Two new genera of Nanophyidae with six desmomeres (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea)

A new genus Lyalia is described in Nanophyidae and three species are included in it: Lyalia curvatasp. n. (Vietnam), Lyalia robusta (Pic, 1921), comb. n. (from Nanophyes) (Java, Bali, Laos) and Lyalia albolineata (Pajni & Bhateja, 1982), comb. n. (from Ctenomerus) (India: Assam). Ctenomerus lagerstroemiae G. A. K. Marshall, 1923 is a syn. n. of Lyalia robusta. Thus, the genus Ctenomerus Schoenherr, 1843 is restricted to the Afrotropical Realm. Kantohiagen. n. is erected for Kantohia taiwana (Kantoh & Kojima, 2009) (from Shiva) (Taiwan). A key to the Nanophyinae genera with six desmomeres is presented.     

A revision of the continental species of Copa Simon, 1885 (Araneae,Corinnidae) in the Afrotropical Region

The cryptic ground-dwelling castianeirine genus Copa Simon, 1885 (Araneae: Corinnidae) is revised in the continental Afrotropical Region. The type species of the genus, Copa flavoplumosa Simon, 1885, is redescribed and considered a senior synonym of Copa benina Strand, 1916 syn. n. and Copa benina nigra Lessert, 1933 syn. n. It is widespread throughout the Afrotropical Region but has not been introduced to any of the associated regional islands. A new species, Copa kei sp. n., is described from South Africa. Copa agelenina Simon, 1910, originally described from a subadult female from southern Botswana, is considered a nomen dubium. Copa flavoplumosa is a characteristic species of leaf litter spider assemblages and is particularly prevalent in savanna habitats on the continent, but also occurs in various forest types, grasslands, fynbos and semi-arid Nama Karoo habitats. In contrast, Copa kei sp. n. has only been recorded from Afromontane and coastal forests in south-eastern South Africa.     

Capelatus prykei gen. et sp.n. (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Copelatinae) – a phylogenetically isolated diving beetle from the Western Cape of South Africa

Capelatus prykei gen. et sp.n. , a distinctive new lineage of copelatine diving beetle, is described from the greater Cape Town area of the Western Cape Province, South Africa, on the basis of both morphological and molecular data. The genus‐level phylogeny of Copelatinae is reconstructed using a combination of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA regions, demonstrating that Capelatus gen.n. has no close relatives within the Afrotropical region, instead forming a clade with the Palaearctic Liopterus and largely Australasian Exocelina. Capelatus gen.n. apparently represents a striking example of a phylogenetically isolated Cape lineage, which also appears to be narrowly endemic and endangered by ongoing habitat loss.     

Phylogeny and biogeography of Coenonympha butterflies (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) – patterns of colonization in the Holarctic

Abstract We studied the historical biogeography of a group of butterflies in the Holarctic region belonging to the genus Coenonympha (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Coenonymphina), based on a phylogenetic hypothesis estimated from three genes. The genus is distributed mainly in the Palaearctic region, with two species extending into the Nearctic region. The tree is generally well supported and shows that Coenonympha is paraphyletic with respect to Lyela ( syn.n. ) and Triphysa ( syn.n. ), and we hence synonymize the latter two with Coenonympha. Within Coenonympha we identify three species groups, the tullia, glycerion and hero groups. The North American tullia exemplars are not sister to the Eurasian ones. A diva analysis indicates that the ancestor of the group was present in the Central Palaearctic or Central Palaeartic + Western Palaearctic or Central Palaearctic + Eastern Palaearctic. We conclude that the most likely origin of extant members of Coenonympha was in the Central Asian mountains. The tullia and hero groups started diverging in Europe following dispersal into the region. There have been two independent colonizations into Africa. The drying up of the Mediterranean during the Messinian period probably played an important role, allowing colonization into the Mediterranean islands and Africa.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhinogaster</Emphasis> Fennah (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea, Caliscelidae) from Southern Africa

The genus Rhinogaster Fennah, 1949 is recorded from the Afrotropical Region for the first time. Rhinogaster stilleri sp. n. well distinguished from other species of the genus by the shape of process of abdominal tergite V is described from the Republic of South Africa. A key with illustrations to all species of the genus is provided.     

Biogeographical analysis of the flea beetle genus Chaetocnema in the Afrotropical Region: distribution patterns and areas of endemism

Aim The areal distributions of Chaetocnema species in the Afrotropical Region have been analysed with the aims of determining the distribution patterns (chorotypes) and identifying the most important areas of endemism for this flea beetle genus in sub‐Saharan Africa. Location Data were collected in sub‐Saharan Africa, including Madagascar. Methods The Afrotropical Region was divided into 103 5° quadrats (operative geographical units, or OGUs). A presence–absence matrix of the Afrotropical Chaetocnema species in the OGUs was analysed by cluster analysis (Baroni Urbani & Buser index and the WPGMA clustering method) to generate distribution pattern data based on similarity of distribution. The most important areas of endemism were identified by parsimony analysis of endemicity. Results The general distribution of Chaetocnema in the Afrotropical Region was found to be associated with moist environments and montane grasslands. Most species exhibit restricted geographical ranges. Cluster analysis revealed 120 spatial distributions that can be grouped into 13 distinct distribution patterns (chorotypes). The most important areas of endemism for Chaetocnema in sub‐Saharan Africa according to the present parsimony analysis of endemicity are: (1) central and eastern Madagascar [endemicity rate (ER) = 61.1%], (2) Western Cape Province (ER = 36.4%), (3) southern Drakensberg (ER = 26.7%), (4) the Shaba Region (ER = 16.7%), and (5) the North‐Kivu Region (ER = 5.0%). Main conclusions There are 123 known species of Chaetocnema in the Afrotropical Region, more than in any other zoogeographical region. About 91% of the species are endemic and they generally exhibit a restricted and often very localized geographical range. The remaining 9% of the species are represented by seven species that also inhabit northern Africa and/or the Arabian peninsula (C. bilunulata Demaison, C. ganganensis Bechyné, C. ljuba Bechyné, C. pulla Chapuis, C. tarsalis Wollaston, and C. wollastoni Baly), three species that widely inhabit the Palaearctic Region (C. conducta (Motschulsky), C. schlaeflini (Stierlin), and C. tibialis (Illiger)), and two species that were introduced (C. confinis Crotch, and C. picipes Stephens).     

Two new palaearctic species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scoliophthalmus</Emphasis> Becker, 1903 (Diptera,Chloropidae) with a key to the species occurring in the Palaearctic Region

Two new species of the genus Scoliophthalmus Becker, 1903 (Diptera, Chloropidae) are described: S. miscanthi sp. n. from southern Primorskii Territory (Russia) and S. gussakovskii sp. n. from southern Tajikistan. The genus is recorded for Russia for the first time. The species of Scoliophthalmus occur only in the southern areas of the Palaearctic Region. A key to eight species occurring in the Palaearctic Region is given.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eusarima</Emphasis> Yang (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Issidae) from Pakistan

Eusarima albifrons sp. n. is described from northern Pakistan (Islamabad). The new species is closely related to Eu. iranica Gnezdilov et Mozaffarian, 2011 and may be distinguished by details of coloration and male genital structure. This is the second species of the genus Eusarima Yang recorded from the Western Palaearctic. Parasarima triphylla Che, Zhang et Wang, 2012 is transferred to the genus Eusarima, which is thus recorded for the first time from continental China. The homologies in the genital structures of males and females are discussed for some genera of Oriental, Palaearctic, and Afrotropical Issidae.     

Araucnephia iberaensis n. sp., a neotropical black fly with a peculiar distribution (Diptera-Simuliidae)

Araucnephia Wygodzinsky & Coscarón is a Neotropical black fly genus in which only one species from Central Chile is known. Another species has now been found in Corrientes province on the eastern side of the Iberá tropical swamps of Argentina, on the western border of the mountainous region of southern Brazil. This new species, A. iberaensis, is herein described and illustrated and information on its bionomics is recorded. It is an interesting species because previous to its discovery no black fly genus or subgenus from Central Chile region has been found in tropical areas, because these two regions are separated by the Monte and Pampas realms. Similarly, no Brazilian genus or subgenus has crossed the Andes mountains to Chile. A comparison with other Neotropical, Nearctic, Ethiopian (Afrotropical) and Australian Prosimuliini (sensu Crosskey & Howard) showed Araucnephia to be a valid taxon most closely related to Araucnephioides (sympatric in Chile). Araucnephia also shows great affinities with Lutzsimulium from Southeast Brazil and Argentina and Paracnephia from South Africa.     

Contributions to the systematics of the genus Microsiphum (homoptera, aphididae)

Microsiphum Cholodkovsky (Macrosiphini) is a small genus comprising 11 species and subspecies distributed in the Palaearctic Region. After examination of the collection of the Institute of Zoology (Kazakhstan), Microsiphum diversisetosum sp. n. from Artemisia abrotanum (northern and western Kazakhstan) is described. New synonymies are established: M. nudum Holman, 1961 = M. minus Bozhko, 1963, syn. n., M. ptarmicae Cholodkovsky, 1902 = M. heptapotamicum Kadyrbekov, 2000, syn. n. The taxonomic rank of M. procerae subalpicum Mamontova, 1982 stat. n. and M. jazykovi wahlgreni Hille Ris Lambers, 1947 stat. n. is changed. A key to the known taxa of the genus Microsiphum is given.     

The genus Alphitobius Stephens (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Alphitobiini) in Africa and adjacent islands

All species of the genus Alphitobius Stephens, 1829 (Alphitobiini Reitter, 1917, subfamily Tenebrioninae Latreille, 1802) from Africa and adjacent islands are revised. New species: Alphitobius capitaneus sp. n. from Kenya. New synonyms: Cryptops ulomoides Solier, 1851, syn. n. of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1796); Alphitobius rufus Ardoin, 1976, syn. n. of Alphitobius hobohmi Koch, 1953); Peltoides (Micropeltoides) crypticoides Pic, 1916, syn. n. of Peltoides (Micropeltoides) opacus (Gerstaecker, 1871), comb. n. Homonym: Alphitobius ulomoides Koch, 1953 = Alphitobius arnoldi nom. n. New combinations from Alphitobius: Ulomoides basilewskyi (Ardoin, 1969), comb. n.; Peltoides (Micropeltoides) opacus (Gerstaecker, 1871), comb. n. Figures of all examined species are added and a species key is compiled.     

Lyneborgimyia magnifica gen. et sp.n. (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Tanzania,with a phylogenetic analysis of the Eumerini using new morphological characters

Lyneborgimyia magnifica gen. et sp.n. is described and placed with Merodon Meigen and Platynochaetus Wiedemann in the Merodon genus group within the tribe Eumerini. New morphological characters and terms are introduced, and precise definitions proposed for characters applied inconsistently in the literature. The species possesses several unique autapomorphies, including an additional cross‐vein between R₄₊₅ and M₁, and a sclerotized connection between sternite 1 and the metepimeron, which are unknown otherwise within Diptera. A parsimony‐based phylogenetic analysis including 73 characters from the adult morphology provides strong support for the monophyly of the Eumerini (Eumerus Meigen, Azpeytia Walker, Lyneborgimyia, Merodon, Platynochaetus) and the Merodon genus group, whereas no support is found for the possible monophyly of the genus Eumerus. A sister‐group relationship is indicated between the Afrotropical Lyneborgimyia and the Palaearctic Platynochaetus.     

Origins of Horseshoe Bats (Rhinolophus, Rhinolophidae) in Southern Africa: Evidence from Allozyme Variability

Morphological analyses indicate that horsehose bats in the genus Rhinolophus constitute a monophyletic group which most likely originated in southeastern Asia but which presently inhabits Oriental, Australian, Palaearctic, and Ethiopian zoogeographical provinces. Ten species occur in southern Africa, but it is uncertain which species represent dispersals from Eurasia through North Africa and which have resulted from speciation in Africa. Analyses of 34 allozyme encoding loci in these 10 species and in 2 southern African species of leafnose bats in the sister genus Hipposideros reveal the presence of at least three lineages of Rhinolophus in southern Africa. One lineage includes R. clivosus, R. darlingi, R. fumigatus, and R. hildebrandtii, all of which, except R. clivosus, are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Rhinolophus blasii is genetically allied with, but distinct from this group, and appears to be a recent migrant from another lineage centered on the Mediterranean. A third lineage, including at least R. capensis, R. denti, R. simulator, and R. swinnyi, is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. The phylogenetic position of R. landeri is uncertain, most likely because of the small sample size used to estimate allelic frequencies for this species. The biochemical genetic definitions of these lineages largely agree with previous morphological analyses of Rhinolophus species. Divergences between species within two lineages (R. clivosus, R. darlingi, R. fumigatus, and R. hildebrandtii; and R. capensis, R. denti, R. simulator, and R. swinnyi) appear to reflect two bursts of speciation in the Plio-Pleistocene period within Africa.     

A taxonomic revision of Limnobaris Bedel in the strict sense (Coleoptera,Curculionidae, Baridinae), with particular emphasis on the species found in China

The genus name Limnobaris Bedel is applied in a restricted sense to baridine weevils with a covered pygidium and non-prominent, decussate mandibles which occur on sedges in the Palaearctic Region and immediately adjacent parts of tropical Southeast Asia. Calyptopygus Marshall and Pertorcus Voss are syn. n. of Limnobaris. Some species from Africa and the Americas are maintained provisionally in Limnobaris in the widest sense but will need to be transferred to other genera in future studies. A total of eleven species is recognized in Asia, two of which are widespread and occur also in the Western Palaearctic Region. Limnobaris martensi Korotyaev sp. n. is described from Nepal. Pertorcus tibialis basalis Voss is raised to species rank, as L. basalis (stat. prom.). New or reestablished synonyms are L. dolorosa (Goeze) (= L. jucunda Reitter, = L. koltzei Reitter), L. tibialis (Voss) (= Pertorcus tibialis pilifer Voss) and L. t-album (Linnaeus) (= L. bedeli Reitter, = Baridius crocopelmus Gyllenhal, = L. sahlbergi Reitter, = L. scutellaris Reitter, = Baris t-album sculpturata Faust). Calandra uniseriata Dufour is considered a junior synonym of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (syn. n.). A key for identification and a distribution map are provided.     

A review of species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaphorus</Emphasis> (Diptera,Dolichopodidae) in the Palaearctic Region

The history of studying the genus Diaphorus is described. Seventeen species have been studied. A key to species of the genus Diaphorus of the Palaearctic fauna, including 37 species, and a catalogue of the Palaearctic species with synonyms are given. Diaphorus oldenbergi Parent, 1925 is regarded as a synonym of the species D. nigrotibia Strobl, 1893 (syn. n.). The new species Diaphorus sublautus sp. n. from Azerbaijan is described. Lectotypes of D. dolichocercus Stackelberg, D. parenti Stackelberg, D. ussuriensis Stackelberg, and D. varifrons Becker are designated.     

Phylogenetic review of the Chinese species of Acanthacorydalis (Megaloptera, Corydalidae)

The dobsonfly genus Acanthacorydalis Weele is a small genus which only occurs in Asia and comprises eight species. Seven species are restricted to the Oriental realm, while A. orientalis (McLachlan) extends into the Palaearctic realm. There are five species in China, four of which are endemic. In the present paper, the Chinese species are redescribed, illustrated, keyed, and subjected to phylogenetic and biogeographical analyses for the first time. Geographic distributions are updated. The cladistic analysis for the Chinese species was constructed by using Hennig86, based on 17 adult morphological characters. The phylogenetic relationships obtained are ( A. orientalis + A. yunnanensis + A. unimaculata + ( A. fruhstorferi + A. sinensis )). Six areas of endemism are identified based on Acanthacorydalis distributions: north, south-west, central and south China, north-eastern India and northern Vietnam.