Cichlid familial intrarelationships and the placement of the neotropical genus Cichla (Perciformes,Labroidei)

The current status of our understanding of cichlid intrafamilial relationships is investigated and novel data are presented resolving a basal trichotomy of the African and Neotropical radiations (Oliver, 1985). The claim that the African Cichlidae is non-monophyletic is supported and the little known Zairean genus Heterochromis is identified as the sistergroup of all other African and Neotropical Cichlidae combined. Throughout the study emphasis has been placed upon the resolution of the precise phylogenetic relationships of the enigmatic Neotropical genus, Cichla; a taxon whose placement has been thought critical for successful intra-familial analyses. Analysis of the evidence currently available argues strongly in favour of a close phylogenetic relationship between Cichla and the sisterpair, Crenicichla and Teleocichla. Given this phylogenetic scheme one of the most interesting aspects to arise is the striking morphological parallels between Cichla and many of its distantly related percoid relatives.     

The pars jugularis and the intrarelationships of cichlid fishes (Labroidei,Teleostei)

The anatomy and morphology of the pars jugularis skull region in cichlid fishes has been used recently, and for the first time, as a crucial character to establish intrafamilial phylogenies for these African, Malagasian and Neotropical freshwater teleosts. The new phylogeny cuts across relationships postulated in previous schemes, and suggests novel and geographically disjunct intrafamilial groups. It does not, however, seem tenable.

A detailed investigation of the cichlid pars jugularis, involving many more taxa and wider outgroup comparisons than were used to formulate the new classification, is described here. Apart from clarifying certain misconceptions about the anatomy of the pars jugularis in the Cichlidae, this study shows, at least in that family, that the character is valueless as an indicator of higher level intrafamilial relationships, and is of very limited value for establishing phyletic affinities at lower levels.

Other osteological features used in the new classification were also tested on a larger scale. None of these, either, refutes the two other and recent hypotheses-one of intrarelationships amongst Neotropical cichlids and the second for the family as a whole.     

Identification of mealybugs of the genus Planococcus (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) occurring on cacao throughout the world

A key and illustrations are provided for the identification of the species of Planococcus which occur on cacao. P. celtus and P. lamabokensis are transferred to Planococcoides. Planococcus pacificus is shown to occur commonly on cacao in the Neotropical Region as well as in the Australo-Oriental and Polynesian Regions, suggesting that many records of P. citri from the neotropics refer to this species.     

Termites live in a pear-shaped world: a response to Platnick

The six primarily Neotropical species groups of the genus Rachispoda are revised, comprising a total of 50 species, of which 35 are newly described. The aequipilosa group comprises nine species in the Neotropical and southeastern Nearctic regions: R. aequipilosa (Duda) comb. n., R. spuleri (Sabrosky) comb. n., and the new species R. alces, R. chisholmae, R. intonsa, R. joycei, R. laureata, R. luciana, and R. paludicola. The divergens group comprises ten Neotropical species: R. decimsetosa (Richards) comb. n., R. divergens (Duda) comb. n., R. multisetosa (Duda) comb. n., R. pluriseta (Duda) comb. n., and the new species R. condyla, R. forficula, R. luisi, R. merga, R. thaliathrix, and R. villosa. The fuscinervis group is a Neotropical and southern Nearctic group of 21 species: R. fuscinervis (Malloch) comb. n., R. schildi (Spuler) comb. n., R. striata (Duda) comb. n., R. trigonata (Spuler) comb. n., R. trochanterata (Malloch) comb n., and the new species R. aeditua, R. amarilla, R. andina, R. cesta, R. clivicola, R. colombiana, R. geneiates, R. justini, R. luminosa, R. meringoterga, R. oreadis, R. recavisterna, R. synoria, R. thermastris, R. trichopyga, and R. zygolepis. The maculinea group comprises seven Neotropical species: R. maculinea (Richards) comb. n., and the new species R. altimontana, R. baezensis, R. caesia, R. kaieteurana, R. lucaris, and R. praealta. The marginalis group contains the single Neotropical species R. marginalis (Malloch) comb. n. The m-nigrum group contains two species in the Neotropical and southeastern Nearctic regions: R. bipilosa (Duda) comb. n. and R. m-nigrum (Malloch) comb. n. Six described species are newly synonymized: Leptocera ensenada Richards (=R. divergens), L. limbinervis Duda and L. ruficornis Duda (=R. fuscinervis), L. paraguayensis Duda and L. weemsi Sabrosky (=R. m-nigrum), and L. rossi Richards (=R. multisetosa).     

Phylogenetic evaluation of the tropical Camptotypus genus-group (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), with a key to the world genera

The phylogeny of the disjunct pantropical Camptotypus genus-group (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) was reconstructed using 40 morphological characters.The monophyly of many established genera (Parvipimpla, Clydonium, Odontopimpla) was found to be supported, but Hemipimpla was found to nest within Camptotypus and has thus been treated as a junior synonym of it (syn. n.). A group of undescribed Neotropical species were found to form a separate monophyletic group, herein referred to as Genus A. Species of the Neotropical genus Zonopimpla formed a basal paraphyletic grade which could not satisfactorily be resolved into discrete monophyletic units. Rather than subsuming all the more derived genera within one large group, or attempting to erect numerous new and probably ephemeral genera (for isolated species of Zonopimpla), we propose the retention of this grade-group as a separate genus at present. The host utilization patterns of the genus-group, and the biogeography of the genus-group are discussed. The group is hypothesized as having originated and radiated in the Neotropics, as ectoparasitoids of weakly concealed lepidopterous hosts. One lineage, Clydonium, has become specialized at attacking hosts in woody galls where it utilizes coleopterous as well as lepidopterous hosts. The Old World genera (Camptotypus and Parvipimpla) comprise a monophyletic group and are suggested to have originated from a single dispersal event across the widening Atlantic. No evidence for either a southern or northern circum-polar dispersal was observed in this entirely tropical genus-group. One lineage in the Afrotropical region has switched from attacking lepidopterous hosts, to attacking pre-pupal and pupal polistine vespids.     

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.     

Feeding ecology of the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) and the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) in Jaú National Park,Amazon, Brazil

This study compares the diets of the giant otter and the Neotropical otter, two Lutrinae species which feed mainly on fish. The study was carried out through the analyses of faecal samples collected between 2006 and 2008 (82 giant otter and 75 Neotropical otter) in the Jaú National Park. The giant otter feeds mainly on Cichlidae, Erythrinidae and Characidae, while the Neotropical otter consumes Doradidae, Loricariidae and Cichlidae. The two otter species had low diet similarity (Pianka’s Index = 0.16). The giant otter consumed larger fish than the Neotropical otter, which probably explores shallow river parts in search of small catfish. Prey other than fish were more frequent in the diet of the Neotropical otter, whereas giant otters ate a greater diversity of fish families. Increasing knowledge of the feeding habits and interactions of these two top-order predators is vital to determine appropriate protection and management policies.     

Time-lapse photography reveals the occurrence of unexpected bee-pollination in Calanthe izuinsularis,an endangered orchid endemic to the Izu archipelago

Calanthe izuinsularis is a rare, beautiful and fragrant orchid endemic to the Izu archipelago. Although it is known that mainland populations of closely related Calanthe species are pollinated by medium- to large-sized bees, it is likely that C. izuinsularis has been forced to alter its floral biology to attract alternative pollinators, as large-sized bees are rarely found on the Izu Islands. Indeed, the unusual floral characteristics of C. izuinsularis, which produces pale flowers that emit a strong and fragrant scent during the night, are considered the adaptation to a moth-pollinator syndrome. As expected, our time-lapse photography using a digital camera revealed that the inflorescences of C. izuinsularis were most frequently visited by nocturnal moths such as Noctuidae, Geometridae and Crambidae, which accounted for 50% of all insect visits (in terms of both the number of frames with captured visitors and the number of times visited). However, our study could not provide evidence of a pollinator shift towards moths because none of the moth species was observed with pollinaria. On the other hand, our study found that the pollinaria of C. izuinsularis could become attached to the mesothorax of the small-sized sweat bee Lasioglossum occidens. Therefore, our study suggests that C. izuinsularis is still somewhat dependent on bee pollination, while the orchid has changed its floral colouration and scent. The occurrence of bee-pollination in C. izuinsularis would provide an explanation for how the natural hybridisation between C. aristulifera, C. discolor and C. izuinsularis can occur.     

Moth floral visitors of the three rewarding Platanthera orchids revealed by interval photography with a digital camera

We investigated the insect visitors of Platanthera ussuriensis, Platanthera sachalinensis and Platanthera florentii, which might contribute to pollination, using a digital camera with automatic interval photography. Monitoring was conducted for a total of five nights (45 hours), and during every night, at least one moth species visited. The total number of pictures taken and pictures taken of moths were 3607 and 152, respectively. We concluded, based on our findings, that Geometridae and Noctuidae moths probably pollinated P.florentii and P.sachalinensis, respectively, whereas no pollinia attachment or removal was observed in P. ussuriensis during the intensive visit of the Crambidae moth.     

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.     

Diversity and nectar hosts of flower-settling moths within a Florida sandhill ecosystem

The purpose of this study was to document and identify flower-settling moths within a Florida sandhill ecosystem and investigate their potential pollination capabilities. A combination of methods incorporating observation, morphology, pollen analysis and behaviour were applied. Fifty-two species of moths were documented taking nectar on flowers. A novel nectar-feeding behaviour categorized as fluttering resulted in increased pollen collection. Significant morphological match of moth proboscis length with flower corolla length was found. A preliminary list of sandhill moths is presented, and a pollen library of flowers found throughout the study area was created. This study was the first to conduct observations of settling moths in upland pine communities, and offers a rare glimpse into the interactions of moths with flowers within a unique ecosystem.     

Natural history of the fireflies of the Serra dos Órgãos mountain range (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro) – one of the ‘hottest’ firefly spots on Earth,with a key to genera (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

ABSTRACT

Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are charismatic insects that have been fruitful model systems in biotechnology. However, lack of information about firefly taxonomy and ecology renders species identification a hard task, especially in the Neotropical region, where fireflies are most diverse. A major gap in the literature on Neotropical fireflies is the lack of knowledge on species’ ecological niches and habitats, which are fundamental aspects for understanding their biology. Here, we provide an annotated checklist of the firefly fauna of the Serra dos Órgãos mountain range (Rio de Janeiro State, Southeastern Brazil), with information on the natural history of each species. We assembled data in three ways: monthly sampling with Malaise traps and active search along an elevational transect from 130 to 2,170 m, over 2 years (2014–2016), extensive field observations, and extracted from historical species records for the Serra dos Órgãos from museum specimens in key collections in Brazil and Europe. We provide a taxonomic key to the genera recorded in the region, and a differential diagnosis for each species, highlighting key references for each taxon. We report 58 species representing 21 genera, making the Serra dos Órgãos one of the richest firefly hotspots on Earth. Most species are restricted to one or two habitat types and/or just one of the regional seasons (warm or cool), and many were only collected either by malaise traps or active search, underlining the importance of sampling different habitat types and seasons, and using different sampling methods when surveying fireflies. Out of the 51 species observed in the field, 49 were active either during the day or the night, although two species – Photuris elliptica and Pyrogaster nigrolineatus – were active in both periods, which is rare in fireflies.     

Neotropical whiteflies of the subfamily Aleurodicinae established in the western Palaearctic (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Four members of the small, mainly Neotropical, whitefly subfamily Aleurodicinae, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell, Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi, P. citricolus Costa Lima and P. minei Iaccarino, are now established in the western Palaearctic, where all have economic impact. Keys are presented to enable their identification. The puparium of P. citricolus is redescribed, and the adult male is described for the first time.     

XXIII.—The genera of Stephanoceras and allies

Summary

An illustrated key is given to the 6 species of Enicospilus found on the Galápagos Islands. Five, E. stylus, E. katanus, E. vidus, E. donor and E. ditor, are described as new and one Neotropical species, E. trilineatus (Brullé), is recorded for the first time from these islands. The relationships between the Galápagos and continental South American species are briefly discussed.     

Morphology of the larvae of three species of Arrenurus (Acari: Parasitengona: Arrenuridae)

A new species belonging to the subgenus Bezzisca of the Neotropical genus Dexosarcophaga is described. Dexosarcophaga (Bezzisca) bermudezi sp. nov. is described from Panama and represents the sixteenth species of this subgenus. An illustrated key to identifying the Bezzisca species is also provided.     

A review of the Neotropical species of Ooencyrtus Ashmead, 1900 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

A key is provided to the 15 species of Ooencyrtus recognized as occurring in the Neotropical region. The following species are described as new: caligo, syrphidis, calpodicus, caribeus, castneus, eversi and pinguis; Echthrodryinus saccharalis Gordh and Trjapitzin is transferred to Ooencyrtus; Ooencyrtus trinidadensis venatorius Vidal and De Santis is given species status and Ooencyrtus fasciatus Mercet is treated as a doubtful record for the region. All available published information on the biology and distribution of each species is listed and the pest status of some of the hosts is also included.     

Non-monogamous mating system and evidence of lekking behaviour in the Helmeted Manakin (Aves: Pipridae)

ABSTRACT

Manakins (Pipridae) are a group of Neotropical birds well known for their spectacular lekking displays and non-monogamous mating system. Nevertheless, the two species of Antilophia have been traditionally considered monogamous and, therefore, an exception to this rule. In this paper, we studied the home range and the mating system of a colour-ringed population of the Helmeted Manakin Antilophia galeata in southeastern Brazil. We propose that it is a non-monogamous species that ranges widely during the breeding season, presenting a lekking behaviour in the form of unspectacular but aggressive chasing courtship displays.