Two new amphipod crustaceans of the genus Bahadzia from ‘blue holes’ in the Bahamas and some remarks on the origin of the insular stygofaunas of the Atlantic

Bahadzia setimana sp. nov. from South Andros, and B. obliqua sp. nov. from Cat Island, both in the Bahamas, are described. The recently described genus Bahadzia now contains five closely related taxa, each apparently confined to a single island or isolated group of islands, in a restricted area of the West Indies, ranging from Haiti in the south to the northern Bahamas.

The present discoveries show not only that low-salinity groundwaters of the West Indies have a marked degree of insular endemism, but that the high-salinity anchihaline habitats possess endemics in certain groups as well.

Current models which seek to explain the evolution of stygobionts on Atlantic Islands are reviewed critically and the most likely synthesis is provided.     

CVIII.—The African spiders of the family Ctenidae in the collections of the British Museum (Natural History)

Summary

The African Ctenidae in the Collections of the British Museum (Natural History) are revised. Thirty species are contained in the subfamilies Cteninae and Acantheinae. Ctenus batesii Pocock, 1903, is a synonym of Ctenus capulinus (Karsch), 1879, Ctenus dirus Thorell, 1899, is a synonym of Ctenus kingsleyi F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1898, Ctenus marshalli F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1898, is a synonym of Ctenus melanogastra (Bösenberg & Lenz), 1895, and Ctenus spenceri F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1898, is a synonym of Ctenus pulchriventris Simon, 1896.

The subfamily Acantheinae is recorded from Africa for the first time. A new genus, Africactenus, is erected for a group of allied species. The genotype is Ctenus agilior Pocock, 1899, and the following new species are described:—A. depressus, A. desartsi, A kribiensis, A. pococki, A. sandersoni, A. simoni, A. sladeni, A. tridentatus and A. trilateralis. Ctenus longurio Simon, 1909, is transferred to the genus Africactenus on examination of the type-material.

Certain species from the Simon Collection are listed in the Appendix and figured for the first time.     

Tanaidacea (Crustacea: Peracarida) of the North-east Atlantic: the genera Leptognathioides and Portaratrum of the ‘Atlantic Margin’

The tanaidomorphan genera Leptognathioides and Portaratrum from the Benthic Invertebrates of Icelandic waters (BIOICE), Marine Benthic Fauna of the Faroe Islands (BIOFAR), and Atlantic Frontier Environmental Network (AFEN)-related surveys are examined. The diagnosis for Leptognathioides polita is amended and additional size data are given. A new species, L. biarticulata, is described although the differences from L. polita are slight. It occurs in the bathyal Iceland Basin with a distribution that does not overlap with that of L. polita. A new species of Portaratrum, P. holdichi, is described and the apparent similarities (parallelisms) between this former colletteid genus and the akanthophoreid Chauliopleona are discussed. The distribution and rarity of both genera in the region are analysed, Leptognathioides being more common in the cold-water areas or along the cold–warm interface. Portaratrum holdichi n. sp. is more common and abundant in the Rockall-Biscay region of the NE Atlantic.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:81262671-0665-49C3-9A02-F243C60FC334     

The Tanaidacea (Crustacea,Peracarida) of the North-East Atlantic: the shelf and bathyal Paratyphlotanais of the ‘Atlantic Margin’

Increasing oil-exploration activity and associated ecological surveying west of the Shetlands is leading to the discovery of many poorly known or undescribed tanaidaceans. Three species of the typhlotanaid genus Paratyphlotanais Kudinova-Pasternak and Pasternak, 1978 Kudinova-Pasternak R. K Pasternak F. A 1978 Deep sea Tanaidacea collected from the Caribbean Sea and Puerto Rico trench during the 16th cruise of RV ‘Akademik Kurchatov’ and the resemblance between the fauna of deep-sea Tanaidacea of the Caribbean region and the Pacific Trudy Instituta Okeanologiii. Akademiya Nauk SSSR, 113, 115–135 (in Russian)  [Google Scholar] have been recorded from shelf and bathyal depths between Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the western margin of the British Isles. Two, P. gracilipes (Hansen) and P. microcheles (G. O. Sars), formerly belonging to the genus Typhlotanais, are redescribed and a new species is described. A key to their identification is included. Inhabiting largely discrete zoogeographic areas, these species help define regional macrofaunal associations.     

LX.—Copepoda and Cladocera of the Cuillin Hills of the Isle of Skye

Summary

The life history of the African grasshopper Ornithacris turbida (Walker) was studied under controlled laboratory conditions. No phase variation was observed between isolated and crowded stock in respect of colour, morphometrics, weight of hatchlings or fledglings. All the females reared in isolation Had seven nymphal instars but in the case of the isolated males the majority had six but some had seven nymphal instars. This variation was also observed in the crowded stock for both males and females.

In isolation the mean nymphal life of 15 females was 78·7 ± 3·2 days, the mean for nine males having six instars was 59·9 ± 3·2 days and for five males having seven instars the mean nymphal life was 74·6 ± 3·8 days. Overall the nymphal life for the insects reared in crowds was slightly shorter, but no attempt was made to separate the insects having six or seven instars.

The stripes in the compound eye correlated with the number of nymphal instars. Colour changes in the compound eye coincided with overall body colour changes and maturation.

The mean maturation period of females reared in isolation was 101 days, varying from 72 to 158 days. The mean maturation period of the crowded females, estimated by the collection of the first egg-pod, was 73 days with a range of 62 to 84 days; when estimated by the collection of egg-pods averaging one per female it varied with the cage from 91 to 114 days. This suggests that maturation in the crowded females was quicker.

The isolated females lived longer than ones reared in crowded conditions, and laid more egg-pods. There was, however, no difference in the number of eggs per pod or their hatchability between crowded and isolated stock. In both cases 76% of the total number of eggs hatched. Hence overall the isolated females had a greater fecundity than those reared in crowds.

The average weight of a single hopper from isolated parents was 15·5 mg and that from crowded parents was 14·0 mg.     

VII.—Notes on the Braconidæ in the British Museum.—II. On the Australian species of Cardiochilinæ and Doryctinæ

Summary

A key to the beetles of the 33 families of Heteromera (Cucujoidea) is presented for the world and a summary of about 67 imaginal characters (where known) for each family is also included. The key is intended not only for those who wish to identify beetles with heteromeroid aedeagi but also for those who want to learn the existing gaps in our knowledge on this subject and problems for future researches. Sincere efforts to distinguish or discover the primitive and derivative characters and groups for all families of beetles (Coleoptera including Strepsiptera) are urgently required.     

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.     

Pycnogonida of the Galápagos Islands

Summary

Eleven species from the shallow water of the Gálapagos are recognized. Of these, two are also found on the Pacific coast of Central America and one occurs in the Caribbean region. Eight species appear to be endemic, of which five are described as new: Anoplodactylus torus, Ammothella dawsoni, Eurycyde encantada, Rhynchothorax barnardi, Tanystylum distinctum. A deepwater species, Ascorhynchus laterospinum Hilton, is redescribed. The pycnogonid fauna shows close relationship to that of mainland Central America, but does not suggest insular speciation on the basis of the collections studied. Indo-Pacific representation is lacking in the material studied.     

East–west differentiation in the Marcusenius macrolepidotus species complex in Southern Africa: the description of a new species for the lower Cunene River,Namibia (Teleostei: Mormyridae)

This paper critically compares the Southern African bulldog fish species Marcusenius macrolepidotus (Peters, 1852), inhabiting the eastern Lower Zambezi River, and Marcusenius altisambesi Kramer et al., 2007, inhabiting the central Upper Zambezi River, with bulldog fish samples from the western lower Cunene River, a 2600-km range from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic. The three species or forms are well differentiated in morphology and molecular genetics, and differentiation is also present in electric organ discharges. Marcusenius altisambesi and the Cunene sample, which we recognize as Marcusenius multisquamatus sp. nov., are closely related and form a sister taxon to M. macrolepidotus. This result is based on the analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences and genomic Inter-simple-sequence-repeat fingerprinting. Morphological adaptations to life in a torrential escarpment river seem to be present in M. multisquamatus sp. nov. when compared with M. altisambesi, which lives in a reservoir river that periodically floods the savannah. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8FE68494-9ED9-428E-B181-E814D25493F2     

Eucharitidae new to the fauna of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), with the description of a new species and the previously unknown male of Eucharis (Psilogastrellus) albipennis Bouček

The present study summarizes additions to the known fauna of Eucharitidae of Saudi Arabia. Cherianella arabica Gadallah &; Soliman sp. nov. and the male of previously known female Eucharis (Psilogastrellus) albipennis Bou?ek, 1956 are described and illustrated. Three new records are also added to the fauna of Saudi Arabia: Eucharis (Eucharisca) intermedia Ruschka, 1924, Eucharis (Psilogastrellus) acuminata Ruschka, 1924 and Eucharis (Psilogastrellus) punctata Förster, 1859.

http:/zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F1B1C493-AA83-4696-AF8B-3B3F62C09B41     

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.     

The parasites of the psyllidae—3. Some notes on the biology and host relationships of Parapsyllae-Phagus Adulticolus Robinson (Hymenoptera)

Abstract

Parapsyllaephagus Adulticolus Robinson (CHALCIDIDAE: Encyrtinae) is an endoparasite of the adults of Psylla melanoneura Förster and Psylla subferrigenea Edwards. The life histories and biology of the hosts and parasite are described. Parapsyllaephagus adulticolus has five larval instars, which feed selectively upon the developing internal genitalia of the host at first, and eventually, as the final instar, upon the whole of the abdominal viscera. Pupation within the psyllid is followed by emergence of the adult parasite through the posterior dorsal surface of the abdomen of the host. The effect of these activities upon the migration of the adult psyllid from a winter shelter plant to a summer host plant is discussed and a relationship between the stimulus to migrate and the state of development of the internal genitalia is postulated. Some aspects of the orientation of the parasite larva within the host and the phenomenon of larval reversal are discussed.     

Does the river blenny Salaria fluviatilis (Asso, 1801) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) still survive on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus?

The river blenny (Salaria fluviatilis) is rarely mentioned in the natural history literature of Cyprus. This has led to doubts about its existence there. Mistakes with mismatched fish collections have occurred in the past, so it is worth asking whether the recorded specimens are actually from Cyprus and whether the species survives there today. Archived correspondence from the original specimen collector confirms that the record of S. fluviatilis on Cyprus is genuine, yet our extensive surveys there during the last 4 years have failed to locate the fish. A review of the species’ Mediterranean island distribution shows that it exists on 10 islands that are either close to the mainland or are relatively very large in areal extent. Although the mystery of S. fluviatilis survival on Cyprus lingers, efforts must be made to survey all potential habitats and consider planning a re-introduction project if the population is confirmed as extinct.     

Reproductive biology of the endangered wattled curassow (Crax globulosa; Galliformes: Cracidae) in the Juruá River Basin,Western Brazilian Amazonia

The reproductive biology of Crax globulosa is virtually unknown, this knowledge comprised of only a few anecdotal notes. We found nine nests of Crax globulosa in the middle section of the Juruá River, western Brazilian Amazon, during the dry season. Nests averaged 22.5 m from water and 13.3 m above the ground. We observed two nest types: five made of twigs, leaves and vines, and four within a bromeliad. All nests contained two eggs, but six (67%) were subsequently predated. A female tagged with a transmitter nested twice during the same breeding season. A chick was monitored together with its parents for > 10 months. In addition to hunting and habitat loss, nest predation could be another threat to this endangered species.     

Ciliate—decapod epibiosis in two areas of the north-west Mediterranean coast

A study was carried out of the protozoan ciliate epibionts present on diverse decapod crustaceans from two areas of the north-west Mediterranean. A total of 92 crustaceans was examined (65 brachyurans and 27 anomurans, belonging to 15 species). Seventeen ciliate species were identified (two heterotrichs, two chonotrichs, ten suctorians, and three peritrichs). This is the first record of the family of folliculinid ciliates as epibiont on crustaceans in Mediterranean waters. The suctorian Acinetides symbiotica, considered endemic to Lake Nyassa, was found in the sampling areas. Local variations, microlocation on the surface and anatomical units of the decapods, and differential distribution of epibionts were also considered.