Investigations of an association between the stinkhorn fungus and badger setts

Fruiting bodies of the stinkhorn fungus (Phallus impudicus) were commonly found near badger setts, clustered in the zone 24–39 m from sett entrances. The odour from the spore-covered gleba of the fruiting body attracted several species of fly, principally Polietes lardaria, Phaonia subventa, Calliphora vomitoria, Calliphora vicina, Lucilia caesar and Lucilia sericata. The latter four, all blowflies, were also among the dominant species attracted to and reared from, badger carcases. The number of female flies at stinkhorns was significantly higher than that of males. Behavioural studies showed that female, but not male Calliphora vomitoria were attracted to the smell of the stinkhorn gleba. Flies feeding on the spore-laden mucilage on the gleba defaecated more rapidly than when feeding on dung or sucrose, thereby rapidly depositing large numbers of spores. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of a hypothetical stinkhorn-badger association, and of the overall ecology of badgers.     

Utah's rare plants revisited

Presented is a current evaluation of the status and distribution of Utah's rare plant species, including those officially listed as endangered or threatened, those under review for listing, those recommended by the Utah Native Plant Society, and those which recently have been removed from consideration. Taxa are discussed alphabetically. Information on status, distribution, habitat, elevation, and specimens deposited at Brigham Young University are included in the discussion of each species. Maps showing the state distribution of each listed or candidate plant are also provided. New combinations include Dalea flavescens (Wats.) Welsh var. epica (Welsh) Welsh & Chatterley and Schoenerambe suffrutescens (Rollins) Welsh & Chatterley.        

Mites (excluding chiggers) of mammals of Oregon

New information on the ectoparasitic mites of the following species of mammals from Oregon is presented: (1) pika — Ochotona ; (2) squirrels — Eutamias, Spermophilus, Tamiasciurus; (3) grasshopper mouse — Onychomys; (4) woodrats — Neotoma; (5) muskrat — Ondatra; (6) jumping mice — Zapus; and (7) weasels — Mustela, Spilogale. New records of species for the state and new host records are also given. Finally, a cross - referenced list of all known mites of wild mammals from Oregon is presented.      

Spider wasps of Colorado (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae): an annotated checklist

One hundred forty-three species of Pompilidae are recorded from Colorado, slightly more than half the number occurring north of Mexico. Some of these occur principally at higher altitudes or in the northern part of the state; this group includes 5 species of Holarctic distribution. Others (such as the tarantula hawks, Pepsis ) are prevalent across the southern third of the state and range south into New Mexico and often into Mexico. Still others are widely distributed wherever there is friable soil and suitable for nesting. Certain genera are more or less restricted to preying upon certain spider taxa, while others are generalists and a few are cleptoparasites of other Pompilidae.     

Notes on the white-tailed antelope squirrel, Ammospermophilus leucurus, and the pinyon mouse, Peromyscus truei, in north central Nevada

A four-season live trapping study in the Whirlwind Valley, on the Lander and Eureka county lines near the Humboldt River, yielded two species previously unrecorded from both counties, Ammospermophilus leucurus and Peromyscus truei. Both records represent minimal airline range extension of 113 and 105 km. It is suggested that the distribution of A. leucurus may include the entire northeastern quadrant of Nevada. The occurrence of P. truei in sagebrush habitat 21 km from the nearest pinyon woodland is unusual and suggests that this species may occur patchily distributed throughout the lower elevation ranges in the northern portion of the state.        

On the locomotion of cyclorrhaphan maggots (Diptera)

Summary

The locomotion of the larvae of the syrphid, Syrphus ribesii and the calliphorid, Calliphora vomitoria are described. Syrphus has stylet-like mandibles whilst Calliphora has stout, hooked mandibles but they both move in a similar fashion. Locomotion in each is caused by a wave of linear contraction of the segments at the hind end which passes forwards. This is shown to be consistent with the view that the role of the mandibular hooks in locomotion is only subsidiary.     

Mayfly fauna of New Mexico

An inventory and analysis of the mayfly (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) fauna of New Mexico, based on the published literature and study of extensive materials from diverse collections, indicated the presence of 12 families, 37 genera, and 81 species. Of these, 25 represent new state records: Acentrella turbida, Ameletus falsus, A. sparsatus, Baelis adonis, B. bicaudatus, B. flavistriga, Baetodes deficiens, Caenis latipennis, Callibaetis fluctuans, Cinygmula par, Ephemera simulans, Hexagenia bilineata, Isonychia sicca, Labiobaetis propinquus, Lachlania saskatchewanensis, Leptophlebia bradleyi, Leucrocuta petersi, Neochoroterpes nanita, Paraleptophlebia debilis, P. heteronea, Procloeon conturbatum, Rhithrogena plana, R. robusta, R. vita, and Thraulodes gonzalesi. Baetodes deficiens represents a new USA record. For 37 of the 56 previously reported and confirmed species, 124 new county records are provided. With respect to continental affinities, 34 species are wester, 27 southwestern, 13 widespread, 1 is a southern USA species, and 1 eastern. Of the major drainage systems of the state, the Gila system is the most species rich with 48 species, followed by the Rio Grande (46), Pecos (39), Candadian (28), and San Juan (25). Relationships between drainage systems and between New Mexico and broadly adjoining states are discussed. Lachlania dencyannae , the only endemic species in New Mexico, occurs in the Gila system and is rare and endangered. Certain other species from the Gila system are also noted as being at risk. From other drainages, B. Adonis, Ephemerella mollitia, and L. petersi also are of some concern at the national level. Additional species that are rare in New Mexico and are of concern at least at the state level include Ametropus albrighti, C. fluctuans, Il. bilineata, L. bradleyi, N. nanita, P. conturbatum, and R. hageni .     

Hysterothylacium,Iheringascaris and Maricostula new genus,nematodes (Ascaridoidea) from Australian pelagic marine fishes

The state of knowledge of Australian fish parasitic ascardioids is briefly reviewed. The following species are described in full: Hysterothylacium cornutum, H. pelagicum, H. scomberoidei n. sp. Additional data are provided for Iheringascaris inquies. Maricostula n. gen. is established for those species that have lips with lateral flanges, deep postlabial grooves, interlabia, and elongate intestinal caecum, pyriform ventriculus, long sac-like ventricular appendix, an expanded filamentar excretory system and excretory pore near the nerve ring. The males of all the species have precloacal crests. Species included are: M. caballeroi (Deloya), M. cenatica n. sp., M. histiophori (Yamaguti), M. incurva (Rudolphi), M. makairi n. sp. and M. tetrapteri n. sp. All are recorded from billfishes, and all but M. caballeroi are recorded from Australian waters. The systematic position of the genus is discussed. New characters of taxonomic utility used in the discrimination of fish parasitic ascaridoids are discussed. These include fine details of alae, male caudal crests and papillae. We demonstrate that these characters can be used to separate species of Maricostula. Remarks are also given on nomenclatural problems within the Indo-Pacific fish parasitic Ascardioidea.     

Managing a complex exotic vegetation program in Yellowstone National Park

The number of documented exotic plants in Yellowstone National Park has increased from 85 known in 1986 to over 185 today. Exotic plants are substantially impacting the parks natural and cultural resources and are a high management priority. We have adopted an integrated weed management approach with regard to exotic vegetation, emphasizing prevention, education, early detection and eradication, control, and, to a lesser degree, monitoring. The program involves over 140 staff with program expenditures averaging approximately $190,000 annually. Prevention actions include requiring approved gravel on construction projects; banning hay in the backcountry and allowing transport of only certified weed-seed-free hay through Yellowstone; requiring construction equipment to be pressurecleaned prior to entering the park; and native species revegetation after road, housing, and other construction projects have disturbed ground. Over 4500 acres, primarily along roadsides and in developed areas, are surveyed annually in early detection efforts with emphasis placed on eradicating small, new infestations of highly invasive species such as sulfur cinquefoil ( Potentilla recta L.) and leafy spurge ( Euphorbia esula L.). Control efforts focus on about 30 priority species, such as spotted knapweed ( Centaurea maculosa Lam.), oxeye daisy ( Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L.), and hoary cress ( Cardaria draba [L.] Desv.) using chemical, mechanical, and cultural techniques. A total of 2027 acres were treated during 1998, whereas control efforts for 12 species occurred on 2596 acres during the previous 3-year period, 1995-1997. Strong and expanding partnerships with other federal, state, and local agencies and private companies contribute to management efforts within the park. Future program goals emphasize increases in base funding to ensure continued weed management efforts as well as expanding survey, monitoring, and reclamation efforts. Ultimately, a more rigorous assessment of program effectiveness is desired.     

Review of the harvest mice (genus Reithrodontomys ) in the Mexican state of México

We examined 590 specimens of Reithrodontomys from 95 localities in the state of México. Four species of the subgenus Reithrodontomys and 1 of the subgenus Aporodon were identified. The former subgenus included R. chrysopsis , R. sumichrasti , R. megalotis , and R. fulvescens , which has 2 subspecies— R. f. toltecus and R. f. mustelinus — in the state. The representative of the subgenus Aporodon is R. microdon wagner , which is recorded for the first time in the state. We give information on taxonomy, morphometrics, reproduction, habitat characteristics, and related fauna. A discriminant analysis correctly classified 100% of specimens from the 6 taxa with 5 canonical variates, and accounted for 96.1% of the variance with the first 3 canonical variates.     

Additional new species of Teruliine leafhoppers with key to species (Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae: Teruliini)

Five new species of teruliine leafhoppers from the Nearctic and Neotropical regions are described and illustrated. These include Plapigella jessicae , Stalolidia crista , and Korsigianus christopheri from Brazil; Jikradia infula from Mexico; and Onblavia freytagi from Venezuela. Revised keys to males of species of three genera are also given.     

Revision of the West Palaearctic species of Rhoptromeris Förster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae)

The West Palearctic species of Rhoptromeris are revised. A total of 11 species are recognised as valid in this region, including four newly described species: Rhoptromeris dichromata sp. nov., Rhoptromeris koponeni sp. nov., Rhoptromeris leptocornis sp. nov. and Rhoptromeris macaronesiensis sp. nov. Eucoila luteicornis Ionescu, 1959 is synonymised with Rhoptromeris heptoma (Hartig, 1840) syn. nov. A checklist of the Holarctic Rhoptromeris is presented and an identification key to the West Palearctic species is provided. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8164332C-93E2-4E3F-A408-F5FF5DFB366E     

Spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) of Saudi Arabia: two new species,new records and a key to all known species

A total of 18 spider mite species belonging to 10 genera of the family Tetranychidae (Acari: Prostigmata) are reported from different provinces of Saudi Arabia (SA). Among these, two new species, Sonotetranychus madinahensis sp. nov. and Tetranychus salicornicus sp. nov., belonging to the subfamily Tetranychinae are described and illustrated. Also, five genera and 11 species are new to the mite fauna of SA. The distribution and host data of all recorded species in the current study are provided. A key to all spider mite species of SA is provided as well as a key to the species of the armenychus species group of the genus Tetranychus Dufour, based on males.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C41BB3ED-99D5-4DCF-B557-09526FA7D56B     

Revalidation of Obidosus Roewer, 1913 and description of two new cave-dwelling species of Protimesius Roewer, 1913 from Brazil (Opiliones: Stygnidae)

The penial and tarsal morphology of Protimesius is studied and morphological data support the revalidation of Obidosus with the subsequent new combinations (20 species) and restored combinations (two species). Emended diagnoses are proposed for both genera, and two cave-dwelling new species of Protimesius are described and illustrated: P. lucifer sp. nov. (Pará state) and P. orcus sp. nov. (Ceará state). An identification key to the species of Protimesius and distributional maps of Obidosus and Protimesius are provided.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C4E9C04D-A646-41E4-AE59-B6D0C951DEAB     

Anomuran Crustacea (Paguridea,Porcellanidae, and Hippidea) from Oman,principally from Dhofar province,southern Oman

Anomura (Crustacea, Decapoda) are described from 5 collection sites in Dhofar (southern Oman) and from near Muscat (northern Oman). These consist of the following: Paguridea: Aniculus erythraeus, Calcinus (3 species), Cestopagurus coutieri, Clibanarius (3 species), Dardanus (5 species), Diogenes (2 species), Paguristes (2 species) and Coenobita scaevola; Porcellanidae: Pachycheles (2 species), Petrolisthes (7 species), Pisidia (3 species) and Polyonyx (1 species, probably undescribed); and Hippidea: Emerita holthuisi, Hippa pacifica and Albunea steinitzi. The anomuran fauna of the region is not well known, and that of Dhofar has not previously been investigated. The present records establish a number of significant range extensions. The anomura species composition of Dhofar is discussed in relation to that of other areas of the Indian Ocean. In general, pagurideans appear less cosmopolitan, and more parochial within the region than porcellanids. This is discussed in relation to larval dispersal and other factors.     

Taxonomy of the Cecropia-inhabiting Azteca ants

Cecropia trees and several species of the ant genus Azteca form the most conspicuous ant-plant association in the Neotropics. The taxonomy and biology of the Cecropia-associated Azteca are reviewed. A key to queens is provided for the 13 species known to be obligate inhabitants of Cecropia trees, and a key to workers for the five species known from Costa Rica. Taxonomic changes include four new species and extensive synonymy. Individual species accounts contain taxonomic, behavioural, and ecological information. Evolutionary relationships among the species, and the community ecology of the Cecropia-Azteca association, are discussed.     

Winter site fidelity and body condition of three riparian songbird species following a fire

The effects of fire on nonbreeding songbird species in riparian habitat have not been studied. We compared body condition, within-year site fidelity, and between-year site fidelity of 3 songbird species ( Passerella iliaca , Fox Sparrow; Catharus guttatus , Hermit Thrush; and Regulus calendula , Ruby-crowned Kinglet) at 2 coastal riparian sites. Wildfire, which is rare in this habitat, had occurred at 1 of the sites before data collection. A significantly larger proportion of Passerella iliaca was recaptured in subsequent winters at the unburned site than at the burned site, but little difference was found between sites for Catharus guttatus or Regulus calendula . Body mass of all 3 species declined during winter at the burned site, but differences between sites were not significant. Similarly, body mass indices of new captures were lower at the burned site than the unburned site for all 3 species, but these differences were not significant. The within-year recapture rate for all 3 species combined declined at the burned site over the course of the study, possibly due to changes in vegetation structure caused by the fire. Overall, our data suggest that wintering songbirds were resilient to this disturbance, but that response to the post-fire environment differed among foraging guilds. Well-replicated studies that include pre-burn data are needed to evaluate the effects of this disturbance in riparian systems.