Global species diversity

Sixteen species from the following six orders of insects have been recorded as breeding on pteridophytes of the Lycopsida: Homoptera, Thysanoptera, Mecoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. All but one of these is from Selaginella, the exception being a pyralid moth from Lycopodium in Hawaii. Three new species are described from Selaginella eurynota in Costa Rica: Aleurotulus pteridophytae Martin sp. nov. (Homoptera, Aleyrodidae), Encarsia sueloderi Polaszek sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), a parasitoid which was reared from the whitefly, and Echinothrips selaginellae Mound sp. nov. (Thysanoptera, Thripidae).     

Noxious arthropods as potential prey of the venomous Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) in a West Javan volcanic agricultural system

Arthropods play a significant role in ecosystems as prey for animals such as insectivorous primates. The venomous Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) is a nocturnal primate endemic to the island of Java, Indonesia. It remains unknown if its venom is partially sequestered from noxious arthropod prey. We studied the little-known arthropod community in a rural agriculture system in West Java, Indonesia, in order to investigate the potential prey and source for sequestration of venom. We found specimens of the partially noxious insect orders Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera and of the class Arachnida in slow loris foraging trees in an agricultural area in West Java, Indonesia. To examine the effects of environmental conditions on the abundance of this food source, arthropods were trapped every two weeks for five months, using sweep net transects, Malaise and pitfall traps. Trap type had a significant effect on taxa caught. Wind strength negatively affected the number of Lepidoptera captured in the Malaise trap and humidity had a confounding effect on Orthoptera caught by sweep net. Despite the short-term nature of our study, by using a combination of trapping methods, we identified a relatively high diversity of insects in a human-dominated landscape. Our results can be used as a basis to understand the proximate and ultimate factors shaping the use of venom by the slow loris as a primate.     

Feeding by the Great Basin spadefoot toad ( Spea intermontana ) (Anura: Pelobatidae)

The present study analyzed the stomach contents of 65 Great Basin spadefoot toads, Spea intermontana (Cope), collected in an area of irrigation runoff in south central Washington State. Toads were collected by pitfall trapping. Traps were maintained for 1 year beginning in April 2002. Toads consumed at least 56 different arthropod taxa belonging to the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Trichoptera, Collembola, and Araneae. Ants and darkling beetles were among the most common prey. Feeding appeared to be very generalized with the toads accepting almost anything they could capture and subdue.     

A review of Coelotinae epigynal teeth morphology,with descriptions of two species from China (Araneae: Amaurobiidae)

Five Exorista species from Malaysia and Indonesia are treated and diagnostic characters of the male postabdomen are illustrated. Three of them are described as new: Exorista globosa sp. nov., E. flaviventris sp. nov. and E. sabahensis sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis is performed with previously published morphological data along with the five species treated here. Based on the generated tree, the five species treated here are assigned to Spixomyia Crosskey. Exorista ladelli (Baranov) is transferred to Spixomyia from the subgenus Podotachina Brauer and Bergenstamm. Evolutionary patterns of host use in the genus Exorista Meigen are discussed. Host information is optimized on the resultant tree under the most parsimonious reconstruction. The original host of the tribe Exoristini (except Ctenophorinia Mesnil and Phorinia Robineau-Desvoidy) was order Lepidoptera, and transitions to other orders (Hymenoptera, Mantodea and Orthoptera) occurred in subgenera Adenia Robineau-Desvoidy and Spixomyia, respectively.     

Influence of substrate water content on neonate size in the prairie skink, Eumeces septentrionalis

The microenvironment of the nest surrounding most reptilian eggs is known to have a strong influence on the growth and development of embryos. This is particularly true of substrate moisture content. The results of this study suggest that neonatal body size (SVL) increases with increasing substrate wetness in the prairie skink, Eumeces septentrionalis . These results agree with studies conducted on other species of reptiles. This study is the first to provide evidence for this relationship in a scineid lizard.     

Use of a secondary nest in Great Basin Desert thatch ants ( Formica obscuripes Forel)

Workers of Great Basin Desert thatch ants ( Formica obscuripes Forel) dig simple secondary nests at the base of plants upon which they tend aphids and scales. These secondary nests house only foragers, with the number of foragers occupying each nest positively correlated with the number of worker-tended Homoptera feeding on plant foliage above. Thatch ant secondary nests are cooler than 25 cm below the dome top of the primary nest and maintain a significantly more constant temperature than is observed on the ground surface or in the plant canopy. Thatch ant foragers use secondary nests for at least two purposes: as a cool refuge for Homoptera tenders when midday plant canopy temperatures rise during the summer months, and as the primary place within which Homoptera tenders transfer honeydew to larger "honeydew transporters" for ultimate transport back to the primary nest.     

Response of reptile populations to different land management practices on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Site

Populations of reptiles were examined in grazed and ungrazed habitats dominated by sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) or by crested wheatgrass ( Agropyron cirstatum ) on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) Site in southeastern Idaho. The sagebrush lizard ( Sceloporus graciosus ) and the short-horned lizard ( Phrynosoma douglassi ) were the only species of reptiles encountered in sufficient numbers to permit statistical analysis. Both of these species preferred sagebrush habitats to areas dominated by crested wheatgrass. The sagebrush lizard was most abundant in the native, ungrazed, sagebrush habitat, and the short-horned lizard was most plentiful in the sheep-grazed area dominated by big sagebrush.     

Seasonal population fluctuation and spatial distribution of Orthoptera in two grassland areas of Attica – Greece

The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal population fluctuation of orthopteran assemblages and determine the spatial distribution of the most abundant species of Orthoptera among two habitats in Greece. A 2-year study was performed in a lowland area and in a mountain grassland area. The family of Acrididae represented almost 75% of the total orthopteran relative abundance in both sampling areas. Dociostaurus maroccanus and Chorthippus bornhalmi were found to be the most abundant species in the lowland and the mountain sampling stations, respectively. Most populated species were spatially aggregated in the lowland station, whereas the abundant species were found to be distributed either aggregately or randomly among sampling units in the mountain area. Shannon–Wiener index estimate was higher for the lowland in 2007 than for the mountain, whereas the opposite was found in 2008. The factors affecting the population dynamics of Orthoptera are discussed.     

Checklist of Cynipidae of Turkey with a new genus record

The present study lists all Cynipidae reported for the Turkish fauna. We recognise 81 gall‐inducing wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). Dryocosmus cerriphilus Giraud, 1859 is recorded from Turkey for the first time.     

Bionomics of the cone spittlebug, Aphrophora canadensis (Homoptera: Cercopidae) on mugo pine in Idaho

The spittlebug, Aphrophora canadensis Walley (Homoptera: Cercopidae), was discovered at Moscow, Idaho, in 1979 infesting Pinus mugo Turra, an exotic ornamental pine. Masses of spittle, densely populated with nymphs, have continued to be abundant since then. The nymphs congregated and fed mainly on cones and did not cause visible reddening of foliage that is typical of other pine-infesting spittlebugs. Immature stages and behavior are described for the first time and are compared to other nearctic pine-infesting species. Beginning in mid-August, eggs were laid under fascicle sheaths at the bases of needles, where they overwintered. Nymphs appeared in late April and began transforming to adults in mid-July. Mating occurred from early August to late September. Adults lingered in diminishing numbers until mid-October.     

A new genus and species of Cixiidae (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea) from Lower Cretaceous amber

Mundopoides aptianus gen. et sp. nov. (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea: Cixiidae) is described on the basis of a fossil of an adult female preserved in Lebanese amber of Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) age, and is compared with modern genera.     

Species diversity and habitat complexity: does vegetation organize vertebrate communites in the Great Basin?

In this study, we have examined the effect of vegetation structure on the three major vertebrate taxa in Great Basin habitats of southwestern Utah. The effect of increasing vegetation heterogeneity, both horizontally and vertically, on the diversities of lizards, rodents, and postbreeding birds was investigated. We found no statistically significant relationship between diversity of all animal taxa and horizontal vegetation heterogeneity, although lizard diversity tended to decrease with increasing heterogeneity and rodent diversity tended to increase. Bird species diversity was positively correlated with vertical habitat heterogeneity. Abundances were highest for rodents in pinyon/juniper habitat and highest for lizards and birds in areas with the highest grass cover. Species richness was highest in sagebrush habitat for rodents but highest for lizards and birds in pinyon/juniper. Evenness values were relatively similar and high for birds and rodents and were relatively high for lizards in all habitats except for pinyon/juniper, which had an evenness value of 0.38. For rodents and lizards, abundance was significantly correlated with the index for horizontal habitat heterogeneity. After logarithmic transformation, abundance of lizards was positively correlated with increasing vegetation complexity. Combined abundance of lizards and rodents was also positively correlated with vegetation complexity. Rodent and lizard abundances, however, were affected by different aspects of the habitat. After logarithmic transformation, lizard abundances increased significantly with increasing grass cover, whereas rodent abundances increased significantly with increasing shrub cover.     

Natural history of the lizard Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae) from an Atlantic forest remnant in southeastern Brazil

The natural history of the lizard Enyalius perditus was studied from August 2005 to July 2006, at Parque Estadual Nova Baden, in the municipality of Lambari, State of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. We found that E. perditus may be considered a semi-arboreal species, like other species in the genus, sleeping on vegetation (slim branches or large leaves) at night, possibly to minimize predation. Females with enlarged follicles or oviducal eggs were found from November to January and juveniles recruited at the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, in October. The diet of this lizard is composed mainly of Lepidoptera larvae, Araneae and Formicidae. Females were larger than males, and juvenile coloration is similar to that of adult females.     

Hamuli in the Hymenoptera (Insecta) and their phylogenetic implications

Hamuli are hook-like setae on the anterior margin of the hind wing which interlock with the recurved posterior edge of the fore wing in the Hymenoptera during flight, making them functionally two winged. The possession of hamuli is an autapomorphy for the Hymenoptera. Three types of hamuli are distinguishable: basal hamuli, distal hamuli and secondary hamuli. Basal hamuli occur only in the Xyelidae, Pamphiliidae and Xiphydriidae. Secondary hamuli occur in two common forms in terms of their arrangement: openly spaced (dispersed) or clustered. Dispersed secondary hamuli are hypothesised as plesiomorphic and clustering is a putative synapomorphy for several groups within the order. Distal hamuli are present in all winged Hymenoptera. The presence of a modified and erect setal band opposing distal hamuli may be a synapomorphy for Chalcidoidea + Ceraphronoidea + Diapriidae + a new family to be described from New Zealand.     

Distribution of the meadow lizard in Europe and its realized ecological niche model

One of the most interesting but elusive members of the European herpetofauna is the meadow lizard (Darevskia praticola). It is a small, ground dwelling, predominantly forest living lacertid, for which many ecological and biological data are still missing. Moreover, at least for the western part of the species range (south-eastern Europe) its distribution and environmental associations are insufficiently known, likely due to difficulties in detection even with intensive field sampling. Here, we complemented the available literature records with our personal observations and explored the effects of environmental factors shaping the species ecological niche and distribution in Europe using the ecological niche modelling approach from Maxent software. The new records of the meadow lizard fill a gap in its known distribution. The most suitable habitats are in central and eastern Serbia, south-western Romania, and central, southern and south-western Bulgaria. Mean temperature of the coldest quarter, vegetation and slope had the strongest effect in defining the meadow lizard’s ecological niche. Niche suitability increased with the increase in forest cover and slope, while the temperature showed a bell-shaped response with a rather narrow tolerance range for temperature. Contrary to expectations, precipitation seemed to have no contribution to the species occurrence. Ecological niche model performance increased with a higher resolution of predictor variables despite the lower number of available occurrence records, although the slope variable had a greater predictive power when calculated at a lower resolution. Interestingly, high resolution vegetation variables (30 m) were able to show some level of habitat fragmentation, which likely resulted from deforestation. Overall, our results epitomize the effects of limited sampling on the biogeography inference of elusive species while having significant repercussions on conservation priorities and management of the species.     

Haematozoans,mites and body condition in the oceanic island lizard Gallotia atlantica (Peters and Doria, 1882) (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

We studied relationships among blood haemogregarines (Apicomplexa), ectoparasitic mites (Ophyonissus; Acari: Trombiculidae) and an endemic lizard host (Gallotia atlantica, Lacertidae) on an oceanic islet (Alegranza, Canary Islands). We asked whether blood infection, mite load and body condition were related in lizard subpopulations at two contrasting habitats. Both haemogregarine prevalence (100%) and intensity of parasitism (>1) were strikingly higher than values found for congeneric lizards from the other Canary Islands. There were few differences between habitats in infection levels, suggesting low influence of habitat on parasite performance. Both mite prevalence and intensity were very high, though only prevalence differed between habitats (higher in the richest and climatically more sheltered site). Body condition in lizards did not differ significantly between habitats. We found no association among blood parasite load, mite infection and lizard body condition. Results are discussed in the context of parasite‐host relationships on small islands as compared to larger areas such as continents.     

The Nearctic Psylloidea (Insecta: Homoptera): an annotated check list

The 302 species of jumping plant lice (Insecta: Homoptera: Psylloidea) recorded from the Nearctic zoogeographical region are listed under their respective genera. Information is given on synonymy, host plants and distribution; and the taxonomic position of problematical species is discussed. A list of host-plants and their associated psyllids in also included.     

Parthenogenetic Darevskia lizards mate frequently if they have the chance: a quantitative analysis of copulation marks in a sympatric zone

Several Caucasian rock lizards of the genus Darevskia of hybrid origin are known to reproduce parthenogenetically. Local communities can be composed exclusively of parthenogens, though syntopy with bisexual members of the genus may occur. In some localities, reproduction between bisexual and parthenogenetic Darevskia has been previously reported based on lizard intermediate morphology and karyology (3n, 4n). However, the frequency of such heterospecific matings remains unknown. We indirectly quantified the reproductive interactions through the inspection of copulation marks in females in a mixed Darevskia community from Kuchak (Armenia) composed of two hybrid parthenogens (D. armeniaca and D. unisexualis), one bisexual species (D. valentini) and their putative backcrosses. A total of 139 adults were randomly collected and photographed. Females were later measured (SVL), inspected for inguinal marks and ranked from 0 (no scars) to 3 (≥ 3 scars). The lizard species and ploidy determination was ensured by a parallel microsatellite analysis. Sex-ratio in the community was extremely biased due to the high abundance of parthenogenetic females. All female types displayed copulation marks with frequencies varying from 80% in D. valentini to 64% in D. armeniaca. Remarkably, 7 out of 11 (64%) backcross females also showed marks. In the most abundant D. armeniaca, the prevalence and intensity of copulation marks increased with body size, just as predicted for polygynous female lacertids. These results indicate that copulation between parthenogenetic and bisexual species in Darevskia mixed communities is common and driven by sexual selection, thus reinforcing previous suggestions of reproductive interaction in syntopy. Evolutionary implications of these findings are discussed.     

Cave-dwelling Fulgoroidea (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha) from the Canary Islands

Examination of Fulgoroid specimens collected in several caves of volcanic origin on the Canary Islands (Tenerife, El Hierro) has revealed the existence of at least two undescribed troglobitic Fulgoroid species. These are apparently the first records of troglobitic Auchenorrhyncha, not only from the Middle Atlantic Islands, but from the Palaeartic Region. These cavernicolous taxa belong to the families Cixiidae (Tachycixius lavatubus sp. nov.) and Meenoplidae (Meenoplus cancavus sp. nov.). Possible pathways towards the evolution of troglobitic forms in Auchenorrhyncha and ways of speciation—sympatric or allopatric—for T. lavatubus sp. nov. and its epigean relative Tachycixius canariensis (Lindberg) are discussed. These findings suggest that cavernicolous Homoptera are more widely distributed over the world than was previously assumed.