensis Yokoya, 1933; P. teraoi Kubo, 1937; P. chani sp. nov.; and P. formosanus sp. nov.); and P. platyceros group (P. platyceros Brandt, 1851; and P. latirostris Rathbun, 1902). The P. platyceros group appears to be most closely related to the genus Pandalopsis Bate, 1888, but Pandalus is retained as a possible paraphyletic group. Protandrous hermaphroditism is known in all but two species of the genus (P. curvatus and P. formosanus), for which only specimens of either male or female have been available. Pandalus propinqvus G. O. Sars, 1870, is transferred to a new monotypic genus Atlantopandalus, because of its lack of hermaphroditism and possession of some unique morphological characters, including one indicating a close relationsip to Dichelopandalus Caullery, 1896. All species are fully described and illustrated. The affinities and important morphological variations of the species are discussed. A key for adults is presented for the identification of the species. Biogeography of the genus is briefly discussed.     

Notes on Bombyliidae (Diptera) from the southern borderlands of the Sahara with descriptions of new species

The paper is a review of the genus Pellenes (s. lat.) in the fauna of Central Asia and the Caucasus. The genus Pellenes(s. lat.) is redefined and subdivided into four subgenera according to the structure of genitalia: Pellenes(s. str.), Pelpaucus subgen. nov., Pelmultus subgen. nov. and Pelmirus subgen. nov. Altogether 23 species have been treated, of which nine are described as new to science: Pellenes amazonka sp. nov. (female), P. badkhyzicus sp. nov. (male), P. borisi sp. nov. (female), P. karakumensis sp. nov. (male), P. bonus sp. nov. (male), P. pamiricus sp. nov. (male and female), P. pseudobrevis sp. nov. (male and female), P. sytchevskayae sp. nov. (male and female) and P. turkmenicus sp. nov. (male and female). Five species are newly synonymized: P. maderianus Kulczyński, 1905 with P. epularis (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872); P. kulabicus Andreeva, 1976 and P. simoni (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872) with P. geniculatus (Simon, 1868); and P. albomaculatus Peng and Xie, 1993 with P. denisi Schenkel, 1963; P. tauricus (Thorell, 1875) is removed from synonymy with P. simoni (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872) and is shown to be a junior synonym of P. nigrociliatus (Simon in L. Koch, 1875). A lectotype is designated for Pellenes brevis Simon, 1868. P. campylophorous (Thorell, 1875) is recognized to be nomen dubium. Pellenes calvus (Simon, 1868) is excluded from the Central Asian fauna of Pellenes. Evarcha lapponica (Sundevall, 1832), comb. nov. (ex Pellenes), is proposed. Some morphological terms, e.g. the median septum, the epigynal flaps, the central blindending pocket and the newly proposed ‘compound terminal apophysis’, are discussed in relation to their homology.     

An account of the mealybug genus Paraputo Laing (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) in the Pacific region

The mealybug genus Paraputo is discussed from the Pacific region and three new species, P. aracearum sp. nov., P. chimbuensis sp. nov., and P. guadalcanalae sp. nov., are described and illustrated. They are discussed with two species, P. kukumi Williams and P. leveri (Green), already known from the area. Most of the species are found on economic plants and one of the mealybugs, P. leveri, has been recorded as possibly invasive. A key to adult females is provided.     

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).     

A revision of the genus Platythelphusa A. Milne-Edwards, 1887 from Lake Tanganyika,East Africa (Decapoda: Potamoidea: Platythelphusidae)

The genus Platythelphusa is revised and six species are recognized. These species are P. armata A. Milne-Edwards, 1887, P. maculata (Cunnington, 1899), P. conculata Cunnington, 1907, P. tuberculata Capart, 1952, P. polita Capart, 1952 and P. echinata Capart, 1952. A seventh taxon, P. denticulata Capart, 1952 is considered here to be a junior synonym of P. conculata. A diagnosis for each species is provided and most are figured from the type. Keys to the families of African freshwater crabs and to the genus Platythelphusa are also provided.     

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.     

Revision of the spider subfamily Gnaphosinae in Israel (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

Gnaphosid spiders of 6 genera in Israel are revised presenting a relative richness in species and updated information on the Mediterranean spider fauna. Many inhabit the stony deserts of the south or are psammophiles that were detected by pitfall trapping. Minosia, Minosiella and Gnaphosa have never before been reported from Israel. Minosia simeonica sp. n. and the unknown males of M. spinosissima and Minosiella pharia are described. Gnaphosa barroisi is reinstated as a separate species. Berlandina jovia Denis, 1947 is newly synonymized with B. venatrix Dalmas, 1921, while the following B. chopardi Denis, 1955, B. paludani Denis, 1958, B. afghana Denis, 1958 and its subspecies B. a. spinitarsis Denis, 1958, and B. macrostigma Denis, 1966 are new synonyms of B. plumalis (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872) one of the most widely distributed gnaphosids in the Old World. The matching female of Nomisia excerpta and the matching of N. palaestina, each proving a separate species, have been identified, and N. negebensis sp. n. is described. Nomisia marginata (O. P.-Cambridge, 1874) and N. mauretanica Dalmas, 1921 are new synonyms of N. ausserei (L. Koch, 1872), N. verneaui (Simon, 1889) = N. excerpta (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872), and N. soror Dalmas, 1921 = N. palaestina (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872). In Pterotricha, the largest genus of Gnaphosinae in the Middle East, P. levantina sp. n., P. parasyriaca sp. n., P. engediensis and the unknown female of P. dalmasi are described, and the following new synonyms are recognized: P. aegyptiaca Dalmas, 1921 and P. isiaca Dalmas, 1921 = P. conspersa (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872); P. fanatica Dalmas, 1921 = P. lesserti Dalmas, 1921; P. peregrina Denis, 1948 = P. chazaliae (Simon, 1985); P. lentiginosioides Nosek, 1905 = P. kochii (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872). Illustrations of diagnostic characters, records of distribution and pertaining literature are provided for each species.     

Two new species of the genus Microstigmus Ducke (Hymenoptera: Sphecoidea)

Summary

Five species of tettigoniid of the Decticine genus, Platycleis (sensu stricto), are found in the environs of Montpellier, Hérault, S. France. P. intermedia, P. sabulosa and P. albopunctata are essentially early-evening singers. There is a nycthemeral cycle of vertical migration in these three species—they sing from a greater height than that at which they rest during the daytime. P. affinis and P. falx sing both during the day and during the evening. As the syllables of the songs of the five species are similar, and since these insects sing at the same time of year and at least during the evening, interspecific acoustic interference would seem likely. However, such interference appears to be avoided by spatial separation of singing individuals (the males only). The difference in habitat preferences may be so distinct that two species do not occur in the same locality (e.g. P. falx and P. albopunctata). Where two species do occur in one local area, one of them is generally confined to one type of vegetation (e.g. P. intermedia in the bushes) and the other to another type (e.g. P. affinis on the open ground). Differences in chirp types, and in the specific response to particular song patterns, mean that ethological barriers as well as ecological ones would appear to prevent heterospecific matings. However, prevention of acoustic interference between allospecific males seems to be brought about mainly by habitat-preference differences. In one species pair, P. falx and P. affinis, the habitat-preference difference is very slight, and their songs are similar. These facts, coupled with the impression that the range and abundance of P. affinis are increasing, while those of P. falx are decreasing, suggest that P. affinis is supplanting P. falx in the open areas of wasteland in the Montpellier area.     

Review of the Neotropical genus Physiomorphus Pic (Coleoptera: Mycteridae: Lacconotinae), with description of the larvae of three species

The Neotropical lacconotine genus Physiomorphus Pic (Coleoptera: Mycteridae) is reviewed, and redescribed. Larvae are described and illustrated for three species, based on reared specimens. Detailed information is included on biology, rearing and habitat. New synonymies presented are: Physiomorphus Pic 1917 = Batobiomorphus Pic 1920; Laccoderus melanurus Champion 1916 = Batobiomorphus laticollis Pic 1920; Physiomorphus atricolor Pic 1917 = Physiomorphus rufotinctus Pic 1921. The following new species are described: Physiomorphus rufolineatus; P. antennatus; P. angustus; P. mimeticus, and P. subcostulatus, bringing the total number of known species to eight. Comparisons are made between larvae and adults of Physiomorphus and other described lacconotines. Details are given on Brazilian localities where Physiomorphus larvae were collected.     

Revision of the millipede genus Parafontaria Verhoeff, 1936 (Diplopoda,Xystodesmidae)

The xystodesmid millipede genus Parafontaria Verhoeff, 1936 is revised in the light of the geographic variation found in the genital morphology of both sexes. The following 11 species, including one new species, are recognized as valid: P. erythrosoma (Takakuwa, 1942), P. ishiii Shinohara, 1986, P. doenitzi (Karsch, 1880), P. laminata (Attems, 1909), P. crenata Shinohara, 1986, P. longa Shinohara, 1986, P. tokaiensis n. sp., P. shiraiwaensis Shinohara, 1986, P. falcifera (Verhoeff, 1936), P. spathulata (Miyosi, 1951) and P. takakuwai (Shinohara, 1957). Parafontaria tonominea (Attems, 1899) can be recognized as a species complex and is operationally defined as a species. The systematic status of P. terminalis (Takakuwa, 1942) is uncertain. The following new synonymies are proposed: Fontaria (Parafontaria) armigera Verhoeff, 1936 (currently P. laminata armigera (Verhoeff, 1936)), F. (P.) kuhlgatzi Verhoeff, 1937 (currently P. kuhlgatzi (Verhoeff, 1937)) and P. echizenensis Shinohara, 1986 with P. laminata; F. coarctata circula Attems, 1901 (currently P. circula (Attems, 1901)), F. coarctata acutidens Attems, 1909 (currently P. acutidens (Attems, 1909)), F. (Japonaria) spiraligera Verhoeff, 1937 (currently P. spiraligera (Verhoeff, 1937)), F. (J.) marmorata Verhoeff, 1937 (currently P. marmorata (Verhoeff, 1937)), Japonaria longispinosa longispinosa Miyosi, 1951 (currently P. longispinosa longispinosa (Miyosi, 1951)), J. longispinosa falcata Miyosi, 1951 (currently P. longispinosa falcata (Miyosi, 1951)), J. egregia Haga, 1968 (currently P. egregia (Haga, 1968)) with P. tonominea. A cladistic analysis based on 15 morphological characters was performed for all species except P. terminalis. The strict and majority rule (50%) consensus trees identified three and five clades, respectively, within the genus.     

A review of the north-western Pacific species of the genus Paguristes (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae), I. Five species initially reported by Ortmann (1892) from Japan

Five species of the hermit crab genus Paguristes Dana, 1851, initially reported by Ortmann (1892) from Japan, are revised based on the materials reported by Ortmann (1892), Doflein (1902), Balss (1913) and Miyake (1978), and on newly collected specimens. The specific status of P. palythophilus Ortmann, 1892, is clarified, and a species confused with P. palythophilus is described as new, P. albimaculatus. It has been revealed that P. kagoshimensis Ortmann, 1892, is actually a junior subjective synonym of P. digitalis Stimpson, 1858. The species heretofore assigned to P. kagoshimensis is described as new, P. versus. It has been confirmed that Paguristes acanthomerus Ortmann, 1892, is a valid species and that P. barbatus sensu Ortmann, 1892, is the same species as P. ortmanni Miyake, 1978. Further, a new species, P. doederleini, is described for P. setosus sensu Ortmann, 1892. It is also shown that a part of the group of specimens identified as Paguristes puniceus by Miyake (1978) is referable to P. doederleini. In addition to the three new species recognized herein, the four previously described species are also redescribed in detail in order to make clear their taxonomic status.     

Revision of the proctotrupoid genus Pelecinus Latreille (Hymenoptera: Pelecinidae)

The extant Pelecinidae consist of the single genus Pelecinus Latreille. This group is restricted to the continental New World; miscellaneous reports and specimens from Jamaica, Australia, India and Malaysia are errors. Three species are recognized: the widespread Pelecinus polyturator (Drury), found from the southern portions of the eastern provinces of Canada, the eastern USA (west to North Dakota, Colorado and New Mexico) and Mexico south to northern Argentina; Pelecinus thoracicus Klug revised status, from western Mexico; and Pelecinus dichrous Perty revised status from northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and south-eastern Brazil. Pelecinus rufus Klug, 1841 and Pelecinus annulatus Klug, 1841 are treated as junior synonyms of Pelecinus dichrous Perty, 1833. The status of Pelecinus polyturator var. apicalis Roman is discussed and the name is treated as a synonym of P. polyturator. The only recorded host species for the genus are for P. polyturator: Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte), P. drakei Kirby, P. futilis (LeConte), P. rugosa (Melsheimer) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae); and Podischnus agenor Olivier (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae).     

A revision of the genus Prionocrangon (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Crangonidae)

Additional specimens belonging to the rare crangonid genus Prionocrangon Wood‐Mason and Alcock, collected from recent deep‐sea expeditions in the West Pacific enable a revision of this poorly known genus. The four previously described species are all valid. The type species P. ommatosteres Wood‐Mason and Alcock, , originally known only from the Andaman Sea, is considered to be also distributed in the Philippines and Indonesia. However, the material previously assigned to “P. ommatosteres” by de Man () and Chace () from Indonesia and the Philippines actually represents a new species, P. demani sp. nov., close to P. pectinata Faxon, . Prionocrangon pectinata and P. curvicaulis Yaldwyn, are still only known by their types. The distribution of P. dofleini Balss, is now extended from Japan to Taiwan. Two more new species are recognized. Prionocrangon formosa sp. nov. from Taiwan is closely related to P. curvicaulis while P. paucispina sp. nov. from Taiwan and New Caledonia is unique in having very few dorsal carapace spines. The genus Prionocrangon is newly diagnosed and a key to the species is provided. Nevertheless, a damaged specimen from the Sulu Sea could not be satisfactorily assigned to any of the above seven species, suggesting that this genus may have even higher diversity.     

New species of Australian cockroaches in the genus Paratemnopteryx Saussure (Blattaria,Blattellidae, Blattellinae), and a discussion of some behavioural observations with respect to the evolution and ecology of cave life

Three new species of Paratemnopteryx Saussure (Blattellidae) cockroaches from Australia are described. One surface dwelling species, P. rosensis, was collected from south-east Queensland, and two cavernicolous species, P. kookabinnensis and P. weinsteini, were collected from central Western Australia and north-east Queensland respectively. All three species demonstrate eye and wing reduction, consistent with adaptation to a homogeneous environment. P. weinsteini and P. rosensis species demonstrate sexual wing dimorphism, which is most clear in the former. P. weinsteini is very similar to P. rosensis, and they are probably sister species. I suggest that some surface dwelling species may have given rise to cavernicolous species as a result of isolation in moist refugia during periods of increasing aridity in Australia in the late Cenozoic.     

Revision of the American Pupisoma species (Gastropoda: Pupilloidea)

The American species of Pupisoma Stoliczka (Gastropoda: Pupilloidea) are revised. Five species are recognized. Pupisoma puella Hylton Scott has been synonymized with P. dioscoricola (C. B. Adams). This species occurs from southern USA through the Caribbean and Central America to the Galapagos Islands and to southern Brazil and northern Argentina. Pupisoma galapagorum Pilsbry, P. bailyi Pilsbry, and P. latens Hylton Scott have been synonymized with P. comicolense H. B. Baker. This species is distributed from Mexico to the Galapagos Islands, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina. Pupisoma costulata sp. n. from Andean forests in Colombia is described as new. The range of P. macneilli (Clapp) extends from southern USA through the Caribbean and Central America to southern Brazil and northern Argentina. A neotype has been designated for P. mediamericanum Pilsbry. Pupisoma michoacanense Pilsbry is a synonym of this species. This species occurs from Mexico to Colombia and on Jamaica.     

Identification of mealybugs of the genus Planococcus (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) occurring on cacao throughout the world

A key and illustrations are provided for the identification of the species of Planococcus which occur on cacao. P. celtus and P. lamabokensis are transferred to Planococcoides. Planococcus pacificus is shown to occur commonly on cacao in the Neotropical Region as well as in the Australo-Oriental and Polynesian Regions, suggesting that many records of P. citri from the neotropics refer to this species.