Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Mount Kilimanjaro: family Pieridae,subfamily Pierinae

This paper, which presents an annotated checklist of the whites (Pieridae: Pierinae), is the third in a series on the butterfly fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro. Four genera (Colotis, Nepheronia, Belenois, Mylothris), with a total of 10 included species, are known to occur within the main forest zone, from c.1800 to c.2800 m. Of the species, only Mylothris sagala appears restricted to the primary forests. The fauna from the lower slopes, below 1800 m, is far richer, with a total of 11 genera and 40 species listed. An identification key to the genera of Pierinae that occur in Tanzania, together with a key to the adults of all pierine butterflies considered to occur or have occurred on Kilimanjaro, with 310 colour images, are included as online Supplementary Information.     

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Mount Kilimanjaro: family Pieridae,subfamily Coliadinae

This paper forms part of a series on the butterfly fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro. Three genera (Catopsilia, Colias and Eurema) with eight species of Coliadinae are believed to occur within the main forest zone. However, of these, one or two may prove to be no more than variants of a third species, Eurema desjardinsii. A fourth conventionally recognized member of the complex may occur on the lower slopes below 1800 m. The widespread species Eurema hecabe occurs on the lower slopes, but records are sparse, and no records of its close relative Eurema floricola, with which it has often been confused, have been found. The need for original field and laboratory research on the taxonomy of African Eurema species is stressed. Keys to adult Coliadinae found in Tanzania, with colour illustrations, are included as online supplementary material.     

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Mount Kilimanjaro: Nymphalidae subfamilies Libytheinae,Danainae, Satyrinae and Charaxinae

This paper, which presents an annotated checklist of the ‘lower Nymphalidae’ (Libytheinae, Danainae, Satyrinae, Charaxinae), is the fourth in a series on the butterfly fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro. Four genera of lower Nymphalidae (Danaus, Amauris, Bicyclus, Charaxes), with a total of 11 included species, are known or believed to occur within the main forest zone, from c. 1800 to 2800 m. Of these, only three species of Charaxes (Charaxes berkeleyi, Charaxes ansorgei, Charaxes xiphares) may be restricted locally to this primary forest. The lower slopes fauna, below 1800 m, is considerably richer, with a total of 11 genera and 41 species listed (8 species of which extend into the forest zone). Possible additional species, dubious earlier records, problems with African subspecies of Danaus chrysippus, a need for more work on certain Satyrinae, and classification of the genus Charaxes are discussed. An identification key to the subfamilies of Nymphalidae, and the 19 genera of Libytheinae, Danainae, Satyrinae, Charaxinae that occur in Tanzania, together with a key to the adults of all the species of these four subfamilies considered to occur or have occurred on Kilimanjaro, with 206 colour images, are included as online Supplementary Information.     

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Mount Kilimanjaro: introduction and family Papilionidae

This article marks the beginning of a short series on the butterfly fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro. It commences with a brief overview of the topography, tectonic history, climate, ecological zonation and conservation significance of Africa's highest mountain. Following an introductory account to the butterfly fauna, the rest of this paper presents an annotated checklist of the swallowtails (Papilionidae). Eight papilionid species are currently believed to occur within the main forest zone, from 1800 to 2800 m (in places this zone extends down to c.1600 m). Another 10 have been recorded from the lower slopes, which include some disturbed forest and forest relicts, from 700–1800 m. The need for better data is discussed in light of the suggestion that the butterflies of Mount Kilimanjaro could become a focal group for monitoring effects of climate change. An identification key to families, together with a key to the swallowtail species and colour illustrations of adults, are included as online Supplementary Information.     

Three new species of Yponomeutinae (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) from China with faunistic supplements and an updated list of the Chinese species of the subfamily

To improve our understanding of the Yponomeutinae of China, the specimens of three institutional collections were examined to discover new taxa and all previous records were reviewed. As a result, we recognize a total of 71 species of Chinese Yponomeutinae, including three new species: Cedestis leucopterostigmatis n. sp., Euhyponomeutoides spadix n. sp., and Yponomeuta zebra n. sp., and a new record of Zelleria japonicella Moriuti from China. Unavailability of three species names in the most recent list: Yponomeuta hebeiensis Liu, 1984, Yponomeuta nigrofasciatus Yang, 1979 Yang, JK. 1979. Moths of north China, Vol. 1, Harbin, , China: Northeast Agricultural University Press.  [Google Scholar], and Yponomeuta ulingensis Yang, 1979 Yang, JK. 1979. Moths of north China, Vol. 1, Harbin, , China: Northeast Agricultural University Press.  [Google Scholar], is suggested. Photos of adults and genitalia are provided for all species described.     

New species of Notophthiracarus (Acari: Oribatida: Phthiracaroidea) from Tanzania

Three new species of the genus Notophthiracarus are described, identified and figured from Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania: Notophthiracarus quasiuluguruensis sp. nov, Notophthiracarus tuberculus sp. nov, and Notophthiracarus uluguruensis sp. nov. A comparison with the most closely related species of the genus Notophthiracarus is also presented.

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A taxonomic revision of the genus Stempellinella (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The species of the chironomid genus Stempellinella are revised, described, and figured, and keys to known larvae, pupae, and male and female adults are presented. Five species new to science are diagnosed and described. An emended generic diagnosis of Stempellinella is given and morphological differences from its putative sister genus Zavrelia are discussed. The partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences (DNA barcodes) of 10 Stempellinella species are presented and the variation in genetic distances within and between species is compared. The results indicate that DNA barcodes are suitable molecular markers for identification of Stempellinella species. The following life stages and species are diagnosed and described: the larva, pupa, male, and female of S. brevis, S. chambiensis, S. ciliaris, S. edwardsi, S. fimbriata sp. n., S. flavidula, S. leptocelloides, S. saltuum, and S. truncata; the pupa, male, and female of S. reissi and S. tamaseptima; the larva, pupa, and male of Stempellinella boltoni sp. n.; the pupa and male of S. lamellata sp. n.; the male and female of S. coronata; and the male of S. apicula, S. brevilamellae, S. distincta sp. n., and S. sublettorum sp. n. Two pupal types are described but not formally named. The following changes of combination are made: Stempellina chambiensis and Stempellina truncata are transferred to the genus Stempellinella. Zavrelia inopinata is listed as a new junior synonym of Stempellinella ciliaris.     

Revision of the Neotropical genus Yagra Oiticica (Lepidoptera: Castniidae)

The Castniidae, or butterfly moths, are characteristically colourful diurnal moths, distributed throughout the tropics except in Africa. The Neotropical representatives forage almost exclusively on monocotyledonous plants and many species are crop pests with more than 60% of the Neotropical castniids found or endemic in Brazil. Research studies that focus on taxonomy, systematics, and morphology of this group are scarce. In this study, Yagra Oiticica, a small genus restricted to south-eastern South America, is revised and the diagnostic morphological characters of male and female genitalia are illustrated. This research is part of long-term study on the Castniidae for future phylogenetic analysis.     

A checklist of the valid avian species of Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmorida), Haemoproteus,Leucocytozoon (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida), and Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae)

A current checklist of valid avian species of Babesia, Haemoproteus, Hepatozoon, and Leucocytozoon is presented. Some taxonomic problems which have arisen since the last review are discussed as too are the remaining host family groups of parasites still requiring review.     

Two new Sarsiellinae (Ostracoda: Myodocopa) from Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia), with a cladistic analysis of the subfamily and keys to genera

Two new Sarsiellinae from Ningaloo Reef, Spinacopia ningalooi sp. nov., and Metasarsiella caleyi sp. nov. are described. Spinacopia ningalooi is the first representative of the genus collected from a coral reef. It differs from the other species by its odd looking posterior infold. Metasarsiella caleyi sp. nov. is the first species of the genus reported from Australia. Keys to species of Spinacopia Kornicker, 1969 Kornicker, LS. 1969. Morphology, Ontogeny, and Intraspecific Variation of Spinacopia, a new genus of myodocopid ostracod (Sarsiellidae). Smith Contr Zool., 8: 50 [Google Scholar] and Metasarsiella Kornicker, 1991 Kornicker, LS. 1991. Myodocopid Ostracoda from Enewetak and Bikini Atolls. Smith Contr Zool., 505: 140 [Google Scholar], and to all the genera of Sarsiellinae are given here, together with an inventory of all the species and information on their distributions and biology. The results of two cladistic analyses (with unweighted and with weighted characters) of the subfamily based on 138 species and 34 morphological characters are presented. The first analysis resulted in seven equally parsimonious trees and the second in just one. The majority rule of the first group of trees and the tree from the second analysis are presented here.     

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.     

Revision of the spider subfamily Gnaphosinae in Israel (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

Gnaphosid spiders of 6 genera in Israel are revised presenting a relative richness in species and updated information on the Mediterranean spider fauna. Many inhabit the stony deserts of the south or are psammophiles that were detected by pitfall trapping. Minosia, Minosiella and Gnaphosa have never before been reported from Israel. Minosia simeonica sp. n. and the unknown males of M. spinosissima and Minosiella pharia are described. Gnaphosa barroisi is reinstated as a separate species. Berlandina jovia Denis, 1947 is newly synonymized with B. venatrix Dalmas, 1921, while the following B. chopardi Denis, 1955, B. paludani Denis, 1958, B. afghana Denis, 1958 and its subspecies B. a. spinitarsis Denis, 1958, and B. macrostigma Denis, 1966 are new synonyms of B. plumalis (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872) one of the most widely distributed gnaphosids in the Old World. The matching female of Nomisia excerpta and the matching of N. palaestina, each proving a separate species, have been identified, and N. negebensis sp. n. is described. Nomisia marginata (O. P.-Cambridge, 1874) and N. mauretanica Dalmas, 1921 are new synonyms of N. ausserei (L. Koch, 1872), N. verneaui (Simon, 1889) = N. excerpta (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872), and N. soror Dalmas, 1921 = N. palaestina (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872). In Pterotricha, the largest genus of Gnaphosinae in the Middle East, P. levantina sp. n., P. parasyriaca sp. n., P. engediensis and the unknown female of P. dalmasi are described, and the following new synonyms are recognized: P. aegyptiaca Dalmas, 1921 and P. isiaca Dalmas, 1921 = P. conspersa (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872); P. fanatica Dalmas, 1921 = P. lesserti Dalmas, 1921; P. peregrina Denis, 1948 = P. chazaliae (Simon, 1985); P. lentiginosioides Nosek, 1905 = P. kochii (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872). Illustrations of diagnostic characters, records of distribution and pertaining literature are provided for each species.     

Taxonomy of the Goliath beetle Goliathus orientalis Moser, 1909 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae)

The 16 names proposed for the central and eastern African Goliath beetle Goliathus orientalis Moser, 1909 Moser, J. 1909. Eine neue Lokalform von Goliathus giganteus Lam. Deut Entomol Z, 1909: 238 [Google Scholar], are reviewed and a complete synonymy is presented for the species. The earliest published name is Goliathus giganteus orientalis Moser, 1909 Moser, J. 1909. Eine neue Lokalform von Goliathus giganteus Lam. Deut Entomol Z, 1909: 238 [Google Scholar], type locality Lindi, Deutsch-Ostafrika, and so the correct name for the species is Goliathus orientalis Moser, 1909 Moser, J. 1909. Eine neue Lokalform von Goliathus giganteus Lam. Deut Entomol Z, 1909: 238 [Google Scholar]. Goliathus meleagris Sjöstedt, 1927a Sjöstedt, Y. 1927a. Goliathus meleagris n. sp. (Vorläufige Mitteilung). Entomol Tidskr, 48: 123 [Google Scholar], type locality Katanga, Congo Belge, is a synonym of G. orientalis. Populations of G. orientalis in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, may represent a distinct subspecies. The correct subspecific name for this form would be G. orientalis usambarensis Preiss, 1933 Preiss, P. 1933. Neue und bekannte afrikanische Cetoniinen mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Fauna von Mongoumba. Verh Naturhist Ver Preuss Rheinl Westfalens, 90: 1–3. 70–92 + pls [Google Scholar]; the widely used name G. orientalis preissi Endrödi, 1951 Endrödi, S. 1951. Die arten und aberrationen der gattung Goliathus Lam. i. Folia Entomol Hung (n. s), 4: 29–56.  [Google Scholar], is a junior subjective synonym of G. o. usambarensis Preiss. Goliathus orientalis is re-described and characters are presented for separation of adults of G. orientalis from adults of the partially sympatric species Goliathus goliatus (L.), 1771 and Goliathus albosignatus Boheman, 1857.     

A review of red-eye pigmentation and diel activity patterns in skippers (Lepidoptera,Papilionoidea, Hesperiidae)

ABSTRACT

The visual systems and diel activity patterns of butterflies and moths have been studied for decades, yet understanding the underlying mechanisms that are associated with the evolution of these remains a major challenge. The order Lepidoptera is principally composed of nocturnal lineages with extreme morphological and behavioural adaptations to this lifestyle. Although most butterflies are diurnal, some clades are predominantly nocturnal, for instance, the Hedylidae. Skippers are another family that comprises multiple crepuscular and/or nocturnal lineages. Interestingly, many such lineages have red-eye pigmentation, and this morphological feature has been hypothesised to be an adaptation to the night-time lifestyle. Here, we review the occurrence and frequency of red-eye pigmentation as well as diel activity patterns in Hesperiidae. We place these data within a phylogenomic framework and provide hypotheses and predictions relative to the evolution of red-eye pigmentation in skippers with respect to diel activity. We suggest that several types of red-eye pigmentation exist in skippers, with possible structural red-eye pigmentation in some lineages of diurnal skippers. The colouration of eyes in Hesperiidae, the evolutionary mechanisms that drive these traits and the physiological underlying processes require further attention and could bring new insights into our understanding of butterfly vision systems.     

Courtship,copulation and oviposition in the chalcedon checkerspot,Euphydryas chalcedona (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

In this report we describe some aspects of the reproductive biology of a population of the chalcedon checkerspot, Euphydryas chalcedona, in central Arizona. Successful courtship in this species lasts about a minute and has a form similar to that of other nymphalids. During copulation the male forms a spermatophore within the female's bursa copulatrix that represents about 7% of the male's body weight. After copulation females may remate and older females may have mated as many as three times. The spermatophore deflates as time since deposition passes. Females oviposit every other day on average and lay their eggs in clusters. These data confirm previous brief reports of courtship structure and spermatophore size for E. chalcedona. Questions are raised about the control of receptivity in this species and the function of the mating plug.     

Taxonomic study on Sathytes Westwood (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from China. Part I

This is the first part of a series dealing with the taxonomy of the genus Sathytes Westwood from China. Fifteen Chinese species are recognized and all described here as new: Sathytes cristatus sp.nov., Sathytes excertus sp.nov., Sathytes perpusillus sp.nov., Sathytes rarus sp.nov., Sathytes tangliangi sp.nov., Sathytes tibialis sp.nov., Sathytes usitatus sp.nov. and Sathytes yunanicus sp.nov. from Yunnan; Sathytes larinus sp.nov. and Sathytes wuyishanus sp.nov. from Fujian; Sathytes longitrabis sp.nov. from Shaanxi; Sathytes longwangshanus sp.nov. and Sathytes paulus sp.nov. from Zhejiang; Sathytes magnus sp.nov. from Xizang; and Sathytes sichuanicus sp.nov. from Sichuan. Illustrations of major diagnostic characters of the new species are given. A total of 33 species worldwide are placed into seven newly defined groups. A checklist of Sathytes is also provided.     

A note on the genus Pseudathyma Staudinger with description of a new species (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Summary

A note is given on the status of Pseudathyma callina Grose-Smith and Pseudathyma sybillina Staudinger. A new species is described, and one name synonymized.     

The species of Cellaria (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida) with large avicularia from West Africa

The three species of Cellaria with large avicularia (the size of an autozooid) known from West Africa have been studied: C. atlantida Cook, C. cookae n. sp. and C. salicornioides Lamouroux. All three are figured by SEM. Cellaria cookae n. sp. is mainly distinguished by its avicularium, with arched and pointed rostrum and mandible and a cryptocyst with a rectangular lyrula. Cellaria atlantida is characterised by its bell shaped Cellaria avicularium. The recognition of C. salicornioides var. normani is considered to be unjustified, as the distinctive character, which is the existence of lateral branching, is only a feature of young colonies and tends to disappear later.     

The occurrence and function of the sphragis in the zerynthiine genera Zerynthia,Allancastria and Bhutanitis (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea: Papilionidae)

In some butterfly species males attach a large external mating plug termed a sphragis to the female abdomen during mating. This is derived from male accessory secretions and covers the female ostium bursae and surrounding areas, thus preventing or delaying remating. Specimens of all 12 species of the genera Zerynthia, Allancastria and Bhutanitis (Lepidoptera: papilionidae), which form a natural clade within the Zerynthiini, were examined for presence or absence of a sphragis and their male and female genitalia were studied. In all three genera female genitalia lack a typical sinus vaginalis and the sterigma is modified to form an exposed, shiny, well-sclerotized genital plate, derived from the fusion and expansion of the lamellae ante- and postvaginales. The exposed ostium bursae is situated near the posterior end of the genital plate in Zerynthia, whereas in Allancastria and Bhutanitis it is near the anterior end. A crude irregularly formed sphragis was found at least facultatively in all species. The sphragides of Zerynthia and Bhutanitis were generally poorly developed, in most cases only partially covering the female genital plate. In Allancastria the sphragis mostly covered the genital plate entirely, and generally incorporated numerous long scales derived from the male’s 8th abdominal segment; scales were sometimes sparse or absent, probably due to depletion from repeated matings by males. In Zerynthia, males lacked the dense terminal abdominal tuft of elongated scales found in Allancastria, and their sphragis lacked scales. The sphragis of Bhutanitis thaidina incorporated scales from the male valves, whereas in the B. lidderdalii sphragis (and probably B. ludlowi) the scales derived from the male’s 8th abdominal segment. The role of the scales and possible reasons for the difference in the development of the sphragis among these genera are discussed.     

The subfamily Cladonotinae (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from China with description of a new monotypic genus

The genus Tetradinodula Zha gen. nov. (type species: T. bambusae Zha sp. nov.) is described from the Baiqing Nature Preserve, Tongzi County, Guizhou Province, China. Ecology and habits of the new species are discussed. Genera of Cladonotinae from China are reviewed and a revised key for identifying the genera of Chinese Cladonotinae is presented.

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