Mysidacés (Crustacea) de Kerguelen,Crozet et Bouvet (Océan Austral) récoltés par la Japonaise,le Marion-Dufresne (1972–82) et dans des contenus stomacaux d'oiseaux

This study deals with the Mysidacea (Crustacea) collected during the cruises organized by T.A.A.F. (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises), between 1972 and 1982, in the subantarctic part of the Southern Ocean, off Bouvet, Marion, Prince Edward, Crozet, Kerguelen and Heard Islands. In spite of the large numbers of samples taken between the littoral and 2000 m, with various bottom sampling gears, only 8 species were caught. At the Kerguelen islands, the genus Mysidetes, with 2 species including M. morbihanensis n. sp., was the main constituent of the benthic littoral mysidacean fauna, while Boreomysis inermis was the main bathyal species. The analysis of stomach contents of birds indicates that some bathypelagic mysidacean species ascend to the surface layer.     

Earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta) of Sao Tomé

During a soil zoology expedition to Sao Tomé Island, among other members of the soil fauna, earthworms were collected. During this collecting trip some 170 earthworm specimens belonging to 18 species were gathered of which two, Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) coeruleoviridis and Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) zicsii, proved to be new to science. In addition, a small sample from the same locality was also examined and Dichogaster (Dichogaster) thomeana Cognetti, 1910 Cognetti de Martiis, L. 1910. Lombrichi raccolti dal Cav. Leonardo Fea nelle Isole del Capo Verde e nel Golfo di Guinea.. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova, 4: 79–118.  [Google Scholar] was removed from synonymy of Dichogaster (Dichogaster) greeffi Michaelsen, 1902 Michaelsen, W. 1902. Neue Oligochaeten und neue Fundorte alt‐bekannter.. Mitteilungen aus dem Naturhistorischen Museum in Hamburg, 19: 3–53.  [Google Scholar].     

Type material in the University Museum,Oxford, of bees described by Comte Amédée Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau and Pierre André Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

The composition, condition and history of the Latreille-Dejean-Lepeletier collection (the so-called ‘Latreille Collection’) in the Hope Entomological Collections, University Museum, Oxford, are outlined. The type material of certain nominal species of Anthophora Latreille, 1803, Macrocera Latreille, 1810 [nec Meigen, 1803, = Tetralonia Spinola, 1839] and Dufourea Lepeletier, 1841, described by Lepeletier from his personal collection and from the collection of Comte Dejean is reviewed. The type material of certain nominal species of Anthidium Fabricius, 1804, and Panurgus Panzer, 1806, described by Latreille from his own collection is reviewed.     

Late fall and early spring bird observations for Mulegé, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Observational data from spring and fall 1996 and spring 1997 for the region near Mulegé, Baja California Sur, Mexico, are summarized in tabular form. In addition, new or noteworthy data for 17 species are annotated to provide clarification of previously published records. A uniquely plumaged bird, too far south for a female American Robin ( Turdus migratorius ) in basic plumage and too far north for the endemic ""San Lucas"" Robin ( Turdus migratorius confinis ) and intermediate in coloration between the two, was recorded. Range expansions are documented for several species including the European Starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ), Anna's Hummingbird ( Calypte anna ), Western Meadowlark ( Sturnella neglecta ), White-faced Ibis ( Plegadis chichi ), and White-fronted Goose ( Anser albifrons ). Lease Grebes ( Tachybaptus dominicus ), a species of concern which is apparently declining in numbers, and Belding's Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis beldingi ) a species endemic to Baja California Sur, were observed in the freshwater marsh during all 3 study periods.     

Cryptic and non-cryptic diversity in New Guinea ground snakes of the genus Stegonotus Duméril,Bibron and Duméril, 1854: a description of four new species (Squamata: Colubridae)

ABSTRACT

The island of New Guinea has been identified as biologically megadiverse but many taxa are still poorly known. This is especially the case for many of the island’s snakes, which by their very nature can be difficult to collect and study. Here we examine the phylogenetic and phylogeographic structure of a poorly studied snake genus, Stegonotus, focusing on the species of New Guinea; until now, Stegonotus has never been examined using modern phylogenetic methods. Using molecular data from 49 individuals representing eight of the ten described species, and including all New Guinea taxa, we estimate a multilocus phylogeny and examine population structure to help identify undescribed taxa. We use morphological data from the corresponding museum vouchered specimens (where available) and also examine additional specimens for taxa not included in the molecular data set to determine morphological differences among putative taxa. We find molecular evidence for four new species of Stegonotus, both morphologically obvious and cryptic, and describe them herein. The recognition of these four species indicates that Stegonotus diversity has been previously underestimated and also suggests that there are likely additional undescribed taxa within the genus. These four taxa increase the number of described species by 40% and further confirm New Guinea as the centre of diversity for the genus.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9E21390E-3FD4-40EB-9442-31BC92A76B4F     

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.     

Rediscovery of the Neotoma population on Datil [Turner] Island, Sonora, México

On Datil [Turner] Island in the Gulf of California, we rediscovered a population of Neotoma varia, previously thought to be extinct. We captured 5 specimens: 1 was kept as a voucher, and 4 were examined and released. Analysis of previous surveys indicates that N. varia is not common on the island and occupies a very restricted range. Recolectamos especímenes de Neotoma varia de la Isla Dátil en el Golfo de California, una población anteriormente considerada ya extinta. De los cinco especímenes que recolectamos, cuatro se pusieron en libertad. El análisis de muestreos previos indica que N. varia no es común en la isla y que tiene una distribución muy limitada.     

Population ecology and reproduction of the Mexican mud turtle ( Kinosternon integrum ) in Tonatico Estado De México

Ecological data directly from the field are important in understanding the life history strategies of kinosternid species in the tropics. Herein we summarize the basic population ecology and life history of Kinosternon integrum in the municipality of Tonatico (southeastern Estado de México, México). From October 2003 to November 2004, we marked a total of 204 turtles and recaptured 118 of them. Mean population size using the Jolly-Seber model was 197 (95% CI 128–416) individuals, with a sex ratio of 1:1.7, biased to females. Males were larger than females in carapace length and plastron length. The reproductive season starts in late June and finishes in late October. The smallest female with oviductal eggs was 122 mm in carapace length. Mean clutch size was 4 eggs ( s = 1.77, range 1–8) and was significantly and positively related to body size. Mean egg length was 30.43 mm ( s = 2.24, range 23.92–35.96), mean width was 16.35 mm ( s = 1.01, range 12.99–18.30), and mean weight was 5.14 g ( s = 0.60, range 3.41–6.57). Mean egg length was significantly and inversely related to clutch size. Relative clutch mass (reproductive effort) was 0.043 ( s = 0.017, range 0.017–0.071), which is the smallest value reported for the genus Kinosternon. Additionally, there was no evidence of a pelvic restriction on egg size in this population. This is the first study that documents basic population ecology and reproductive characteristics for a single population of the most widespread freshwater turtle in Mexico.     

Rediscovered population of Mexican Plateau spotted whiptail lizard, Aspidoscelis septemvittata , from México, D.F.

Multiple surveys carried out by herpetologists in México, D.F., during the 1980s failed to find specimens of Aspidoscelis septemvitatta (Squamata: Teiidae). However, 10 specimens were recently collected to the east of México, D.F., inside a protected area, Sierra de Santa Catarina. The Sierra de Santa Catarina has been heavily modified by human activity and habitation. Morphological and natural history information about the specimens are presented, as well as notes on locality.     

New distribution records for the Querétero dusky rattlesnake Crotalus aquilus (Viperidae), with comments on morphology and habitat use

We provide the 1st documented accounts of the Mexican endemic rattlesnake Crotalus aquilus from the state of México. The new records extend the known distribution of the species into a region where it may be sympatric with the superficially similar C. triseriatus . Because these taxa have previously been subject to some taxonomic confusion, we performed a preliminary morphological comparison using individuals of both species obtained from proximal localities. Our analyses support the supposition that these taxa are morphologically distinct. The new localities for C. aquilus are situated in high valleys that have been extensively modified by human settlement and agriculture.     

Comparative demography of the high-altitude lizard, Sceloporus grammicus (Phrynosomatidae), on the Iztaccihuatl Volcano, Puebla, México

Population density, reproduction, and survivorship were compared between 2 populations of Sceloporus grammicus occurring at different altitudes (3700 m and 4400 m) on the eastern slopes of Iztaccihuatl Volcano, Puebla, México. Lizards in both populations matured at the same age (14-15 mon) and size (39-42 mm SLV). Population density was slightly greater at high altitude (131-163 per ha) than at low altitude (52-83 per ha). Survivorship and R o were higher at the low-altitude areas, but in general there were no significant demographic variations between altitudes that have been reported in lizard population at higher latitudes. Studies of lower-elevation populations might reveal some differences because previous studies indicated that litter size increases at lower altitudes, although they do not differ between our 3700 m and 4400 m populations.     

Extension of southern range and new specimens of the western gray squirrel, Sciurus griseus anthonyi (Mammalia: Sciuridae), in Baja California, México

We documented a southern range extension and new specimens of western gray squirrel ( Sciurus griseus anthonyi ) for the state of Baja California, México. The most recent specimen was collected in the town Cataviña and represents the southernmost record for the species and subspecies. Repeated observations of individuals in this new location suggest the presence of a marginal population in Mediterranean chaparral–desert scrub transition vegetation. Documentamos la extension de ámbito más sureño y nuevos especímenes de a ardilla gris occidental ( Sciurus griseus anthonyi ) para el Estado de Baja California, México. El espécimen más reciente fue recolectado en el poblado de Cataviña y representa el registro más sureño para la especie y subespecie. Observaciones repetidas de individuos en esta última localidad sureña sugiere la presencia de una población marginal en vegetación de transición de chaparral mediterráneo–matorral desértico.     

Reproductive characteristics of to symtopic lizards species, Sceloporus gadoviae and Sceloporus jalapae (Squamata: Phyrnosomatidae), from Tehuacán Valley, Puebla, México

We studied the reproductive characteristics of 2 syntopic lizard species, Sceloporus gadoviae and Sceloporus jalapae (Phrynosomatidae). Specimens of S. gadoviae ( N = 105) and S. jalapae ( N = 41) were collected in a tropical arid forest from Tehuacán Valley, Puebla, México. Males of S. gadoviae reached sexual maturity at the same snoutvent length (SVL; 45.0 mm) as S. jalapae , and a similar pattern occurred in females of both species (SVL; 41.0 and 42.0 mm, respectively). Males of S. gadoviae exhibited reproductive activity throughout the year, with a longer activity during the dry (November to May) and part of the wet season (June to September). In contrast, reproductive activity in S. jalapae males occurred during the wet season (July to September). Females of S. gadoviae showed continuous reproduction, whereas females of S. jalapae exhibited seasonal reproduction. Mean SVL of sexually mature females was higher for S. gadoviae (￣ x ± s￣x = 50.4 ± 0.52) than for S. jalapae (46.0 ± 0.54, P S. gadoviae was lower (3.9 ± 0.14 eggs) than for S. jalapae (5.6 ± 0.43). There was no significant correlation between snout-vent length of females and clutch size of S. gadoviae ( r 2 = 0.22, P > 0.05) or S. jalapae ( r 2 = 0.48, P > 0.05). Our study suggests that although both species inhabit the same environment, they have different reproductive characteristics.     

A new species of the subterranean genus Oodinotrechus Uéno, 1998, from northern Guangxi,China, with additions to the generic diagnosis (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae)

A new eyeless species, Oodinotrechus liyoubangi n. sp, is described from northern Guangxi. All specimens of this interesting species were collected in three limestone caves in Mulun National Nature Reserve of northern Guangxi, southern China. It is the second species for the genus Oodinotrechus Uéno, 1998, distinguished from the type species O. kishimotoi Uéno, 1998 by its visible scutellum and pronotal structure. Several additional diagnostic characters for the genus and a geographical distribution map for both known species are also provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F82E3C03-0A15-4410-B674-BC8EB95607CE