The influence of ants on the mating strategy of a myrmecophilic jumping spider (Araneae,Salticidae)

Phintella piatensis is an unusual jumping spider because, despite being neither myrmecophagic nor myrmecomorphic, it associates with ants, including dangerous weaver ants. Although salticids typically spin cocoon‐like nests for use as shelters, the nests of Phintella are unusually dense. These play an important role in how Phintella adapts to living with ants. In experiments, intraspecific interaction and mating increased the risk of being killed by ants when there was no accessible nest, while access to a nest eliminated this risk. Additionally, while outside nests, seeing ants made Phintella reluctant to mate, this being an unusual example of a small animal with exceptional eyesight compensating for predation risk when making vision‐based mating decisions. On the whole, the behaviour of Phintella during intraspecific interaction had broad similarity to the pattern that is common in salticids, but with some of the details of courtship suggesting further adaptation to interacting in the presence of dangerous ants.     

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.     

The structure,possible function and origin of the remarkable ladder-web built by a New Guinea orb-web spider (Araneae: Araneidae)

Summary

The remarkable, perpendicularly-elongate web of a New Guinea araneid spider is described and illustrated. Its siting and construction are described and the possible origins and functions of the structure are discussed.     

A remarkable new genus and species of Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera) from Papua New Guinea

During the course of a recent investigation into the phylogeny of the Cynipoidea (Fergusson, 1990) a new species was discovered which is unusually elongate and has a remarkably deep incision between the metanotum and propodeum. This species constitutes a new genus, Eileenella, which is described below.     

A remarkable new genus and species of Rogadinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of uncertain tribal placement,from Papua New Guinea,resembling Betylobraconini stat. nov.

Cyranorogas gen. nov. (type species C. depardeui sp. nov.) from Papua New Guinea is described and illustrated. The new taxon has a uniquely produced mid-longitudinal facial ridge, which differentiates it from all other genera of Braconidae. The difficulty of distinguishing the Betylobraconinae from the Rogadinae, especially from various members of the Yeliconini, is discussed, and they are formally synonymised here with the Betylobraconini recognised as a tribe of Rogadinae. No clear synapomorphy with either Yeliconini or Betylobraconini could be found for Cyranorogas leaving its tribal placement uncertain, attempts to obtain molecular sequence data having been unsuccessful.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:62F13CF8-7821-451C-9F14-C40B2D1CC4B5     

Redescription of Alloclubionoides paikwunensis (Kim and Jung, 1993) and a new spider species Alloclubionoides solea sp. nov. from Korea (Araneae: Agelenidae)

The identity of Alloclubionoides paikwunensis (Kim and Jung, 1993 Kim, JP and Jung, CH. 1993. A new species of the genus Coelotes (Araneae: Agelenidae) from Korea. Kor Arachnol., 9: 1–6.  [Google Scholar]) is clarified by examination of type specimen and the female of the species is redescribed with additional collections and illustrated. Alloclubionoides solea sp. nov. from the Dadohaehaesang Marine National Park, southern Korea is described with detailed illustrations, leg spination, trichobothrium patterns and scanning electron micrographs. The new species can be distinguished from other Alloclubionoides spiders by the male palpal organs, which feature an embolus with a crescent-shaped distal part surrounded by a large conductor, and by the female genitalia, which feature a large genital opening situated in the side of atrium and broadly spiral copulatory ducts. Furthermore, Coelotes samaksanensis Namkung, 2001 Namkung, J. 2001. The spiders of Korea, 648Seoul (South Korea): Kyo-Hak Pub. Co.. in Korean [Google Scholar] is found to be a junior synonym of A. paikwunensis.     

Prey-holding abilities of the nests and webs of jumping spiders (Araneae,Salticidae)

Three characteristics of the silk devices of 12 species of Salticidae and three species of spiders from conventional web-building families (Dipluridae, Eresidae and Stiphidiidae) were investigated: macrostructure; prey-holding ability (measured by escape time for five types of insects); and the structure of the silk itself, as revealed by SEM. Five types of salticid nests were recognized, and a few salticids build webs. The webs of the eresid Stegodyphus mimosarum consist of thick structural threads and fine cribellate fibres. Disparity of thread diameter, although not as extreme, was observed in the webs and nests of the other species. In the webs and nests of all species, there were threads that merely rode one over the other without forming junctions and secure ‘naked’ junctions lacking accessory fibres and ‘sleeves’. Ensheathed junctions, which had ‘sleeves’, were found only in webs of Portia (Salticidae) and Cambridgea antipodiana (Amaurobiidae). The cribellate webs of Stegodyphus mimosarum (Eresidae) had greater prey-holding ability than any other webs or nests tested, but all webs and nests were capable of detaining insects at least briefly. The distinctions between spider webs and nests and between sticky and non-sticky webs are discussed.     

New species of Streblosoma (Thelepodidae,Annelida) from the Mediterranean Sea: S. pseudocomatus sp. nov., S. nogueirai sp. nov. and S. hutchingsae sp. nov.

ABSTRACT

In the framework of faunistic research conducted along the Apulian coast of Italy, three new species of thelepodid polychaetes are reported: Streblosoma pseudocomatus sp. nov., S. nogueirai sp. nov. and S. hutchingsae sp. nov. The taxonomic position of S. comatus is clarified and emended as Thelepus comatus. The described species are characterised by their C-shaped arrangement of uncini. The species are compared with their closest congeners and a synoptic table is provided for the species of Streblosma with C-shaped tori.

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Dolichopodidae (Diptera) from Papua New Guinea XV. Scepastopyga gen. nov. and the establishment of a new subfamily,the Achalcinae

The new genus Scepastopyga is described with S. semiflava sp. nov. as type species. Mouthparts and genitalia of Scepastopyga and Achalcus have been studied. General body structure and the anatomy of the mouthparts and genitalia showed that Scepastopyga is closely related to Achalcus and Xanthina. The 3 genera are grouped into the new subfamily Achalcinae, an ancestral group close to Medeterinae and Sciapodinae, having most affinities with ancestral Medeterinae.     

Two new species of Limnoriidae (Isopoda) from Papua New Guinea

Limnoria kautensis and Paralimnoria asterosa are two limnoriids new to science. They were found at a depth of 8–9 m in marine conditions burrowing in rainforest logs of timber species sufficiently dense to sink when lost during log-transporting operations. L. kautensis most closely resembles. L. pfefferi, from which it can be distinguished by the absence of a Y-shaped carina on pleonite 5, the bilobed nature of the lacinia mobilis of the mandible and differences in the proportions of the maxilliped, flagellum of antenna 2 and uropods. Paralimnoria asterosa differs from the only other member of its genus, P. andrewsi, in having a pronounced ring of basally-sheated radiating setae on pleonites 4 and 5 plus the pleotelson, and in details of the pattern of carinae, tubercles and depressions on the pleon and pleotelson.     

Extremalona timmsi gen. nov., sp. nov., a new cladoceran (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from an acid saline lake in southwest Western Australia

A new species of Cladocera, Extremalona timmsi gen. nov., sp. nov., was found in acid saline lakes in the southwest of Western Australia. Extremalona gen. nov. belongs to the Coronatella-branch of Aloninae, but differs from all members of the group by the oval body with small high-set head (tip of rostrum located at half-height of the body), the exopodite III with uniform, well-developed setae 4–6 and male antennule with six lateral and nine terminal aesthetascs, and by numerous other characters. In our opinion, Extremalona gen. nov. is one of the ancestral genera of the Coronatella-branch of Aloninae, sharing numerous common features with the elegans-group of Alona s.l. Our data confirm a high level of endemism in Australian Chydoridae and Cladocera in general.     

Population dynamics,age structure and sex ratio of the bromeliad-dwelling jumping spider,Psecas chapoda (Salticidae)

In this study, the population fluctuations, phenology and sex ratio of the bromeliad-dwelling jumping spider Psecas chapoda were investigated in an area of semi-deciduous forest in south-eastern Brazil. Psecas chapoda occurred and reproduced on Bromelia balansae (Bromeliaceae) throughout the year. The number of egg sacs increased at the beginning of the rainy season (September to December), but the population size and phenology were stable over time and correlated weakly with rainfall and temperature. The principal factor affecting the dynamics of P. chapoda was the blooming of B. balansae, which expelled spiders because of the drastic change in plant architecture. Male spiders were more frequent than females during the juvenile phase, whereas females were more frequent than males during the subadult and adult phases, suggesting a sex ratio that favoured males. The biotic and abiotic factors that influence the population dynamics and sex-dependent vulnerability determination are discussed.     

Paratimmus provulvatus gen. nov., sp. nov. (Dorylaimida: Mydonomidae) from natural forests in Arunachal Pradesh,India

A new genus of soil-inhabiting nematode belonging to the family Mydonomidae Thorne, 1964 Thorne, G. 1964. Nematodes of Puerto Rico: Belondiroidea, new superfamily, Leptonchidae Thorne, 1934 and Belonenchidae new family (Nematoda, Adenophorea, Dorylaimida). University Puerto Rico Agriculture Experiment Station Technical paper No. 39, : 51 [Google Scholar] is described and illustrated from natural forests of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Paratimmus provulvatus gen. nov., sp .nov. is characterized by having a continuous lip region; tiny, asymmetrical odontostyle; single distinctly sclerotized guiding ring; simple, rod-like odontophore; a thin sheath (not spiral) around basal pharyngeal bulb; elongate conoid cardia; mono-opisthodelphic female genital system; transverse vulva; long filiform tail in both sexes and males with dorylaimoid spicules and three to four spaced ventromedian supplements.     

Parashiinoa mackayi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Poecilostomatoida: Shiinoidae), a new parasitic copepod from two Australian species of Pomadasys (Haemulidae)

A new genus, Parashiinoa, is proposed for a new species of parasitic copeepod found attached at the base of the dorsal fins of two species of Australian haemulid fishes, Pomadasys maculatus (Bloch) and P. argenteus (Forsskål). The new species, P. mackayi, is described and illustrated. One species of the genus Shiinoa, S. bakeri Cressey and Cressey, is transferred to the new genus. A redefinition of the family Shiinoidae is provided.     

Gastrointestinal helminths of eleven species of Emoia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea

Four hundred and forty‐six individuals representing 11 species of Emoia (Scincidae), E. atrocostata, E. battersbyi, E. caeruleocauda, E. impar, E. jakati, E. kordoana, E. longicauda, E. obscura, E. pallidiceps, E. physicae and E. popei, collected in Papua New Guinea were examined for helminths. Two species of Cestoda (Adenobrechmos greeri, Cylindrotaenia hickmani); five species of Digenea (Mesocoelium monas, Paradistomoides gregarium, Saurokoilophilia kinsellai, Spelotrema brevicaeca, Zeylanurotrema sphenomorphi); 14 species of Nematoda, (gravid individuals of Abbreviata oligopapillata, Hedruris hanleyae, Kreisiella chrysocampa, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Meteterakis crombiei, Parapharyngodon maplestoni, Physaloperoides milnensis, Pseudoreticularia dipsarilis, Raillietnema nanus, Skrjabinodon sp. 1, Skrjabinodon sp. 2 and larvae (in cysts) of Abbreviata sp., Acuariidae gen. sp., and Riticulariidae gen. sp.) were found. The mean helminth species richness for infected skinks was 6.4±4.7 SD (range 1–14 species). Fifty‐three new host records are reported.     

Helminths of 13 species of microhylid frogs (Anura: Microhylidae) from Papua New Guinea

In an attempt to better document the invertebrate biodiversity of the threatened fauna of Papua New Guinea (PNG), 208 microhylid frogs representing 13 species collected in 2009 and 2010 in PNG were examined for endoparasitic helminths. This study found mature individuals of one species of Digenea (Opisthioglyphe cophixali), adults of two species of Cestoda (Nematotaenia hylae, Cylindrotaenia sp.) and cysticerci of an unidentified cestode species; adults of nine species of Nematoda (Aplectana krausi, Bakeria bakeri, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Cosmocercella phrynomantisi, Falcaustra papuensis, Icosiella papuensis, Ochtoterenella papuensis, Parathelandros allisoni, Parathelandros andersoni), and one species of Acanthocephala (cystacanths in the family Centrorhynchidae). There was a high degree of endemism among the helminth species infecting the microhylids, with 83% of the species known only from PNG. Yet the helminth fauna infecting Papuan microhylids are generalists with direct life cycles (no intermediate host) that also infect other anuran species. We thus conclude infection is more dependent upon habitat conditions than diet. Twenty-nine new host records are reported.     

Helminths of ten species of Litoria frogs (Anura: Hylidae) from Papua New Guinea

One hundred and ninety-one frogs collected in Papua New Guinea from 10 species of the genus Litoria, namely, L. angiana, L. arfakiana, L. caerulea, L. congenita, L. eurynastes, L. gasconi, L. infrafrenata, L. iris, L. kumae and L. modica, were examined for helminths. Eighteen species of helminths were found: one species of Monogenea, Parapolystoma bulliense; three species of Digenea, Diplodiscus amphichrus, Halipegus zweifeli and Mesocoelium monas; 13 species of Nematoda, gravid specimens of Aplectana macintoshii, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Falcaustra papuensis, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Maxvachonia flindersi, Maxvachonia ingens, Meteterakis crombiei, Moaciria moraveci, Parathelandros mastigurus, Physalopteroides milnensis, Pseudorictularia dipsarilis, Seuratascaris numidica, and larvae (in cysts) of Abbreviata sp. and, one species of Acanthocephala, Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis. Mean number of helminth species per host species was 3.0 ± 1.4 SD (range 1–5), mean number of helminth species per infected frog was 1.1 ± 0.4 SD (range 1–2), and mean number of helminths per infected host was 33.3 ± 5.8 SD (range 1–36). Twenty-eight new host records and two new locality records are reported. The biogeography of the recovered helminths is discussed.