Site characteristics and habitat requirements of the endangered dwarf bear-claw poppy ( Arctomecon humilis Coville, Papaveraceae)

Arctomecon humilis Cov. is a narrow endemic, confined to gypsiferous substrates derived from the Shnabkaib Member of the Moenkopi Formation in southwestern Utah. The characteristics of seven A. humilis sites were studied to define habitat requirements of the species. Both physical and biotic aspects of the habitat were analyzed; geology, soil chemistry, and physical properties, as well as vascular and nonvascular plant communities, were studied. Chemical and physical properties of these soils vary considerably from those supporting adjacent desert-shrub communities. The dominant vascular species on A. humilis sites are shadscale and Mormon tea. It was found that A. humilis occurred in portions of the habitat where shrubs were relatively less dense. A soil-surface, cryptogamic community contributed 84% or more of the total living cover on sites that supported A. humilis . Species composition of the cryptogamic community was highly similar among sites. Likewise, composition of the cryptogamic cover was similar when random samples were compared with samples centered on A. humilis plants. The Purgatory Flat site, which does not support the poppy, seems inseparable from A. humilis sites, in respect to soil characteristics and composition of the associated plant cover. There is reason to believe an A. humilis population could be established at the Purgatory Flat site.     

Dynamics of a dwarf bear-poppy ( Arctomecon humilis ) population over a sixteen-year period

A population of the dwarf bear-poppy ( Arctomecon humilis Coville, Papaveraceae) at Red Bluff, Washington County, Utah, was monitored twice annually between 1987 and 2002. This is a narrowly endemic, gypsophilous species that has been formally listed as endangered since 1979. During the 16 years of observation, density of this species has fluctuated between 3 and 1336 individuals on the 0.07-ha monitoring plot. Moderate to large recruitments of seedlings occurred in 1992, 1995, and 2001. Seedling recruitments from a large, long-lived seed bank are triggered by abundant precipitation during the February-April period. At least 5.0 cm of rainfall is required during that interval to produce any seedlings. Seedlings experienced considerable mortality in the 1st few months of life in all observed cases. The average seedling initiated in the very large recruitment event of 1992 survived for only 2.6 years. Seedlings in that cohort that were alive 1 year after germination had an average longevity of 4.6 years. None of the seedlings that emerged in 1992 were still alive in October 2002. Mortality in this species was poorly correlated with fluctuations in precipitation or temperature. No epidemics of parasites or herbivores were observed. Mortality in the species appears to be caused by a variety of factors acting over a cohort's lifetime.     

Size, structure, and habitat characteristics of populations of Braya humilis var. humilis (Brassicaceae): an alpine disjunct from Colorado

Size, structure, and habitat characteristics were studied in three populations of Braya humilis var. humilis (C. A. Meyer) Robins, in Gray & Wats. (Brassicaceae), a small, herbaceous perennial of the alpine tundra in central Colorado. There was a significant association between numbers of reproductive, juvenile, and seedling individuals and population location. Plant size within reproductive, juvenile, and seedling size classes varied significantly among three populations. Plots containing Braya had significantly lower total plant cover, a different set of dominant plant species, more rock, bare ground, and less litter than plots without Braya . Braya appears to be restricted to calcareous substrates that experience a moderate level of disturbance, such as solifluction lobes and abandoned roads. Populations are small despite the existence of much potential habitat. Population studies are necessary for active conservation management of Braya .     

A new genus and subfamily of Typhloplanidae (Platyhelminthes,Rhabdocoela) from Australia with a cladistic analysis of subfamily relationships

During a survey of marine interstitial Platyhelminthes of North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia, a new taxon of Typhloplanidae (Rhabdocoela) was found, namely Cephalopharynx cannoni gen. nov. sp. nov. This new monotypic genus combines a suite of characters that set it apart from the remaining 63 genera present in the known eight subfamilies. It is unique in the lack of adenal and dermal rhabdites, the anterior position of the pharynx rosulatus, presence of a single anterior testis, and novel stylet structure. These character states substantiate the erection of a new subfamily, Cephalopharynginae, based on cladistic criteria. A key to the subfamilies of Typhloplanidae is provided.     

The genus Ena in Turkey,with remarks on its phylogenetic relationships (Gastropoda: Buliminidae)

The Turkish species of Ena are revised. There are three species: Ena nogellii (Roth) is widespread in the western Pontic region of Turkey; Buliminus ponticus Retowski is a synonym of Ena nogellii (Roth); Ena menkhorsti Hausdorf and Bank, sp. n. is widespread in the eastern Pontic region of Turkey; Ena dazimonensis, sp. n. is restricted to the surroundings of Tokat. Ena is transferred from the Eninae sensu Schileyko into the Pseudonapaeinae Schileyko. Therefore, Pseudonapaeini Schileyko is a synonym of Enini Woodward and the Eninae sensu Schileyko must be called Chondrulini Wenz.     

A review of the genus Soliperla (Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae)

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A revision of the genus Qianleptoneta (Araneae: Leptonetidae)

Southwest China is one of three famous karst areas of the world but research on cave spiders of the area is sparse. A Chinese endemic midget spider genus and species, Qianleptoneta quinquespinata (Leptonetidae) was erected by Chen and Zhu, 2008 Chen, HM and Zhu, MS. 2008. One new genus and species of troglobite spiders (Araneae, Leptonetidae) from Guizhou, China. J Dali Univ., 7(12): 11–14.  [Google Scholar]. Here, based on numerous materials collected from Guizhou Province, the mainly karst area of southwest China, Qianleptoneta is revised. Ten new species are described and illustrated: Q. triangula, Q. nuda, Q. identica, Q. lycotropa, Q. multiseta, Q. lophacantha, Q. robustispina, Q. palmata, Q. sublunata and Q. megaloda. The natural history of each species is presented.     

The genus Eriogonum Michx. (Polygonaceae) and Michel Gandoger

New species and varieties of the plant genus Eriogonum (Polygonaceae) that occur in Nevada are proposed. Eriogonum tiehmii and E. ochrocephalum var. alexanderae are endemic to Nevada, and E. lewisii is restricted to extreme northeastern Nevada and adjacent Utah. These entities belong to the subgenus Eucycla. Two varieties of E. umbellatum (of the subgenus Oligogonum) are proposed. The first, var. juniporinum , is found in eastern Nevada and in the desert ranges of southeastern California. The second is var. furcosum , which is restricted to the Sierra Nevada. One new combination is also proposed: E. nudum var. gramineum .         

The postcranial skeleton of Proterorhinus marmoratus with remarks on the relationships of the genus Proterorhinus (Teleostei: Gobiidae)

The postcranial osteology of the Ponto-Caspian tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus is described and its relevance to the systematic position of Proterorhinus is discussed. Proterorhinus marmoratus differs significantly from the gobioids of the Ponto-Caspian and Atlantic-Mediterranean in the anterior displacement of the origin of the first dorsal fin. The first dorsal-fin pterygiophore of the tubenose goby inserts in the second interneural space between the neural spines of the second and third vertebrae. The first pterygiophore of the other gobioids inserts in the third interneural space between the neural spines of the third and fourth vertebrae. The increased number of precaudal and caudal vertebrae and the dorsal pterygiophore formula starting with 2-12 in Proterorhinus marmoratus are derived character states. This 2-12 starting sequence and a single interneural space anterior to the first dorsal-fin pterygiophore are unique for gobioids and autapomorphies of Proterorhinus. It is proposed that Proterorhinus be placed in the subfamily Gobiinae.     

A new species of the genus Aspidisca (Ciliophora,Hypotrichida)

The morphology and taxonomy of a new freshwater species of ciliate, Aspidisca jugensis, are described. Special reference is given to the infraciliature of the organism, the variability of 16 morphological characteristics and quantitative data regarding 29 other structural characteristics of this ciliate.     

A note on the genus Dictyopsocus Enderlein (Psocoptera,Thyrsophoridae)

Summary

Two little known Indian freshwater ostracods, viz. Oncocypris pustulosa Gurney 1916 and Cypris matthaii (Arora) are redescribed and refigured.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Stempellinella (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The species of the chironomid genus Stempellinella are revised, described, and figured, and keys to known larvae, pupae, and male and female adults are presented. Five species new to science are diagnosed and described. An emended generic diagnosis of Stempellinella is given and morphological differences from its putative sister genus Zavrelia are discussed. The partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences (DNA barcodes) of 10 Stempellinella species are presented and the variation in genetic distances within and between species is compared. The results indicate that DNA barcodes are suitable molecular markers for identification of Stempellinella species. The following life stages and species are diagnosed and described: the larva, pupa, male, and female of S. brevis, S. chambiensis, S. ciliaris, S. edwardsi, S. fimbriata sp. n., S. flavidula, S. leptocelloides, S. saltuum, and S. truncata; the pupa, male, and female of S. reissi and S. tamaseptima; the larva, pupa, and male of Stempellinella boltoni sp. n.; the pupa and male of S. lamellata sp. n.; the male and female of S. coronata; and the male of S. apicula, S. brevilamellae, S. distincta sp. n., and S. sublettorum sp. n. Two pupal types are described but not formally named. The following changes of combination are made: Stempellina chambiensis and Stempellina truncata are transferred to the genus Stempellinella. Zavrelia inopinata is listed as a new junior synonym of Stempellinella ciliaris.