A review of the genus Sisyrophanus Karsch 1886 (Diptera: Bombyliidae)

The Afrotropical genus Sisyrophanus Karsch is reviewed and a key is provided for the separation of the eight known species, including Sisyrophanus stylifer sp. nov. which is described from Burundi and Tanzania.     

The Villa group of genera in Africa and Eurasia with a review of the genera comprising Thyridanthrax sensu Bezzi 1924 (Diptera: Bombyliidae)

Summary

Bombyliidae are particularly abundant in arid regions where the greatest diversity of genera and species is found. The Villa group of genera (Anthracinae, Exoprosopini) are especially well represented in the Saharo-Sindian desert region. Difficulty in segregating genera has resulted from reliance on single key characters. Using a suite of characters, including the spermathecae largely overlooked previously, a key is provided to the eleven known genera in the Old World. The genus Thyridanthrax sensu Bezzi (1924) is reviewed and five genera are recognized: Thyridanthrax Osten-Sacken, Exhyalanthrax Becker, Pachyanthrax François, Veribubo Evenhuis, and Caecanthrax gen. nov. Species are allocated to these genera and new species Pachyanthrax laconae, Veribubo gazella and V. saffra and Caecanthrax auratus are also described.     

A revision of the Asian and European species in the subgenus Amiota Loew (Diptera,Drosophilidae) and the establishment of species-groups based on phylogenetic analysis

A total of 53 Amiota (s. str.) species (75% of the world total) from Asia and Europe, including 10 new species, kamui, kimurai and planata from Japan, and aristata, cuii, macai, magniflava, nuerhachii, spinata and watabei from China, are reviewed with designation of two new synonymies and phylogenetic analysis. Based upon the result of cladistic analysis with 31 adult male morphological characters, the following conclusions are deduced: (1) The subgenus Amiota is monophyletic, so far as the Asian and European forms are concerned. (2) Seven monophyletic groups are recognized within this subgenus. Two of them correspond to known species-groups, the apodemata and sinuata groups, and the remaining five are established as new species-groups, the nagatai, basdeni, taurusata, alboguttata and rufescens groups. A key to all the studied species from Asia and Europe is provided.     

A revision of the genus Ceratomerus (Diptera: Empididae: Ceratomerinae) of New Zealand

The genus Ceratomerus Philippi (Diptera: Empididae; Ceratomerinae) of New Zealand is revised and a key to species given. Thirteen species are recognized and the following new species are proposed: C. biseriatus sp. nov., C. flavus sp. nov., C. earlyi sp. nov., C. melaneus sp. nov., C. brevifurcatus sp. nov., C. tarsalis sp. nov. and C. vittatus sp. nov. The biology and phylogeny are briefly discussed.     

Two new phoxocephalids (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Phoxocephalidae) from the south-west Atlantic

A new genus and species, Parafoxiphalus longicarpus, and a new species, Metharpinia protuberantis belonging to the family Phoxocephalidae, are described from the Argentine Sea. Both taxa were collected from sandy substrata in the intertidal and subtidal regions. Parafoxiphalus longicarpus is related to Foxiphalus Barnard, 1979 and they share many characters, most of them in plesiomorphic condition. Metharpinia protuberantis is an intermediate species between Metharpinia Schellenberg, 1931 and Microphoxus Barnard, 1960, and its assignation to the first genus is discussed.     

A troublesome sibling species complex of scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) revisited

The complex of species resembling Megaselia pulicaria (Fallén) has proved to be one of the most troublesome challenges to attempts to resolve the recognition of species within the huge genus Megaselia Rondani. The new data presented allow more confident recognition of species and reveal that most published records represent misidentifications. The penis complex is discussed and its use in species identification demonstrated. All specimens currently assigned to M. pulicaria, other than the lectotype, are consequently reassigned to other species. These include the reinstatement of M. angusta (Wood) and its newly designated subspecies M. angusta angustina Schmitz, M. eupygis Schmitz, M. longifurca (Lundbeck) and M. monochaeta (Strobl) as valid species, and the recognition of M. buchsi sp. nov. from Germany, M. iberiensis sp. nov. from Spain, M. martensi sp. nov. from Nepal, M. nectergata sp. nov. from Britain, M. oviaraneae sp. nov. from Britain, and M. rotundapicis sp. nov. from Scotland. Five synonyms are proposed. The hitherto unknown male of M. petraea Schmitz is described. It and M. longifurca are reported from Britain and the latter from the Nearctic Region also. Natural history information is summarized for each species. In particular, it is reported that the species whose larvae prey upon spider eggs are M. angusta, M. longifurca and M. oviaraneae.     

A review of the north-western Pacific species of the genus Paguristes (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae), I. Five species initially reported by Ortmann (1892) from Japan

Five species of the hermit crab genus Paguristes Dana, 1851, initially reported by Ortmann (1892) from Japan, are revised based on the materials reported by Ortmann (1892), Doflein (1902), Balss (1913) and Miyake (1978), and on newly collected specimens. The specific status of P. palythophilus Ortmann, 1892, is clarified, and a species confused with P. palythophilus is described as new, P. albimaculatus. It has been revealed that P. kagoshimensis Ortmann, 1892, is actually a junior subjective synonym of P. digitalis Stimpson, 1858. The species heretofore assigned to P. kagoshimensis is described as new, P. versus. It has been confirmed that Paguristes acanthomerus Ortmann, 1892, is a valid species and that P. barbatus sensu Ortmann, 1892, is the same species as P. ortmanni Miyake, 1978. Further, a new species, P. doederleini, is described for P. setosus sensu Ortmann, 1892. It is also shown that a part of the group of specimens identified as Paguristes puniceus by Miyake (1978) is referable to P. doederleini. In addition to the three new species recognized herein, the four previously described species are also redescribed in detail in order to make clear their taxonomic status.     

Oribatid mites of Liebstadia (Acari: Oribatida: Scheloribatidae) from Mongolia,with notes on taxonomy of the genus

Three new species of oribatid mites belonging to the genus Liebstadia are described from Mongolia. The new species are characterized by the poorly developed pteromorphae; the club-shaped head of the sensilli; the absence of the dorsosejugal suture; the dorso-ventral thickness, and the length and arrangement of notogastral setae. In addition, L. similis (Michael, 1888) is redescribed and recorded for the first time in Mongolia. Protoribates serratomarginatus Mahunka, 1983 is synonymized with L. similis. A key to the known species of the genus Liebstadia is given.     

Notes on Bombyliidae (Diptera) from the southern borderlands of the Sahara with descriptions of new species

The paper is a review of the genus Pellenes (s. lat.) in the fauna of Central Asia and the Caucasus. The genus Pellenes(s. lat.) is redefined and subdivided into four subgenera according to the structure of genitalia: Pellenes(s. str.), Pelpaucus subgen. nov., Pelmultus subgen. nov. and Pelmirus subgen. nov. Altogether 23 species have been treated, of which nine are described as new to science: Pellenes amazonka sp. nov. (female), P. badkhyzicus sp. nov. (male), P. borisi sp. nov. (female), P. karakumensis sp. nov. (male), P. bonus sp. nov. (male), P. pamiricus sp. nov. (male and female), P. pseudobrevis sp. nov. (male and female), P. sytchevskayae sp. nov. (male and female) and P. turkmenicus sp. nov. (male and female). Five species are newly synonymized: P. maderianus Kulczyński, 1905 with P. epularis (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872); P. kulabicus Andreeva, 1976 and P. simoni (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872) with P. geniculatus (Simon, 1868); and P. albomaculatus Peng and Xie, 1993 with P. denisi Schenkel, 1963; P. tauricus (Thorell, 1875) is removed from synonymy with P. simoni (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872) and is shown to be a junior synonym of P. nigrociliatus (Simon in L. Koch, 1875). A lectotype is designated for Pellenes brevis Simon, 1868. P. campylophorous (Thorell, 1875) is recognized to be nomen dubium. Pellenes calvus (Simon, 1868) is excluded from the Central Asian fauna of Pellenes. Evarcha lapponica (Sundevall, 1832), comb. nov. (ex Pellenes), is proposed. Some morphological terms, e.g. the median septum, the epigynal flaps, the central blindending pocket and the newly proposed ‘compound terminal apophysis’, are discussed in relation to their homology.     

Grass-breeding fruit flies and their allies of Africa and Asia (Diptera: Tephritidae: Ceratitidinae)

The African genera Bistrispinaria Speiser, Clinotaenia Bezzi and Leucotaeniella Bezzi are reviewed. Clinotaenia camerunica sp. nov. and Leucotaeniella mambillae sp. nov. are described. Clinotaenia atlas Munro is transferred to Bistrispinaria Speiser and Carpophthoromyia superba Bezzi is transferred to Clinotaenia, whilst B. uranos (Hering) is placed as a new synonym of B. woodi (Bezzi) and C. cedarensis Munro is placed as a new synonym of C. grata (Wiedemann). Notes are included on the Asian genera Anoplomus Bezzi, Proanoplomus Shiraki, Rhaibophleps Hardy and Sinanoplomus Zia, all of which appear to be related to Clinotaenia and Leucotaeniella, with Sinanoplomus fasciatus (Walker) transferred from Gastrozona Bezzi. Genus Ceratitoides Hendel is also discussed, with Pardalaspinus Hering, Notophosa Zia and Ceratitisoma Zia placed as new synonyms. The African Chelyophora frigida Hering is transferred from Bistrispinaria and placed as a new synonym of Ceratitoides nigromaculatus Hendel. The Asian C. aberratus (Hardy), C. adnatus (Hardy) and C. maai (Chen) are transferred from Acroceratitis Hendel. Ceratitoides namtamai sp. nov. and C. sikhimensis sp. nov. are described from SE Asia. Keys to all known species are provided. Hostplants are known only for Bistrispinaria, which breeds in various grasses, including guinea grass, sorghum and maize, belonging to the subfamily Panicoideae.     

Two new species of protandric pheretimoid earthworms belonging to the genus Metaphire (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) from Taiwan

This paper describes two new species, each consisting of two subspecies, of protandric, octothecal pheretimoid earthworms from Taiwan. They are Metaphire paiwanna sp. nov. typica, Metaphire paiwanna var. liliumfordiI subsp. nov., Metaphire bununa sp. nov. typica and Metaphire bununa var. glareosus subsp. nov. The var. typica of both new species occurred on the west side of the Central Mountain Range, whereas the subspecies, liliumfordi and glareosus, occurred on the east side of the range. Apparently, the Central Mountain Range constitutes a geographical barrier for isolation and subspeciation. Metaphire paiwanna has a male disc medial to male pore (opening of copulatory pouch) with a horizontal ridge, the character shared by holandric and sexthecal Amynthas swanus (Tsai) of Taiwan and Metaphire aggera (Kobayashi) of Korea and Manchuria, whereas M. bununa resembles more closely holandric, octothecal Metaphire riukiuensis (Ohfuchi) of the Riukiu Islands than protandric, octothecal Metaphire stephensoni (Michaelsen) of Indochina.     

A review of the genus Talavera Peckham and Peckham, 1909 (Araneae,Salticidae)

The species of the Holarctic jumping spider genus Talavera are reviewed. Five new species are described: Talavera ikedai sp. n. (¦ §) from Japan and Korea; T. krocha sp. n. (¦ §) from France, Ukraine and Kyrghyzstan; T. parvistyla sp. n. (¦ §) from central and northern Europe; T. sharlaa sp. n. (§) from Tuva; and T. tuvensis sp. n. (¦) from Tuva. A lectotype is designated for Euophrys monticola Kulczy ` ski, 1884. A key to the 14 species now encompassed in this genus, and distributional maps, are provided for all of them. Arguments are given for placing the names Euophrys poecilopus Thorell, 1873 and Attus westringi Simon, 1868 as nomina dubia. Talavera aperta Miller, 1971 is removed from synonymy with both Talavera monticola (Kulczy ` ski, 1884) and Talavera thorelli (Kulczy ` ski, 1891).     

A revision of the genus Pandalus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Pandalidae)

The genus Pandalus Leach, 1814, is revised based upon the abundant material from collections in various museums or institutions in the world. Altogether 20 species are recognized which appear to form five groups. Nineteen species are recognized in Pandalus, three of which are described as new: P. curvatus from southern Japan, and P. chani and P. formosanus from Taiwan. Four informal species groups are also recognized within the genus: P. montagui group (P. montagui Leach, 1814; P. borealis Krøyer, 1838; P. goniuruStimpson, 1860; P. jordani Rathbun, 1902; P. tridens Rathbun, 1902; and P. eous Makarov, 1935); P. stenolepis group (P. stenolepis Rathbun, 1902; P. curvatus sp. nov.); P. hypsinotus group (P. hypsinotus Brandt, 1851; P. danae Stimpson, 1857; P. prensor Stimpson, 1860; P. gracilis Stimpson, 1860; P. gurneyi Stimpson, 1871; P. nipponensis Yokoya, 1933; P. teraoi Kubo, 1937; P. chani sp. nov.; and P. formosanus sp. nov.); and P. platyceros group (P. platyceros Brandt, 1851; and P. latirostris Rathbun, 1902). The P. platyceros group appears to be most closely related to the genus Pandalopsis Bate, 1888, but Pandalus is retained as a possible paraphyletic group. Protandrous hermaphroditism is known in all but two species of the genus (P. curvatus and P. formosanus), for which only specimens of either male or female have been available. Pandalus propinqvus G. O. Sars, 1870, is transferred to a new monotypic genus Atlantopandalus, because of its lack of hermaphroditism and possession of some unique morphological characters, including one indicating a close relationsip to Dichelopandalus Caullery, 1896. All species are fully described and illustrated. The affinities and important morphological variations of the species are discussed. A key for adults is presented for the identification of the species. Biogeography of the genus is briefly discussed.     

Pherbina mediterranea: immature stages,biology, phenology and distribution (Diptera: Sciomyzidae)

The egg, three larval instars, and puparium of Pherbina mediterranea are described. The duration of the various immature stages indicates that this specis is univoltine and spends the winter as quiescent larvae. The biology, phenology and geographical distribution are presented. The main features of the larvae are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs. A key to the adults of genus Pherbina is given.     

The Agromyzid genus Paraphytomyza Enderlein: new to the Oriental Region (Diptera)

Paraphytomyza jasmini sp. n. from India and P. loniceroides sp. n. from N.W. Pakistan are described, representing the first reared species in this genus known in the Oriental Region. P. kraussi (Sasakawa, 1963) from Papua New Guinea is formally transferred to Paraphytomyza as a new combination. The nomenclature, distribution and host range of Paraphytomyza are discussed.     

Cladistics and taxonomy of the Afrotropical Empis (Coptophlebia) chrysocera-group (Diptera,Empididae)

The Afrotropical Empis (Coptophlebia) chrysocera-group (Diptera: Empididae) is defined on the basis of two synapomorphies, namely epandrial lamellae connected anteriorly and male cerci made up of an anterior almost bare lobe and a posterior bristled lobe. This group includes 10 species: E. (C.) brazzavillensis sp. n., E. (C.) barbitos Smith, E. (C.) juxtaripa sp. n., E. (C.) lyra Smith, E. (C.) plumata sp. n., E. (C.) chrysocera Collin, E. (C.) cuthbertsoni Smith, E. (C.) machipandensis Smith, E. (C.) samaruensis sp. n. and E. (C.) singulare sp. n. All species are described and keyed. The relationships between these species are established and two complexes of species distinguished. The Empis (Coptophlebia) chrysocera-group apparently occurs everywhere in the Afrotropical region except South Africa.     

A revision of the genus Metallolophia Warren (Lepidoptera,Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The Geometrine genus Metallolophia is revised. In addition to the 11 species known, five new species are described as new. All the known species are redescribed and lectotypes are designated for M. opalina (Warren), M. arenaria (Leech) and M. danielaria (Oberthür) (=M. arenaria (Leech)). The male of M. ocellata (Warren) and the females of M. medullosa Inoue and M. devecisi Herbulot are described for the first time. The generic characters based on all species are summarized and a key to all taxa is given. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented. The new and revised taxa are: Metallolophia purpurivenata sp. nov., Metallolophia cuneataria sp. nov., Metallolophia inanularia sp. nov., Metallolophia flavomaculata sp. nov., Metallolophia stueningi sp. nov. and Metallolophia ostrumaria Xue, syn. nov. (of Metallolophia albescens Inoue).     

A review of Eunotinae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) from China

Five genera of Eunotinae are included in this paper. Ophelosia, Moranila, Cephaleta, Eunotus are reviewed and a new genus Cavitas is described. Four new species, Cavitas concava sp. nov., Eunotus applanatus sp. nov., E. strenus sp. nov. and E. aequalivenus sp. nov. are described. The type specimens are deposited in the Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences.