Evaluating the geographic distribution of plants in Utah from the Atlas of Vascular Plants of Utah

Locations of 73,219 vascular plant vouchers representing 2438 species were digitized from the Atlas of the Vascular Plants of Utah (Albee et al. 1988). Source maps consist of 1:6,000,000-scale shaded relief maps of Utah with points representing collection locations by species. Location points, representing 1 or more specimens, were transposed onto these maps from the approximately 400,000 herbarium records of 3 major universities and federal land management agencies. These source maps were digitized into an ARC/Info TM database in order to reproduce the atlas in digital form. Analysis of all locations revealed a mapping bias of the original authors to avoid placing sample locations on county boundaries and over major river corridors. A comparison between ecoregions and elevation showed that the Colorado Plateau and Wasatch/Uinta Mountains have the highest species diversity, and that areas of low elevation (1000-2000 m) have the highest number of unique species in the state. Further, species richness is related to elevation and to ecoregion boundaries.     

Distribution records and comments on mammals in western South Dakota

The mammal fauna of western South Dakota is imperfectly known; in particular there is a notable paucity of data from Indian reservations in the region. We collected mammals from January 2003 through May 2006 using a variety of standard methodologies, including trapping with snap-traps and Macabee traps, shooting, and salvaging road- and hunter-killed animals. Herein we provide 23 specimen-based county records representing 17 species of mammals. In addition, a photo record constitutes the first report of Dasypus novemcinctus from South Dakota and the northernmost record in the United States. The possible local extirpation of Marmota flaviventris in the southern Black Hills is discussed.     

Additional distribution records and abundance of three species of snakes in southwestern Idaho

New county records are reported for Hypsiglena torquata and Rhinocheilus lecontci, and additional distribution records are presented for Sonora semiannulata in southwestern Idaho. These three species are more abundant than indicated by previous records.     

Notes on the white-tailed antelope squirrel, Ammospermophilus leucurus, and the pinyon mouse, Peromyscus truei, in north central Nevada

A four-season live trapping study in the Whirlwind Valley, on the Lander and Eureka county lines near the Humboldt River, yielded two species previously unrecorded from both counties, Ammospermophilus leucurus and Peromyscus truei. Both records represent minimal airline range extension of 113 and 105 km. It is suggested that the distribution of A. leucurus may include the entire northeastern quadrant of Nevada. The occurrence of P. truei in sagebrush habitat 21 km from the nearest pinyon woodland is unusual and suggests that this species may occur patchily distributed throughout the lower elevation ranges in the northern portion of the state.        

Influence of black-tailed prairie dog towns ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) on carnivore distributions in the Oklahoma Pandhandle

Carnivores were recorded at prairie dog towns and non-prairie dog town paired sites in the Oklahoma Panhandle over 4 sampling sessions from October 1995 to February 1997. We established carnivore presence through the use of baited tracking plates dusted with chalk and matched with infrared-triggered cameras. Five carnivore species were recorded at both prairie dog towns and paired sites across the Oklahoma Panhandle. Of these, 4 were recorded with sufficient regularity to permit analyses. Carnivores were analyzed at prairie dog towns across the entire Panhandle and in the Panhandle's westernmost county (Cimarron County) only. Canids showed no significant preference for prairie dog towns or other areas. In the Oklahoma Panhandle and Cimarron County only, occurrence of swift fox ( Vulpes velox ) between prairie dog towns and control sites was insignificant. Badgers ( Taxidea taxus ) and spotted skunks ( Spilogale putorius ) occurred significantly more often at prairie dog towns in Cimarron County but not in the Panhandle. No single mustelid species showed a significant association with either prairie dog towns or non-prairie dog town habitats. Our results indicate that whereas prairie dog towns do attract some carnivore species, the presumption that prairie dogs are ""keystone species"" for so many organisms (especially threatened or endangered species) in the current plains ecosystem may not be as clear as previously thought.     

Mayfly fauna of New Mexico

An inventory and analysis of the mayfly (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) fauna of New Mexico, based on the published literature and study of extensive materials from diverse collections, indicated the presence of 12 families, 37 genera, and 81 species. Of these, 25 represent new state records: Acentrella turbida, Ameletus falsus, A. sparsatus, Baelis adonis, B. bicaudatus, B. flavistriga, Baetodes deficiens, Caenis latipennis, Callibaetis fluctuans, Cinygmula par, Ephemera simulans, Hexagenia bilineata, Isonychia sicca, Labiobaetis propinquus, Lachlania saskatchewanensis, Leptophlebia bradleyi, Leucrocuta petersi, Neochoroterpes nanita, Paraleptophlebia debilis, P. heteronea, Procloeon conturbatum, Rhithrogena plana, R. robusta, R. vita, and Thraulodes gonzalesi. Baetodes deficiens represents a new USA record. For 37 of the 56 previously reported and confirmed species, 124 new county records are provided. With respect to continental affinities, 34 species are wester, 27 southwestern, 13 widespread, 1 is a southern USA species, and 1 eastern. Of the major drainage systems of the state, the Gila system is the most species rich with 48 species, followed by the Rio Grande (46), Pecos (39), Candadian (28), and San Juan (25). Relationships between drainage systems and between New Mexico and broadly adjoining states are discussed. Lachlania dencyannae , the only endemic species in New Mexico, occurs in the Gila system and is rare and endangered. Certain other species from the Gila system are also noted as being at risk. From other drainages, B. Adonis, Ephemerella mollitia, and L. petersi also are of some concern at the national level. Additional species that are rare in New Mexico and are of concern at least at the state level include Ametropus albrighti, C. fluctuans, Il. bilineata, L. bradleyi, N. nanita, P. conturbatum, and R. hageni .     

Two new species of Neottialges Fain (Acari,Hypoderatidae) under the skin of birds,with a key to the hypopi of this genus

Two new hypoderatid mites (Neottialges (Caloenectes) distinctus from the Maguari stork Ciconia maguari and Neottialges (Pelecanectes) tauraco from the white cheek turaco Tauraco leucotis) are described from subcutaneous hypopi. A key to the hypopi of the genus is provided.     

New bariliin cyprinid fishes from West Africa,with a consideration of their biogeography

Five new species of bariliin cyprinid fishes are described from West Africa. Three belong to the genus Leptocypris and two to Raiamas. One species of each genus is from Guinea (Konkoure river) and from Sierra Leone (Taia and Little Scarcies rivers), the other, a Leptocypris, is from Cameroon (Cross River). A taxon of indeterminate generic identity from Guinea is also described. The phylogenetic relationships of the bariliins are hypothesized and in this light their geographical distribution is compared with that of other cladistically analysed African freshwater fish groups. The significance to West African fish distribution of the Togo-Benin (Dahomey) Gap is discussed.     

Mites (excluding chiggers) of mammals of Oregon

New information on the ectoparasitic mites of the following species of mammals from Oregon is presented: (1) pika — Ochotona ; (2) squirrels — Eutamias, Spermophilus, Tamiasciurus; (3) grasshopper mouse — Onychomys; (4) woodrats — Neotoma; (5) muskrat — Ondatra; (6) jumping mice — Zapus; and (7) weasels — Mustela, Spilogale. New records of species for the state and new host records are also given. Finally, a cross - referenced list of all known mites of wild mammals from Oregon is presented.      

Notes on the Amazonian genus Hyogonia China (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Proconiini) with a description of a new species

Oncometopia batesi Distant, described from northern Brazil (State unknown), is transferred to the genus Hyogonia China. Hyogonia brasiliana sp. nov. is described from Northern Brazil, Pará State, the easternmost record of the genus. The new species is easily distinguished from all other Hyogonia species by the following combination of characters: (1) pronotum without distinct transverse contrasting band; (2) pygofer with short processes that do not attain its apex; (3) both pairs of aedeagal atrial processes divergent and short, never longer than aedeagal shaft; and (4) aedeagal caudal pair of atrial processes with bases close to each other, appearing as a single bifurcated robust process. Hyogonia batesi and H. brasiliana, together with an unidentified female from Acre State, represent the first authentic records of the genus Hyogonia from Brazil. Previous records of H. reticulata (Melichar) and H. youngi Emmrich and Lauterer from Brazil are erroneous as their recorded locality ‘Cumbase’ is most probably located in Peru (San Martín Department). Other new records from countries and major federal divisions are noted as follows: the genus Hyogonia (unidentified species) from Barinas State (Venezuela); H. batesi from Ecuador (Orellana Province); H. reticulata from Amazonas and Junín Departments (Peru); and H. youngi from Ecuador (Napo Province). A key to the known species of Hyogonia is provided.     

New and little‐known species of Didemnidae (Ascidiacea,Tunicata) from Australia (part 4)

Forty‐eight species (including nine that are new) of the 288 Didemnidae now known from Australian waters are reported on in the present work. Dredged material is from benthic habitats in inter‐reefal areas of the Great Barrier Reef and from deeper water canyons off northeastern and northwestern Tasmania. Collections from shallower waters of Port Davey (western Tasmania) and Kangaroo Island (South Australia) were hand‐collected by scuba divers. Seven of the eight known genera of the Didemnidae are represented. Despite this emphasis on sampling in temperate waters, only 14 species (all indigenous) are recorded from around the southern half of the continent. The species diversity of this family is greater in the tropics, with 34 species being recorded. Nearly half of these are known also from the tropical western Pacific and some from the Indian Ocean as well. Tropical indigenous species are relatively few.     

First record of the genus Paragigagnathus Amitai and Grinberg, 1971 (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) from Saudi Arabia with description of a new species

The genus Paragigagnathus Amitai and Grinberg (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is reported for the first time from Saudi Arabia. Paragigagnathus desertorum (Amitai and Swirski) and P. insuetus (Livshitz and Kuznetsov) were collected from Acacia sp. (Fabaceae) and Tamarix sp. (Tamaricaceae), respectively. Paragigagnathus madinaensis n. sp. is described and illustrated. The new species was found on Tamarix sp. in association with Obdulia daadi Al-Gboory (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) from Al-Riyadh and Al-Madina regions of Saudi Arabia.     

Rediscovery of Gastrostyla setifera (Engelmann, 1862) Kent, 1882: morphology and divisional morphogenesis (Ciliophora,Hypotrichida)

The morphology and morphogenesis of the poorly known hypotrichous ciliate Gastrostyla setifera, isolated from a freshwater pond near Harbin, China, are described from both living and protargol silver-impregnated specimens. The Harbin population of this species is characterized thus: medium-sized freshwater Gastrostyla, 150-205 × 70-95 μm in vivo, ellipsoid in shape but somewhat narrowed posteriorly. Contractile vacuole located in left half of mid-body region. On average 48-56 (mean 52) adoral membranelles; 10 frontal and 9-11 ventral cirri; 23-26 left and 30-34 right marginal cirri; usually with four complete dorsal kineties and two dorsomarginal kineties; three caudal cirri present at posterior margin; invariably two macronuclear nodules and two micronuclei. Its morphogenesis reveals the following characteristics: (1) adoral zone of membranelles (AZM) in the opisthe arises from the new oral primordium while the proter inherits the entire parental structure; (2) 10 frontal, 9-11 ventral and five transverse cirri are derived from five frontoventral transverse cirral anlagen together with the undulating membrane anlage; (3) left and right marginal cirri are derived from new anlagen which originate within the old marginal rows; (4) the generation of the dorsal kineties is of the 'two-group-mode'; three left primary dorsal anlagen and two dorsomarginal anlagen appear as two groups in both dividers from which all dorsal kineties are derived (the fourth kinety is formed due to the fragmentation of the third anlage); (5) one caudal cirrus is formed at the ends of each of the first, second and fourth dorsal anlagen.     

Distribution of the milliped Tylobolus utahensis Chamberlin, with remarks on T. fredericksoni (Causey) (Spirobolida: Spirobolidae)

Tylobolus utahensis Chamberlin, the only representative of the genus occurring in the southwestern deserts, ranges from central Inyo County, California, to the western periphery of Kane County, Utah. This distribution roughly corresponds to the northern limit of the Mojave Desert ecosystem and is also shown by the millipede Piedolus utus Chamberlin. (Spirobolida: Atopetholidae) and the centipede Theatops posticus (Say) (Scolopendromorpha: Cryptopidae). Tylobolus fredericksoni Causey, ostensibly from Douglas County, Kansas, is designated "" nomen dubium "" and disregarded pending collection of fresh material; Narceus gordanus (Chamberlin) is deleted from South Carolina and Tennessee. Tyobolus uncigerus (Wood) occurs north of the Columbia River in Klickitat County, Washington, and Hiltonius thebanus Chamberlin is referable to Onychelus Cook in the family Atopetholidae.     

Chironomidae (Diptera) of the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, II: factors influencing distribution

Biogeographic, flow regulation (water clarity and temperature), and temporal influences affect the composition of the chironomid midge assemblage in the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Mead. This assemblage is dominated by euryecious Nearctic and Holarctic orthocladine taxa (23 of 38 total species, total weighted relative abundance [WRA] = 0.972) and includes a minor Neotropical component. Chironomid species richness increases over distance downstream from the dam, and dominance shifts across 3 turbidity segments. Eleven species occur in the cold-stenothermic Clearwater (CW) segment between the dam and the 1st perennial tributary (the Paria River, 26 km from the dam). Chironomid diversity increases from 18 to 24 species in the variably turbid (VT) and usually turbid (UT) segments downstream, respectively. Total Cricotopus spp. WRA is negatively correlated with distance (turbidity), white total Chironominae WRA shows the opposite pattern. In contrast to chironomid diversity, species density decreases from 0.42 species/km in the CW segment to 0.19 and 0.08 species/km in the VT and UT segments, respectively. Seasonal dominance shifts slightly from orthocladine Eukiefferiella spp. in winter (WRA = 0.101) to Cricotopus spp. (WRA = 0.165) in summer. Total WRA is lowest in spring (0.191). The assemblage is depauperate compared with other western rivers and has changed over post-dam time.     

Biogeography and phylogeny of Paraergasilus Markevich, 1937 (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) with descriptions of two new species from the gills of grey mullet

Two new species of Paraergasilus are reported from the gills of four species of grey mullet (Mugilidae). Paraergasilus dichotomus n. sp. was recorded on M. cephalus Linn. from New South Wales, Australia. Paraergasilus curtus n. sp. was found on the same host in Western Australia, on Valamugil cunnesius (Valenciennes) from the Philippines, on Valamugil seheli (Forsskal) from Sri Lanka and on Liza macrolepis (Smith) from Socotra, Yemen. Both new species differ from congeners in possessing a bifid antennary claw. The distribution of Paraergasilus species is summarized and the host specificity of Paraergasilus species is examined. Phylogenetic analysis of the relationships between Paraergasilus species indicated that there are two main lineages within the genus.     

A new genus of hemibranchiate sphaeromatid isopod crustacean from tropical Western Australia

A new genus and species of marine sphaeromatid isopod is described from the North West Shelf (Indian Ocean) tropical Western Australia. Kranosphaera haptomela gen. nov. sp. nov. (Sphaeromatinae) is distinguished from other hemibranchiate genera by the strongly rugose and deeply pitted body surfaces, projecting epistome, uniramous uropodal rami, and in the male by modified pereopod 5 which is greatly expanded and 6 which has a coupling flange on the ischium. It is known only from the vicinity of the type locality.     

Karyotypes of the long-tailed vole ( Microtus longicaudus ) in isolated mountain ranges of the American Southwest

The long-tailed vole ( Microtus longicaudus ) exhibits karyotypic variation in western North America. In the American Southwest, the species has a disjunct, relict distribution. However, karyotypes obtained from 20 specimens in 5 isolated mountain ranges (White Mountains, Arizona; Mount Taylor and the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, and Mogollon mountains, New Mexico) exhibited no variation. These and previously reported karyotypes from the region had a diploid number (2n) of 56 and fundamental number (FN) of 84, which is the most commonly reported karyotype for the species.