Selection of ants by the American black bear ( Ursus americanus )

We examined selection of ants as food by black bears ( Ursus americanus ) in Utah by comparing the genera of ants we sampled from study plots in 5 vegetation types with those found in bear scats. In the plots we found 641 ant colonies representing 18 genera. Five genera comprised 85% of all colonies sampled: Formica, Lasius, Camponotus, Tapinoma, and Myrmica . Thirteen genera were found in scats, but 99% were composed of the same 5 listed above. Limited utilization of some ant genera by black bears may reflect body size, colony size, nest type, and presence or absence of a functional sting. Fifty-three percent of all ant colonies in sample plots were found under rocks. Energy values of ants ranged from 4.9 to 6.2 cal · g -1 dry weight. Pupae of Formica and Camponotus contained slightly more fat than respective workers, but the relationship was reversed for Lasius . Pupal cases were found in 33% of the scats, and bears may prefer ant brood because they are more digestible than adults and lack mechanisms of defense. Ants are a predictable and ubiquitous food source for black bears.     

Population structure and paternity in an American black bear ( Ursus americanus ) population using microsatellite DNA

We report genetic microsatellite data from analysis of 71 American black bears ( Ursus americanus ) from the East Tavaputs Plateau in eastern Utah. Heterozygosity was 52.9%, which is lower than other mainland North American populations and possibly reflects low recruitment into the study area. We used a combination of known pedigrees (mother/cubs), relatedness estimates, and paternity estimation using CERVUS to infer single and possible multiple paternity within litters, breeding by pairs over consecutive years, and the possibility of a single male successfully breeding with multiple females in a single year. Estimates of inbreeding effective population size indicate the East Tavaputs Plateau population is part of a larger black bear population.     

Desiccation sensitivity and heat tolerance of Prunus ilicifolia seeds dispersed by American black bears ( Ursus americanus )

Carnivore consumption of fruit is a principle means by which many fleshy-fruited plant species achieve long-distance seed dispersal. We examined carnivore dispersal of hollyleaf cherry ( Prunus ilicifolia ) seeds, specifically assessing the survival, desiccation sensitivity, and germination of seeds found in bear scats. Studies were conducted both in the laboratory and in 2 burn areas in Los Padres National Forest, California. Bear scats containing P. ilicifolia seeds were collected in burned and unburned chaparral. We counted seeds in each scat and noted whether endocarps had tooth punctures or rattled audibly when shaken. For comparative germination trials, we also collected fruits and seeds directly from mature shrubs. In the laboratory, following a cold-moist stratification period, seeds were assessed for germinability. In the field, we compared desiccation rates and germinability of seeds from bear scats and freshly collected seeds. We compared rates of moisture loss and germination for seeds subjected to several different conditions, including 25 °C (room temperature), 30 °C and 65 °C (in the lab), and placement on exposed soil in a burn area (in the field), where midday temperatures were approximately 45 °C but likely much higher by late afternoon. Prunus ilicifolia seeds collected from bear scats were largely undamaged; the vast majority of these seeds germinated. In some cases, germination rate was higher for seeds from scats than for seeds from intact fruits. Several results indicate that desiccation is an important cause of reduced germinability. First, seeds that rattled audibly germinated poorly; and the louder the rattle, the lower the germination percentage. Second, seeds (both fresh and those from bear scats) placed in the field under protective screens had greatly reduced levels of germination (an 84% decline) after only 7 days. Third, seeds dried in the lab, even at relatively moderate temperatures, showed a decline in germination with seed moisture loss. The addition of high temperatures accelerated this decline in germination. We discuss the relevance of heat and desiccation sensitivity of seeds dispersed by bears to successful seed germination in burned and late-seral mesic and xeric chaparral. El consumo de fruta por carnívoros es uno de los principales medios por los que muchas especies de plantas de frutos carnosos logran dispersar sus semillas a través largas distancias. Examinamos la dispersión por carnívoros de las semillas del islay ( Prunus ilicifolia ), un arbusto del chaparral, evaluando concretamente la supervivencia, la sensibilidad a la desecación y la germinación de semillas encontradas en las heces de oso. Estos estudios se llevaron a cabo tanto en el laboratorio como en dos áreas quemadas en Los Padres National Forest, California. Se colectaron heces de oso que contenían semillas de P. ilicifolia en el chaparral quemado y en el no quemado. Contamos las semillas en cada bola fecal y notamos si los endocarpios tenían marcas de dientes y si vibraban audiblemente al agitarse. Para llevar a cabo pruebas comparativas de germinación, también colectamos frutos y semillas directamente de los arbustos maduros. En el laboratorio, después de un período de estratificación fría-húmeda, evaluamos la capacidad de germinación de las semillas. En el campo, comparamos las tasas de desecación y de germinación de semillas de las heces de oso con aquellas de semillas colectadas directamente de los arbustos. Se compararon las tasas de pérdida de humedad y germinación de las semillas sujetas a diversas condiciones, entre ellas 25 °C (temperatura ambiente), 30 °C y 65 °C en el laboratorio, y en el campo sobre suelo expuesto en un área quemada, donde la temperatura al mediodía era ~45 °C pero probablemente mucho más alta por la tarde. En general, las semillas de P. ilicifolia colectadas en las heces de oso no estaban dañadas; la gran mayoría de estas semillas germinaron; en algunos casos la tasa de germinación fue más alta que la de frutos intactos. Varios resultados indicaron que la desecación es una causa importante de la reducción en la capacidad de germinación. Primero, las semillas que vibraban audiblemente germinaron poco, y cuanto más fuerte el sonido, menor la germinación. Segundo, las semillas (tanto las frescas como las colectadas de heces de oso) colocadas en el campo bajo una malla protectora exhibieron niveles de germinación muy reducidos (una disminución del 84%) después de sólo siete días. Tercero, la germinación de las semillas desecadas en el laboratorio, incluso a temperaturas relativamente moderadas, disminuyó con la pérdida de humedad de las semillas. Temperaturas más altas aceleraron esta disminución en la germinación. Discutimos la importancia de la sensibilidad al calor y a la desecación en las semillas dispersadas por los osos para la germinación exitosa en el chaparral mésico y árido, tanto en el chaparral recién quemado como en el que está en las etapas finales de sucesión.     

Camera traps reveal use of caves by Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus) (Mammalia: Ursidae) in southeastern Iran

The Baluchistan region of Iran and Pakistan is inhabited by one of the most threatened populations of Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus) in Asia. The first camera-trapping survey of these so-called Baluchistan bears was conducted in Bahr-e Asman Mountain, southeastern Iran. Fourteen camera traps were installed in the entrances of caves from April to December, 2009. A total of 32 bear photographs were obtained from three caves. Data analysis of photographs showed the presence of at least seven different individuals: two lone bears, and two family groups, with one and two cubs. Despite being very marginal habitat, affected both by human use and drought, the area supports a reproducing population of bears. This study suggests that caves may be important in the life history of these bears, and should be protected for their conservation.     

Wallaceaphytis: an unusual new genus of parasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from Borneo

Wallaceaphytis Polaszek and Fusu gen. nov. (type species Wallaceaphytis kikiae Ayshford and Polaszek sp. nov.) is described from Danum Valley, Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo. Although known from just a single female individual, the genus is extremely unusual morphologically, being the only member of the large subfamily Aphelininae with four-segmented tarsi. The form of the fore wings and head are also unique in the subfamily, and its status as a new genus is confirmed by analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA. DNA sequence analysis was undertaken by comparison with more than 60 aphelinid sequences from GenBank. The sequence for the standard DNA barcode region (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I; COI) is provided. The new genus is named in honour of Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection. The new genus and species are published on the exact date of the centenary of his death.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:700D2B2A-1586-4100-85D2-24844EFE3F90     

Coelomotrema aegyptiaca sp. nov., an unusual prosthogonimid trematode from Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) in Egypt

Coelomotrema aegyptiaca sp.nov. is described from Rattus norvegicus in Sharkia Province, Egypt. The worms are believed to have come from the abdominal cavity. They differ from C. antechinomes in having a larger and more elongated body, the median position of the genital pore, retort-shaped ovary, relatively smaller testes and very feebly developed suckers, the oral sucker being vestigial. This is the second prosthogonimid to be reported from rats.     

Noyesaphytis (Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) – an unusual new genus from Madagascar,and a reassessment of Aphelininae classification based on morphology

ABSTRACT

Noyesaphytis Polaszek & Woolley gen. nov. (type species Noyesaphytis lasallei Polaszek & Woolley sp. n. ) is described from Berenty, Tuléar, Madagascar. The genus differs from its closest relatives primarily in the structure of the female antenna, which has a single, elongate flagellum preceded by four anelli, the largest of which could be interpreted as a single anelliform funicle. This type of antenna is unknown in other Aphytini, but approaches the condition found in many Signiphoridae. Noyesaphytis possesses a character state that was until now thought to be an autapomorphy of Azotidae (sole genus Ablerus), being the groove in front of the propodeal spiracle. A second putative autapomorphy shared by Azotidae and Signiphoridae, and also Noyesaphytis, is the presence of anterior projections on the metasomal sterna. However, in Azotidae and Signiphoridae these are narrow, whereas as they are broader in Noyesaphytis. The form of the wing is consistent with Aphytini, although lacking a linea calva. The presumed male of Noyesaphytis lasallei has an antennal structure completely unknown in Aphelinidae, with a 1-segmented clava preceded by an extremely elongate single funicle, and four anelli. Differences between the female and male are discussed, some of which could indicate that the male might eventually be shown to belong to a different species, although the species are undoubtedly congeneric, despite the striking difference in antennal structure which is common in Aphelinidae. The male genitalia also suggest Aphytini. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of 50 morphological characters, we provisionally place Noyesaphytis in Aphytini pending the results of a forthcoming phylogenomic analysis. The new genus is named for its collector, John Noyes (NHM, London), and the new species is named after the late John La Salle.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6EE6F35C-32A4-4E91-AE39-5E2C173E58BF     

Two new varieties of Eriogonum (Polygonaceae) from the intermountain region

The types and type specimens of Nevada species and varieties of Eriogonum  (Polygonaceae) are alphabetically listed. Appropriate lectotypes are selected as necessary.         

Two new Encarsia species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) reared from eggs of Cicadellidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) in Argentina: an unusual new host association

Males of two undescribed Encarsia species were reared from eggs of two cicadellid species during a study of egg parasitoids of corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) in northwestern Argentina. Samples were collected during the summer of 2004–2007 using sentinel eggs, and several males of a new species of Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) were obtained. A single male of a closely related Encarsia species, also previously undescribed, was reared from an egg of another cicadellid on maize, Plesiommata mollicella (Fowler). These are the first records of any Encarsia species reared from eggs of Cicadellidae. The two new species are described as Encarsia dalbulae Polaszek and Luft Albarracin sp. nov., and Encarsia mollicellae Polaszek and Luft Albarracin sp. nov.     

A new genus and species in the ostracod family Candonidae (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from Texas,USA

A new ostracod genus and species, Namiotkocypria haysensis gen. et sp. nov., of the subfamily Cyclocypridinae is reported from an artesian well in San Marcos, Texas, USA. The new genus has several unique characteristics that distinguish it from all other genera in the subfamily, including postero-dorsally inclined valves, absence of tubercles in marginal zones of the valves, very short swimming setae on A2, length of aesthetasc ya on A1, asymmetric clasping organs, and differences in the shape of the hemipenis and other cheatotaxial parts. A detailed comparison among related genera of the subfamily is provided.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:42FF41E3-E2FB-4BB6-B9F0-948ED0A0807A.     

Microdistribution of juveniles and adults of the mud crab Panopeus americanus (Brachyura,Panopeidae) in a remnant mangrove area in the southwest Atlantic

The distribution and density of a population of the narrowback mud crab Panopeus americanus were evaluated, with emphasis on the different developmental stages (juveniles and adults) and sexes. Specimens were collected in a remnant human‐impacted mangrove at Araçá on the northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil, at two‐month intervals from January through July 2006, using 1 m×1 m sample plots randomly distributed in the intertidal zone. The population was abundant, with a mean density of 14.3±9.3 individuals/m². Larger individuals were more abundant in the upper and middle intertidal zones, whereas smaller crabs were predominant in the lower intertidal and thus remained submerged longer. Males and juveniles were homogeneously distributed. Females preferred regions farther from the waterline. A clustered distribution pattern suggested gregarious behaviour and settling of juveniles in the vicinity of the adults' habitats, in an adaptive process as a function of tidal rhythms.     

Winter nutritive content of black sagebrush ( Artemisia nova ) grown in a uniform garden

Winter crude protein content, in vitro digestibility, and productivity were determined for seven accessions of black sagebrush ( Artemisia nova ) grown in a uniform garden. No significant differences were detected among the accessions for any of these attributes. Mean crude protein was 6.8% of dry matter. Accessional range was from 5.8% to 7.3%. Mean in vitro digestion was 54.8% of dry matter; accessional range, 51.9% to 57.2%. Mean current year's growth (a measurement of productivity) was 4.3 cm; accessional range, from 3.7 to 5.1 cm. In comparison to other winter forages, black sagebrush ranks high for winter levels of crude protein and very high in winter digestible dry matter but low in productivity.     

Distribution of the milliped Virgoiulus minutus (Brandt, 1841): first records from Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas (Julida: Blaniulidae)

Virgoiulus minutus (Brandt 1841) (Julida: Blaniulidae), the only indigenous representative of the family in the New World, occurs, or can be expected, in parts or all of 24 states east of the Central Plains plus the District of Columbia; it is documented for the 1st time from Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. The northern-, southern-, and westernmost localities are in Berrien County, Michigan; Putnam County, Florida; and Angelina/Rusk Counties, Texas, respectively. New England, Utah, Wyoming, Canada, and Mexico are deleted from the range, and specific localities are reported to augment previous generalized citations; those from Mexico represent misidentifications of Nopoiulus kochii (Gervais, 1847), an introduced European species that is recorded from Mexico City, Distrito Federal. Records of V. minutus from Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri are the 1st definite localities from these states; a sample from ""Anechar,"" believed to be a misspelling of ""Arrochar,"" a neighborhood in Staten Island, is considered the 1st definite record from New York. The published statement of occurrence in Delaware in general is the only known record of an indigenous diplopod from this state.     

Genetic structure in striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ) on the Southern High Plains of Texas

Genetic variation within populations reflects population-level social and demographic processes and influences how a population behaves as an evolutionary unit. We examined partitioning of genetic variation in striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ) from the Southern High Plains of Texas during 1994-1995. Sixty-nine male and 35 female skunks were sampled on four 12.8-km 2 study plots. Plot centers ranged from 17.6 to 61.6 km apart. We used multi-locus DNA fingerprinting with 2 probes, pV47 and CTTxAGG, to test 3 hypotheses: (1) females are more genetically similar to other females than males are to other males on the same plot (indicating greater female philopatry than male philopatry), (2) genetic similarity is greater within plots than among plots (indicating partitioning of genetic variation in space), and (3) genetic similarity of males decreases as the distance separating males increases (indicating geographic distance affects rates of gene flow). In general, males on a plot had lower average genetic similarity than females. Genetic similarity within plots was not different from genetic similarity among plots for males or for females. Genetic similarity of males did not decrease with increasing distance among plots. The lack of geographical genetic structure in striped skunks suggests at the scale of this study (< 60 km) that gene flow of biparentally inherited genes is not distance-mediated. However, the higher similarity values for females than for males on the same plot supports an effect of male-biased dispersal and female philopatry on partitioning of genetic variation between sexes.     

Six new species of the genus Pseudostegana (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from the Oriental region

Six new species are described from China and Indonesia, belonging to the latiparma and zonaria species groups: Pseudostegana acutifoliolata sp. nov., Pseudostegana bilobata sp. nov., Pseudostegana bipartita sp. nov., Pseudostegana insularis sp. nov., Pseudostegana minutipalpata sp. nov. and Pseudostegana silvana sp. nov.. Updated keys to the species of the latiparma and zonaria groups are provided.     

Lasalleistichus a new genus of Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from the Neotropical region,including four new species

ABSTRACT

A new genus, Lasalleistichus, is described based on material from the Neotropical region (Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru). This new genus includes four species: L. albiclava, L. albifasciatus, L. fuscicoxa, L. longicaulis, all spp. n. and described here. The group is mainly female based, males are known only for L. albiclava. There is no biological information available for this group.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:82E08F36-E2C4-42FF-AD12-11B49C272AC6     

A new Stelis (Dolichostelis) from northern Colombia (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): first records for South America and a synopsis of the bee fauna from the Caribbean region of Colombia

The cleptoparasitic anthidiine bee genus Stelis Panzer is primarily Holarctic in distribution, extending as far south as Costa Rica. A new species of Stelis subgenus Dolichostelis Parker and Bohart is described and illustrated based on females collected in dry forests of the Caribbean region of Colombia. Stelis (Dolichostelis) costaricensis Friese is also recorded from dry forests but in western Colombia. These are the first records of the genus, as currently recognized, for South America. An updated key to the species of Dolichostelis and a synopsis of the diversity and biogeography of the bee fauna from the Caribbean region of Colombia are provided. Based on reports from the literature and data from collections, we provide a checklist consisting of 125 species in 48 genera of five families. The complex composition of this bee fauna parallels that of the flora, with taxa having the following origins or distributions: West Indian, North or Central American, Andean, xeric or temperate South American, and Neotropical widespread. A brief account on the contribution of George Salt to the knowledge of the biology of this Colombian bee fauna is also provided.