Historical review and redescription of three poorly known species of the catfish genus Trichomycterus from south-eastern Brazil (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

ABSTRACT

This study is primarily directed to the most poorly known species of the genus Trichomycterus, comprising five nominal species (T. florensis, T. immaculatus, T. nigricans, T. paquequerensis and T. santaeritae) endemic to south-eastern Brazil. One of them, T. nigricans, is the type species of the genus, involved in taxonomic problems for over 150 years. A detailed historical review, accompanied by examination of type specimens and recent collections, revealed that the correct type locality of T. nigricans is in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro, not Santa Catarina as commonly appears in the literature; specimens previously misidentified as T. nigricans from Santa Catarina belong to a possibly undescribed species of the genus Cambeva; T. paquequerensis is a synonym of T. immaculatus, and T. florensis is a synonym of T. santaeritae; and the hypothesis that T. santaeritae is closely related to the Amazon Sarcoglanidinae is refuted. The three valid species are redescribed. These species are members of a clade also including T. caipora that is highly supported by molecular data, diagnosed by a pronounced posterior maxillary process and caudal fin emarginate at least in larger specimens. A subclade comprising T. caipora, T. nigricans and T. santaeritae is diagnosed by a long maxilla and a bifid anterior extremity of hypobranchial 3.     

Miscellanea Nematodologica. VI. Echinonema australis sp. nov. from Sminthopsis crassicaudata in South Australia

Summary

Echinonema australis sp. nov. is described from Sminthopsis crassicaudata, and differs most markedly from the only other species of the genus, E. cinctum, in lacking a swollen region with intermediate sized spines immediately posterior to the three circles of large spines which occur on the extreme anterior end of the body.     

The ontogeny description of two Neotropical species of Crotonia (Acari: Oribatida: Crotonioidea)

A remarkable new species of black fungus gnat Pnyxiopalpus roslii sp. nov., was discovered from nests of the termite Nasutitermes proatripennis in Ulu Gombak, Malaysia, and is described based on the female morphology and DNA barcodes. This is the first record of a termitophilous black fungus gnat from South-east Asia. The new species is easily distinguished from its known congeners by the degeneration of all thoracic setae into tiny setulae. This species is described as a symbiont of the host termite based on field observations and the examination of specimens. The “wing stump” structure of the new species indicates that this species has wings after eclosion and later loses them, an adaptation to a cryptic life. A second still undescribed termitophilous species of Pnyxiopalpus was observed walking in a marching column of the termite Longipeditermes longipes in Ulu Gombak.     

New Neotropical Haplothripini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) with a key to Central and South American genera

The tribe Haplothripini includes a large diversity of Thysanoptera–Phlaeothripinae, comprising more than 550 species in about 35 genera. They are characterised by having a maxillary bridge in the head, prosternal basantra well developed and fore wings with a median constriction. Members of this group are present in all geographical regions, but are particularly poorly studied in Central and South America. In this study, we describe a new genus and species, Myrciathrips variabilis gen. et. sp. nov., and a new Haplothrips species; and propose two new combinations: Karnyothrips grassoi (De Santis), and Mirothrips vespicola (De Santis). A key to the nine Haplothripini genera now recognised from Central and South America is provided, together with an updated key to Haplothrips and Mirothrips species. A total of 45 species of Haplothripini are now recognised from Central and South America, and a list of these and their distributions is given. The genera Karnyothrips, Haplothrips and Leptothrips are the most commonly encountered, and some exotic species such as Androthrips ramachandrai and Dolichothrips indicus are now widespread in the Americas.     

Systematic studies on the neotropical genus Fusaea (Baill.) Saff.(Annonaceae)

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Revision of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Austrostelis Michener and Griswold (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Megachilinae)

A taxonomic revision for the species of Austrostelis Michener and Griswold is provided. Ten species are recognized, one of which is newly described, A. saltensis Parizotto and Urban sp. nov., from Argentina. Additionally one new synonym is proposed and a lectotype for Stelis iheringi Friese, 1925 is designated. A revised diagnosis for the genus, illustrations and identification key for all species are also provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8397FEAE-45CB-444C-8B3C-6D706E752068     

New species of the bee genus Augochlorodes Moure (Hymenoptera,Apidae s. l., Halictinae)

Five new species of the bee genus Augochlorodes from Brazil are described and the type species, A. turrifaciens Moure, 1958 Moure, J. S. 1958. Augochlorodes, a new genus of Halictinae from Brasil (Hymenoptera, Apoidea).. J Kansas Entomol Soc., 31(1): 53–55.  [Google Scholar], is redescribed. The new species are: A. clementis sp. nov. (from the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), A. incomitatus sp. nov. (Rio Grande do Sul), A. politus sp. nov. (Paraná), A. rostratus sp. nov. (Rio Grande do Sul) and A. vachali sp. nov. (Paraná, Santa Catarina, São Paulo). A discriminant function analysis using head measurements is presented to help distinguish the species. An identification key for the species is provided.     

Ascorbic acid content of neotropical plant parts available to wild monkeys and bats

Summary The ascorbic acid content of foliage available to wild primates and bats in Panama (in transition between wet and dry seasons) was lower than that of temperate zone foliage but higher than that of most fruits and vegetables. Intakes of ascorbic acid (mg/kg b.wt/day) by wild primates and frugivorous bats in Panama are much greater than that of most human populations.     

Phenology of fruit and leaf production by ‘strangler’ figs on Barro Colorado Island,Panamá

Summary Fruit and leaf initiation by 26 trees representing five stranglerFicus species in the subgenusUrostigma were monitored for 5–8 years in a seasonal lowland forest of central Panamá. Individual trees of each species initiated fruit in synchronized crops. High variation in the number of crops, intervals between crops and dates of crop initiation indicate that these species, like species in the subgenusPharmacosycea, initiate fruit crops the year around. Nevertheless, mean crop initiation dates for four of five species fell within the four-month dry season. Similarly, all species produced new leaf flushes throughout the year, however, mean leaf flush dates of all species fell within the first three months of the dry season.