On Simulium xanthinum,a curious yellow-bodied blackfly of the southwestern Palaearctic region (Diptera: Simuliidae)

An account is given of Simulium xanthinum, an unfamiliar simuliid of the southwestern Palaearctic area remarkable for its mainly bright orange-yellow adult and for the clear yellow-green colour of its larva when alive. The species is described in all life stages (except the unknown egg), and the name Simulium gaudi confirmed as a new synonym of S. xanthinum after examination of types and other material. The finding is reported of pupae and larvae in several limestone streams of Andalusia (southern Spain), notably in the headwaters of the Rio Guadalquivir. SEM examination of the heavily sculptured surface of the pupal gill seems to reveal the occurrence of rows of micropores, and this finding is briefly discussed for its bearing on current debate about the nature of the simuliid pupal gill plastron.     

An investigation of the blackfly fauna of Andalusia,southern Spain (Diptera: Simuliidae)

A detailed account is provided of the blackfly (Simuliidae) fauna of Andalusia, southern Spain. The work is based on a study of 14204 specimens, of which 13733 were collected by the authors from a total of 137 positive sampling sites during prospections made mainly in early summer 1986 and in the spring seasons of 1994—1998. In all, 25 identified species and two possible species of uncertain identity are recorded. The topographical and climatic background is briefy described, data from previous literature and material from earlier collections are covered, a checklist of the blackflies of Spain and Portugal is provided, and the character of the simuliid fauna is discussed for areas within and outside Andalusia.     

Diversity of the subgenus Disparalona (Mixopleuroxus) Hudec, 2010 (Crustacea: Cladocera) in the New and Old World

During the last three decades, strong progress was made in the taxonomy of the family Chydoridae (Crustacea: Cladocera), and the results of these revisions have become a valuable confirmation of the non-cosmopolitanism in the cladoceran distribution. But, to date, delineation between several chydorid genera (Pleuroxus Baird, 1843, Picripleuroxus Frey, 1993, Alonella Sars, 1862 and Disparalona Fryer, 1968) has been intuitive rather than based on careful diagnostics. Disparalona is a cladoceran genus with a complicated and confused taxonomy. We compiled a checklist of all formal taxa belonging to this genus in current understanding. Our study comprises a taxonomic revision of the North American, African and East Asian populations of D. cf. hamata with the aim of clarifying their species and generic status. We redescribe D. hamata (Birge, 1879) based on material from North America and D. chappuisi (Brehm, 1934) based on material from Africa. The latter is common in tropical–subtropical Asia, with a distribution range reaching the Far East of Russia. The second taxon from Africa is provisionally identified as D. cf. striatoides (?rámek-Hu?ek, 1946), which was described initially from the Czech Republic. Further comparison is needed for a final conclusion on conspecifity of European and African populations provisionally placed to this taxon. At the current level of knowledge Mixopleuroxus Hudec, 2010 must be accepted as a subgenus of the genus Disparalona. The diagnoses of Disparalona s. str. and D. (Mixopleuroxus) are provided. Disparalona s. str. includes D. ikarus Kotov and Sinev, 2011, D. leei (Chien Shing-ming, 1970), D. rostrata (Koch, 1841) and D. smirnovi Sinev, 2015, while D. (Mixopleuroxus) includes D. hamata, D. chappuisi and D. striatoides. D. leptorhyncha (Daday, 1905) and D. caudata Smirnov, 1996 are not described adequately, but they also probably belong to the latter subgenus. The status of D. acutirostris (Birge, 1879) must be clarified in the future.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:971811AE-DF72-47E9-AED9-DEE835D1D412     

Revision of the Palaearctic species of the genus Clinocentrus (Hymenoptera,Braconidae)

Revision of the Palaearctic species of the genus Clinocentrus Haliday is given. The composition and geographic distribution of the genus Clinocentrus and the probable generic position of fossil species described by Brues (1933) as Clinocentrus are discussed. The systematic position of this genus in Exothecinae is also discussed and arguments presented to support the differentiation of exothecines and rogadines. Nine species of Clinocentrus are figured and re-described. Three new species and two new subspecies are figured and described: C. kalmyk from Kalmykia, C. kozlovi from Mongolia, C. rhysipoloides from Primorsk Territory of Russia, C. umbratilis ssp. disruptus from Taiwan and C. vestigator ssp. orientalis from Primorsk Territory of Russia. C. stigmaticus Marshall, 1897 and C. jaroshevskyi Telenga, 1941 are synonymized with C. vestigator (Haliday, 1836); C. tarsalis Ashmead, 1894—with C. exsertor (Nees, 1812) and C. gracilipes (Thomson, 1891)—with C. cunctator (Haliday, 1836), Lectotypes of Exothecus analis Wesmael, 1838 and C. antefurcalis Granger, 1949 are designated. The new combination is given: Rhysipolis antefurcalis (Granger). A key to 12 Palaearctic species of Clinocentrus is given.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Ocyale Audouin, 1826 in Africa (Araneae: Lycosidae)

The taxonomy of the African representatives of the wolf spider genus Ocyale is revised. Fundamental taxonomic problems were encountered which resulted in confusion in the literature between Ocyale and Pisaura and thus potential instability of the type genus of the family Pisauridae. For reasons of taxonomic stability, a new type species for Ocyale is proposed here: O. neatalanta. Besides the type species, O. dewinterae n.sp., O. discrepans Roewer, 1960, O. grandis n.sp. and Ocyale guttata Karsch, 1878, are described and an identification key is provided. Ocyale spissa (Lenz, 1895) proved to be a junior synonym of O. guttata. Ocyale maculata (L. Koch, 1875), O. spissides Strand, 1907, O. fera Strand, 1908, O. ingenua (Karsch, 1879) and O. conspersa Karsch, 1879, were found to be either nomina dubia or incertae sedis.     

Aphidiinae parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Macrosiphoniella aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the western Palaearctic region

The parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) of Macrosiphoniella del Guercio (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from the western Palaearctic region are reviewed and keyed. The host associations and distribution of each species are summarized. Aphidius stigmaticus sp. nov. reared from Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria on Tanacetum polycephalum, which is another member of the Macrosiphoniella aphid parasitoid guild from high-mountain habitats in western Iran, is described in the present contribution. Some taxonomic problems within Macrosiphoniella parasitoid guilds are discussed as well.     

Notes on four corinnid species from Korea,with the description of Trachelas joopili new species (Arachnida: Araneae: Corinnidae)

Four species and two genera of corinnid spiders are recognized from Korea and are described and illustrated. Castianeira shaxianensis Gong, 1983 Gong, J. X. 1983. Neue und wenig bekannte Clubionidae aus China (Arachnida: Araneae).. Verh Natur Vereins Hamburg., 26: 61–68.  [Google Scholar] has previously been synonymized with C. paikdoensis Kim, 1997 Kim, J. P. 1997. A new species of the genus Castianeira (Araneae: Corinnidae) from Korea.. Korean Arachnol., 13(1): 1–5.  [Google Scholar] and is misidentified with C. flavimaculata Hu, Song and Zheng, 1985 in Korea. Trachelas acuminus (Zhu and An, 1988 Zhu, M. S. and An, R. 1988. Two new species of the genus Clubiona from China (Araneae: Clubionidae).. J Hebei Norm Univ (Nat. Sci. Ed.)., 1988: 72–75.  [Google Scholar]) is synonymized with Trachelas coreanus Paik, 1991 based on the copualtory duct, the position of the spermatheca and the shape of the circular genital opening of the female situated posteriorly near the epigastric furrow. Trachelas joopili, a new species, is described and is distinguished by the largely triangular apophysis and slender coiled modified cymbium at the basal and distal part, a large horn‐shaped tibial apophysis, and slender linear embolus, twice coiled along with slender distal cymbium. A map showing the distribution of these species and a key to the species of two genera (Castianeira and Trachelas) from Korea are provided.     

Neotropical whiteflies of the subfamily Aleurodicinae established in the western Palaearctic (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Four members of the small, mainly Neotropical, whitefly subfamily Aleurodicinae, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell, Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi, P. citricolus Costa Lima and P. minei Iaccarino, are now established in the western Palaearctic, where all have economic impact. Keys are presented to enable their identification. The puparium of P. citricolus is redescribed, and the adult male is described for the first time.     

On the natural history of the South American pepper frog,Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

Some species of Leptodactylus of the L. pentadactylus group lay their eggs outside water but the tadpoles need to reach water to complete the larval phase; other species complete development in terrestrial nests. Here we present details of the reproduction of L. labyrinthicus in south‐eastern Brazil. The proportion of tadpoles and trophic eggs in aged egg clutches was determined, as well as the growth of the tadpoles while in the nest. The gut contents of tadpoles that were in egg clutches of frogs were analysed. Adult males did not differ from females in size and had hypertrophied forearms and an enlarged spine on the thumb. Reproduction was initiated with the first rains of August/September and extended to mid‐January. Calling and spawning occurred at permanent or temporary water bodies. The foam nests were built in excavated basins outside of, but close to the water. The male determined the place of the basin construction; after amplexus, the female completed the excavation. The amplexus was axillary. One female spent the day after spawning in the foam. The eggs were pale grey, the yolk averaging 2.3?mm in diameter. The mean number of eggs was 2101 per egg clutch. The number of tadpoles in individual nests varied between 0.05% and 11.40% in relation to the total laid eggs. The tadpoles entered water when rains flooded the basin. The tadpoles grew to 12 times the weight of an individual egg while in the nest; no nesting tadpole was beyond stage 25. The longest time we followed tadpoles in a nest was 25 days. Tadpoles were found preying upon eggs of three other frog species and upon conspecific eggs. Males fought by grasping each other in a belly‐to‐belly position; the powerful arms and the thumb spines represent weapons. Even though males can reach maturity in the season following birth, small size would prevent them from establishing their own territory. All the species of the L. pentadactylus group may build their foam nests within excavated basins. The basins may protect the eggs and embryos from cannibalistic tadpoles and may have an anti‐desiccation effect. In order to produce trophic eggs, the female may delay laying additional unfertilized eggs until after the male has abandoned the foam nest. Anuran eggs represent an important food item for tadpoles after they leave the nest.     

Taxonomy and geography of the blackflies of the Canary Islands (Diptera: Simuliidae)

The Canary Islands provide a difficult habitat for Simuliidae because of the scarcity of running water for the early stages, but the archipelago currently supports a fauna of six species (one other species formerly present is considered extinct). Breeding is confined to three of the seven islands (Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife), but once occurred also in Gran Canaria, an island that now lacks flowing streams. The taxonomic and faunal conclusions are based on a study of all available specimens, including material of early stages and reared adult flies collected by the author and aided by cytological data from the larval polytene chromosomes of several species. Twenty-one nominal species have at some time or another been reported from the Canaries, but, following this revision, only seven are recognized in the fauna (most past records being erroneous and based on misidentifications or false assumptions of endemicity); full synonymies clarify the old records in relation to modern nomenclature. All species belong to Simulium Latreille s.l., and keys are given to them in adult, pupal and larval stages. Three species are endemic (two newly described) and the other four common to the Palaearctic mainland. Some remarks are included on simuliid colonization and extinction in the islands.     

The blackfly fauna of Majorca and other Balearic Islands (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Results are presented of a survey of the Simullidae of the Balearic Islands, an archipelago not previously studied for its blackfly fauna. Four morphospecies occur, none endemic, of which Prosimulium aculeatum is a rare species previously known only from Sardinia and Sicily, and Simulium cryophilum, S. velutinum and S. intermedium widespread in western Europe and North Africa.     

In search of the true Tydeus (Acari,Tydeidae)

The early history of the genus Tydeus, the type genus of the family Tydeidae, is complex and convoluted and, subsequently, even the identity of the type species of the family remains unclear. First, the literature is thoroughly analysed and morphological characters of some species are reappraised. After studying Oudemans' types, two species inquirendae, Tydeus croceus and T. cruciatus, are redescribed and a third, T. spathulatus, removed from synonymy and reinstated as a valid species. A fourth species, confused with T. spathulatus, is described. A lectotype is designated for T. spathulatus and a neotype for T. croceus. After discussion, the genus Lorryia Oudemans, is re‐established in its pristine state. As the redescribed species were designated as type species by Oudemans, the following new generic synonymies are proposed: Raphitydeus Thor, and Lorryia Oudemans, sensu Ka?mierski (, ) are junior synonyms of Brachytydeus Thor, ; Homeotydeus André, (partim) and Pseudolorryia Ka?mierski, are junior synonyms of Calotydeus Oudemans, ; Brachytydeus Thor, (partim), Calotydeus Oudemans, (partim), Tydeus Koch, sensu Oudemans, (partim), Orthotydeus André, , and Tydeus Koch, sensu Ka?mierski, are junior synonyms of Tydeus Koch, . To stabilize the usage of the names, especially that of the genus type of the family Tydeidae, the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature will be asked to set aside all previous type species designations for Tydeus and to designate Tydeus spathulatus as the type species, with Oudemans' specimens from Italy as primary type material.