Status and distribution of the Laridae in Wyoming through 1986

To date, 17 species of Laridae have been reported in Wyoming. Six of these species have know breeding populations in the state: the Ring-billed Gull ( Larus delawarensis ), California Gull ( Larus californicus ), Herring Gull ( Larus argentatus ), Caspian Tern ( Sterna caspia ), Forster's Tern ( Sterna forsteri ), and Black Tern ( Chlidonias niger ). Of these species, the California Gull is the most abundant and widespread. In 1984 approximately 7300 nests existed in Wyoming at six breeding locations consisting of 10 different colonies. In contrast, only small breeding populations have been discovered for the remaining five species. The Herring Gull is the most recent addition among Laridae know to nest in Wyoming. Likewise, two Ring-billed Bull colonies were recently found after not having been documented as breeding in the state for over 50 years. Although some nesting colonies are threatened by habitat loss and human disturbance, most seem secure at present. Limited nesting and foraging habitat precludes establishment of large breeding populations of most Laridae in the state.     

Status and distribution of California Gull nesting colonies in Wyoming

Historically, two California Gull nesting colonies existed in Wyoming. In 1984 there were six breeding locations consisting of 10 different colonies that included approximately 7,273 nests. The increase in the California Gull nesting population in the state is probably a consequence of man-caused environmental changes that have resulted in the creation of additional breeding habitat and new food sources.       

Neotropical Lispe (Diptera: Muscidae): notes,redescriptions and key to species

The following species of the fly genus Lispe are redescribed: L. albitarsis (Stein, 1898), L. latana Snyder, 1949, L. levis (Stein, 1911), L. lisarba Snyder, 1949, L. nasoni (Stein, 1898), L. serotina Wulp, 1896, L. setuligera (Stein, 1911) and L. vilis (Stein, 1911). Additionally, a new diagnosis is proposed for L. rufitibialis Macquart, 1843, and in order to fix the identity of the name the lectotype is designated. To facilitate species identification, a pictorial key for the species of Lispe in the Neotropical region and distribution maps are presented, together with the first published illustrations of the male terminalia of L. latana, L. levis and L. lisarba, and the female of L. lisarba.     

Three new endogean species of Laparocerus Schönherr, 1834 from the Canary Islands (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Three new species of the weevil genus Laparocerus Schönherr (1834) adapted to the edaphic environment of the Canary Islands are described: L. edaphicus n. sp., L. oromii n. sp. and L. lopezi n. sp. They live in the humid laurel forests of Tenerife (Anaga Mountains), La Gomera (Garajonay National Park) and Gran Canaria (Valsendero), respectively. The small size and somewhat tubular body shape is a common character among them, as is the reduction of the eyes, which are totally absent in L. oromii n. sp. Despite these common adaptive traits, the three species seem not to be directly related. A key for the identification of all the known cryptozoic (edaphic and troglobitic) species of Laparocerus is provided.     

Contribution to the systematic revision of the African cyprinid fish genus Labeo: species from the Lower Zaire river system

The species of the genus Labeo from the Lower Zaire river system have been revised on the basis of 284 preserved fishes, including type material of 18 nominal species cited or described from this region. Morphometrics, meristic counts, morphological observations and radiographs have been used for this study. All results obtained are supported by statistical analyses. From the 18 nominal species reported, only 12 species are recognized as valid. Two major groups were identified: one group has rows of conical papillae on the inner surface of lips; and the other group presents rows of transverse plicae on the inner surface of lips. The first group has two species: L. lineatus and L. weeksii. One synonymy is proposed: L. lineatus (partim) = L. weeksii. In the second group, 10 species have been identified: L. longipinnis, L. degeni, L. barbatus, L. macrostoma, L. falcipinnis, L. cyclorhynchus, L. parvus, L. greenii, L. nasus and L. sorex. One unidentified taxon apparently represents a species new to science, but this must be confirmed by a wider revision of the genus which is the subject of further research. Some synonymies in this group are proposed: L. brichardi (partim) = L. barbatus; L. lineatus (partim) = L. degeni. Other synonymies already established by Reid (1985), have been confirmed: L. lividus = L. barbatus; L. brichardi (partim) = L. macrostoma; L. variegatus = L. cyclorhynchus. One synonymy has been restored: L. velifer = L. longipinnis. Finally, one synonymy remains in question: L. chariensis = L. parvus. A key to species is provided.     

Notes on the overwintering Apanteles-Tetrastichus-Lysibia complex (Hymenoptera: Parasitica), parasitoids of the large white butterfly

Apanteles glomeratus (L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is the main parasitoid responsible for limiting populations of Pieris brassicae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), but Tetrastichus galactopus (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Lysibia nana (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), in turn, greatly limit the primary parasitoid population, reducing its potential for constraint of the future pierid population. The patterns of spring emergence of these species from overwintering A. glomeratus cocoon clusters have functional significance. The sex ratio of emerging A. glomeratus is significantly correlated with the cluster size, higher proportions of females emerging from the larger clusters. Non-ovipositional attacks by T. galactopus appear to cause heavy mortality in the Apanteles cocoon clusters. L. nana oviposits in cocoons of A. glomeratus, whatever they contain, and very active female L. nana lay higher proportions of diploid eggs than do lower status females.     

Taxonomic revision of the genus Littorophiloscia Hatch, 1947 (Crustacea,Isopoda, Oniscidea) with description of six new species

In the present revision 15 species of Littorophiloscia are recognized. Six species, namely L. tropicalis, L. koreana, L. amphindica, L. pallida, L. bifasciata and L. hawaiiensis are described as new. Littorophiloscia isabellae (Vandel, 1973) is considered to be a junior synonym of L. albicincta (Vandel, 1973), and Philoscia dartevellei Brian, 1953 and Vandeloscia orientalis Roman, 1977 are considered to be junior synonyms of L. culebrae (Moore, 1901). Alloniscus compar sens. Vandel, 1952 nec Budde-Lund, 1893 is considered to be distinct from L. riedli (Strouhal, 1966) and it has been renamed L. tropicalis sp. nov. The genera Bilawrencia Vandel, 1973, Helenoscia Vandel, 1977, Vandeloscia roman, 1977 and Sayoscia Schultz, 1983 are considered to be synonymous with Littorophiloscia. Diagnostic characters of all the species are illustrated. A map and comments on the distribution of the 15 species are included.     

Three new species of Cecidophyinae (Acari: Eriophyidae) from China

Three new eriophyoid mite species (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Eriophyidae) from China are described and illustrated. They are Cecidophyes truncatis sp. nov. on Acer truncatum Bunge (Aceraceae), Cecidophyes hirsutes sp. nov. on Cardamine hirsute L. (Cruciferae) and Paracolomerus fopingacer sp. nov. on Acer sp. L. (Aceraceae). All the new species described herein are vagrants on the host plant.     

Life cycles and host–parasitoid relationships of five species of Leucospis wasps in Argentina (Hymenoptera: Leucospidae)

The genus Leucospis Fabricius is comprised of parasitoid wasps relatively uncommon in nature. Their immature stages develop on aculeate Hymenoptera, in particular solitary bees, but hosts are known for only around 25 Leucospis species (about 20% of 115–120 world species), so the true relationship of this family with bees is largely unknown. Here we report on individuals of five species of Leucospis wasps which emerged from nests of different bee and wasp species during distinct sampling periods during a trap-nesting programme, in two contrasting areas: agro-ecosystems and natural habitats in the Pampean region. Some of these nests were parasitised by L. cayennensis Westwood, L. coxalis Kirby, L. egaia Walker, L. pulchriceps Cameron and L. signifera Bou?ek. Our results expand the available information of host species for L. cayennensis, L. coxalis, L. egaia and L. pulchriceps and represent the first record of hosts associated with L. signifera. The hosts were only bee species of the genera Centris, Tetrapedia (family Apidae) and Megachile (Megachilidae). These species were more abundant in the natural reserve than in agro-ecosystems, suggesting that anthropogenic activities could negatively affect their populations. Most nests were attacked in one (43.7%) or two (40.7%) cells, but the remaining nests (16.5%) had more (up to seven cells). However, the position of the attacked cells was variable, suggesting that females of Leucospis species oviposit in recently built cells, and that the hatching of larvae is delayed, or that the first larval stage waits until the host larva reaches a sufficient size to attack.     

Revision of the genus Lepidastheniella Monro, 1924 (Polychaeta: Polynoidae: Lepidastheniinae) with notes on the subfamily Lepidastheniinae and the description of a new species

The present revision covers all known species of the genus Lepidastheniella Monro, 1924 (i.e. Lepidastheniella comma (Thomson, 1902), L. phillippensis Monro, 1924 and L. monroi Benham, 1950). The comparison of the available type material showed that L. monroi is a junior synonym of L. comma and that specimens from a collection of scale worms from off Shimoda (Japan) belong to the new species L. nishii sp. nov. described herein. The generic diagnosis of Lepidastheniella is emended and an identification key to all valid species given. Additionally, the subfamily affiliation of Lepidastheniella is discussed, distinctive characters of all genera belonging to the subfamily Lepidastheniinae Pettibone, 1989 are described, and an identification key to these genera is given.     

The soil mite family Eremaeidae (Acari: Oribatida) in Mongolia,with remarks on distribution and diversity of known genera

The oribatid mite family Eremaeidae is represented in Mongolia by eight species in three genera. Three new species, Eueremaeus tenuisensillatus sp. nov., Eu. crassisetosus sp. nov. and Eu. laticostulatus sp. nov., collected from cool temperate forests, dry steppe and semi-desert habitats in central and southern Mongolia, are described on the basis of adults. Five known species, Eremaeus hepaticus C. L. Koch, Eu. oblongus (C. L. Koch), Eu. granulatus (Mihel?i?), Proteremaeus mongolicus (Golosova) and P. punctulatus Bayartogtokh are redescribed; the first three of these are recorded for the first time from Mongolia. Taxonomic status of Eu. granulatus (Mihel?i?) and Eu. silvestris (Forsslund) is discussed, and the latter is considered a junior synonym of the former species. The following new combinations are proposed: Eueremaeus brevifer (Mahunka), Eueremaeus fossulatus (Kunst) and Eueremaeus roissi (Piffl). A key to Mongolian species of Eremaeidae is given. Data on distribution and diversity of Eremaeidae of the world are discussed.     

High prevalence of blood parasites in hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Fifty-seven hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes were caught in May–June 1982–2001 on the Curonian Spit in the Baltic Sea and investigated by microscopical examination of stained blood films. Haemoproteus fringillae, H. tartakovskyi, Leucocytozoon dubreuili, L. fringillinarum, L. majoris, Plasmodium relictum, P. vaughani, Trypanosoma avium, T. everetti, and microfilariae were identified. The overall prevalence of infection was 100%. Prevalences of Haemoproteus spp. (89.5%), Plasmodium spp. (61.4%), Leucocytozoon spp. (78.9%), Trypanosoma spp. (26.3%), and microfilariae (29.8%) were recorded. No differences were discernible in parasite fauna, prevalence, or intensity of infection between males and females or between young and adult birds. The majority of infections (86.0% of all birds) were mixed, with parasites from two to five different genera present in each blood smear. These birds were failed breeders migrating through the Curonian Spit. It is probable that heavy haematozoan infections can influence the breeding success of birds.     

The Hymenoptera (Chalcidoidea,Ichneumonoidea, Platygastroidea) described by Vittorio Delucchi: an annotated catalogue

The present catalogue lists 144 species and one subspecies described by Delucchi (134), Delucchi et al. (eight), Ferrière in Delucchi (two), and Ferrière and Delucchi (one). Name-bearing types are deposited in the entomological collections at the Lund University (three), the Natural History Museums of Budapest (three), Geneva (nine), London (four), Oxford (one), Paris (three), and Vienna (35), the Royal Africa Museum, Tervuren (26), and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (60). The actual depository of the name-bearing types of one species and the subspecies (Scelionidae) is unknown. Lectotypes of 15 species are here designated. Twenty new synonyms are established, Eulophidae: Entedon erdoesi Delucchi= E. metatarsalis Thomson. Pteromalidae: Gitognathus gibberosus Delucchi and Lamprotatus kerrichi Delucchi= Sphaeripalpus viridis Förster; Glyphognathus umbelliferae Graham= G. convexus (Delucchi); Kentema viride Delucchi= Merismus megapterus Walker; Lamprotatus cupreus Delucchi, L. ornatus Delucchi, and L. rusticus Delucchi= L. splendens Westwood; Lamprotatus flavus Delucchi= L. crassipes Thomson; Lamprotatus montanus Delucchi= L. picinervis Thomson; Miscogaster fulgens Delucchi= M. rufipes Walker; Miscogaster lucens Delucchi= M. hortensis Walker; Seladerma agreste Delucchi= S. convexum Walker; Seladerma luteolum Delucchi= S. bicolor Walker; Seladerma nobile Delucchi and S. violaceum Delucchi= S. laetum Walker; Skeloceras cerebrosum Delucchi= Lamprotatus truncatus (Fonscolombe); Skeloceras glaucum Delucchi= Lamprotatus novickyi (Delucchi); Stictomischus lamprosomus Graham= S. nitentis Delucchi; Telepsogos helveticus Delucchi= Seladerma nigrum (Delucchi). Twelve new combinations are proposed, Eulophidae: Achrysocharoides parva (Delucchi) (from Enaysma); Aprostocetus hanangensis (Delucchi), A. longiscutulum (Delucchi), A. scutellaris (Delucchi), Neotrichoporoides crassianulus (Delucchi), N. microstigma (Delucchi), and Pracetus stramenticius (Delucchi) (all from Tetrastichus); Notanisomorphella bicolor (Delucchi) (from Sunha); Platyplectrus meruensis (Delucchi) (from Euplectromorpha). Pteromalidae: Glyphognathus convexus (Delucchi) (from Stictomischus) and G. nitidus (Delucchi) (from Sphaeripalpus); Theocolax oblonga (Delucchi) (from Cerocephala). The paper provides taxonomic notes on several species, references to published figures of and detailed information on type specimens. Parts of them, mostly antennae and wings, were mounted on slides by Delucchi and were contained in a hitherto unknown slide collection. These slides are individually associated with the respective specimens.     

First record of the hyperparasite Liriopsis pygmaea (Cryptoniscidae,Isopoda) from a rhizocephalan parasite of the false king crab Paralomis granulosa from the Beagle Channel (Argentina), with a redescription

The Cryptoniscidae are epicaridean isopod parasites or hyperparasites of other crustaceans. Liriopsis Schultze in Müller, , one of the genera included in this family, now contains two nominal species: L. pygmaea (Rathke, ) and L. monophthalma (Fraisse, ). Both of these species infest rhizocephalan cirripeds, which are in turn parasites of hermit crabs. Among the false king crabs, Paralomis granulosa (Jacquinot, 1847), captured commercially in the Beagle Channel in 1996–1998, we found 31 specimens of the rhizocephalan Briarosaccus callosus Boschma, 1930 infested by one or more specimens of L. pygmaea. Neither L. pygmaea nor L. monophthalma has been reported previously for the southern seas. Although unidentified isopod hyperparasites have been found on B. callosus infesting other lithodids from Crozet Islands, South Georgia Island and Canadian Atlantic waters, this is the first time that one of these hyperparasites has been identified as a member of the genus Liriopsis. Since the differences between L. pygmaea and L. monophthalma remain obscure, the epicaridium and cryptoniscus larvae and three females stages of L. pygmaea are herein described from the material collected in the Beagle Channel.     

Gastrointestinal helminths from fifteen species of Litoria and Nyctimystes (Anura: Hylidae) from Papua New Guinea

Three hundred and ninety‐nine individuals representing 10 species of Litoria and five species of Nyctimystes (Hylidae), L. arfakiana, L. bibonius, L. eucnemis, L. genimaculata, L. impura, L. infrafrenata, L. modica, L. nasuta, L. thesaurensis, L. wollastoni, N. gularis, N. kubori, N. papua, N. pulcher and N. semipalmatus collected in Papua New Guinea were examined for helminths. Gravid individuals representing one species of Monogenea (Parapolystoma bulliense), one species of Digenea (Mesocoelium monas), 18 species of Nematoda (Aplectana krausi, Aplectana macintoshi, Aplectana zweifeli, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Falcaustra papuensis, Icosiella papuensis, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Maxvachonia ewersi, Meteterakis crombiei, Moaciria moraveci, Ochoterenella papuensis, Oswaldocruzia bakeri, Parapharyngdon maplestoni, Parathelandros allisoni, Parathelandros andersoni, Physalopteroides milnensis, Rhabdias australiensis, Seuratascaris numidica) and one species of Acanthocephala (Acanthocephalus bufonis) were found. Also included were immature forms representing one species of Cestoda (as a metacestode), three species of Nematoda (Abbreviata sp., Rictulariidae gen. sp., Ascarididae gen. sp. in cysts), one species of Acanthocephala (unidentified cystacanth), and one species of Pentastomida [Raillietiella sp. (nymph)]. The mean helminth species richness for infected hosts was 1.3±0.6 SD (range one to three species). Sixty‐seven new host records and two new locality records are reported.     

Vulnerability of Fremont cottonwood ( Populus fremontii Wats.) individuals to xylem cavitation

Embolism, the blockage of water transport in the xylem by air, is an important consequence of low water availability for all plant species. Riparian plants, since they typically experience mesic conditions, are not water stress tolerant and hence are vulnerable to xylem cavitation, the formation of emboli. We have constructed a composite vulnerability curve for Populus fremontii (Fremont cottonwood); assessed native state embolism, critical xylem pressure potential (Ψ cav ), and safety margin; and determined predawn and midday leaf water potential (Ψ L ) within a central New Mexico cottonwood population. Our results indicate (1) that this population of P. fremontii is extremely vulnerable to cavitation, with complete xylem blockage occurring at -2.25 MPa, and (2) that native state embolism is between 19% and 42%. Ψ cav was determined to be -1.36 MPa. Measurements of predawn Ψ L were typically near -0.5 MPa while midday Ψ L values averaged -1.7 MPa. Estimates of midday xylem pressure potential (Ψ px ) were -1.1 MPa. These values suggest that these individuals maintain small safety margins (0.26 MPa) between Ψ px and Ψ cav . This small safety margin may be detrimental under increased variation in water availability caused by anthropogenic alteration of river systems.     

Helminths of ten species of Litoria frogs (Anura: Hylidae) from Papua New Guinea

One hundred and ninety-one frogs collected in Papua New Guinea from 10 species of the genus Litoria, namely, L. angiana, L. arfakiana, L. caerulea, L. congenita, L. eurynastes, L. gasconi, L. infrafrenata, L. iris, L. kumae and L. modica, were examined for helminths. Eighteen species of helminths were found: one species of Monogenea, Parapolystoma bulliense; three species of Digenea, Diplodiscus amphichrus, Halipegus zweifeli and Mesocoelium monas; 13 species of Nematoda, gravid specimens of Aplectana macintoshii, Cosmocerca novaeguineae, Falcaustra papuensis, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Maxvachonia flindersi, Maxvachonia ingens, Meteterakis crombiei, Moaciria moraveci, Parathelandros mastigurus, Physalopteroides milnensis, Pseudorictularia dipsarilis, Seuratascaris numidica, and larvae (in cysts) of Abbreviata sp. and, one species of Acanthocephala, Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis. Mean number of helminth species per host species was 3.0 ± 1.4 SD (range 1–5), mean number of helminth species per infected frog was 1.1 ± 0.4 SD (range 1–2), and mean number of helminths per infected host was 33.3 ± 5.8 SD (range 1–36). Twenty-eight new host records and two new locality records are reported. The biogeography of the recovered helminths is discussed.     

The genus Lindaspio (Annelida: Polychaeta: Spionidae), and a new species from an oil field off Congo,western Africa

A new species of the genus Lindaspio (Polychaeta: Spionidae) is described from an oil field off Congo (tropical eastern Atlantic). Lindaspio sebastiena n. sp. is easily distinguished from the two other known species of Lindaspio, L. dibranchiata Blake and Maciolek (1992) and L. southwardorum Blake and Maciolek (1992), by the presence of a conical palp, the first noto-hooks beginning on setiger 55, the number of dorsal spines on setigers 2–4 and the absence of a caruncle. A new diagnosis of the genus is put forward, and the two spionid genera, Lindaspio and Scolecolepides, are discussed.