Larval growth rates and sexual differences of resource allocation in the cetoniine scarab Mecynorhina polyphemus Fabricius 1781 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Goliathini)

Larval ontogeny of the scarab Mecynorhina polyphemus was monitored throughout all instars, and larvae were weighed at 7-day intervals. Durations of the prepupal, pupal and postpupal stages were recorded. Larvae increase their body masses over 300 times during ontogeny. Male imagines are larger than females, and this is primarily a function of faster growth rates during instar III, resulting in significantly heavier larvae at the end of this instar. The durations of the three instars are not significantly different in males and females, but the duration of the prepupal and postpupal phases is significantly longer in males. There is a strong correlation in both sexes between maximal larval mass and the mass of the imago, but larval mass–imago mass scales with significantly different slopes in males and females. Male larvae must allocate increasingly more resources into production of cephalic horns with increments in larval mass, requiring differently proportioned pupal chambers.     

Reproductive patterns of Trachycephalus venulosus (Laurenti, 1768) and Scinax fuscovarius (Lutz, 1925) from the Cerrado,Central Brazil

Animal mating systems are moulded by ecological factors, mainly the temporal patterns of reproduction. We report the reproductive period, use of microhabitats, clutch and egg sizes, reproductive efforts, occurrence of sexual size dimorphism, and the relation between body size and fecundity in the gravid females of Trachycephalus venulosus and Scinax fuscovarius at Serra da Bodoquena, Central Brazil. The reproduction of both species was correlated with the rainy season. Females of T. venulosus produced more eggs and their eggs were larger than those of S. fuscovarius. The females of both species were larger and heavier than males. The reproductive effort was measured as the ratio of gonad mass in relation to body mass. Females of both species presented similar reproductive efforts, but males of S. fuscovarius invested more in gonads compared to males of T. venulosus. Trachycephalus venulosus presented significant correlation between snout–vent length versus number of mature eggs and body mass versus number of mature eggs and ovarian mass. Scinax fuscovarius showed significant correlation between body mass versus ovarian mass. Trachycephalus venulosus is an explosive breeder, whereas S. fuscovarius has prolonged reproduction. These species are able to adapt to several types of habitat, due to behavioural and physiological plasticity.     

Breeding biology of Phyllomedusa azurea Cope, 1862 and P. sauvagii Boulenger, 1882 (Anura) from the Cerrado,Central Brazil

Phyllomedusa azurea and P. sauvagii are treefrogs from seasonal dry environments of Central Brazil. We report on reproductive and other natural history features of these species. The study was carried out in Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The reproductive period was determined by the presence of vocalizing males, amplectant pair or presence of tadpoles. The reproductive effort was measured as the ratio of gonad mass in relation to body mass (BM). The reproduction of both species was correlated with the rainy season. Female P. sauvagii produced more eggs and their eggs were larger than those of P. azurea. Both species showed sexual dimorphism in relation to the snout–vent length (SVL) and BM. The mating behaviour of both species was similar. Males in both species showed similar reproductive efforts, but females of P. azurea invested more in gonads compared to the males of P. sauvagii. Phyllomedusa azurea showed a significant relation between SVL versus number of the mature eggs (NME), and P. sauvagii between SVL versus NME and BM versus ovarian mass.     

On the species of Stemonocera Rondani (Diptera: Tephritidae) from the Indian subcontinent

A new tephritid species from Pakistan, Stemonocera longisystylis sp. nov. Singh, Hancock & Ramamurthy is described and Stemonocera cervicornis (Brunetti) is redescribed with details of external morphology including genitalia and sexual dimorphism. A new combination Acidiostigma discale (Brunetti) is proposed for Acidia discalis Brunetti, previously included in Stemonocera.

http://zoobank.org/73F6BC90-8699-4C0A-9BA7-45349D32A8C3     

Aspects of the natural history of Leptodactylus knudseni Heyer, 1972 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in a pristine forest in Central Amazonia,Brazil, with comments on ontogenetic variation of its tadpoles

The Leptodactylus pentadactylus species group is comprised of medium to large species of Neotropical frogs. Leptodactylus knudseni, a member of this species group, has a wide distribution throughout the Amazon Basin. Herein we describe aspects of the reproductive biology of L. knudseni and provide notes about the ontogenetic variation of its tadpoles based on a population in a non-flooded forest near Manaus, Amazonian Brazil. Amplectant pairs of L. knudseni lay foam nests in excavated basins on the edge of temporary ponds located on clay soil and at least 50 m from a stream. The tadpole development happens initially in the foam nests with access to the pond after the rain flooding the basins. Studied clutches lacked trophic eggs and tadpoles did not produce foam. Ontogenetic variations in L. knudseni tadpoles are related to size, teeth formulae and body colour. The use of excavated basins for the deposition of foam nests has been reported in several species of the L. pentadactylus group. The absence of trophic eggs and production of foam by the tadpoles differ from other species of the L. pentadactylus group. The tadpole morphology is similar to that described for other species of the group.     

Ecological aspects of the pumpkin toadlet,Brachycephalus garbeanus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920 (Anura: Neobatrachia: Brachycephalidae), in a highland forest of southeastern Brazil

Brachycephalus garbeanus is an aposematic toadlet, endemic to the Atlantic Forest in the mountains of the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Information regarding the ecology of species in this genus is scarce, with no information on most species, including B. garbeanus. We provide ecological information about B. garbeanus, in particular regarding microhabitat use, sexual dimorphism in body size, and feeding habits. Our study was conducted in a montane area of the Parque Estadual dos Três Picos, the largest State park in Rio de Janeiro. Most of the B. garbeanus in the study area were found on the forest floor leaf litter. Females were larger on average than males. Brachycephalus garbeanus consumed a wide array of prey, comprising exclusively invertebrates and predominantly arthropods. There were seasonal differences in the diet composition, but mites and ants were important in both wet and dry seasons.     

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.     

Age,body size and growth pattern of Argenteohyla siemersi pederseni (Anura: Hylidae) in northeastern Argentina

In this study we analysed the body size, age structure, age at maturity, longevity and growth pattern of Argenteohyla siemersi pederseni in north-eastern Argentina using skeletochronological methods. Body size was sexually dimorphic; females were significantly larger and heavier than males, regardless of age. As A. s. pederseni is an explosive breeder with only one reproductive episode per year, we assumed that each Line of Arrested Growth (LAG) observed was equivalent to one period of decreasing growth, LAGs reflecting a direct estimation of individual age. The minimum number of LAGs counted was two for males and three for females, but there was no sexual difference in longevity. The von Bertalanffy's growth coefficients (K) were higher in males than in females for both size and body mass. Females had a lower growth rate than males, took longer to reach the minimum maturation size, and were older and larger at reproduction.     

Natural history of the marsupial Thylamys macrurus (Mammalia,Didelphidae) in fragments of savannah in southwestern Brazil

The objective of this study was to furnish information on the natural history of the Neotropical marsupial Thylamys macrurus in the southern Cerrado of Brazil. A range expansion of the species was observed to the northeast of the Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Specimens were surveyed in fragments of savannah (40–600 ha) during dry and wet seasons in 2003 and 2004 with live‐trap grids and pitfall lines. With an effort of 9767 trap nights and 2200 pitfall nights, we obtained 102 captures and 49 recaptures of T. macrurus. The data analyzed (57 males and 40 females) showed that males are more abundant in the dry season and females in the wet season. Young were recorded mostly during the wet season. Thylamys macrurus was scansorial, using the floor and the understorey. Sexual dimorphism was recorded, with males being larger than females. Information on ectoparasites is supplied.     

New montane,subterranean congeners of a littoral millipede,genus Thalassisobates (Diplopoda: Julida: Nemasomatidae)

Two new species are described in the hitherto monotypic genus Thalassisobates Vehoeff, 1908: T. emesesensis sp. nov. from the mesovoid shallow stratum of La Gomera (Canary Islands), and T. almeriensis sp. nov. from a cave in Almería, southern continental Spain. Notes on the morphology and distribution of T. littoralis (Silvestri, 1903 Silvestri, F. 1903. “Isobates littoralis Silvestri n.sp. (in litt.). – Fasc. XCIX, N.9”. In Berlese, A.: Acari Myriopoda et Scorpiones hucusque in Italie reperta  [Google Scholar]) are given, and the monophyly and relationships of Thalassisobates are discussed. Other examples of arthropod genera with a similar habitat duality: marine littoral on one side, and subterranean montane on the other, are given. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6455CE47-E9DB-4A9D-8074-D0D87A7816C2     

Description of a new species of Armandia (Polychaeta: Opheliidae) from western Kyushu,Japan, with character variations

Armandia amakusaensis sp. nov. (Polychaeta: Opheliidae) is described from an intertidal sandflat in western Kyushu, Japan. The holotype measures 13.14 mm in total body length, and has 32 setigers, with branchiae on setigers 2–31. Eleven pairs of lateral eyes are present on setigers 7–17. The anal funnel opens dorsally, fringed with 11 papillae, its length being slightly shorter than the length of the last three setigers. A long unpaired cirrus originates mid-ventrally from the inside of the anal funnel. Variation in these diagnostic characters is described. The new species is most similar to A. leptocirris (Grube, 1878) and A. intermedia Fauvel, 1902. However, it is distinguished from A. leptocirris in the distribution patterns of the branchiae and the lateral eyes, and from A. intermedia in the distribution pattern of the lateral eyes, the ratio of anal funnel length to total body length, and the number of anal-funnel papillae.     

Mating behaviour,nympho-imaginal development and description of a new Mesabolivar species (Araneae: Pholcidae) from the Brazilian dry forest

A new species of Mesabolivar is described from Brazilian forests: Mesabolivar delclaroi. The mating behaviour, postembryonic development, number of egg sacs and eggs, birth rate, number of instars, developmental time until adulthood, sex ratio and size of cephalothorax (per instar) were recorded. The sexual behaviour was described and categorized into four steps: courtship, pre-copulation, copulation and post-copulation. After hatching, individuals presented five instars until maturity. The mean number of eggs (42 ± 16.6) and live births (31.5 ± 3.4) of the first egg sac were significantly greater than that of a second one (23.8 ± 3.8, and 19.25 ± 3.9, respectively). The developmental time from birth to adulthood (130.8 ± 9.6 days) did not differ significantly between egg sacs produced (128.61 ± 11.1). The size of the cephalothorax did not differ among adults or between sexes. The sex ratio revealed a shift in favour of females (4: 3).     

Mating behaviour in the bees,Dieunomia heteropoda and Nomia tetrazonata,with a review of courtship in Nomiinae (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Males of many bees in the subfamily Nomiinae (Halictidae) have numerous secondary sexual characters, which provide much systematic information. Similarly, the use of these structures by males during sexual behaviour may provide useful characters, but the courtship and copulatory behaviour of most of these bees is not known. Structures and behaviour used for courtship and mating are described for two species of nomiine bees, Dieunomia heteropoda and Nomia tetrazonata, along with brief observations of mating in a parasitic bee, Triepeolus verbesinae (Apidae: Nomadinae). A review of mating behaviour within the Nomiinae shows no obvious phyletic patterns, based upon present limited knowledge. The species-specific nature of the male secondary sexual characters suggests they may have evolved in the context of sexual selection, but behavioural data from populations of additional species are needed to evaluate the hypothesis adequately.     

Amphiblestrum Gray, 1848 (Bryozoa Cheilostomatida) from the Atlantic-Mediterranean area,with description of a new species

Several species, belonging to the genus Amphiblestrum Gray from the Atlantic-Mediterranean area are discussed. One species is described as new: A. frigidum sp. n., from Lower Pleistocene sediments of the Mediterranean area and from the Recent Northern Atlantic. Systematic affinities among species are discussed together with geographical, ecological and stratigraphical distributions. The climatic-palaeoclimatic significance of some species is stressed: A. lyrulatum and the fossil A. spaeleus and A. intermedius seem to be warm-temperate species whereas all the others are cool, boreal or boreal-arctic species. A. flemingi and A. frigidum sp. n., both Recent Northern Atlantic species known from Würmian submerged sediments and/or Lower Pleistocene outcrops of the Mediterranean area are considered as Boreal Guests.     

The northward extension of reptiles in the Palearctic,with the Jordan Valley (Israel) as a model: snakes outrace lizards (Reptilia: Squamata)

The geographical distribution of reptiles is known to be climate dependent. Our analysis of literature data from the Palearctic confirmed that snakes, as a group (186 species), tend to extend further to the north, into cooler climate, than lizards (460 species). This has also been reported for the Nearctic. On a smaller scale, as a model, we investigated the expansion of reptiles from the warm southern desert of Israel northwards along the Jordan valley into cooler climate, based on 587 locality records of 17 species. It transpired that the snakes significantly extend further to the north than the lizards, paralleling and exemplifying the global scale. The ability of snakes to inhabit relatively cooler climates appears to accord with three physiological traits of snakes: lower optimal body temperatures, absence of temperature-dependent sex determination, and ability to thrive on infrequent meals.     

Tropical cyclones and reproductive ecology of Crocodylus acutus Cuvier, 1807 (Reptilia: Crocodilia: Crocodylidae) on a Caribbean atoll in Mexico

Crocodylus acutus, a coastal species nesting in sand beaches, could be affected by increasing tropical cyclone frequency. We studied key characteristics of C. acutus reproductive ecology on Banco Chinchorro atoll from 2006 to 2009, including the impact of two tropical cyclones. Hurricanes increased canopy openness causing earlier nesting the following year. Crocodiles nested at the beginning of the wet season with hatching in mid-wet season; this could represent a compromise between risking nest flooding and increasing freshwater availability for hatchlings. Tropical cyclones dramatically reduced nesting success by cooling and flooding clutches. Nursery sites were usually hypersaline, but heavy rainfall from tropical cyclones can likely benefit hatchling survival by decreasing salinity. While tropical cyclones have negative short-term impacts on crocodile nesting, they likely have an overall beneficial effect by creating and maintaining open sandy nesting areas used by C. acutus and they may explain its widespread distribution in Caribbean coastal areas.     

A new species of Ahaetulla Link, 1807 (Serpentes: Colubridae: Ahaetullinae) from India

A new species of vine snake of the genus Ahaetulla is described from peninsular India. The new taxon is a medium-sized arboreal snake, readily distinguished from all other congeners by morphological and genetic differences. The new species appears to be widely distributed in Eastern Ghats and Central India with the western-most distribution extending into eastern Rajasthan. However, it is relatively rare, with only three specimens being acquired over the past nine years.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B610BF55-3CEF-4160-9A2C-25A069A82223

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AD84ABAE-F4F5-452C-8EFD-969D191E738B     

Two new and a known species of dorylaim nematodes (Dorylaimida: Nematoda) from Kaziranga National Park,Assam, India

Two new and one known species of dorylaim nematodes are described and illustrated from Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Prothornenema vulvatum sp. nov. is characterized by having body 1.06–1.17 mm long; lip region cap-like, slightly rounded, offset by constriction with moderate labial and post-labial sclerotization; 10–11 μm long odontostyle; vulva a transverse slit; cuticle both anterior and posterior to vulva with two or three deep invaginations; female tail long filiform, male tail short conoid with 13 or 14 contiguous ventromedian supplements. Allodorylaimus kazirangus sp. nov. is characterized by having body 1.84–2.16 mm long; truncate, slightly offset lip region; 30 μm long odontostyle; amphids duplex; cardia short conoid, an asymmetrical ring-like structure surrounds the junction between pharyngeal base and cardia; transverse vulva; uterus characteristically long, tripartite with wide proximal portion followed by a long narrow intermediate portion with moderately sclerotized inner lining joining a wider pars dilatata distalis; short conoid tail with no sexual dimorphism and males with 13 or 14 contiguous ventromedian supplements. Thornia propinqua (Paesler, 1941 Paesler, FR. 1941. Neue Freilebende Erdnematoden aus Ostdeutschland. Zool Anz, 134: 245–252.  [Google Scholar]) Andrássy, 1957 Andrássy, I. 1957. Thornia gubernaculifera n. sp., ein neuer Süsswassernematode aus Ungarn. Nematologische Notizen, 6. Opusc Zool Budap, 2: 9–14.  [Google Scholar] is redescribed.