Natural history of the lizard Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae) from an Atlantic forest remnant in southeastern Brazil

The natural history of the lizard Enyalius perditus was studied from August 2005 to July 2006, at Parque Estadual Nova Baden, in the municipality of Lambari, State of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. We found that E. perditus may be considered a semi-arboreal species, like other species in the genus, sleeping on vegetation (slim branches or large leaves) at night, possibly to minimize predation. Females with enlarged follicles or oviducal eggs were found from November to January and juveniles recruited at the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, in October. The diet of this lizard is composed mainly of Lepidoptera larvae, Araneae and Formicidae. Females were larger than males, and juvenile coloration is similar to that of adult females.     

Mode of use of sexually dimorphic glands in a Neotropical harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones) with paternal care

Males of Iporangaia pustulosa (Arachnida: Opiliones) have a sexually dimorphic metatarsus IV, which is thicker and with more glandular pores in males. Here we tested the hypothesis that this glandular area is used by males to leave chemicals in the environment, predicting that the animals would rub the metatarsus IV against the substrate. We have made recordings both in the field and in the laboratory, in several distinct contexts during the day and at night, comprising 67 hours of observations. We also experimentally tested the reaction of both sexes to a filter paper rubbed on the metatarsus gland, with adequate controls. We report and describe for the first time that the metatarsal gland of I. pustulosa is used to leave chemicals on the substrate by rubbing or touching it against the substrate. We also provide evidence that males can control the release of secretions of the metatarsal gland IV.     

An ontogenetically stable sexual character in a montane agamid,Salea horsfieldii Gray, 1845 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from Nilgiris,India

Many agamid lizards are known to show sexual dimorphism in body shape, colour and ornamentation or a combination of these traits. Adult males of Salea horsfieldii have a discontinuous dorsal crest at the nuchal region, which is a sexually dimorphic character. However, there is no information about the age or size at which this dimorphic ornamentation develops and if the species exhibits sexual shape dimorphism (SShD). The authors studied the morphology of S. horsfieldii and found that its ornamentation is an ontogenetically stable character present in all males, including juveniles. Seven morphological characters were measured to determine if they exhibited SShD at adult and juvenile stages. Analysis of covariance was used to identify differences in morphology between sexes. The results show that only adults exhibited SShD, but not juveniles. Adult males had larger head and foot lengths in comparison to females of the same size. Larger head length in adult males is a sexual fitness trait, which increases bite-force during intra-sexual combats. Although the presence of sexually dimorphic ornamentation right from the juvenile stage is rare in agamids, S. horsfieldii is an exception . The role of sexually dimorphic ornamentation at juvenile stages remains unknown and requires further investigation.     

Haematozoans,mites and body condition in the oceanic island lizard Gallotia atlantica (Peters and Doria, 1882) (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

We studied relationships among blood haemogregarines (Apicomplexa), ectoparasitic mites (Ophyonissus; Acari: Trombiculidae) and an endemic lizard host (Gallotia atlantica, Lacertidae) on an oceanic islet (Alegranza, Canary Islands). We asked whether blood infection, mite load and body condition were related in lizard subpopulations at two contrasting habitats. Both haemogregarine prevalence (100%) and intensity of parasitism (>1) were strikingly higher than values found for congeneric lizards from the other Canary Islands. There were few differences between habitats in infection levels, suggesting low influence of habitat on parasite performance. Both mite prevalence and intensity were very high, though only prevalence differed between habitats (higher in the richest and climatically more sheltered site). Body condition in lizards did not differ significantly between habitats. We found no association among blood parasite load, mite infection and lizard body condition. Results are discussed in the context of parasite‐host relationships on small islands as compared to larger areas such as continents.     

Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles as a chemotaxonomic tool for three blowfly species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic interest

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHs) contain complex mixtures of components that cover the surface of all insects to restrict water loss, and in many species function in chemical communication. The complex mixtures have been used as a chemotaxonomic tool since the 1970s. The majority of CH components can be identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), allowing hydrocarbon profiles to be used as chemotaxonomic characters, which can differentiate insect species, including cryptic species. The present study used GC-MS for the identification of CHs of males and females of three species of calliphorids: Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius) and Lucilia cuprina (Wiedmann), A comparison of the chromatographic profiles from the three species allows them to be readily separated. Hydrocarbons identified from the three species contain 23 to 37 carbons and include n-alkanes, methyl-branched alkanes and alkenes. The most abundant compound for both sexes of C. macellaria was n-heptacosane, while for H. segmentaria it was 2-methyltriacontane; for L. cuprina, however, the most abundant compound was hentriacontene for females and nonacosene for males. The results obtained in this study are important for the establishment of a database to be used in chemotaxonomy of sanitarily and forensically important insects.     

Larval growth rates and sexual differences of resource allocation in the cetoniine scarab Mecynorhina polyphemus Fabricius 1781 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Goliathini)

Larval ontogeny of the scarab Mecynorhina polyphemus was monitored throughout all instars, and larvae were weighed at 7-day intervals. Durations of the prepupal, pupal and postpupal stages were recorded. Larvae increase their body masses over 300 times during ontogeny. Male imagines are larger than females, and this is primarily a function of faster growth rates during instar III, resulting in significantly heavier larvae at the end of this instar. The durations of the three instars are not significantly different in males and females, but the duration of the prepupal and postpupal phases is significantly longer in males. There is a strong correlation in both sexes between maximal larval mass and the mass of the imago, but larval mass–imago mass scales with significantly different slopes in males and females. Male larvae must allocate increasingly more resources into production of cephalic horns with increments in larval mass, requiring differently proportioned pupal chambers.     

On the species of Stemonocera Rondani (Diptera: Tephritidae) from the Indian subcontinent

A new tephritid species from Pakistan, Stemonocera longisystylis sp. nov. Singh, Hancock & Ramamurthy is described and Stemonocera cervicornis (Brunetti) is redescribed with details of external morphology including genitalia and sexual dimorphism. A new combination Acidiostigma discale (Brunetti) is proposed for Acidia discalis Brunetti, previously included in Stemonocera.

http://zoobank.org/73F6BC90-8699-4C0A-9BA7-45349D32A8C3     

Habitat use and diet of the endemic lizard Ameivula nigrigula (Squamata: Teiidae) in Caatinga domain,Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

The lizard Ameivula nigrigula is endemic to Caatinga vegetation and the transition zone between the Caatinga and Cerrado domains in Brazil. It was recently described, but little is known about its biology. We analysed microhabitat use and the diet of this species in Caatinga vegetation in Santo Inácio, Bahia State. Its diet consisted mainly of arthropods and plant material, and in particular aggregate (e.g. termites) and large preys (e.g. Coleoptera, insect larvae and spiders), reflecting their nutritional and energy values and high water contents. With regard to habitat use, we found A. nigrigula using microhabitats with tall vegetation over accumulated leaf litter, which could potentially contribute to temperature regulation. Together, those characteristics contribute to the survival of lizards in environments with low water availability and high temperatures, such as the Caatinga domain.     

Ecological aspects of the pumpkin toadlet,Brachycephalus garbeanus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920 (Anura: Neobatrachia: Brachycephalidae), in a highland forest of southeastern Brazil

Brachycephalus garbeanus is an aposematic toadlet, endemic to the Atlantic Forest in the mountains of the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Information regarding the ecology of species in this genus is scarce, with no information on most species, including B. garbeanus. We provide ecological information about B. garbeanus, in particular regarding microhabitat use, sexual dimorphism in body size, and feeding habits. Our study was conducted in a montane area of the Parque Estadual dos Três Picos, the largest State park in Rio de Janeiro. Most of the B. garbeanus in the study area were found on the forest floor leaf litter. Females were larger on average than males. Brachycephalus garbeanus consumed a wide array of prey, comprising exclusively invertebrates and predominantly arthropods. There were seasonal differences in the diet composition, but mites and ants were important in both wet and dry seasons.     

Aspects of the natural history of Leptodactylus knudseni Heyer, 1972 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in a pristine forest in Central Amazonia,Brazil, with comments on ontogenetic variation of its tadpoles

The Leptodactylus pentadactylus species group is comprised of medium to large species of Neotropical frogs. Leptodactylus knudseni, a member of this species group, has a wide distribution throughout the Amazon Basin. Herein we describe aspects of the reproductive biology of L. knudseni and provide notes about the ontogenetic variation of its tadpoles based on a population in a non-flooded forest near Manaus, Amazonian Brazil. Amplectant pairs of L. knudseni lay foam nests in excavated basins on the edge of temporary ponds located on clay soil and at least 50 m from a stream. The tadpole development happens initially in the foam nests with access to the pond after the rain flooding the basins. Studied clutches lacked trophic eggs and tadpoles did not produce foam. Ontogenetic variations in L. knudseni tadpoles are related to size, teeth formulae and body colour. The use of excavated basins for the deposition of foam nests has been reported in several species of the L. pentadactylus group. The absence of trophic eggs and production of foam by the tadpoles differ from other species of the L. pentadactylus group. The tadpole morphology is similar to that described for other species of the group.     

The northward extension of reptiles in the Palearctic,with the Jordan Valley (Israel) as a model: snakes outrace lizards (Reptilia: Squamata)

The geographical distribution of reptiles is known to be climate dependent. Our analysis of literature data from the Palearctic confirmed that snakes, as a group (186 species), tend to extend further to the north, into cooler climate, than lizards (460 species). This has also been reported for the Nearctic. On a smaller scale, as a model, we investigated the expansion of reptiles from the warm southern desert of Israel northwards along the Jordan valley into cooler climate, based on 587 locality records of 17 species. It transpired that the snakes significantly extend further to the north than the lizards, paralleling and exemplifying the global scale. The ability of snakes to inhabit relatively cooler climates appears to accord with three physiological traits of snakes: lower optimal body temperatures, absence of temperature-dependent sex determination, and ability to thrive on infrequent meals.     

Maintenance of colour polymorphism in the leaf beetle Chrysophtharta agricola (Chapuis) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Paropsini)

Intra-specific colour differences in insects may occur as a result of environmental factors such as food type, temperature and humidity, or may be under genetic control. These colour polymorphisms may result in fitness differences through several mechanisms, including mate selection, camouflage from or warning to natural enemies, and heat absorption. Two colour morphs of adult Chrysophtharta agricola (Chapuis) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Paropsini) are present in the field in mainland Australia and Tasmania: a common green-brown form, and a rare black form. Tasmanian populations were sampled to assess the frequency of each morph at eight localities. The black form represented less than 3% of beetles (N=1724), with the proportion not significantly different between localities. Crossing tests using the two colour morphs of C. agricola showed that the black form was genetically dominant over the common form. To assess whether colour morphs had any fitness differences, we measured pre-oviposition period, fecundity, longevity, adult size and egg hatch rate, which each showed no significant difference between colour morphs. Field sampling of mating pairs and rearing the offspring of field-collected females showed no evidence of non-random mating. Modelling the population over 100 generations confirmed that for this species, melanism is controlled by a dominant but neutral allele, and, thus, is maintained at a constant low level in the population.     

Mating behaviour in the bees,Dieunomia heteropoda and Nomia tetrazonata,with a review of courtship in Nomiinae (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Males of many bees in the subfamily Nomiinae (Halictidae) have numerous secondary sexual characters, which provide much systematic information. Similarly, the use of these structures by males during sexual behaviour may provide useful characters, but the courtship and copulatory behaviour of most of these bees is not known. Structures and behaviour used for courtship and mating are described for two species of nomiine bees, Dieunomia heteropoda and Nomia tetrazonata, along with brief observations of mating in a parasitic bee, Triepeolus verbesinae (Apidae: Nomadinae). A review of mating behaviour within the Nomiinae shows no obvious phyletic patterns, based upon present limited knowledge. The species-specific nature of the male secondary sexual characters suggests they may have evolved in the context of sexual selection, but behavioural data from populations of additional species are needed to evaluate the hypothesis adequately.     

Hibernation and emergence pattern of Tupinambis merianae (Squamata: Teiidae) in the Taim Ecological Station,southern Brazil

The emergence period and winter aggregations of a population of Tupinambis merianae from southern Brazil as well as some behavioural aspects from its post‐emergence period are examined. Fifty‐six individuals were captured and marked in 64 days (640 h) of field study. Most of the hibernacula identified were beneath human constructions. The first individuals emerged in August and the last active ones were observed in April. The population's emergence shows a protandric pattern, where males emerge before females, both in adults and juveniles. After emerging, males basked in aggregations of up to 13 individuals, in which individuals changed positions following audible resonant signals emitted by the lizards. Sibilated sounds were emitted in stress situations or in agonistic interactions. Future studies are necessary to elucidate behaviour patterns of the species in the natural environment, mainly related to the utilization of sound communication.     

Non-monogamous mating system and evidence of lekking behaviour in the Helmeted Manakin (Aves: Pipridae)

ABSTRACT

Manakins (Pipridae) are a group of Neotropical birds well known for their spectacular lekking displays and non-monogamous mating system. Nevertheless, the two species of Antilophia have been traditionally considered monogamous and, therefore, an exception to this rule. In this paper, we studied the home range and the mating system of a colour-ringed population of the Helmeted Manakin Antilophia galeata in southeastern Brazil. We propose that it is a non-monogamous species that ranges widely during the breeding season, presenting a lekking behaviour in the form of unspectacular but aggressive chasing courtship displays.     

New species of the cave-dwelling genus Huasteca (Opiliones: Stygnopsidae: Karosinae), from Northern Oaxaca,Mexico, with a SEM survey of the sexually dimorphic areas on legs and structures related to chelicerae in the genus

ABSTRACT

The new species Huasteca kardia sp. nov. is described from material collected in the Huautla cave system, Oaxaca, Mexico. Based on recent literature on morphology and male genitalia, the diagnosis of the genus is amended and an identification key of the species of the genus is provided. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), all Huasteca species were reviewed in detail for the following: describing and reporting an unusual modification of the lateral channels on H. kardia sp. nov., searching for any evidence of sexual glandular openings on swollen parts of legs II on males which were absent, and recording the cheliceral comb on the fixed finger in Karosinae, reported previously only in Podoctidae.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FDB9EDDA-63A8-43C9-903C-48BF15C45F03     

The organs of prey capture and digestion in the miniature predatory bivalve Spheniopsis brasiliensis (Anomalodesmata: Cuspidarioidea: Spheniopsidae) expose a novel life-history trait

Spheniopsis brasiliensis, from depths of 17–148 m off the southern Atlantic coast of Brazil, is a predator of epipsammic micro-crustaceans which it sucks into the infra-septal chamber using a raptorial inhalant siphon and internally generated hydrostatic suction forces. Prey items, which include ostracods, are thought to be pushed into the funnel-shaped mouth using the foot. The stomach is capacious with a short style sac conjoined briefly with the mid gut and possessing a stubby crystalline style. Internal stomach architecture is simplified, with no identifiable sorting areas (unlike other cuspidarioids) and lined virtually completely by a gastric shield. The exoskeletal remains of digested prey are held in the posterior end of the stomach and not in a specialised waste storage pouch as in the con-familial Grippina coronata. The mid gut, hind gut and rectum are all extremely narrow and, thus, only the smallest of faeces can be accommodated and transmitted for anal discharge. Spheniopsis brasiliensis, like G. coronata is a self-fertilising simultaneous hermaphrodite with encapsulated lecithotrophic eggs brooded internally. Both taxa are thus ovovivaporous. It is also believed that both taxa are univoltine so that larvae and the exoskeletal prey remains are all released post mortem. Cuspidariids are generally regarded as dioecious but, recently, Cardiomya costellata has been shown to be a non-brooding simultaneous hermaphrodite. The distinguishing characters between cuspidariids and spheniopsids thus appear to be their differing reproductive strategies and life history traits.     

Polyphagy and florivory prevail in a leaf-beetle community (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) inhabiting the canopy of a tropical lowland rainforest in southern Venezuela

ABSTRACT

Embedded within the interdisciplinary research project ‘Towards an understanding of the structure and function of a Neotropical rainforest ecosystem with special reference to its canopy’ organised by the Austrian Academy of Science, the canopy beetle fauna was surveyed by means of a 42 m tall tower crane. This paper presents results of the chrysomelid beetle fauna observed and collected at canopy trees for 1 year. A total of 1783 adult leaf beetles were collected, representing 117 morphospecies (Bruchinae are not included) including 31 singletons. The most abundant family was Galerucinae sensu stricto with 827 individuals (46% of collection). The most speciose subfamilies were Galerucinae sensu stricto followed by Alticini, Cryptocephalinae and Eumolpinae. Nineteen species collected with at least two individuals were restricted to a single tree species whereas 68 species were found to feed on several canopy host trees. Only a few species fed on leaves; these were in Cassidinae, Cryptocephalinae, Eumolpinae and Galerucinae. Strikingly, most canopy chrysomelids were collected at flowers of canopy trees, although some species fed also on extrafloral nectaries or fruits. Alticini were restricted predominantly to flowers, but Cryptocephalinae, Eumolpinae and Galerucinae revealed broader plasticity in host tissue selection. Insights into beetle seasonality, diurnal/nocturnal activity and intra-canopy migration are provided. Abundant flower-visiting species occurred on their host trees commonly over the entire flowering season, with their abundances often correlated with the number of open flowers. After termination of one tree’s flowering season, many flower-visiting leaf beetles moved to other flowering trees. Certain congeneric species of Galerucinae and Eumolpinae occurred together at their host plants within the same periods.