Immature stages of the apterous fly Badisis ambulans McAlpine (Diptera: Micropezidae)

Morphology of the mature larvae and pupae of the apterous fly, Badisis ambulans McAlpine (Diptera: Micropezidae) are described and illustrated. In addition, the curious commensal habits of the larvae are described. Each spiracular plate of the mature larva is situated at the base of a small horn; similar horns have been described in other micropezid larvae. The posterior spiracles appear to be non-functional with depressions forming the vestiges of the spiracular openings. The larvae were found inside pitchers of the Albany pitcher plant, Cephalotus follicularis (Cephalotaceae) and have a commensal relationship with the plant. They feed on the decaying pitcher plant prey and leave the pitcher to pupate. It is likely that the larva obtains oxygen from the pitcher fluid. This is the first immature micropezid described from Australia.     

First record of the subfamily Coelotinae in Laos,with review of Coelotinae embolus morphology and description of seven new species from Laos and Vietnam (Araneae,Amaurobiidae)

First records of Coelotinae are reported from Laos. Five new species of the genus Draconarius are described from the northern Luang Nam Tha Province: Draconarius bounnami sp. nov. (male), D. latidens sp. nov. (female), D. postremus sp. nov. (male, female), D. songi sp. nov. (male) and D. tabularis sp. nov. (female). In addition, two new Coelotinae species are described from Vietnam: D. hanoiensis sp. nov. (female) and D. huongsonensis sp. nov. (female). Of the 429 currently valid Coelotinae species, 154 of them have only females described (36%). The embolus characteristics of those with males described (275 species, 64%) are reviewed. Two characters have been found that might be informative for the estimation of phylogeny, and their congruence with the current Coelotinae classification system is discussed. One character is the point from which the embolus arises and another is the embolus shape.     

Occurrence of sexual morphs in Trama troglodytes von Heyden, 1837 (Hemiptera,Aphididae)

The root-feeding aphids of the tribe Tramini have been cited as a possible case of ancient apomixis, as there are no substantiated records in the literature of a functional bisexual generation, even in common and well-known European species. The karyotypic variation found in this group, involving considerable structural heterozygosity within species, also pointed to the decay of diploidy that would be an expected consequence of loss of sexuality and absence of meiosis. However, we have now found a small number of oviparae (mating females) and males in populations of the common species Trama troglodytes. Fertilized eggs were not obtained, but adult oviparae contained large, yolky eggs. The single adult male was apterous, small and blind, but had fully developed mouthparts and genitalia, and contained mature sperm. Both sexual morphs are described, and the karyotrypic variation is reassessed in the light of these findings. Occasional sexual reproduction is in concordance with recent molecular evidence that some recombination occurs in T. troglodytes and related species.     

Two species of deep-sea flabelliferan isopods from Taiwan (Crustacea: Peracarida: Aegidae,Anuropidae)

Aega falcata sp. nov. is described from two female specimens from about 500m off Taiwan. The species' most distinctive feature, which readily distinguishes it from all others described, is the flattened falcate plates of the two basal articles of the antennular peduncle. Three specimens of Anuropus pacificus Lincoln and Jones, 1973, are recorded from 400 to 500m. These include a male, an ovigerous and a larvigerous female having numerous manca in the broodpouch. Given the rarity of specimens of Anuropus, all three forms, as well as the manca, are described in some detail.     

Some new parasitic copepods (Siphonostomatoida: Nicothoidae) from deep-sea asellote isopods

Summary

The highly transformed siphonostomatoid Choniorhiza enaulis gen. et sp. nov. is described from an asellote isopod, Dendromunna sp., in the deep North Atlantic Ocean to the south west of the Azores. Male and female live inside a cyst on the dorsal side of the branchial chamber of the isopod. The new genus may be distinguished from all other genera of the Nicothoidae, except Rhizorhina, by the presence of oral processes replacing the cephalic appendages. It differs from Rhizorhina in the presence of a distinct urosome in the female. A key to all genera of the Nicothoidae is provided and Pseudonicothoe Avdeev & Avdeev is recognized as a junior synonym of Paranicothoe Carton. The male syntype of Paranicothoe cladocera Carton is designated as the lectotype because the female is an isopod. Sphaeronella bradfordae sp. nov. is described from an isopod of the genus Haploniscus caught on the Chatham Rise off New Zealand.     

A synopsis of the subterranean mealybug genus Neochavesia Williams and Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae: Rhizoecinae)

The neotropical mealybug genus Neochavesia, associated with the ant genus Acropyga Roger, is discussed and placed in the tribe Xenococcini on the bases that it lacks dorsal ostioles, the distal end of the circulus is depressed and cup-shaped, and the third-instar female is a pupa. These are characters shared by Xenococcus Silvestri and Eumyrmococcus Silvestri, also in the tribe Xenococcini, and differ from those in the tribe Rhizoecini, the other tribe in the subfamily Rhizoecinae. Two new species, Neochavesia iwokramae sp. nov. and N. lapollai sp. nov., are described from Guyana, and the female pupal instar and adult male of N. lapollai and the adult male of N. caldasiae (Balachowsky) are described and illustrated. A key to adult females is provided.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Stempellinella (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The species of the chironomid genus Stempellinella are revised, described, and figured, and keys to known larvae, pupae, and male and female adults are presented. Five species new to science are diagnosed and described. An emended generic diagnosis of Stempellinella is given and morphological differences from its putative sister genus Zavrelia are discussed. The partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences (DNA barcodes) of 10 Stempellinella species are presented and the variation in genetic distances within and between species is compared. The results indicate that DNA barcodes are suitable molecular markers for identification of Stempellinella species. The following life stages and species are diagnosed and described: the larva, pupa, male, and female of S. brevis, S. chambiensis, S. ciliaris, S. edwardsi, S. fimbriata sp. n., S. flavidula, S. leptocelloides, S. saltuum, and S. truncata; the pupa, male, and female of S. reissi and S. tamaseptima; the larva, pupa, and male of Stempellinella boltoni sp. n.; the pupa and male of S. lamellata sp. n.; the male and female of S. coronata; and the male of S. apicula, S. brevilamellae, S. distincta sp. n., and S. sublettorum sp. n. Two pupal types are described but not formally named. The following changes of combination are made: Stempellina chambiensis and Stempellina truncata are transferred to the genus Stempellinella. Zavrelia inopinata is listed as a new junior synonym of Stempellinella ciliaris.     

A new genus and species of Conchaspididae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from Florida,remarkable in lacking legs

A new genus of Conchaspididae, Asceloconchaspis gen. nov., is described for Asceloconchaspis milleri sp. nov., a new species from Florida, USA. Unlike other conchaspidids, the adult female and second instar of the genus lack legs. The presence of legs is one of the important, distinguishing characters at present separating the Conchaspididae from the Diaspididae. However, the new genus also possesses well-developed antennae and has multilocular disc pores on the abdomen in the adult female; these distinctly conchaspidid characters are never found in the Diaspididae. Asceloconchaspis is closely related to Fagisuga Lindinger, a monotypic genus with primitive characters described from South America on Nothofagus. A key to the four known genera of Conchaspididae is provided, and the morphology and distribution of the Conchaspididae are discussed.     

A new fecampiid of the genus Kronborgia (Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela) parasitic in the intertidal isopod Exosphaeroma obtusum (Dana) from New Zealand

Kronborgia isopodicola sp. n. (Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela: Fecampiidae) is described from the South Island of New Zealand. The species has a parasitic phase within the haemocoel of the intertidal isopod Exosphaeroma obtusum (Dana). Sexes are separate: each female worm, emerging when mature from its host, secretes a cocoon around itself in which it is joined by a male. Cocoons are found under rocks, are approximately 10 mm long and reflect the shape of the contained female. The worms spawn and lay numerous egg capsules, each containing two embryos. Although placed in Kronborgia Christensen and Kanneworff, 1964 because it is dioecious, K. isopodicola exhibits some characters typical of the genus Fecampia Giard, 1886. It differs from all other described fecampiids by its possession of eyes throughout life.     

A gynandromorph of Austrosimulium (Austrosimulium) australense (Schiner) from New Zealand (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Summary

A gynandromorph of Austrosimulium (Austrosimulium) australense (Schiner) is described. This individual had the head of a female, whereas the thorax and abdomen were a mosaic of male and female characters. The genitalia of both sexes were present, but only the female set was complete. Overall, the female characters of this specimen appeared to be more fully expressed than those of the male.     

Taxonomic studies on Tasmanian phytal amphipods (Crustacea): the families Anamixidae,Leucothoidae and Sebidae

Three amphipods new to science from Tasmania are described herein as Leucothoe ctenochasma sp. nov., L. neptunea sp. nov. (Leucothoidae) and Seba chiltoni sp. nov. (Sebidae). The hyperadult male of ‘Leucothoides’ yarrega Barnard is described as Anamixis yarrega (Barnard) (Anamixidae). Range extensions are reported for Leucothoe boolpooli, L. commensalis and ‘Leucothoides’ yarrega. Leucothoella gracilis was also collected. The morphology of female and small male Leucothoe boolpooli is described. The Anamixis record is the first for the genus outside tropical waters. A key to the world Anamixis spp. in included.     

Description of two new species and a new genus of bopyrid isopod parasites (Bopyridae: Pseudioninae) of hermit crabs from China

This is the first record from China of the bopyrid isopod genus Asymmetrione, of which the new species Asymmetrione globifera, a parasite of the hermit crab Dardanus hessii (Miers) in Beibu Gulf and South China Sea, is described. The female A. globifera differs from Asymmetrione nossibensis Bourdon in the shape of its barbula and ornamentation of the first oostegite. A tabulation of the occurrence of all currently known species of Asymmetrione is included. New genus Parasymmetrione is described. The type species, Parasymmetrione tuberculineata, sp. nov., a parasite of Clibanarius corallinus (H. Milne-Edwards) Xisha, is similar in appearance to Asymmetrione spp. but differs, in the female, in not having the propodi of its pereopods produced into sockets and having uniramous uropoda; the male of P. tuberculineata sp. nov. differs from species of Asymmetrione in having the dactyli of only its first pair of pereopods markedly longer than those of the following pereopods.     

The systematic positions of Orsodacne Latr. and Syneta Lac. (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae), in relation to characters of larvae,internal anatomy and tarsal vestiture

Summary

The male and female reproductive systems, gut and Malpighian tubules, and ventral nerve cord are described and figured for Orsodacne cerasi L. and Syneta betulae F.; the first instar larva of O. lineola is described and figured, and compared with already described larvae of Syneta betulae and other Chrysomelidae. The adhesive setae of the adult tarsi are described for both species and for representatives of Aulacoscelinae, Megascelinae, Megalopodinae, Sagrinae, Eumolpinae, Hispinae and Camptosomata. The mouthparts of adult Orsodacne and Aulacoscelis are described and figured, with consideration of pollen-eating adaptations in the family. It is concluded that Orsodacne is an isolated and primitive type whose nearest existing relative may be Cucujopsis Crowson in Australia, while Syneta may be allied to both Eumolpinae and Galerucinae. A new key to subfamilies of chrysomelid larvae is provided, and a phyletic dendrogram of the family is figured and discussed.     

A redescription of Pseudopulvinaria sikkimensis Atkinson (Homoptera,Coccoidea), with a discussion of its affinities

The adult female and crawler of Pseudopulvinaria sikkimensis are redescribed, and the 2nd and 3rd instar female, the 2nd instar male, pupa and adult male are described for the first time. Previous workers have considered that this genus was best placed in the family Eriococcidae, but the present study concludes that P. sikkimensis is a member of the family Coccidae. It also confirms that Lefroyia castanea Green is a synonym and a lectotype has been designated.     

Species of the genera Bakera and Mangganeura (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Typhlocybinae) occurring on mango and other crop plants in the Oriental region

The genera Bakera (Bakera), Bakera (Guinobata) and Mangganeura (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Typhlocybinae) are re-described and compared. Sandalla is considered a synonym of Bakera (Guinobata) (syn. nov.).

Bakera (Bakera) nigrobilineata (Melichar) (=vittata Mahmood) is redescribed and illustrated from mango in the Philippines, on which it is frequently abundant, and found in association with Bakera (Bakera) luzonica sp. nov. which is described. Bakera (Bakera) abaca sp. nov. is described from the Philippines having been collected on abaca (Manila hemp). Bakera (Guinobata) nigroscuta Mahmood is redescribed from the Philippines and its association with coconut confirmed. Mangganeura reticulata Ghauri, described from Malaysia on mango, has been found in Thailand and the hitherto unknown female is described.     

New and little-known genera of cheilostome Bryozoa from the New Zealand region

The diagnostic characters of the cavernicolous genus Spelaeoblatta Bolívar, 1897, previously known only from a female, are given based on the male of S. thamfaranga n. sp. from Thailand. Nocticola adebratti n. sp. from Sabah is described.     

The male of Lecane bulla (Gosse, 1851): new support for the synonymy of Lecane Nitzsch,Monostyla Ehrenberg and Hemimonostyla Bartos

The hitherto unknown male of Lecane bulla (Gosse, 1851) is described and figured. It is generally similar to the few known males of other Lecane species. However, whereas the degree of fusion of the toes accords between male and female in other species, this is not the case here: the male of L. bulla has two separate and movable toes, these are completely fused into a single toe in the female. This observation further questions the validity of the taxonomic separation of Lecane in three taxa of generic rank, based on the degree of fusion of the toes. The behaviour and reproduction of Lecane is commented upon.     

V.—The shell of the ostracod genus Macrocypris

Summary

Robertgurneya smithi nov. sp. is described and figured from near Adelaide; notes are given on other species (including complete figures of the female of R. ilievecensis Monard), followed by a revised key to the members of this genus, of which R. smithi is the first to be found in Australian waters.