Stridulation in Aphodius dung beetles: Songs and morphology of stridulatory organs in North American Aphodius species (Scarabaeidae)

The acoustic behaviour of four Aphodius dung beetle species from the Pacific Northwest of the USA was investigated. Male Aphodius produce substrate vibrations when they meet a conspecific female in a dung pat. The temporal structure of the substrate vibrations and the stridulatory organs are described. The vibrations are species-specific songs that are emitted during courtship. The stridulatory organ is of the abdomino-alary type in the investigated species. Morphological differences with regard to the detailed structure are present.     

XXVIII.—Les Trechus [Coleoptera,Carabidæ] de l'Everest Expedition, 1924, et Remarques sur quelques espèces de l'Himalaya

Summary

Chorthippus m. montanus and C. p. parallelus are often difficult and sometimes impossible to separate using existing keys. Eleven potentially useful characters are re-evaluated in the male and six in the female. In males the best characters are found to be the number of stridulatory pegs on the hind femur, the length of the stridulatory file, cercus and anterior medial area, and the distance of the stigma from the fore wing tip; these characters are closely correlated with each other. In females the shape and length of the ventral valves of the ovipositor are found to be the most useful characters. The acoustic behaviour, cytology, serology, ecology and distribution of the two species are discussed.

A lectotype is designated for C. caffer Ramme, which is newly synonymised with C. p. parallelus. C. erythropus Faber is reduced in status to a subspecies of C. parallelus. The status of the following is also discussed: C. montanus tatrae Harz, C. parallelus aemulus Mishchenko, C. p. geminus Mishchenko, C. p. tenuis (Brullé), C. turanicus Tarbinskii and C. curtipennis (Harris).

A key is given to the Western European species and subspecies of this group.     

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.     

A survey of the genus Stegana Meigen from southern Japan (Diptera,Drosophilidae), with descriptions of three new species

Nine species of genus Stegana from southern Japan, including three new species, S. (Oxyphortica) nigripennis Hendel, S. (Steganina) ctenaria Nishiharu, S. (Steganina) izu Sidorenko, S. (Steganina) kanmiyai Okada and Sidorenko, S. (Steganina) masanoritodai Okada and Sidorenko, S. (Steganina) ornatipes Wheeler and Takada, S. (Oxyphortica) dendrobium sp. nov., S. (Steganina) biprotrusa sp. nov. and S. (Steganina) bacilla sp. nov. are surveyed and described with designation of a new synonym S. (Steganina) maymyo Sidorenko. A key to all species of genus Stegana from southern Japan is provided.     

Secondary sexual characters in Celaenorrhinus and the delimitation of the genus (Lepidoptera,Hesperiidae)

Summary

Scent producing organs involving parts of the thorax as well as of the abdomen in males of Calaenorrhinus and some related genera are described. The unique character of abdominal pouches with scent hairs is applied to delimit the genus Celaenorrhinus Hübner, 1819, the only pantropical genus of the Hesperiidae. As a consequence, the genera Orneates Godman and Salvin, 1894, and Charmion de Nicéville, 1894, are placed in synonymy. Two species without secondary sexual characters are also considered to belong to Celaenorrhinus, viz., Plesioneura aurivittata Moore, 1865, and Plesioneura jao Mabille, 1889, the latter being placed in Celaenorrhinus for the first time. The evolution of the described scent organs is discussed in relation to their geographic distribution.     

XIII.—Notice of three new species of Sinusigers,a genus of Brachiocephalous Mollusks

Summary

The reproductive organs of the male and female Gryllodes sigillatus, together with their associated muscles, are described in detail. The male reproductive organs are characterized by the presence of the accessory gland tubules and the absence of sperm vesicles. The presence of a pair of lateral pouches on the genital chamber and a chitinous bursa copulatrix at the posterior end of the spermathecal duct are peculiar features of the female reproductive organs. The testes and the ovaries are attached by the testicular and ovariolar ligaments respectively to the tergum of the first abdominal segment.     

Review of the Japanese flatfishes of the genus Samariscus,with the description of a new species from Tonking Bay

Summary

The genus Samariscus of the right eye flounder has thirteen known species including the two described here. A key is given to all the species, and the Japanese forms are reviewed. Samariscus japonicus Kamohara and S. latus Matsubara and Takamuki live in somewhat deeper water, 100 to 200 metres. A certain isopod parasite is often found in the branchial cavity of the ocular side of S. japonicus. S. xenicus n. sp. from Kochi frequents a depth of about 20 metres in the littoral zone. Kamohara's S. huysmani is relegated to synonymy of this new species. Also a flatfish from Tonking Bay represents a new species described herein as S. asanoi.     

Systematic study on the barracudas (Pisces: Sphyraenidae) from a northern sector of the South China Sea

Summary

The paper here provides an effective key for separation of species of the genus Sphyraena Röse from the northern part of the South China Sea for both taxonomic and field identifications. Six species, namely S. barracuda (Walbaum, 1792), S. jello Cuvier, 1829, S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860, S. pinguis Günther, 1874, S. toxeuma Fowler, 1904, and S. africana Gilchrist and Thompson, 1909, are listed in the key. All except S. barracuda were found during this study. Generic and species problems are discussed and comparisons of each species are made with closely related forms. The species names adopted in this paper are also explained. The first record of S. novaehollandiae from this area is reported.     

On marine polyzoa

Summary

Schizoporella ansata (Johnston, 1847) is synonymous with S. unicornis (Johnston in Wood, 1844), which is characteristically a littoral species in western Europe. Specimens collected offshore, differing most notably from S. unicornis in the shape of the poster (sinus) of the orifice, constitute the S. ansata of authors. The sub-littoral species with a D-shaped anter to the orifice, which occurs off Atlantic coasts of Europe, is recognized as S. dunkeri (Reuss, 1848), a Tertiary species which had also been referred to S. ansata. The Mediterranean offshore form, however, with an orbicular anter to the orifice, represents S. magnifica Hincks (1886). It is here recorded from southern Britain.

Shorter mention is made of S. errata (Waters, 1878), which has been confused with S. unicornis, from which it differs most notably in the shape of the sinus. The Tertiary species S. tetragona (Reuss, 1848), which has been confused with both S. dunkeri and S. errata, is described and distinguished from these species. It is here recognized for the first time as a Recent species.     

The mouthparts and feeding behaviour of two species of hermit crabs

Summary

The mouthparts of P. novae-zealandiae and S. setosus are similar in construction, but differ in details of setation. These differences are related to particular feeding habits. S. Setosus is a suspension filter feeder, the antennae being modified to form sieves which actively sweep plankton from the water. Setation of the maxillipeds is modified for cleaning the antennae. Both species are detritus feeders and this is the major source of food for P. novae-zealandiae, the maxillipeds here bearing numerous stout setae with dentate margins. Neither species readily feeds on large food and it is suggested that S. setosus is less well adapted to do so.     

The tortoise caterpillar: carnivory and armoured larval morphology of the metalmark butterfly Pachythone xanthe (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)

ABSTRACT

The natural history and morphology of the later instars and pupa of the metalmark butterfly Pachythone xanthe H. Bates are described and illustrated for the first time. The caterpillars are myrmecophilous and carnivorous, feeding on scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) tended by Azteca cf. chartifex Forel (Formicidae: Dolichoderinae) ants and appear to be physically shielded from potential ant attacks by a carapace-like body that protects the head and appendages. In addition, the larvae present several types of specialised setae and ant-organs such as perforated cupola organs, glandular openings and functional tentacle nectary organs that may be related to appeasement of aggressive ant behaviour. Our results reveal the first detailed life cycle data for the Pachythonina subtribe and record a new independent origin of carnivory in Riodinidae.     

Brevimulticaecum scleropagi sp. nov. (Ascarididae: Nematoda) from the fish Scleropages jardini in Papua New Guinea

Summary

Examination of ascaridoid nematodes from the osteoglossid fish Scleropages jardini in Papua New Guinea revealed that they belong to a new species and named Brevimulticaecum scleropagi nov. sp. Multicaecum heterotis Petter, Vassiliades and Marchand, 1979 from the African osteoglossid fish Heterotes niloticus was moved to the genus Brevimulticaecum in new combination and reported from the same host in Nigeria and Sudan for the first time. The new species is near to B. heterotis but differs from it in having lips that are not lobed, in the absence of the cervical alae, the much smaller size and measurements of the various organs.     

Redescription of three cyclocypridine freshwater ostracods (Crustacea,Ostracoda) from Southeast Asia

Summary

All three species of cyclocypridine freshwater ostracods, Cypria javana Müller, 1906, Cypria spinifera Tressler, 1937 and Physocypria crenulata (Sars) 1903 presently known from Southeast Asia are redescribed. Valves, appendages and internal organs are illustrated for females and males and detailed remarks are given for all the species.     

Poecilostome copepods (Lichomolgidae) associated with the scleractinian coral Galaxea in the Moluccas

Summary

Nine species of Scirtothrips are here recorded from the Australasian region, eight from Australia and two including one endemic species from New Zealand. A key is provided for their identification, and diagnostic details and collection notes are given for each species. Two new species, S. casuarinae and S. helenae are described from Australia and one new synonym, S. gladiiseta Girault = Dendrothripoides ipomeae Bagnall, is recorded.     

Book reviews

Summary

Five early ontogenic stages of Scomberomorus lineolatus (C. &; V.) ranging in standard length from 18·4 mm to 99·5 mm are described.

Direct comparison of these early stages with those of S. commerson (Lac.) showed differences in the number of gill rakers, the length of preopercular spines and the position of the anal fin in relation to the second dorsal fin. In the case of S. guttatus (Bl. &; Schn.) the gill rakers are of the same number as in S. lineolatus but the preopercular spines decrease in size from above with the upper two subequal in size and none projects beyond the operculum.

In the earlier stages, S. lineolatus could be easily distinguished from S. guttatus by the absence of the bluish green coloration characteristic of S. guttatus. In later stages when the coloration has developed in both the species the only marked difference between the two is in the nature of the bent portion of the lateral line which is wavy in S. lineolatus and straight in S. guttatus.

The number of vertebrae is 46 in S. lineolatus; 42–45 with 43·9 as mean in S. commerson and 47–52 with 49·7 as mean in S. guttatus.     

Some notes on the ecology of three milkweed bugs in India (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

Summary

Caenocoris nerii (Germar) is recorded for the first time in S. India, further distribution records of Spilostethus hospes (Fabricius) are noted, host plants and population trends of Spilostethus pandurus (Scopoli), S. hospes and C. nerii are recorded and discussed with reference to climate and altitude (with two tables and one figure).     

Myrmecophilous organs of the larvae and pupa of the lycaenid butterfly Jalmenus evagoras (Donovan)

Summary

An account if given of the larval and pupal morphology of the ant-attended lycaenid butterfly, Jalmenus evagoras Donovan, focusing on those structures specifically associated with the mutualistic interaction with ants. Scanning electron micrographs of these and associated structures are presented and interpreted. A brief account of the function of these myrmecophilous organs and their mode of action is included.     

Notes on Simulium ovazzae Grenier and Mouchet (Diptera: Simuliidae) and river crabs (Malacostraca: Potamidae) and their association

Summary

Collections of crabs in the forest zone of West Cameroon produced three species—Potamonautes africanus, P. orthostylis and P. pobeguini. The P. africanus carried populations of immature Simulium ovazzae.

Analysis of crabs collected by hand and those collected in traps indicates very little overlap in the sizes of the crabs obtained by the two techniques. This problem is discussed.

The infestation rates of S. ovazzae on P. africanus were found to be highest on medium-sized crabs. The attachment sites of the S. ovazzae on the crabs were found to vary with both the size of the crab and the size of the Simulium larva.

The size distributions of S. ovazzae larvae on small crabs were found to be different from those on medium and large crabs. The characteristic deficiency of smaller larvae on medium and large crabs reported for other crab-phoretic species was also found with S. ovazzae but the smaller crabs showed a deficiency of larger larvae. A hypothesis is put forward to explain the dearth of larger larvae on the smaller crabs and the higher infestation rate on medium crabs.

S. ovazzae are shown to arrive on their hosts as single larvae carried by the current.

Six adult S. ovazzae were reared from pupae in the laboratory. Small numbers of presumed S. ovazzae biting man in Cameroon are reported.