Classification,reconstructed phylogeny and geographic history of the Neotropical phorid flies of the genus Gymnophora (Diptera: Phoridae)

The Neotropical species of Gymnophora are revised to include 28 species, 17 of which are new. Two subgenera, Cerocratia (in a revised sense) and Gymnophora s.s. are recognized. Cerocratia includes Gymnophora triangularis sp. nov., G. acutangula Schmitz, G. latibrachia sp. nov., G. lacertosa sp. nov., G. chilensis Borgmeier, G. parachilensis sp. nov., G. aemula Borgmeier, G. forticornis Schmitz, and doubtfully G. colona Brues. G. adumbrata Borgmeier is considered as a junior synonym of G. aemula (syn. nov.). Within Gymnophora s.s. there are four major lineages, the G. commotria-group, the G. carina-group, the G. cymatoneura-group and the G. quartomollis-group. Of these, the G. carina-group and the G. quartomollis-group are known only from the Holarctic Region. The G. commotria-group consists of the G. forcipis-series, containing G. forcipis sp. nov., subuncata sp. nov. and uncata sp. nov., and G. damula-series, whose species are further organized into the G. strigula-subseries, containing G. strigula sp. nov. and G. unidentata sp. nov., plus the G. falciformis-subseries, containing G. alces sp. nov., damula sp. nov. and falciformis sp. nov. Also included in the G. commotria-group are eight residual species whose relationships cannot be deduced at this time. Three of these species, G. commotria Schmitz, penai sp. nov. and quadrata sp. nov. are more closely related to each other than to G. auricula sp. nov., brasiliensis Borgmeier, heteroneura Schmitz, inusitata sp. nov. and trispina sp. nov. The G. cymatoneura-group contains G. cymatoneura Enderlein and G. spiracularis Borgmeier, and the male of G. spiracularis is described for the first time. A key is given that permits identification of males of most species, but females cannot be identified with certainty. A partially sequenced classification of the genus indicates the relationships of most of the included species. The genus may have originated in the Neotropical Region, although the evidence is tenuous, and shows some similarity of distribution to Andean-centered plant groups.     

A study of Platyplectrus Ferrière (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in mainland China

This paper reviews the Chinese species of Platyplectrus Ferrière. Twelve valid species are recognized from mainland China and a key to species is provided. Trichoplectrus Erdös (1951 Erdös, J, 1951. "Eulophidae novae. Acta Biologica". 1951, Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 2(1–3), 169–237. [Google Scholar]) is newly synonymized with Metaplectrus Ferrière (1941 Ferrière, C, 1941. New species of Euplectrini (Hym. Chalcidoidea) from Europe, Africa and Asia, Bulletin of Entomological Research 32 (1941), pp. 17–48.[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) and three new combinations are proposed: Metaplectrus szepligetii (Erdös) from Platyplectrus, Platyplectrus bussy (Crawford) from Euplectrus and P. politus (Lin) from Metaplectrus. Four species of Platyplectrus were known previously from China: P. politus (Lin), P. odontogaster (Lin), P. papillata Lin and P. medius Zhu and Huang. Six species, P. bussyi (Crawford), P. laeviscuta (Thomson), P. natadae Ferrière, P. orthocraspedae Ferrière, P. pannonica (Erdös) and P. viridiceps (Ferrière) are newly recorded from China and re-described. Five new species, P. pulcher, P. setulosus, P. peculiaris, P. obtusiclavatus and P. variflagellum are described and compared with related species. Several species are also newly recorded from other regions: P. orthocraspedae Ferrière from the Afrotropical region, P. bussyi (Crawford) and P. laeviscuta (Thomson) from the Australian/Pacific region, P. laeviscuta (Thomson) from the Oriental region and P. viridiceps from the Palearctic region.     

The Rhopalidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) of Argentina

In Argentina, five genera and 34 species are recorded, in the subfamilies Rhopalinae and Serinethinae. Harmostes apicatus Stål; H. brevispinus Blöte; H. corazonus Distant; H. corizoides Jensen-Haarup; H. dorsalis Burmeister; H. gravidator (Fabricius); H. imitabilis Harris; H. insitivus Harris; H. marmoratus (Blanchard); H. minor (Spinola); H. parafraterculus Göllner-Scheiding; H. petulans Harris; H. procerus Berg; H. prolixus Stål; H. reflexus viscens (Dallas); H. serratus (Fabricius); H. signoreti Reed; Jadera aeola aeola (Dallas); J. choprai Göllner-Scheiding; J. decipiens Göllner-Scheiding; J. golbachi Göllner-Scheiding; J. haematoloma (Herrich-Schaefer); J. obscura (Westwood); J. parapectoralis Göllner-Scheiding; J. sanguinolenta (Fabricius); Niesthrea agnes Chopra; N. josei Göllner-Scheiding; N. pictipes (Stål); N. similis Chopra; N. vincentii (Westwood); Liorhyssus hyalinus (Fabricius); L. lineatoventris (Spinola); Xenogenus gracilis Berg; X. picturatum Berg; and X. extensum Distant. New locality records are given for Buenos Aires; Catamarca; Corrientes; Córdoba; Chaco; Entre Ríos; Jujuy; La Pampa; Mendoza; Misiones; Neuquén; Río Negro; Salta; San Juan; San Luis; Santiago del Estero; Tierra del Fuego.     

Co-occurrence of three Aristolochia-feeding Papilionids (Archon apollinus,Zerynthia polyxena and Zerynthia cerisy) in Greek Thrace

Comparative studies of co-occurring species using overlapping resources may help in understanding the mechanisms supporting biotic diversity in species-rich regions, such as the Mediterranean region of Europe. Three Papilionidae butterflies, Archon apollinus, Zerynthia cerisy and Zerynthia polyxena, develop on Aristolochia plants and co-occur in Greek Thrace. We used mark–recapture to describe adult demography and dispersal, and searched for eggs and larvae to assess host plants and microhabitat preferences. Adult flight timing followed a sequence from earliest A. apollinus, through Z. polyxena to late Z. cerisy; this was more prominent in 2010 (warm early spring) than in 2011 (cold delayed spring). Population densities were highest for A. apollinus and lowest for Z. cerisy, whereas dispersal ability followed a reverse pattern. Adults of all three species crossed distances > 3 km and used all habitat types present. Four Aristolochia host plants were used at the study locality: small Aristolochia pallida, intermediate Aristolochia rotunda and Aristolochia hirta, and bulky, late-sprouting Aristolochia clematitis. Both A. apollinus and Z. polyxena used all four Aristolochia species, the former preferring Aristolochia rotunda and Aristolochia hirta, the latter Aristolochia rotunda and Aristolochia pallida. Zerynthia cerisy did not use the early-growing Aristolochia pallida while frequently using the late-growing Aristolochia clematitis. Further parameters affecting oviposition were biotope and canopy closure: early A. apollinus tolerated shady sites but late Z. cerisy avoided them. The simultaneous use of several host plants differing in phenology and habitat requirements, combined with rather high dispersal ability, arguably buffers the butterflies’ population dynamics against yearly variation in weather, while allowing efficient occupation of the diverse Mediterranean landscapes. The regional habitat diversity, created during millennia of human activity, is currently threatened by land abandonment, which may diminish the resource base for the studied butterflies.     

Species of the genera Bakera and Mangganeura (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Typhlocybinae) occurring on mango and other crop plants in the Oriental region

The genera Bakera (Bakera), Bakera (Guinobata) and Mangganeura (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Typhlocybinae) are re-described and compared. Sandalla is considered a synonym of Bakera (Guinobata) (syn. nov.).

Bakera (Bakera) nigrobilineata (Melichar) (=vittata Mahmood) is redescribed and illustrated from mango in the Philippines, on which it is frequently abundant, and found in association with Bakera (Bakera) luzonica sp. nov. which is described. Bakera (Bakera) abaca sp. nov. is described from the Philippines having been collected on abaca (Manila hemp). Bakera (Guinobata) nigroscuta Mahmood is redescribed from the Philippines and its association with coconut confirmed. Mangganeura reticulata Ghauri, described from Malaysia on mango, has been found in Thailand and the hitherto unknown female is described.     

Stegana castanea species group (Diptera,Drosophilidae) from the Oriental region

The Stegana castanea species group is established as a morphological group within the subgenus Steganina, based on two known and six new species from the Oriental region: Stegana (Steganina) bacilla Chen and Aotsuka, 2004 Chen, HW and Aotsuka, T. 2004. A survey of the genus Stegana Meigen from southern Japan (Diptera, Drosophilidae). J Nat Hist., 38: 2779–2788. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; S. castanea Okada, 1988 Okada, T. 1988. Family Drosophilidae (Diptera) from the Lund University Ceylon Expedition in 1962 and Borneo collections in 1978–1979. Entomol Scand (suppl)., 30: 109–149.  [Google Scholar]; S. (S.) reni sp. nov.; S. (S.) tiani sp. nov.; S. (S.) tongi sp. nov.; S. (S.) wangi sp. nov., S. (S.) weiqiuzhangi sp. nov. and S. (S.) xui sp. nov. from southern China. A key to all the species of this group is provided.     

Copepods of the family Ergasilidae (Poecilostomatoida) parasitic on coastal fishes of Kerala,India

Six species of ergasilid copepods are described, based on material found on 11 species of fishes collected from estuaries and rivers in Kerala, India. Five are new to science, they are: Dermoergasilus varicoleus n. sp. from Liza tade Forskål; Ergasilus parvitergum n. sp. from Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) and Caranx malabaricus (Bloch and Schneider); Ergasilus rostralis n. sp. from Liza tade, L. macrolepis (Smith), and Valamugil seheli (Forskål); Ergasilus uniseriatus n. sp. from Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton) and Xenentodon cancila Hamilton; and Paraergasilus dentatus n. sp. from Glossogobius giuris. Dermoergasilus amplectens (Dogiel and Akhmerov) was recovered in India from six species of hosts: Etroplus maculatus (Bloch), Gerres setifer (Hamilton), Hyporamphus xanthopterus (Cuvier and Valenciennes), Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet), Valamugil seheli (Forskål), and Chanos chanos (Forskål).     

Differentiation of external morphology of Oribatella Banks, 1895 (Acari: Oribatida: Oribatellidae), in light of the ontogeny of three species

Differentiation of external morphology of Oribatella Banks, 1895 was investigated, in light of the ontogeny of O. quadricornuta (Michael, 1880 Michael, AD. 1880. A further contribution to the knowledge of British Oribatidae. J Roy Micr Soc London, 3: 225–251. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), O. superbula (Berlese,1904 Berlese, A. 1904. Acari nuovi. Manipulus III. Redia, 2: 10–32.  [Google Scholar]) and O. calcarata (CL Koch, 1835 Koch, CL. 1835. “Deutschlands Crustaceen, Myriapoden und Arachniden”. In Regensburg, Germany: Verlag Friedrich Pustet 1–3.  [Google Scholar]) studied here for the first time, and that of the other species from the literature. The pattern of gastronotal setae in larvae is similar, except for lack of seta h ₃ in O. nortoni Behan-Pelletier, 2011 Behan-Pelletier, VM. 2011. Oribatella (Acari, Oribatida, Oribatellidae) of eastern North America. Zootaxa, 2973: 1–56. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], while that of nymphs and adults is differentiated. The nymphs of most species have 15 pairs of gastronotal setae, but those of O. metzi Behan-Pelletier, 2011 Behan-Pelletier, VM. 2011. Oribatella (Acari, Oribatida, Oribatellidae) of eastern North America. Zootaxa, 2973: 1–56. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] and most nymphs of O. calcarata have 13 pairs. The nymphs of most species carry the exuvial scalps of previous instars on apical parts of gastronotal setae da, while setae dm and dp, located under these scalps, are subjected to translocation, reduction in size or loss. In O. berlesei (Michael, 1898 Michael, AD. 1898. “Oribatidae”. In Das Tierreich, Lief. 3. Vol. 8 (Acarina). Berlin: Verlag von R. Friedländer und Sohn Edited by: Schulze, FE. 1–93. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), O. nortoni, O. quadricornuta and O. sexdentata Berlese, 1916 pair dp takes a more lateral position, compared with the larvae, in O. superbula and O. canadensis Behan-Pelletier and Eamer, 2010 Behan-Pelletier, VM and Eamer, B. 2010. The first sexually dimorphic species of Oribatella (Acari, Oribatida, Oribatellidae) and a review of sexual dimorphism in the Brachypylina. Zootaxa, 2332: 1–20. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] it is reduced in size (in the latter species pair dm is also reduced), while O. metzi loses setae dm and dp. In contrast, the nymphs of O. calcarata do not carry the scalps, and usually lose setae c ₁ and dm. The adults of all species lose setae c ₁, c ₃ and d-series, compared with the tritonymph, and only 10 pairs of notogastral setae remain (c ₂, l-, h- and p-series), but O. quadricornuta and O. calcarata rarely retain seta c ₃ unilaterally, which indicates the order of setal loss in Oribatella according to Shaldybina (1972 Shaldybina, ES. 1972. Some morphological characters of ceratozetid moss mites (Oribatei). Ucenyje zapiski Gor Gosud Pedagog Institut, Gorki, 130: 35–66. In Russian [Google Scholar]).     

A phylogenetic revision of Spilodiscus Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae)

Spilodiscus Lewis, a Nearctic group of Histerini, is polyphyletic as presently constituted. Morphological analyses indicate that the following species should be removed from the taxon to Hister: militaris Horn, lucanus Horn, patagiatus Lewis, sarcinatus Lewis, penulatus Lewis, tunicatus Lewis, humilis Fall, bilobatus Casey, and quadratulus Casey. Based on cladistic character evidence, Spilodiscus contains eight valid species (new junior synonyms in brackets). Morphological data supports exclusive, full-species status for S. arcuatus (Say), S. sellatus (LeConte), S. flohri (Lewis), and S. floridanus Ross. The remaining four taxa are ferespecies, which are putatively reproductively isolated entities whose phylogenetic exclusivity is not well-supported: S. ‘ulkei’ (Horn) [= Hister sculpticauda Casey, H. subcruentus Casey, H. coruscans Casey, H. iowensis Casey], S. ‘gloveri’ (Horn), S. ‘biplagiatus’ (LeConte), and S. ‘instratus’ (LeConte) [= Hister semiruber Casey, H. solaris Carnochan]. Over time the lineage has shifted from largely free-living but facultatively inquilinous habits to obligate rodentophily with a more recent reversal back to facultative inquilinism.     

Copepoda associated with scleractinian corals on the Great Barrier Reef,northeastern Australia,with a key to the genera of the Lichomolgidae

Nine new species and three new genera, Parandrianellus, Scyphuliger, and James-cookina, are associated with various species of hard corals in the vicinity of Lizard Island, Big Broadhurst Reef, and Bowl Reef on the Great Barrier Reef. These copepods include the lichomolgids Parandrianellus annulatus from Hydnophora rigida, Scyphuliger concavipes from Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora sarmentosa, Scyphuliger manifestus from Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora squarrosa, James-cookina redacta from Echinopora horrida, Panjakus eumeces from Hydnophora rigida, Anchimolgus abbreviatus and Anchimolgus tanaus from Acrhelia horrescens, Anchimolgus exsertus from Echinopora horrida, and Odontomolgus bulbalis from Merulina ampliata. Schedomolgus tenuatus Humes, 1990, recorded from Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora humilis, is transferred to the genus Scyphuliger. Schedomolgus lobophorus (Humes and Ho, 1968) is recorded from Acropora hyacinthus, Acropora humilis, Acropora sarmentosa, and Acropora intermedia; Amarda goniastreae Humes, 1985, from Favia stelligera; and Amardopsis merulinae Humes, 1974, from Merulina ampliata and Leptoria phrygia. The harpacticoid Alteuthellopsis corallina Humes, 1981, is reported from Merulina ampliata and Stylophora pistillata. A list of those copepods previously known to be associated with hard corals in the area and a key to the 81 genera of the Lichomolgidae are provided.     

New oriental aradid bugs in the collections of the British Museum (Natural History) (Insecta: Hemiptera)

Summary

The following new taxa of Oriental Aradidae are described: Acoryphocoris duodecimus sp. nov. (Sulawesi), A. minor sp. nov. (Sulawesi), Apaniocoris micropterus gen. and sp. nov. (Sulawesi), Aphelocoris minutissimus sp. nov. (Sarawak), Arictus gracilis sp. nov. (Sulawesi), Artabanus burmensis sp. nov. (Borneo), Chelonocoris tomentosus sp. nov. (Malaya), Chinessa kokodensis sp. nov. (New Guinea), C. major sp. nov. (New Guinea), Crimia tertia sp. nov. (Java), Magdalenia excelsa gen. and sp. nov. (Sulawesi), Mastigocoris insularis sp. nov. (Christmas Is, Indian Ocean), Mezira mekongensis sp. nov. (Laos), M. submontana sp. nov. (India), Mezira (Zimera) kachinensis sp. nov. (Burma), Neuroctenus perplexus sp. nov. (Bhutan), Notoplocaptera breviceps sp. nov. (N. Borneo), N. dollingi sp. nov. (N. Borneo), Overlaetiella elongata sp. nov. (Sulawesi), Parapictinus confusus sp. nov. (Sri Lanka), Proxius (Nesoproxius) malayensis sp. nov. (Malaya), Scironocoris malayensis sp. nov. (Malaya), and Usingerida longirostris sp. nov. (India).

Males of Artabanus magnificus Kormilev and Dimorphacantha luchti (Kiritshenko) are described for the first time. Brachyrhynchus lignicolus Kirby is transferred to the genus Neuroctenus as a new combination and redescribed. The following new synonymies are proposed: Melvertes Vásárhelyi, 1976=Notoplocaptera Usinger and Matsuda, 1959 syn. nov., and Chinessa furcella Vásárhelyi, 1976=C. bispiniceps Walker, 1873 syn. nov.     

Further studies on the systematics of Australian Diplurinae (Chelicerata: Mygalomorphae: Dipluridae): Two new genera from south western Australia

Summary

The current status of Australian diplurine genera is presented. The following genera are recognized here: Aname Koch, Chenistonia Hogg, Ixamatus Simon, Kiama Main and Mascord, Stanwellia Rainbow and Pulleine, Teyl Main, Troglodiplura Main and Xamiatus Raven. Aparua Todd from New Zealand is newly synonymized with Stanwellia Rainbow and Puleine. Two new genera, Kwonkan and Merredinia and six new species are described: Kwonkan anatolion, eboracum, goongarriensis, moriartii and silvestre and Merredinia damsonoides. Dekana wonganensis Main is designated as the type species of Kwonkan. The tribe Anamini Simon is rediagnosed and Anamini Raven newly synonymized with it. Aname, Chenistonia and the two new genera are attributed to the Anamini.     

A taxonomic review of the genus Exochus Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Metopiinae) from South Korea with descriptions of ten new species

The South Korean species of the genus Exochus are revised. Ten new species, Exochus acostulatus Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus adentatus Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus areolaris Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus carinalis Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus dentisternum Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus depressus Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus nigritulus Lee & Choi sp. nov., Exochus occipitalis Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus orbitalis Lee & Choi, sp. nov. and Exochus propodealis Lee & Choi, sp. nov., are described. Also, 21 species of this genus are reviewed and newly recorded from South Korea, with diagnoses provided. A key to the South Korean species of Exochus and illustrations of external characters are provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B28700A7-9CA7-4AE7-9816-9C8F4CD46160     

Ten new species of the subgenus Steganina (Diptera: Drosophilidae: Stegana) from southern China

Ten new species of the subgenus Stegana (Steganina) are described from southern to south-western China: S. (S.) convena sp. nov., S. (S.) cylindrica sp. nov., S. (S.) eurystoma sp. nov., S. (S.) hamata sp. nov., S. (S.) hirticeps sp. nov., S. (S.) latigena sp. nov., S. (S.) planiceps sp. nov., S. (S.) rhomboica sp. nov., S. (S.) setivena sp. nov. and S. (S.) sphaerica sp. nov. They cannot be placed under any established species groups. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D4B6C5A7-3700-4B0C-8355-E4564C2A7296     

Scorpion-flies of the Panorpa cognata-complex in the western palaearctic region (Mecoptera)

Summary

The Panorpa cognata-complex comprises four morphologically distinct species two of which, P. cognata and P. meridionalis, show a confusing degree of variation. P. meridionalis is separated by the bi-lobed ventral parameres, which are singlelobed in P. cognata, P. annexa and P. etrusca. P. meridionalis is also allopatric and has two geographical forms which may prove to be biologically distinct species. P. cognata is sympatric with, and closely related, to P. annexa. P. cognata and P. etrusca are also sympatric. There is a clear morphological and distributional division between P. annexa and P. etrusca, for which reason the latter is raised to species level. Based on morphological evidence P. ghilianii, P. cognata osellai and P. adnexa [sic] var. subalpina are synonymized with P. cognata and P. meridionalis var. commissa, P. meridionalis var. germanizans and P. meridionalis var. liberata are synonymized with P. meridionalis.     

Australian species of Sinella (Coecobrya) Yosii, 1956 (Collembola: Entomobryidae)

The Australian members of the subgenus, Sinella (Coecobrya) Yosii, are revised. A new species from Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, Sinella (Coecobrya) tropicalis sp. nov., is described, Sinella (Coecobrya) tenebricosa Folsom, 1902 is recorded from Australia for the first time, and new records of Sinella (Coecobrya) communis Chen and Christiansen, 1997 Chen, J‐X. and Christiansen, K. A. 1997. Subgenus Coecobrya of the genus Sinella (Collembola: Entomobryidae) with special reference to the species of China.. Annals of the American Society of Entomology, 90: 1–19.  [Google Scholar] are documented. Sinella (Coecobrya) caeca Schött, 1896 is considered a dubious record from Australia. A key is provided to the three known Australian species and a summary given of all dorsal and lateral chaetal patterns found on the fourth abdominal segment of subgenera Sinella Brook, 1882 Brook, G. 1882. On a new genus of Collembola (Sinella) allied to Degeeria Nicolet.. Journal of the Linnean Society of London (Zoology), 16: 541–545.  [Google Scholar] and Coecobrya Yosii, 1956 Yosii, R. 1956. Hohlencollembolen Japans II.. Japanese Journal of Zoology, 11(5): 609–627.  [Google Scholar]. The biogeography of the subgenus is described.