Plovers breeding in the highlands of Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí, central Mexico

From April to July 2008, we surveyed for breeding plovers at 32 sites in the semiarid highlands of Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí, in the Central Mexican High Plateau. We documented evidence or presumption of breeding Snowy Plovers ( Charadrius alexandrinus ) at 3 sites, Killdeer ( C. vociferus ) at 15 sites, and Mountain Plovers ( C. montanus ) at 1 site. Our surveys showed that the region is important breeding ground for only the Killdeer. We documented an apparent breeding range extension of the Mountain Plover to slightly more than 200 km south of its previously known breeding range.     

Revision of Pilargis de Saint‐Joseph, 1899 (Annelida,Polychaeta, Pilargidae)

Pilargis de Saint‐Joseph, 1899 includes seven species and one subspecies: P. berkeleyae Monro, 1933 Monro, C. C. A. 1933. On a new species of polychaete of the genus Pilargis from Friday Harbor, Washington.. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 10, 11: 673–675. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], P. maculata Hartman, 1947 Hartman, O. 1947. Polychaetous Annelids, 8. Pilargiidae.. Allan Hancock Pacific Expeditions, 10: 483–523.  [Google Scholar], P. modesta Intes and le Loeuff, 1975 Intes, A. and le Loeuff, P. 1975. Les annélides polychètes de Côte d'Ivoire, 1. Polychètes errantes—compte rendu systématique.. Cahiers ORSTOM (Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre‐Mer) Série Océanographie, 13: 267–321.  [Google Scholar], P. mohri Gallardo, 1968 Gallardo, V. A. 1968. Polychaeta from the Bay of Nha Trang, South Viet Nam.. Naga Reports, 4: 35–279.  [Google Scholar], P. papillata Rasmussen, 1973 Rasmussen, K. J. F. 1973. A new species of Pilargis (Polychaeta Pilargidae) from the deep soft sediments of Fensfjorden, Western Norway.. Sarsia, 53: 19–24. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], P. tardigrada (Webster, 1879 Webster, H. E. 1879. On the Annelida Chaetopoda of the Virginian Coast.. Transactions of the Albany Institute, 9: 202–269.  [Google Scholar]), P. verrucosa de Saint‐Joseph, 1899, and P. verrucosa pacifica Uschakov, 1955. Two species (P. verrucosa and P. berkeleyae) have been recorded from widespread localities. However, no comparison with type material has been done, and there might be some different forms under the same name. We have reviewed all the available type material in order to clarify the taxonomy of this group. A critical analysis of morphological features and a standardization of their structure and variability have been attempted. Six species are redescribed, one species is characterized after published accounts, and one subspecies is elevated to species. Four are described as new: Pilargis angeli n. sp., P. cholae n. sp., P. rozbaczyloi n. sp., and P. wolfi n. sp. Three others based on damaged material are briefly characterized. A key for Pilargis species is included.     

Oxytropis DC.—names, basionyms, types, and synonyms—Flora North America Project

The taxa centering around Phlox austromontana Coville are revised. Named as a new variety is P. austromontana var. lutescens Welsh from eastern Garfield County, Utah. A new combination is provided as P. austromontana var.  jonesii (Wherry) Welsh.          

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.     

Gas exchange, δ 13 C, and heterotrophy for Castilleja linariifolia and Orthocarpus tolmiei , facultative root hemiparsites on Artemisia Tridentata

Gas exchange and carbon isotope ratios were measured on 2 facultative hemiparasites, Castilleja linariifolia Benth. (Indian paintbrush); Scrophulariaceae) and Othrocarpus tomiei H. & A. (Tolmie owl clover, Scrophulariaceae), and their Artemisia tridentata L. (big sagebrush; Asteraceae) hosts. Photosynthetic rates differed greatly between years; rates in 1995 were more than double those in 1994, likely due to more precipitation and less water stress during 1995. Despite the difference in precipitation, photosynthetic rates for C. linariifolia were not different from those of their hosts for either year. However, carbon isotope ratios of C. linariifolia and O. tolmiei were up to 3% more negative than those of their A. tridentata hosts. Using measured δ 13 C ratios in conjunction with δ 13 C predicted from gas exchange measurements, we calculated that C. linariifolia derived, on average, 40% of its leaf carbon heterotrophically. Contrary to current suggestions that high photosynthetic rates of hemiparasites are an indication of reduced heterotrophy, C. linariifolia exhibited photosynthetic rates similar to autotrophic plants and used a substantial amount of host-derived carbon. Moreover, this evidence shows that manipulation of a heterotrophic carbon supply transcends obligate hemiparasites to include those plants whose parasitism is facultative.     

Four species of Caligus Müller, 1785 (Copepoda,Siphonostomatoida, Caligidae) parasitic on marine fishes of Taiwan

Four species of Caligus, with two new species, are reported from five species of marine fishes of Taiwan. They are: Caligus arii Bassett‐Smith, 1898 Bassett‐Smith, P. W. 1898. Further new parasitic copepods found on fish in the Indo‐tropical region.. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 7), 2: 77–98. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] on the body surface of Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, Caligus dasyaticus Rangnekar, 1957 Rangnekar, M. P. 1957. Caligus dasyaticus sp. nov. and Caligus dussumieri sp. nov., (Copepoda) parasitic on Bombay fishes.. Journal of the University of Bombay, 25: 16–22.  [Google Scholar] on the body surface of Dasyatis navarrae (Steindachner), Caligus dactylus n. sp. on the gill filaments of Dactyloptera peterseni (Nyström), and Caligus lutjani n. sp. in the oral/gill cavities of Lutjanus argentimaculaltus (Forsskål) and Lutjanus bohar (Forsskål). Both C. arii and C. dasyaticus are reported for the first time from Taiwan. Caligus dactylus differs from its congeners by the possession of the following combination of features: large myxal process on the maxilliped; a pair of parallel tines on the sternal furca with truncate tip; simple elements (without accessory process) at the tip of leg 1 exopod; and an armature formula of I‐0; I,III on leg 4. Caligus lutjani is distinguished by carrying a two‐segmented abdomen; a pair of diverged tines on the sternal furca with acute tip; an accessory process on the middle two of the terminal four elements on the exopod of leg 1; and a bipectinate, spiniform process on the exopod of leg 4 at the insertion of each of the five outer spines.     

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.     

First documentation of Salmincola californiensis in Lake Tahoe, CA–NV, USA

Salmincola californiensis is a parasitic copepod in the Lernaeopodidae family that commonly parasitizes salmonid fishes ( Oncorhynchus spp.) by attaching near the fins and on gill filaments. Historically their distribution was limited to streams that emptied into the Pacific Ocean. During the summer of 2006, several rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) captured in Lake Tahoe were infested with S. californiensis . This is the first known record of S. californiensis in Lake Tahoe.     

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     

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.     

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.     

Variation in ant populations with elevation, tree cover, and fire in a pinyon-juniper–dominated watershed

Climate change and fire suppression have facilitated expansion of pinyon-juniper woodlands into sagebrush-steppe ecosystems of the Great Basin, USA, resulting in a loss of biological diversity. To assess the effects of using prescribed fire in restoration efforts, ant abundance, species richness, and composition were examined pre- and post-burn along the elevation and tree cover gradients encompassed by a pinyon-juniper woodland in a central Nevada watershed. Ants were sampled using pitfall traps in 6 sites for the elevation study and in 2 sites for the tree cover study, representing paired burn and control sites in a randomized block design. Vegetation and ground cover variables were also sampled to determine how variation in ant populations was correlated with differences in vegetation and ground cover. Ant species richness remained unchanged for all treatments. Tree cover had no significant effect on ant populations. Significantly more ants were trapped after the burn treatment on burn plots. Variation in ant populations was not directly correlated with any of the vegetation or ground cover variables. According to ANOVA and multivariate analyses, elevation had the greatest effect on changes in ant communities, likely due to increased moisture availability. Our results suggest that management for conservation of sagebrush-steppe ecosystems in this and similar watersheds should include a range of elevations to ensure maximum ant species diversity.     

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.