New data on the genus Chrysotoxum Meigen (Diptera: Syrphidae) from North-East Turkey,Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran including descriptions of three new species

New data and records of the genus Chrysotoxum Meigen, 1803 are reported, arising from taxonomic and faunistic examination of adult specimens collected from 1920 to 2011 from four northeastern provinces of Turkey (Erzurum, Bayburt, Kars, and Artvin), and from the neighboring countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran. Three new species are described: Chrysotoxum antennalis Vuji?, Nedeljkovi? &; Hayat sp. n., C. clausseni Vuji?, Nedeljkovi? &; Hayat sp. n. and C. persicum Vuji?, Nedeljkovi? &; Hayat sp. n. The first two are known only from northeastern Turkey, and the third also occurs in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran. These new species have in common an antenna with the basoflagellomere being shorter than the scape and pedicel together.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4C264678-8E47-4DE0-AC7D-91DABC597BCD     

A new species of the genus Chrysotoxum Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Turkey

A new species of the genus Chrysotoxum (Diptera: Syrphidae), Chrysotoxum bozdagensis Nedeljkovi?, Vuji? &; Hayat sp. n., collected from Bozda? Mt., ?zmir Province, Turkey is described and illustrated. Chrysotoxum bozdagensis sp. n. can be distinguished from the similar Ch. octomaculatum Curtis, 1837 by the presence of a black pile on the mesonotum and the colour of the legs. It is also similar to Ch. elegans Loew, 1841, from which it can be distinguished by the colour of the pile on the vertical triangle and scutellum, as well from the structure of the male genitalia. Additionally, Ch. bozdagensis sp. n. can be clearly distinguished from the latter two species by DNA sequence data. This new species increases the total number of Chrysotoxum species in Turkey to 18.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7465AAEA-21E6-4F0F-984C-CD48BE75436F     

An integrative approach in the assessment of species delimitation and structure of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Merodon nanus</Emphasis> species group (Diptera: Syrphidae)

The Merodon nanus group (Diptera, Syrphidae) is a small group of closely related species with high morphological similarity. Until now, based on morphological characters, this group consisted of five species: M. nanus Sack, 1931; M. telmateia Hurkmans, 1987; M. kopensis Vuji? et Hayat, 2015; M. neonanus Vuji? et Taylor, 2015; and M. rasicus Vuji? et Radenkovi?, 2015. Here, using an integrative approach based on molecular characters (sequences of the D2–3 region of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial COI gene) and data obtained from geometric morphometry of wing shape, we distinguish all five previously morphologically defined species of the group. Additionally, we identify one species as being new to science, M. vladimiri Vuji? et Ko?i? Tubi? sp. n. We emphasize the separation of this newly described species according to the sequences obtained from the slowly evolving 28S rRNA gene, which demonstrated four to five mutation positions between this species and morphologically the most similar M. neonanus species. Also, our results show a clear division of M. telmateia into at least three population groups that we designate as the subspecies: M. telmateia mediterraneus A?anski et Ko?i? Tubi? subsp. n. and M. telmateia samosensis A?anski et Ko?i? Tubi? subsp. n. exhibiting western distributions (western Anatolia and the Greek island of Samos, respectively) and the nominative subspecies M. telmateia telmateia with an eastern Anatolian distribution.     

Systematics of Pipizini and taxonomy of European Pipiza Fallén: molecular and morphological evidence (Diptera,Syrphidae)

Vuji?, A., Ståhls, G., A?anski, J., Bartsch, H., Bygebjerg, R. & Stefanovi?, A. (2013). Systematics of Pipizini and taxonomy of European Pipiza Fallén: molecular and morphological evidence (Diptera, Syrphidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 288–305. In the present work the monophyly and molecular phylogenetic relationships of the genera of tribe Pipizini (Syrphidae) were investigated based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear 28S rDNA sequences, and the relationships among species of genus Pipiza Fallén, 1810 based on mtDNA COI sequences. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of Pipizini supported Pipiza as monophyletic and as sister group to all other Pipizini, and resolved other Pipizini genera as monophyletic lineages except for genus Heringia Rondani, 1856. To recognize the distinctness and maintain the monophyly the genus Heringia was redefined, generic rank was assigned to Neocnemodon Goffe, 1944 stat. n., and the genus Claussenia Vuji? & Ståhls gen. n., type‐species Claussenia hispanica (Strobl, 1909), was described. A revision of the European Pipiza species, including a discussion of taxonomic characters and a morphological redefinition of all included species, is presented. One new species, Pipiza laurusi Vuji? & Ståhls sp. n. was described. The taxa Pipiza carbonaria Meigen, 1822; Pipiza fasciata, Meigen 1822; Pipiza lugubris (Fabricius, 1775), Pipiza noctiluca (Linneaues, 1758), Pipiza notata Meigen, 1822 were redefined. Lectotypes are designated for 17 taxa, and neotypes were designated for seven taxa. Fourteen new synonymies were proposed. Male genitalia were illustrated for all the species, and a key of the 12 European species for males and females was provided. Geometric morphometrics of wing landmarks and extended sampling of mtDNA COI sequences was employed to delimitate taxa of the P. noctiluca and P. lugubris complexes. Despite subtle morphological differences, wing geometric morphometrics variables of wing size and shape showed highly significant differences among species within P. noctiluca and P. lugubris complexes, which were supported by the molecular data.     

New data on the Merodon Meigen 1803 fauna (Diptera: Syrphidae) of Turkey including description of a new species and changes in the nomenclatural status of several taxa

Abstract

The Old World syrphid genus Merodon Meigen 1803 is highly species-diverse and has a significant number of endemic species in the circum-Mediterranean area. The present study reports on taxonomic changes resulting from the examination of adult Merodon specimens collected in 15 Turkish provinces during the period 1992 to 2002, and provides new faunistic data. Merodon ilgazense n. sp. is described. Four species of Merodon new to Turkey are recorded: M. armipes Rondani 1843, M. auronites Hurkmans 1993, M. bessarabicus Paramonov 1924 and M. chalybeatus Sack 1913. Lectotypes are designated for two taxa: M. chalybeatus Sack 1913 and M. clunipes Sack 1913. Merodon italicus Rondani 1845 rev. stat. is reinstated as a valid species. Following a detailed study of the type material in different entomological collections, the status of 10 taxa is revised and five new synonymies are proposed: M. albonigrum Vuji Radenkovi &; S?imi 1996 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. chalybeatus Sack 1913); M. alexeji Paramonov 1925 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. serrulatus Wiedemann in Meigen 1822); M. aureotibia Hurkmans 1993 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. vandergooti Hurkmans 1993); M. kaloceros Hurkmans 1993 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. erivanicus Paramonov 1925); M. longicornis Sack 1913 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. italicus Rondani 1845).     

The fairy shrimp genus Branchinella Sayce (Crustacea: Anostraca: Thamnocephalidae) in Western Australia,including a description of four new species

The genus Branchinella is diverse in Western Australia, with 18 species, including four new species described here. B. complexidigitata n. sp. is characterized by an intricate frontal appendage, unlike any within the genus. The other three are less remarkable; B. halsei n. sp. is like B. lyrifera, B. kadjikadji n. sp. belongs to the B. affinis group and B. nana n. sp. is similar to B. simplex; similarities are based on frontal appendage and to a lesser extent on the second antennae and penis. Only two species, B. affinis and B. longirostris, are common and widespread; many of the remainder being localized endemics. The high diversity in Western Australia is explained by broad latitudinal range, habitat diversity, and great age and isolation of the landscape.     

Molecular diversity of populations of the Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera, Syrphidae) on the Balkan Peninsula

Genetic diversity of 11 populations of the Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera, Syrphidae) on the Balkan Peninsula was quantified using allozyme electrophoresis and nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. A total of 10 haplotypes of mtDNA were found in 22 analysed individuals. One haplotype was shared between M. loewi (from Pindos and Duba?nica Mts) and M. armipes, one confined to M. auripes (haplotype III) and M. armipes (VII) and three to M. trebevicensis (VIII, IX and X), M. ruficornis (I, II and IV) and M. loewi (V, VI and VII). Analysis of the population genetic structure parameters showed great differences among analysed species. Different levels of genetic variability suggested that a variety of biological, environmental and/or historical factors had influenced these hoverfly populations. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average dendrogram constructed using allozyme data suggested that M. loewi was the most divergent species in comparison with M. armipes, M. auripes, M. ruficornis and M. trebevicensis. Clear separation of the populations ((((M. armipes + M. auripes) + M. ruficornis) + M. trebevicensis) + M. loewi) was observed. The parsimony analysis of the M. ruficornis group using Merodon avidus as outgroup resulted in three equally parsimonious trees, and the strict consensus presented the following relationships ((((M. loewi + M. armipes) + (M. auripes)) + (M. trebevicensis)) + (M. ruficornis)))). The uncorrected interspecies pairwise sequence divergences ranged from 1.69% (between haplotype III of M. armipes and haplotype V of M. loewi) to 4.94% (between M. ruficornis and M. trebevicensis).     

LOWER DEVONIAN GRAPTOLITES FROM SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA

The youngest zones of Monograptus occur in Devonian black shale and slate along the western shore of Prince of Wales Island and on Noyes Island, southeastern Alaska. The following five species of Monograptus, in close association with vascular plants and marine shelly faunas, indicate a Praguian, (Siegenian to Early Emsian), late Lower Devonian and possibly early Middle Devonian age: M. yukonensis Jackson & Lenz, M. n. sp. aff. yukonensis ? Jaeger & Stein, M. aeqimbilis notoaequakilis Jaeger & Stein, M. pacificus Jaeger n. sp. and M. craigensis Jaeger n. sp. The yukonensis zone containing M. craigensis in its upper part is followed stratigraphically higher by the M. pacificus zone – the youngest occurrence of Monograptus. The new species belong to the M. uncinatus group and, like most Praguian monograptids, have long dorsal tongues on their siculae. M. craigensis and M. pacificus increase to seven the number of species of Monograptus known from the Praguian. On the basis of the Alaskan material, the geographical distribution of M. aequabilis notoaequabilis now includes North America in addition to previously recorded occurrences in Australia, Southeast Asia, and Europe. This broad geographic distribution suggests that the last survivors of Monograptus had worldwide distribution and a rather uniform assemblage of species.     

Revision of the Merodon aurifer group (Diptera: Syrphidae) with new synonyms of M. testaceus Sack, 1913

The hoverfly genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae), which comprises more than 200 species is distributed in the Palaearctic and Afrotropical Region, but one species, Merodon equestris, is a pest of flower bulbs and has been invasive into New Zealand and North America. In this work, the Merodon aurifer species group, a member of the M. avidus-nigritarsis lineage, is revised. The diagnostic characters of the M. aurifer species group, and the morphological differences between M. aurifer Loew, 1862 and M. nudicorpus sp. n. are explained and illustrated, as well as their distribution map. A detailed study of the type material resulted in three new synonyms: M. distinctus Palma, 1863 is a junior synonym of M. aurifer; M. manicatus (Sack, 1938) and M. testacoides Hurkmans, 1993 are junior synonyms of M. testaceus.Lectotypes are designated for two taxa M. aurifer and M. manicatus instead of the erroneously designated types for these species in Hurkmans (1993).     

Revision of the southern African genus Macroderes Westwood (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

The southern African genus Macroderes Westwood is revised. Six new species, M. amplior n. sp., M. minutus n. sp., M. endroedyi n. sp., M. namakwanus n. sp., M. foveatus n. sp., and M. cornutus n. sp., are described.The neotype of M. bias (Olivier) is designated.Two new synonymies are established: M. pilula Sharp is a junior synonym of M. bias (Olivier), and M. westwoodi Preudhomme de Borre is a junior synonym of M. undulatus Preudhomme de Borre. A key to species and notes on biology and distribution are given.     

The cladistics and biology of the Callajoppa genus-group (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae)

A cladistic analysis is presented for the genera of the former ichneumonine tribe Trogini. The tribe Heresiarchini is paraphyletic with respect to the Trogini, and so maintaining Trogini as a separate tribe is unsatisfactory. Within Heresiarchini, the following changes are made: (a) the subtribes Apatetorina and Heresiarchina are referred to as the Apatetor and Heresiarches genus‐groups, (b) the genera of the paraphyletic subtribe Protichneumonina are treated as incerta sedis within Heresiarchini, and (c) the Trogini are referred to as the Callajoppa genus‐group, with the former subtribe Trogina referred to as the Trogus subgroup. Thirty‐five genera are recognized as valid within the Callajoppa genus‐group. Catadelphops, Catadelphus, Cobunus, and Facydes are transferred to this group; Holojoppa is removed and is incertae sedis within Heresiarchini. Three new synonyms are proposed: Araeoscelis and Cryptopyge are junior synonyms of Macrojoppa, and Neamblyjoppa is a junior synonym of Catadelphops. Trogus latipennis Cresson is transferred to Pedinopelte from Macrojoppa, and Trogus mactator Tosquinet and its related species (T. bicolor Radoszkowski, T. heinrichi Uchida, and T. tricephalus Uchida) are transferred to Holcojoppa. Tricyphus is redefined and a neotype is designated for Tricyphus cuspidiger Kriechbaumer, the type‐species of the genus. Thirteen new genera are described (authorship of all is Wahl & Sime): Charmedia (type‐species: Charmedia chavarriai Wahl & Sime, sp. n.) , Daggoo (type‐species: Daggoo philoctetes Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Dothenia (type‐species: Dothenia hansoni Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Humbert (type‐species: Humbert humberti Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Laderrica (type‐species: Laderrica feenyi Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Mokajoppa (type‐species: Tricyphus respinozai Ward & Gauld), Metallichneumon (type‐species: Metallichneumon neurospastarchus Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), Myocious (type‐species: Myocious orientalis Wahl & Sime, sp. n.) , Quandrus (type‐species: Trogus pepsoides Smith, transferred from Callajoppa), Queequeg (type‐species: Gathetus flavibasalis Uchida, transferred from Neofacydes), Saranaca (type‐species: Trogus elegans Cresson; includes Trogus apicalis Cresson, Tricyphyus ater Hopper, and Tricyphus floridanus Heinrich), Tashtego (type‐species: Tashtego janzeni Wahl & Sime, sp. n.), and Xanthosomnium (type‐species: Xanthosomnium froesei Wahl & Sime, sp. n.). A key to the genera of the Callajoppa genus‐group is provided. The evolution of biological traits within the Callajoppa genus‐group is discussed with reference to the elucidated phylogeny. The groundplan biology is parasitism of Sphingidae, with oviposition into a host pupa/prepupa. There have been two transitions to butterfly parasitism within the Trogus subgroup: one a transition to Papilionidae (followed by a switch to Nymphalidae at Psilomastax) and the other to Nymphalidae (followed by a switch to Papilionidae within Macrojoppa). ©2002 The Linnean Society of London. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 134 , 1–56.     

Revision of Mecinus heydenii species complex (Curculionidae): integrative taxonomy reveals multiple species exhibiting host specialization

A combined taxonomic, morphological, molecular and biological study revealed that the species presently named Mecinus heydenii is actually composed of five different species: M. heydenii Wencker, 1866; M. raphaelis Baviera & Caldara sp. n., M. laeviceps Tournier, 1873; M. peterharrisi To?evski & Caldara sp. n. and M. bulgaricus Angelov, 1971. These species can be distinguished from each other by a few subtle characteristics, mainly in the shape of the rostrum and body of the penis, and the colour of the integument. The first four species live on different species of Linaria plants, respectively, L. vulgaris (L.) P. Mill., L. purpurea (L.) P. Mill. L. genistifolia (L.) P. Mill. and L. dalmatica (L.) P. Mill., whereas the host plant of M. bulgaricus is still unknown. An analysis of mtCOII gene sequence data revealed high genetic divergence among these species, with uncorrected pairwise distances of 9% between M. heydenii and M. raphaelis, 11.5% between M. laeviceps, M. heydenii and M. raphaelis, while M. laeviceps and M. peterharrisi are approximately 6.3% divergent from each other. Mecinus bulgaricus exhibits even greater divergence from all these species and is more closely related to M. dorsalis Aubé, 1850. Sampled populations of M. laeviceps form three geographical subspecies: M. laeviceps laeviceps, M. laeviceps meridionalis To?evski & Jovi? and M. laeviceps corifoliae To?evski & Jovi?. These subspecies show clear genetic clustering with uncorrected mtDNA COII divergences of approximately 1.4% from each other.     

Taxonomic revision and molecular phylogeny of the fig wasp genus AnidarnesBouček, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Sycophaginae)

Besides the pollinators (Agaonidae), several chalcidoid lineages of nonpollinating fig wasps are strictly dependent on Ficus (Moraceae) for reproduction. Overall, nonpollinating fig wasps have not received much consideration. Reliable phylogenetic and taxonomic frameworks are lacking for most groups, which hampers progress in our understanding of the evolution and functioning of fig wasp communities. Here we focus on Anidarnes Bou?ek (Sycophaginae), a member of the Neotropical fig wasp community. We present a detailed morphological analysis as well as the first molecular phylogeny of the genus inferred from two nuclear and two mitochondrial genes (Cytb, COI, EF‐1α and 28S rRNA, 3937 bp). Twelve species are recognised, illustrated and a key to their identification is provided. Of those, only three were previously described and are redescribed here: A. bicolor (Ashmead); A. globiceps (Mayr) and A. brevicauda Bou?ek. In addition, nine new species are described: Anidarnes brevior sp.n . Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. dissidens sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil); A. gracilis sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. isophlebiae sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. jimeneziae sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. longiscutellum sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil); A. martinae sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (U.S.A., Florida); A. nigrus sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Colombia) and A. rugosus sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil). Finally, phylogenetic relationships inferred using parsimony, bayesian and maximum likelihood methods are discussed in the light of our morphological observations and the host fig tree taxonomy.     

A review of the species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adoxomyia</Emphasis> Kertész, 1907 (Diptera,Stratiomyidae) with bicolorous antennae and a description of a new species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adoxomyia subruficornis</Emphasis> sp. n. from Middle Asia

Morphological features of the species of the genus Adoxomyia Kertész, 1907 with bicolorous antennae in females were studied for the first time. Significant diagnostic characters are discussed, e.g., the structure of the head, the type of pubescence on the frons and face, the shape and coloration of the scutellar spines, and the morphology of the genitalia (the synstemum, the basal part of the epandrium, and the aedeagus). A new species, Adoxomyia subruficornis sp. n., is described from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; it differs from A. ruficornis (Loew, 1873) in a dense pale pubescence on the frons, pale scutellar spines, elongate median projection of the synstemum, and rounded epandrial processes.     

A new species of the genus Herina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 from Iran and Turkey (Diptera: Ulidiidae)

A hitherto unknown species of the dipteran family Ulidiidae is described from Iran and Turkey: Herina rajabii n. sp. is similar to H. gyrans (Loew) and H. tristis (Meigen), differing from them by the yellowish-brown scutellum and presence of a very strong subcercal prensiseta on the surstylus. A key to the species of the Herina tristis-group of species is provided.     

Rhaponticoidesaytachii sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia,Turkey

A new species of Rhaponticoides Vaill., Rhaponticoidesaytachii Y. Ba?c?, Do?u & Dinç sp. nov. collected by the authors from south Anatolia, is described and illustrated. The new species is restricted to deprived Quercus forest openness around Dumlugöze‐Sar?veliler (C4 Karaman). Diagnostic morphological characters from R. amplifolia (Boiss. & Heldr.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species is also presented.     

A revision of the Afrotropical genus Dhatrichia (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae)

Five previously described species of Dhatrichia Mosely, 1948 are recognized: D. inasa Mosely, 1948 from Yemen; D. bipunctata Statzner, 1977 from Zaire; D. lerabae (Gibon, Guenda & Coulibaly, 1994) comb. n. from Burkina Faso and Ghana; and D. cinyra Wells & Andersen, 1995 and D. divergenta Wells & Andersen, 1995 from Tanzania. A sixth species D. feredougoubae Gibon, 1987 from the Ivory Coast and Ghana is transferred to Microptila Ris, 1897 comb. n. In addition, nine new species are described and illustrated as males: D. ankasaensis sp. n., D. botiensis sp. n., D. hunukani sp. n., D. minuta sp. n., D. paraminuta sp. n. and D. wliensis sp. n. from Ghana, D. anderseni sp. n. from Tanzania, and D. madagascarensis sp. n. and D. giboni sp. n. from Madagascar. Females are associated, described and illustrated for all species, except D. inasa and D. giboni. The larvae and pupae of D. ankasaensis, D. hunukani, D. lerabae, D. minuta and D. wliensis are described and illustrated as the first known immatures of the genus. Keys to known larvae, pupae, males and females are provided. A phylogenetic analysis of the genus revealed four species groups. The most plesiomorphous taxa are West African, followed by East African and Malagasian taxa. A sister group relationship between the Eburneo–Ghanean and the Sudanian biogeographical regions is encountered twice. Among several possible sister taxa, the sister group turned out to be Kumanskiella Harris & Flint, 1992 and Microptila Ris, 1897 in part, combined. Implications for generic classification and biogeography are outlined. A morphometric principal component analysis revealed good separation of the sexes by the number and shape of antennal segments, and by eye size. Other measures are strongly dependent on overall size, and show best separation of females between species and species groups. A functional fit between male inferior appendages and secondary sexual characters in female sternite VIII is demonstrated for all species with associated females.     

A new species and rare species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campsicnemus</Emphasis> Walker (Diptera,Dolichopodidae) in the Russian fauna

A new species of the genus Campsicnemus Walker (C. bagachanovae Grichanov et Volfov, sp. n.) is described from Yakutia. New records of C. pusillus (Meigen, 1824) and C. varipes Loew, 1859 are given.