Seed-feeding beetles of the weevil tribe Mecysolobini (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae) developing in seeds of trees in the Dipterocarpaceae

Species comprising two monophyletic groups of Alcidodes sensu lato (crassus group and dipterocarpi group) feed on fruits of the ecologically and economically important tropical timber family Dipterocarpaceae. Fifteen Alcidodes species are newly described from several thousand specimens of seed-feeding beetles reared from south-east Asian dipterocarp hosts (Dipterocarpoidae) and four other species are revised. Morphological keys are provided for identifying these 19 taxa. Weevil associations are provided for 70 species of Dipterocarpaceae in five genera (16 Dipterocarpus spp., four Dryobalanops spp., six Hopea spp., 39 Shorea spp. and five Vatica spp.). These records relate primarily to specimens reared from seeds in Borneo and in Peninsular Malaysia, but all known previous host records are also included (from India, Andaman Islands, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines) and assessed. These validated and documented host associations refute general assertions that (1) seed-eating beetles are host-specific in the tropics and (2) seed-eating beetles found on dipterocarp hosts are broad generalists across species in several genera of mast-fruiting Dipterocarpaceae. Most Alcidodes species exploit seeds from several dipterocarp species. Some Alcidodes species occur across broad geographic regions with several host species from a dipterocarp genus, other species have been found only on Bornean Hopea or Dipterocarpus species. Others, such as the two previously undescribed species feeding on Vatica species, may be restricted to separate sections of the host genus. Within an extensively sampled and diverse interspecific mast-fruiting dipterocarp community, no Alcidodes species was observed to feed on sympatric species across genera within the Dipterocarpaceae. Additional host records and specimens of Alcidodes spp. throughout the range of the Dipterocarpaceae in south and southeast Asia are required to further define these clades and the tribe Mecysolobini in general as well as to resolve the complex host associations and distributions documented.     

Description of new species of Miloderes Casey, with comments on other species of the genus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Miloderes allredi, from Utah, and M. tingi, from California, are described as new to science.     

Revision of the genus Niwaella in China (Pisces,Cobitidae), with description of two new species

Loaches of the genus Niwaella, family Cobitidae, are distributed only in East Asia. At present only in Japan and South Korea have fishes of the genus Niwaella been found. Herein we revise the genus Niwaella in China. Son and He () transferred the species Cobitis laterimaculata to the genus Niwaella, but their specimens were not N. laterimaculata, but a new species, N. longibarba sp. n., collected from Cao'ejiang River, Huangzezhen, Chengxian County, Zhejiang Province. The new species is distinguished from N. laterimaculata by its colour pattern of a row of slightly large, and long, scattered dark brown vertical bars on the dorsolateral surface, two or three striations on the caudal fin, and long barbels and undeveloped mental lobes. In this paper we also describe another new species, N. xinjiangensis sp. n., collected from Xinjiang River, Guangfeng County, Jiangxi Province, May 1990, with diagnostic colour pattern of 17–20 large and long, dark brown vertical bars on the dorsolateral surface, a dark stripe or rounded black spots along the lateral midline and some blotches below the lateral midline; it is a large‐sized species, with shorter barbels, and longer caudal peduncle. Thus five species of the genus Niwaella are known, three are endemic to eastern China and two are endemic to either Japan or South Korea.     

Synonymy of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), 1790 and R. vulneratus (Panzer), 1798 (Coleoptera,Curculionidae, Rhynchophorinae)

Morphological, molecular-genetic and breeding data were collected to investigate the species status of the Asian palm weevils, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) and R. vulneratus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). These weevils are distinguished by characteristic colouring of the pronota and elytra, but naturally occurring colour intermorphs were observed. Contrary to the literature, quantitative measurements of the concavity of subgenal sutures and of pronotal shape indicated no differences between the two species. Larvae did not differ significantly in labral characteristics. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) banding patterns were identical for nine of 14 primers, indicating that these weevils are very closely related. Sequences of the cytochrome oxidase gene for 201 base pairs read were identical for R. ferrugineus and R. vulneratus, but the congener R. bilineatus differed from them by 10%, suggesting divergence of these lineages about 5?million years ago. Hybrid F1s were obtained from all heterospecific crosses, and one surviving hybrid F1 female produced viable eggs. Previous studies have revealed no pheromonal differences. On the basis of this evidence, R. ferrugineus and R. vulneratus should be considered colour morphs of the same species and be synonymized under the name Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), with the common name Asian palm weevil.     

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.     

Moss-inhabiting flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) with description of a new genus from Cangshan,China

The world diversity of moss cushion-inhabiting and moss-feeding flea beetles is documented and discussed. A new genus (Cangshanaltica) with a single new species (Cangshanaltica nigra sp. nov.) from Yunnan Province in China is described and illustrated. It is similar to Benedictus Scherer, Ivalia Jacoby, Minota Weise, Paraminota Scherer, and Phaelota Jacoby. An identification key for all flea beetle genera known to occur in mosses in the eastern hemisphere is provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6341724E-BA3F-4979-B226-108D0CA64B92     

Stegana (Oxyphortica) convergens species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from the Oriental region,with morphological and molecular evidence

Three new species of the Stegana (Oxyphortica) convergens species group are described from South China: S. (O.) gonglui Wang and Chen, sp. nov., S. (O.) xiaoyangae Zhang and Chen, sp. nov., and S. (O.) zhulinae Wang and Chen, sp. nov. The diagnosis of S. (O.) setifrons is revised. A key to all eight species of this group is provided. The phylogenetic relationships among the eight species of this group are reconstructed using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene (cytochrome c oxidase, subunit I). The intra- and interspecific pairwise Kimura’s two-parameter (K-2P) distances for these species are summarised. Moreover, 35 COI sequences of the eight convergens species show the presence of 30 species-specific base substitutions in 28 nucleotide sites in the character-based analysis.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8AC2D398-96F2-4EE5-AE0D-16B8761BD55D     

New species and records of North American Pityophthorus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), Part IV: the Scriptor group

Six new species of Pityophthorus from Mexico are described. The new species, all in the Scriptor group, are: atkinsoni, diminutivus, equihuai, thamnus, trunculus and zexmenivora . An additional locality record for P. coronarius Blackman is included. A new key to the 22 species included in the Scriptor group is presented.         

New species and records of the Neoserica (sensu stricto) group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericini)

In this paper we examined newly collected specimens of the Neoserica Brenske, 1894 (sensu stricto) species group housed in Chinese collections. Four new species are described from China: Neoserica (s. str.) mengsongensis Liu & Ahrens, sp. nov. (Yunnan Prov.), Neoserica (s. str.) pseudosangangana Liu & Ahrens, sp. nov. (Guizhou Prov.), Neoserica (s. str.) taibaiensis Liu & Ahrens, sp. nov. (Shaanxi Prov.) and Neoserica (s. str.) yongkangensis Liu & Ahrens, sp. nov. (Zhejiang Prov.). Habitus and the male genitalia are illustrated. Additionally, we provide new distribution records, an updated distribution map and an updated key to the species of the Neoserica (sensu stricto) group.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A3C6B300-EAC3-445E-8B14-E1DBB7BBFB7F     

New species and new records of North America Pityophthorus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), Part VI. The Lautus group

Four new species of Mexican Pityophthorus in the Lautus group are described: P. indefessus (Jalisco), P. inhabilis (Guerrero), P. tutulus (Veracruz), and P. vegrandis (Quintana Roo) and a new locality record is given for P. corruptus Wood.     

New species and new records of North American Pityophthorus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), Part V: the Juglandis group

Six new species of Pityophthorus from Mexico are described. The new species, all in the Scriptor group, are: atkinsoni, diminutivus, equihuai, thamnus, trunculus and zexmenivora . An additional locality record for P. coronarius Blackman is included. A new key to the 22 species included in the Scriptor group is presented.         

A review of the genus Xistra Bolivar 1887 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with description of two new species

Two new species, Onychiurus gulinensis sp. nov. and Onychiurus antennalis sp. nov., are described from Eastern China. The two new species share most features with Onychiurus, but possess 11 chaetae in the distal whorl of tibiotarsus (seven or nine in Onychiurus), granulated sense clubs on Ant. III organ (smooth in Onychiurus) and three manubrial rows of chaetae present (two in Onychiurus). Here we place the two new species in Onychiurus rather than erect a new genus and the three characters considered to be unstable in many genera are discussed.     

A revision of East Asian Acanthomysis (Crustacea: Mysida: Mysidae) and redefinition of Orientomysis,with description of a new species

Twenty species of Acanthomysis s. l., distributed in Japanese, Korean and Chinese coastal waters, are revised. These species are distinguished from Acanthomysis s. str. by the following characters: the carpopropodus of the endopod of the third to eighth thoracic limbs divided into three to eight subsegments; the exopod of the fourth male pleopod with two long subequal terminal setae; the telson long linguiform or triangular without basal dilated portion and armed with spines throughout margins. On the basis of these characters, the genus Orientomysis, which was revived by Holmquist () and comprised O. japonica and O. mitsukurii, is redefined and recognized to contain the following 18 valid species: O. aokii, O. aspera, O. crassispinosa, O. fujinagai, O. hwanhaiensis, O. koreana, O. leptura, O. meridionalis, O. okayamaensis, O. pseudomitsukurii, O. robusta, O. rotundicauda, O. sagamiensis, O. serrata, O. sheni, O. tamurai, O. tenella, and O. tenuicauda. Acanthomysis longicauda and A. nakazatoi are synonymized with O. rotundicauda and O. japonica, respectively. A new species, O. arenaria, is described from Japan.     

Observations on the morphology and classification of weevils (Coleoptera,Curculionoidea) with a key to major groups

A brief account of the present state of weevil taxonomy is followed by a detailed study of certain structures used in their classification, namely the venter, abdominal tergites, sternite 8 of the male, apex of the hind tibia and deciduous mandibular processes. A key to some 50 families and subfamilies of Curculionoidea is followed by a list of family-group taxa. The following changes are made: Brachyceridae, Erirhinidae, Cryptolaryngidae and Raymondionymidae are promoted to family rank from Curculionidae; Antliarhininae is demoted to a subfamily of Brentidae, and Allocoryninae to a subfamily of Oxycorynidae; Coptonotini is demoted to a tribe of Curculionidae-Scolytinae; Carinae, Subfam. n. is erected for Car Blackburn (genus incertae sedis) is Belidae; Dinomorphini is demoted to a tribe of Molytinae and Brachyceropsidinae is revived from synonymy with Dinomorphinae (Curculionidae); Brachyderini, Eremnini, Otiorhynchini and Sitonini are demoted to tribes of Entiminae; Desmidophorinae is transferred from Brentidae to Brachyceridae; Ocladiini is promoted to a tribe of Desmidophorinae (from Curculionidae-Cryptorhynchinae); Campyloscelini (including Phaenomerina) is transferred from Rhynchophoridae to Curculionidae-Zygopinae; Carphodicticinae is promoted to subfamily rank and transferred from Curculionidae-Scolytinae to Platypodidae; Perieges Schönherr is transferred from Curculionidae-Thecesterninae to Cryptolaryngidae and Agriochaeta Pascoe from Cryptorhynchinae to Hyperinae (Curculionidae); Schedlarius Wood and Mecopelmus Blackman are transferred from Coptonotidae to Platypodidae.     

Depressorotunda gen. nov., a new remarkable Uropodina mite genus from South-East Asia with description of four new species (Acari: Mesostigmata)

A new genus Depressorotunda gen. nov. and four new species are described from South-East Asia, namely Depressorotunda malayana sp. nov. and Depressorotunda seticaudata sp. nov. from Malaysia, Depressorotunda thailandica sp. nov. from Thailand and Depressorotunda mirifica sp. nov. from Vietnam. A key to the species of the genus Depressorotunda is provided with 28 original drawings and scanning micrographs.     

Taxonomy of the genus Aetheomorpha Lacordaire (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae: Clytrini) from China,with description of five new species

This paper studies the taxonomy of the genus Aetheomorpha Lacordaire, 1848 Lacordaire, JT. 1848. Monographie des coléoptères subpentamères de la famille des phytophages. Tome second. Mém Soc R Sci Liége., : 890 5: vi?+? [Google Scholar] (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae: Clytrini) occurring in China. Five new species are described: Aetheomorpha bidentata sp. nov. from Sichuan, Aetheomorpha bilobata sp. nov., Aetheomorpha obtusapicata sp. nov., Aetheomorpha punctistriata sp. nov. and Aetheomorpha wangi sp. nov. from Yunnan. Aetheomorpha furcata Medvedev and Kantner, 2002 Medvedev, LN and Kantner, F. 2002. Some new and poorly known Clytrinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) of the Old World. Entomol Basil., 24: 259–269.  [Google Scholar] is reported from China for the first time. The Chinese fauna of the genus is therefore increased to 16 species. A key to species is provided in the text in addition to colour plates and line drawings of habitus, maxilla, labium, male genitalia and female spermatheca and rectal sclerites, which are very helpful for species identification.