Parasites of mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi Girard, from five locations in Utah and Wasatch counties, Utah

Between 1983 and 1985, 97 mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi Girard, were examined from five collection sites in central Utah for parasites. Eight different species of parasites were observed, representing seven genera of Protozoa ( Plistophora, Myxidium, Myxobolus, Ichthyophthirius, Trichodina, Apiosoma, Eimeria ) and one genus of Nematoda ( Rhabdochona ). The highest number of parasites was found in sculpin from the Provo River near residential areas, while the lowest number was recorded from Hobble Creek, a nearby pristine area. A complete list of parasites for C. bairdi with literature citations is presented. Each observed parasite is discussed emphasizing pathogenesis to the host.     

Distribution of the Shoshone scuplin ( Cottus greenei: Cottidae) in the Hagerman Valley of south central Idaho

Cottus greenei, a potentially threatened species endemic to Idaho, was collected from 49 localities in 25 springs/streams in south central Idaho. Most localities were along the north bank of the Snake River in waters of the Thousand Springs formation, Gooding County. One population was found in a spring in the main Snake River. Another sculpin, Cottus bairdi, was collected with C. greenei at 23 locations in 16 springs/streams. Confusion concerning the type locality of Cottus greenei is discussed.        

Morphological and host-symbiont studies of Trichodina tenuiformis and Apiosoma campanulatum infesting mottled cculpin ( Cottus baird i) from Provo River, Utah

Trichodina tenuiformis Stein, 1979 and Apiosoma campanulactum Timofeev, 1962 were found on gills of mottled sculpin ( Cottus bairdi ) from two locations in the Provo River, UT. They were studied by light and electron optics. Dimensions and morphology of the adhesive disc and denticles of T. tenuiformis were differentiated from other Trichodina species. A. campanulatum was characterized by its spindle-shaped cell body. Fine features examined by scanning electron microscopy included body shape, pellicle, elements of the adhesive disc, aboral ciliary complex, and aboral ciliary spiral. Histopathological studies suggested that the organisms are ectocommensals. Ecological aspects of organism infestation between two areas were also investigated. This report establishes a new host and distribution record for these two species in mottled sculpin from the Provo River, UT.     

Biology of Lissoderes Champion (Coleoptera,Curculionidae) in Cecropia saplings inhabited by Azteca ants

This paper provides an account of the biology of Lissoderes (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Conoderinae) focusing on L. pusillus Hespenheide and L. subnudus Champion. The eggs, larvae, and pupae live inside the hollow stems of Cecropia saplings. Adult weevils chew through the stem and deposit eggs on the inner surface of the internode. The larvae feed on the parenchyma lining the hollow internodes and pupate inside the internode. Emerging adults chew their way out of the stem. Two hymenopteran parasitoids were reared from larvae and prepupae of L. pusillus: Neocatolaccus sp. (Pteromalidae) and Heterospilus sp. (Braconidae). Menozziola sp. (Diptera, Phoridae) and Conoaxima sp. (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae) were observed parasitizing Azteca queens. Parasitism by these species may explain part of the high mortality observed in colonizing Azteca queens. Direct competition with L. pusillus and L. subnudus appears not to be a major cause of queen mortality, although possible indirect effects of the weevils remain unknown.     

Morphometry of sculpins ( Cottus ) in the Clearwater drainage, Idaho

The morphometry of four Idaho species of Cottidae were compared. Pectoral ray counts allowed separation of Cottus beldingi and C. confusus from C. bairdi and C. rhotheus but not from each other. Preopercular armature also allowed identification of the same two groups of two species. Palatine tooth development generally allowed separation of each species as did body prickle development. Body ratios involving caudal peduncle depth allowed separation of C. rhotheus and C. bairdi. Development of lateral lines allowed differentiation of C. rhotheus from the other three species. A key was developed based on the combination of characters studied.     

Unusual geographic pattern of interpopulation variation in a spring snail Bythinella (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia)

Allozyme polymorphism, mean gene diversity, and a variety of pairwise genetic distances, theta and Nm were analysed for 20 populations of the spring snail Bythinella from Central Europe. Pairwise Mahalanobis' distances for morphological characters and geographic distances were also computed. Contrary to prior assumptions, the level of polymorphism was considerable, and correlations were found to be statistically significant between the genetic and geographic distances, as well as between Mahalanobis' and geographic distances. The present high level of isolation of local populations of the previously amphibious and continuously distributed snail is postulated to be due to a shift in climate and in the snail's habitat preference.     

Note on the occurrence of Siphlonurus autumnalis (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae) in a Montana spring brook

The little-known mayfly Siphlonurus autumnalis McDunnough (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae) was collected from several locations in its floodplain habitats along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in western Montana. To confirm identification, nymphs were reared along with an associated species, S. occidentalis Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae). Adults emerged from 6 September until 16 October. Habitats are described and the first photos of the 2 sexes are provided.     

Species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from freshwater fishes in southern England,with a description of Gyrodactylus rogatensis sp. nov. from the bullhead Cottus gobio L.

Eleven species of Gyrodactylus were found infecting five species of freshwater fishes collected from Rogate (West Sussex, England). These were G. arcuatus and G. gasterostei from Gasterosteus aculeatus, G. pungitii from Pungitius pungitius, G. aphyae, G. laevis, G. limneus, G. macronychus and G. minimus from Phoxinus phoxinus, G. pavlovskyi and G. sedelnikowi from Noemacheilus barbatulus and G. rogatensis n.sp. from Cottus gobio. G. (Limnonephrotus) rogatensis is a member of the G. wageneri species group, and can be distinguished from closely related species (G. aphyae, G. pungitii and G. gasterostei) by its relatively long marginal hooks and by the abruptly tapering toes of its marginal hook sickles. Each parasite was collected from a single host species, and each was narrowly site-specific. With the exception of G. rogatensis, all of the gyrodactylids collected at Rogate also occur in Continental Eurasia, suggesting that they colonized Britain with their hosts via the Doggerland land bridge after the Devensian glaciation. This study demonstrates both the potential of Gyrodactylus for studies of parasite-host coevolution, and the need for critical taxonomic analysis of members of the genus.     

Establishment of a new subfamily for Shenius anomalus (Shen, 1935) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Dotillidae)

Shenius anomalus (Shen, 1935 Shen, CJ. 1935. On some new and rare crabs of the families Pinnotheridae, Grapsidae and Ocypodidae from China. Chin J Zool., 1: 19–40. 15 figures [Google Scholar]) has previously been assigned to the Macrophthalmidae Dana, 1851, and the Camptandriidae Stimpson, 1858 Serène, R. 1974. Note on the genera and species of the Camptandriinae Stimpson, 1858 (Decapoda, Brachyura: Ocypodidae). Treubia, 28(3): 59–117.  [Google Scholar]. A close examination of adult and first stage zoeal morphology confirms some previous suggestions that S. anomalus is actually an anomalous member of the Dotillidae Stimpson, 1858 Serène, R. 1974. Note on the genera and species of the Camptandriinae Stimpson, 1858 (Decapoda, Brachyura: Ocypodidae). Treubia, 28(3): 59–117.  [Google Scholar]. However, because a number of distinctive features distinguish it from all other dotillid genera a new subfamily Sheniinae is established.     

Revision of three species of Terebellides (Polychaeta: Trichobranchidae) described by C. Hessle in 1917 from the Southern Ocean

A revision of the taxonomic status of Terebellides antarcticus Hessle, 1917 Hessle, C. 1917. Zur Kenntnis der terebellomorphen Polychaeten.. Zoologiska bidrag frän Uppsala, 5: 39–258.  [Google Scholar], Terebellides longicaudatus Hessle, 1917 Hessle, C. 1917. Zur Kenntnis der terebellomorphen Polychaeten.. Zoologiska bidrag frän Uppsala, 5: 39–258.  [Google Scholar] and Terebellides minutus Hessle, 1917 Hessle, C. 1917. Zur Kenntnis der terebellomorphen Polychaeten.. Zoologiska bidrag frän Uppsala, 5: 39–258.  [Google Scholar] was undertaken through the examination of the type material. Thus, T. longicaudatus is regarded as a valid species and redescribed and T. antarcticus and T. minutus are considered as junior synonyms of Terebellides kerguelensis McIntosh, 1818. Terebellides longicaudatus is characterized by the presence of large lateral lobes on chaetigers 1 to 5, 1 and 2 being the largest, first thoracic acicular neurochaetae gently bent, wide thoracic neuropodia fascicles with numerous uncini and the first notopodium greatly reduced. Comments on several body characters related to branchial and chaetal structure are also provided.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Mesobuthus eupeus (C.L. Koch, 1839) inferred from COI sequences (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

In this study, the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of Mesobuthus eupeus in Iran is presented based on sequence data of a ～ 700-base-pair fragment of cytochrome C oxidase, subunit I. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The results support monophyly of M. eupeus, but there is a clear divergence between northern and southern clades. The northern clade includes four subspecies – M. e. eupeus, M. e. philippovitschi, M. e. afghanus and M. e. thersites; whereas the southern clade is comprised of two others – M. e. phillipsi and M. e. kirmanensis. Accordingly, possible scenarios for the evolution and phylogeographic structure of M. eupeus based on the geological history of the Iranian Plateau were proposed. The observation of two distinct lineages supports the proposal that M. eupeus might be a species complex composed of species with highly similar morphological features.     

The Australian species of Chromotydaeus Berlese and Penthaleus C. L. Koch (Acarina: Penthaleidae)

The Australian species of Chromotydaeus Berlese and Penthaleus C. L. Koch (Acarina: Penthaleidae) are revised. Chromotydaeus quartus n. sp. and Penthaleus falcatus n. sp. are described, and P. major (Dugés) and P. minor (Canestrini) redescribed. P. major is an agricultural pest, but all the other species appear to have no economic importance.     

Chemical secretion and morpho-histology of the pygidial glands in two Palaearctic predatory ground beetle species: Carabus (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus, namely C. (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands’ secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical for Carabus pygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview of Carabus taxa is given in the paper.     

Acerophagus artelles sp. nov. (Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea Encyrtidae), a biocontrol agent of Dysmicoccus grassii (Leonardi) (Hemiptera Coccoidea Pseudococcidae) on banana in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Acerophagus artelles sp. nov., an effective parasitoid of Dysmicoccus grassii on banana in the Canary Islands, is described, illustrated and compared with related species. A concise diagnosis and relevant taxonomic notes on the genus Acerophagus are also reported.     

Meteorus acerbiavorus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera,Braconidae), a gregarious parasitoid of Acerbia alpina (Quensel) (Lepidoptera,Arctiidae) in North Finland

The new gregarious parasitoid Meteorus acerbiavorus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) was reared from the cocoons of Acerbia alpina (Quensel) (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae) in north-western Finnish Lapland. This species belongs to Meteorus rubens (Nees) species group and differs from the most related M. rubens in the following features: the eyes densely setose; the median lobe of the mesoscutum, scutellum, mesopleuron, and the hind coxa entirely or at least partly rugulose-granulate or rugose-areolate and sometimes with granulation; the ovipositor subapically with distinct dorsal node; the ventral borders of the first metasomal tergum weakly separated by narrow space in its basal half; the colour of the body and legs mostly or entirely dark; the fore wing more or less darkened. Phylogenetic relationships among several Meteorus species close to M. rubens including new M. acerbiavorus were investigated based on DNA sequence fragments of the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear 28S rDNA genes. The discussions on the species groups of Meteorus, on distribution of Acerbia alpina in the Holarctic and on its known parasitoids are presented.