Co-existence of myxomycetes and beetles in an Atlantic Rainforest remnant of Pernambuco,Brazil, with emphasis on staphylinids (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

The relationship between myxomycetes and insects was investigated in a fragment of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest located in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, north-eastern Brazil. Sixteen excursions into the Dois Irmãos State Ecological Reserve (7°55′43′′ to 8°09′17′′ S, 34°52′05′′ to 35°00′59′′ W, 387.4 ha) were carried out during different seasons between August 2005 and August 2007 for observations and collections of myxomycetes and insects on decomposing trunks and leaf litter. A total of 196 specimens of myxomycetes was obtained, representing 31 species, 16 genera and six families. Baeocera sp. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) individuals predominated (86%) in the sample, found on the sporocarps of four species of Trichiales (Arcyria cinerea, Arcyria denudata, Hemitrichia calyculata, Hemitrichia serpula) and two species of Liceales (Lycogala epidendrum, Tubulifera microsperma). No preference was observed for type of sporocarp. No seasonal influence was found for the establishment of these associations, recorded for the first time in this forest environment.     

Superparasitism of Eoxenos laboulbenei De Peyerimhoff (Strepsiptera: Mengenillidae) by Idiomacromerus gregarius (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) in southern Spain

A female puparium of Eoxenos laboulbenei De Peyerimhoff (Strepsiptera: Insecta) found in Mula, Murcia, Spain was parasitized by five larvae of Idiomacromerus gregarius (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Torymidae). The parasitized puparium was kept in the laboratory until the following summer, when four I. gregarius adults emerged from it. This species of chalcidoid is rarely found. It was first described in 1943 from Italy by Silvestri and the present report is the first record from Spain. Here we re-examine and redescribe the newly discovered specimens of I. gregarius, add further details about its morphology and give a brief account of its biology including a new record (the mengenillid E. laboulbenei).     

Population and reproductive biology of the mud crab,Macrophthalmus hirtipes (Jacquinot, 1853) (Ocypodidae), from marine and estuarine habitats

Summary

Monthly samples of the burrowing mud crab, Macrophthalmus hirtipes (Jacquinot 1853) were collected from February 1978 to April 1979 from a marine inlet, Governors Bay (43°38′S, 172°39′E) and from the Avon-Heathcote Estuary (43°33′S, 172°44′E), New Zealand. The estuarine population was generally unimodal and had an annual cycle of population change sustained by a concentrated summer recruitment. In contrast, the bay population was unimodal and bimodal at different times, and recruitment occurred thoughout the year with no clear peak. Both populations had equal sex ratios and were dominated by immature individuals (crabs?10·0 mm carapace width). Estuarine crabs were generally smaller than marine crabs.

At both sites, ovigerous females were found from late May to early March; the smallest egg-bearing female measured CW 10·0 mm at the estuary and CW 10·5 mm at the bay. Cycles of ovarian and embryological development were similar at the two localities. Three peaks of egg oviposition occurred within one breeding season and mature females were capable of producing successive broods. Fecundity was related exponentially to female carapace width and did not alter during the breeding season. Estuarine females carried more eggs than marine females of similar size. Egg volume was related to time of oviposition and eggs laid at the start of the breeding season were significantly larger than those deposited during the second half; however, estuarine eggs showed less reduction in size at this time than did marine eggs.

Estuarine sediments had higher levels of chlorophyll ‘a’, ATP, and microorganism activity and productivity than marine sediments. As M. hirtipes is a detritus feeder, the differences in food resources are believed to account for the elevated fecundity of estuarine crabs. At the bay, salinities were high with little tidal and seasonal variation, whereas in the estuary sea water was diluted significantly both daily and seasonally. The differences in salinity characteristics between the sites may be affecting larval distribution; recruitment in the estuary was concentrated to the summer and in the bay it was almost continuous.     

Life history and host utilization pattern of a strepsipteran parasite (Insecta: Strepsiptera) on the Blissine bugs (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) living under dwarf bamboo leaf sheaths

The blissine bug Macropes obnubilus, which lives aggregately under leaf sheaths of the evergreen dwarf bamboo, is infected by the strepsipteran parasite Blissoxenos esakii. To determine the ecological properties of the bug–strepsipteran system, we conducted field surveys of natural populations of Macropes bugs and Blissoxenos parasites. The parasitism rate of strepsipterans was high throughout the year and was significantly higher in female than in male bugs. Blissoxenos adult males emerged mainly in May, and neotenic adult females released triungulins in August. The triungulins invaded host nymphs, but subsequent larval development did not occur before the bugs matured. At most, two strepsipterans could mature in a host because of spatial limitations. The mortality of triply or more parasitized bugs was significantly higher than that of singly or doubly parasitized bugs, which survived longer than uninfected ones. The heavy strepsipteran infection profoundly affected the host population by causing host reproductive failure.     

Seasonal reproduction in deep-sea Crustacea (Isopoda: Asellota)

A collection of Crustacea Isopoda (suborder Asellota) from a 10-year sampling programme in the Rockall Trough, NE Atlantic (54°40′N, 12°15′W) was analysed for evidence of breeding seasonality. No evidence of seasonal activity was found — adults and newly released juveniles were present throughout the year — but there was a strong seasonal pattern for breeding intensity. A significantly higher proportion of females was brooding during the winter months (25%) compared to the summer (5%), and the percentage of females brooding varied significantly with depth. The breeding pattern was synchronized to the seasonal deposition of organic detritus known to occur during the summer in the NE Atlantic. There were more newly released juveniles in samples during the summer than during the winter, with most females appearing to release their young at the time the deposition began. This deposition appears to be a major seasonal factor dominating the life-cycles of most benthic species in the Rockall Trough. Juvenile settlement for a range of taxa (echinoderms, molluscs and crustaceans) occurs while the detritus is present and most species maximize vitellogenesis at this time.     

Embryonic development and reproductive strategy of Pseudorchestoidea brasiliensis (Amphipoda: Talitridae) at Prainha Beach,Brazil

The embryonic development and reproductive strategy of Pseudorchestoidea brasiliensis, a talitrid amphipod of the supra- and midlittoral zones, were investigated by combining collections from June 1993 to May 1995 at Prainha, Rio de Janeiro (23°05′S and 43°25′W). The initial stage of embryonic development (I) was most frequent and was seen in about 70% of ovigerous females. Mean embryo volume in the final stage of development was almost twice that in the initial stage. Brood mortality between embryonic Stages I and IV was estimated at 11.42%. Multivoltism, continuous reproduction, low brood mortality (may be caused by better parental care with offspring) and the larger number of females than males in the population were indicated as compensating factors for the low fecundity observed in P. brasiliensis.     

Observations on the spectral reflectances of certain high Andean Penaincisalia and Thecloxurina,with the description of a new species (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Eumaeini)

The eumaeine hairstreak species Thecloxurina tegulina Bálint and Boyer, sp. n. from SW Peru, department Apurímac (type locality: Karkatera, NW of Ampay, 3,200 m, 13°34′286″S; 72°58′501″W) is described on the basis of qualitative and quantitative wing pattern, male genital and spectral characters. The spectral reflectance of the closely related genera Penaincisalia and Thecloxurina are investigated and compared. It is demonstrated that the spectral characteristics of the two genera are qualitatively differing, and the taxa investigated representing the two genera (Penaincisalia:Thecloxurina = 3:5) also have characteristic species dependent reflectance peaks measured at normal incidence.     

Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Andaniexis Stebbing (Amphipoda: Stegocephalidae)

The Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Andaniexis Stebbing, 1906 (Amphipoda: Stegocephalidae) are reviewed, and three new species are described. The species Andaniexis abyssi (Boeck, 1871) which previously was considered a widely distributed species (from Baffin Bay to both Spitzbergen and the Skagerrak), is here divided into three species: Andaniexis abyssi s.str., Andaniexis gracilis n.sp. and Andaniexis lupus n.sp. These species, together with Andaniexis mimonectes Ruffo, 1975, all have allopatric distributions. This is especially evident in northern Norway, where A. abyssi has its northernmost limit: A. abyssi is found in Solbergfjorden (69°10′N), while Andaniexis lupus is found in the adjacent fjord Malangen (69°30′N, the southern limit of this species along the Norwegian coast). Andaniexis eilae n.sp. is described from Iceland. This species is not closely related to the other North Atlantic species of the same genus.     

Reproductive features of the deep water hermit crab Sympagurus dimorphus (Anomura: Parapaguridae) inhabiting pseudoshells in the SW Atlantic Ocean

We herein provide information on reproductive aspects (the gonopore morphology of both sexes, the size of embryonic eggs and the fecundity) of the hermit crab Sympagurus dimorphus from deep waters of Argentina. Sampling was performed in different oceanographic and fishery campaigns between 2007 and 2010, at 38°01′–39°03′S, 55°–56°05′W, 85–150 m depth, in the SW Atlantic Ocean. Mean shield length (SL) of females was 9.41 ± 1.68 mm (range: 6.6–10.5 mm). Female gonopores measured 0.74 ± 0.10 mm (range: 0.45–0.90 mm), were oval in shape, and were more rounded and larger than male gonopores (0.51 ± 0.007, range: 0.4–0.63 mm). The egg volume for each of the three stages of embryonic development was 0.94 ± 0.20 mm³ for stage I, 1.14 ± 0.31 mm³ for stage II, and 2.07 ± 0.41 mm³ for stage III. Egg volume doubled from the initial to the final stage of the embryonic development. The fecundity (number of eggs) varied from 831 (6.62 mm SL) to 2246 (10 mm SL) for females carrying eggs in stages I+II, and between 158 (158 mm SL) and 1279 (9.4 mm SL) in stage III. The reproductive characteristics of the observed profile are intimately related to S. dimorphus use of a pseudoshell resource and a deep water habitat.     

Life cycle of Huarpea fallax (Hymenoptera: Sapygidae) in a xeric forest in Argentina

This study describes the life cycle of Huarpea fallax (Hymenoptera: Sapygidae) in a xeric forest in La Pampa province, Argentina. This cleptoparasitic wasp attacks the nests of two species of leaf-cutter bees: Megachile catamarcensis and Anthidium vigintipunctatum, both belonging to the family Megachilidae. Nests of these bee species were obtained during a trap-nesting programme. Adult emergence showed a unimodal pattern indicating a univoltine life cycle. The period from egg-laying to adult emergence lasted for 10–13 months; however, one female took about 2 years to emerge, suggesting parsivoltinism. Most females attack one cell per host nest, the outermost cells being the ones most parasitized. However, the position of the attacked cells was variable. In this paper, although there were insufficient data to prove a correlation, the data suggest a positive trend between body size of sapygid wasps and their host bees.     

Early life history of the sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida)

Managing a rare species can be improved with knowledge of its natural history. The sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus) is a freshwater mussel recently listed by the US as federally endangered. We used standard methods to study P. cyphyus brooding behaviour, host fishes in the laboratory and under natural conditions, and glochidial morphology. We monitored a population of P. cyphyus in the Chippewa River, WI during spring and summer 2007–2009 and 2011 and found brooding animals between mid-May and early August. Gravid individuals ranged between 5 and 27 yr (mean age ± 1 s.d. = 13 ± 4 yr). Plethobasus cyphyus brooded glochidia in outer gills, which varied in colour from red, orange, pink, cream, or white. We observed mature glochidia more commonly in individuals with cream or white gills and these glochidia were released in a clear, adhesive, mucus matrix. In laboratory trials we found several minnow and topminnow species (29 spp.) served as productive suitable native hosts. The mean number of juvenile mussels released per cyprinid per day was significantly higher for trials conducted at 22–25°C compared with those at 18–20°C, and 83% of trials conducted at 18–20°C using suitable host species produced no juveniles. Glochidia had a unique outline and shell morphometrics that distinguished P. cyphyus from seven other Chippewa River mussel species that produce similar sized glochidia. Using morphometrics we determined that mimic shiners (Notropis volucellus) were natural hosts for P. cyphyus, round pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia), and Wabash pigtoe (Fusconaia flava). Releasing mucus-bound glochidia has evolved in a variety of mussel species and may be more common than is currently realized. Our data show that P. cyphyus is a cyprinid host specialist, and propagation efforts for this species can be strengthened through improved access to mature glochidia by using females with cream-coloured gills and increased juvenile production through warmer fish holding temperatures.     

Life history of Paraselenis (Spaethiechoma) dichroa (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) in natural conditions of Atlantic Forest from Brazil

Cassidinae Gyllenhaal? is the second largest subfamily of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera), which presents characteristic morphology, biology and behaviour. The current study describes the life cycle of Paraselenis(Spaetiechoma) dichroa (Germar), ?determining biological and behavioural aspects as well as the action of natural enemies on populations, when the species has maternal care. The study was conducted between February and April 2015 in the National Forest of Passa Quatro, municipality of Passa Quatro, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Daily observations were made (morning and afternoon) to evaluate the offspring of females on Ipomoea sp. and Merremia macrocalyx (O’Donell?) (Convolvulaceae), as well as the actions of natural enemies on the young. The eggs are deposited on the midrib and abaxial surface of leaves (n = 25). Egg clusters are pedunculated, arranged in groups and devoid of any cover. On average, each female produced 27.3 ± 5.6 (n = 16) eggs, with a mean incubation period of 12.7 ± 2.9 days (n = 10 females with their young). The larvae remained grouped in the leaves throughout development, except when they fed. They retained faeces and exuviae as a stacked faecal structure on their mobile urogomphi (caudal process) like a faecal shield. The mean number of larvae per female was 12.7 ± 10.1 (n = 19) and the larval period lasted 24.9 ± 4.5 days (n = 12). Pupation occurred on the stem of the plant (n = 16). On average there were 8.1 ± 8.5 individuals for pupae progeny (n = 14). The mean duration of the pupal stage was 10.4 ± 3.3 days (n = 5). Overall, 3% of adults emerged (n = 13 individuals), with a total cycle time of 41.3 ± 8.4 days (n = 6). Adults are sexually dimorphic in the elytral shape. Females remain with the offspring throughout development. The natural enemies of immatures were Emersonella pubipennis Hansson? (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Tachinidae (Diptera) and Stiretrus decastigmus (Herrich-Schaeffer?) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Conura sp. Spinola? (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) and Brachymeria sp. Westwood? (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae). The information presented here on the natural history of P. dichroa are important as they may serve as a starting point to understand evolutionary questions and multispecies interactions.     

The occurrence of Parvatrema homoeotecnum James, 1964 (Trematoda: Gymnophallidae) in a population of Littorina saxatilis tenebrosa (Mont.)

Summary

Marking experiments, seasonal variations in the population density and observations on the breeding cycle indicated that healthy adult Littorina saxatilis tenebrosa (Mont.) migrate down to the lower supralittoral fringe in order to give birth to the young in July–August and in January–February. The young and adults then migrate up towards the upper supralittoral fringe. Specimens infected with Parvatrema homoeotecnum, unlike those infected with two other digenean species investigated, migrate in the same way as healthy specimens. This ensures that although initial infestation takes place in the lower supralittoral fringe, parasitized specimens occur throughout the supralittoral fringe. Only juvenile hosts, below 7·0 mm long and usually below 5·0 mm long are infected, highest percentages occurring in specimens measuring 1·1–2·0 mm long. The seasonal variations in percentage infection are corellated with the breeding cycle, growth, mortality and migration of the host.     

New records of fishes from the Bonaparte Seamount and Saint Helena Island,South Atlantic

A small collection of fishes from the Bonaparte Seamount (15°40′S, 6°55′W, 130 km west of Saint Helena Island, least depth 105 m), comprising 14 specimens from nine species in eight families, is described. This appears to be the first collection of fishes reported from the seamount. In addition, seven new records for St Helena (15°58′S, 5°43′W) are reported as well as additional specimens of several rarely caught endemics. The scorpaenid Pontinus nigropunctatus, previously known only from St Helena, is now also reported from Bonaparte Seamount while the serranid Holanthias fronticinctus, also considered a St Helena endemic, has been found to comprise 20% of the diet of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) at the Seamount. The carangid Decapterus muroadsi which was previously recorded in the Atlantic only at St Helena is now also recorded from the Bonaparte Seamount. A second specimen of the primarily Indo-Pacific carangid Uraspis helvola is recorded from St Helena (third record for the Atlantic). Particularly interesting new records at St Helena, which represents significant range extensions, are of Corniger spinosus (Holocentridae), and of Carangoides ruber and Seriola fasciata (Carangidae). The potential role of shallow seamounts around Ascension and St Helena as ‘stepping stones’ between the two islands is discussed.     

Life cycle and population structure of the terrestrial isopod Hemilepistus klugii (Brandt, 1833) (Isopoda: Oniscidea) in Iran

The life cycle and population structure of Hemilepistus klugii were studied in a population in Varamin, Iran. The population was sampled monthly (or fortnightly during the breeding season) from February 2008 to June 2009 and a total of 7015 individuals, comprising 1069 males, 1079 females and 4867 juveniles, were collected. As in other Hemilepistus species, five distinct phenophases, namely pair formation, gestation, hatching, growth and stationary, were recorded during the life cycle of H. klugii. The overall sex ratio was 1 : 1 but varied over time. Ovigerous females were observed only in April, indicating a seasonal and very short breeding period. With a short lifespan after breeding, females demonstrated true semelparity. The mean cephalothorax width for ovigerous/post-ovigerous females was higher in 2008 than in 2009. These females attained the largest size in the population throughout the year. The number of eggs per female ranged from 28 to 147 (mean ± SE, 78 ± 1.8). There was a positive correlation between female size and fecundity. Recruitment occurred in late April and resulted in the highest population density in this month, whereas the lowest densities were observed during November to January. Despite a high percentage of ovigerous females carrying undeveloped eggs (72.3%), intramarsupial mortality was low (3.5%).     

Observations on mermithid parasitism (Nematoda: Mermithidae) in two species of Lasius ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The morphological effects of nematode parasitism by Pheromermis myrmecophila were investigated in two species of ants, Lasius flavus and Lasius niger, collected on Clare Island, Ireland. Infected males and queens were found for L. flavus but only infected queens in L. niger. The numbers of nematodes present in each infected specimen were counted and their lengths were measured. Head width, femur length and wing measurements were made for infected and non-infected individuals of both species. In queens, the length of the nematodes decreased as the number per ant increased. When single nematodes were present their mean lengths were significantly greater in L. flavus than in L. niger. In addition to the reduction in wing size for all parasitized specimens, head widths and femur lengths of the queens were significantly different in both species. A log–log graph of radial cell length versus width suggested a linear reduction of wing size.     

Rhizocephalans (Crustacea: Cirripedia) from Taiwan

One species of shrimp and sixteen species of brachyuran crabs are parasitized by rhizocephalans in Taiwanese waters. Ten of the crabs have never before been recorded as hosts of rhizocephalans. Eight species of rhizocephalans occur in Taiwan. Four species, Diplothylacus taiwanensis, D. calappae, Sacculina scutigera and S. docleae are new to science. The paper records the first example of simultaneous infection of the same host individual by two rhizocephalan species, and provides further evidence of successive moulting of the external mantle cuticle in several species of sacculinids.     

Effects of temperature on the embryonic development and hatchling size of Betaeus emarginatus (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae)

Betaeus emarginatus is an alpheid shrimp inhabiting rock pool environments characterized by strong fluctuations of ambient factors. Here we describe the embryonic development of B. emarginatus, and analyse the effects of three different temperatures (13, 15 and 20°C) on the duration of the incubation period, egg volume, and the size and morphology of newly hatched larvae. The sequence of embryonic development followed the general patterns described for decapods. Temperature affected the duration of the incubation period, which varied between 66.8 days (13°C) and 22.7 days (20°C). Independent of the thermal regime, eye pigment appeared after completing approximately 50% of the incubation time. Despite almost an identical initial egg volume in all three treatments, there was an inverse relation between temperature and final volume: eggs incubated at 13°C were substantially bigger (471.5 mm³) than those maintained at 15 (403.3 mm³) and 20°C (387.6 mm³). The size of the hatchlings increased significantly with decreasing incubation temperature. However, morphological variability of selected larval characters was generally higher at elevated temperatures. We compare the results obtained with those reported for other decapods inhabiting temperate waters, and discuss the question of why larvae of B. emarginatus incubated at higher temperatures hatch at a smaller size compared to those incubated at lower temperatures.     

Three new species of Pogonophora,including two vestimentiferans,from hydrothermal sites in the Lau Back-arc Basin (Southwest Pacific Ocean)

Hydrothermal fields on the Valu Fa Ridge at about 22°32′S, 176°43′W, were explored by the submersible Nautile during the French BIOLAU expedition in 1989. Pogonophorans were found during six of the 12 dives, at depths of about 1900 m. They were exposed to the influence of hydrothermal fluids but probably did not experience elevated temperatures. One new species of sediment-living perviate pogonophore was collected. Two new obturate pogonophores (vestimentiferans), one belonging to a new family, lived attached to hard substrata. There is a complete faunistic separation of the Lau Basin vestimentiferans from the eastern Pacific vent faunas. Families as well as genera are different, and the Lau species appear to have more in common with cold seep faunas.