New and little known crickets of the subfamily Phalangopsinae (Orthoptera,Gryllidae): 6. Neotropical taxa of the tribes Phalangopsini and Paragryllini

Two new genera, ten new species, and two new subspecies: Uvaroviella izerskyi sp. n., U. morona sp. n., U. ucayali sp. n., U. pastaza sp. n., U. affinis sp. n., U. bolivia sp. n., U. bora atalaya subsp. n., Kevanacla orientalis contraria subsp. n., Peruacla solitaria gen. et sp. n., Ecuadoracla propria gen. et sp. n., Adelosgryllus spurius sp. n., and A. phaeocephalus sp. n. are described. The tribe Paragryllini is divided into three subtribes: Paragryllina Desutter, 1988 stat. n., Neoaclina Desutter, 1988 stat. n., and Strogulomorphina Desutter 1988, stat. n. The composition of the genera Uvaroviella Chop. and Neoacla Desutter is discussed. The species from Costa Rica and the Antilles are supposed to belong to these genera and subgenera. New synonymy [U. trinidadi Gorochov, 2007 = U. enodos Otte et Perez-Gelabert, 2009, syn. n. and N. multivenosa (Chopard, 1937) = Selvacla choreutes Otte, 2006, syn. n.] is proposed.     

Phylogenetic systematics of Pseudolebinthus, a new genus of Eneopterinae crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Eneopteridae) from south-east Africa

Abstract.  Within a framework of historical analysis of Eneopterinae crickets, the genus Pseudolebinthus Robillard gen.n. and two new species P. africanus Robillard, sp.n. and P. whellani Robillard, sp.n. , endemic from south-east Africa, are described. A cladistic analysis using 198 morphological characters and 47 terminals assessed the phylogenetic position of the new taxa within the subfamily. The resultant topologies support the previously proposed phylogeny for the subfamily and contained tribes. The monophyly of Pseudolebinthus is supported strongly as well as its sister relationship with Xenogryllus within the tribe Xenogryllini. A key to Eneopterinae tribes, Xenogryllini genera and Pseudolebinthus species is given. Taxonomic, evolutionary and acoustic issues raised by the recognition of Pseudolebinthus are discussed.     

Older than New Caledonia emergence? A molecular phylogenetic study of the eneopterine crickets (Orthoptera: Grylloidea)

Aim A New Caledonian insect group was studied in a world‐wide phylogenetic context to test: (1) whether local or regional island clades are older than 37 Ma, the postulated re‐emergence time of New Caledonia; (2) whether these clades show evidence for local radiations or multiple colonizations; and (3) whether there is evidence for relict taxa with long branches in phylogenetic trees that relate New Caledonian species to geographically distant taxa. Location New Caledonia, south‐west Pacific. Methods We sampled 43 cricket species representing all tribes of the subfamily Eneopterinae and 15 of the 17 described genera, focusing on taxa distributed in the South Pacific and around New Caledonia. One nuclear and three mitochondrial genes were analysed using Bayesian and parsimony methods. Phylogenetic divergence times were estimated using a relaxed clock method and several calibration criteria. Results The analyses indicate that, under the most conservative dating scenario, New Caledonian eneopterines are 5–16 million years old. The largest group in the Pacific region dates to 18–29 Ma. New Caledonia has been colonized in two phases: the first around 10.6 Ma, with the subsequent diversification of the endemic genus Agnotecous, and the second with more recent events around 1–4 Ma. The distribution of the sister group of Agnotecous and the lack of phylogenetic long branches in the genus refute an assumption of major extinction events in this clade and the hypothesis of local relicts. Main conclusions Our phylogenetic studies invalidate a simple scenario of local persistence of this group in New Caledonia since 80 Ma, either by survival on the New Caledonian island since its rift from Australia, or, if one accepts the submergence of New Caledonia, by local island‐hopping among other subaerial islands, now drowned, in the region during periods of New Caledonian submergence.     

New species and global revision of Hippasteria (Hippasterinae: Goniasteridae; Asteroidea; Echinodermata)

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Hippasteria, rooted against Evoplosoma, has provided the basis for taxonomic revisions and provided insight into the biogeography of a widely occurring, cold‐water group of corallivorous asteroids. Herein, we describe three new species, H ippasteria mcknighti sp. nov. , H ippasteria muscipula sp. nov. , and H ippasteria tiburoni sp. nov. , from deep‐water settings. Additionally, in light of taxonomic changes, we further elaborate on distribution data for multiple species. Range extensions for Hippasteria phrygiana and Hippasteria californica are included. Discussions about biogeography, cladogenic events, and morphology are also presented. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Phylogenetic relationships in the cricket tribe Xenogryllini (Orthoptera,Gryllidae, Eneopterinae) and description of the Indian genus Indigryllus gen. nov.

The subfamily Eneopterinae is known greatly for its diversified acoustic modalities and disjunct distribution. Within Eneopterinae, tribe Lebinthini is the most studied group, due to its highest species diversity (ca. 150 species in 12 genera), endemic distribution on the islands of Southeast Asia and of the South West Pacific, males’ ability to produce high‐frequency calling songs, and evolution of females’ vibrational response. To investigate the distribution pattern and diversification of acoustic and behavioral attributes in a larger frame, clear understanding of phylogenetic relationships within other tribes of Eneopterinae is vital. In this study, we focus on the tribe Xenogryllini, sister group of Lebinthini. Xenogryllini, as opposed to Lebinthini, is known by fewer species (11 species in two genera), distributed widely in continental Asia and Africa, and for producing low‐frequency calling songs. We describe a new genus Indigryllus with a new species of the tribe Xenogryllini, discovered from the southwest of India. We used eight molecular genetic markers to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships. The resultant phylogenetic tree is used to compare and discuss distribution patterns and acoustic modalities between Lebinthini and Xenogryllini.     

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.     

Cladistic and phylogenetic biogeography: the art and the science of discovery

All methods used in historical biogeographical analysis aim to obtain resolved area cladograms that represent historical relationships among areas in which monophyletic groups of taxa are distributed. When neither widespread nor sympatric taxa are present in the distribution of a monophyletic group, all methods obtain the same resolved area cladogram that conforms to a simple vicariance scenario. In most cases, however, the distribution of monophyletic groups of taxa is not that simple. A priori and a posteriori methods of historical biogeography differ in the way in which they deal with widespread and sympatric taxa. A posteriori methods are empirically superior to a priori methods, as they provide a more parsimonious accounting of the input data, do not eliminate or modify input data, and do not suffer from internal inconsistencies in implementation. When factual errors are corrected, the exemplar presented by M.C. Ebach & C.J. Humphries (Journal of Biogeography, 2002, 29 , 427) purporting to show inconsistencies in implementation by a posteriori methods actually corroborates the opposite. The rationale for preferring a priori methods thus corresponds to ontological rather than to epistemological considerations. We herein identify two different research programmes, cladistic biogeography (associated with a priori methods) and phylogenetic biogeography (associated with a posteriori methods). The aim of cladistic biogeography is to fit all elements of all taxon–area cladograms to a single set of area relationships, maintaining historical singularity of areas. The aim of phylogenetic biogeography is to document, most parsimoniously, the geographical context of speciation events. The recent contribution by M.C. Ebach & C.J. Humphries (Journal of Biogeography, 2002, 29 , 427) makes it clear that cladistic biogeography using a priori methods is an inductivist/verificationist research programme, whereas phylogenetic biogeography is hypothetico‐deductivist/falsificationist. Cladistic biogeography can become hypothetic‐deductive by using a posteriori methods of analysis.     

Phylogeny and placement of Boganiidae (Coleoptera,Cucujoidea) with a review of Australian and New Caledonian taxa

A phylogeny of the cucujoid family Boganiidae (Coleoptera) is inferred for the first time based on a parsimony analysis of 102 morphological characters (70 adult and 32 larval). The analysis resulted in a monophyletic Boganiidae divided into two main clades, Boganiinae and Paracucujinae, each supported by a series of synapomorphies. The Boganiinae genera recovered were Afroboganium Endrödy‐Younga & Crowson and Boganium Sen Gupta & Crowson, whereas Paracucujinae includes Paracucujus Sen Gupta & Crowson, Metacucujus Endrödy‐Younga & Crowson, Athertonium Crowson and the New Caledonian Dzumacium caledonicum gen.n. , sp.n. New specimen data and biological information for the Australian taxa are summarized with overviews on biogeography and comments on the fossil Jurassic Parandrexis Martynov (Parandrexidae). Two new species of Boganium, primarily from the Australian mallee are described: B. malleense sp.n. and B. medioflavum sp.n . Boganium malleense is recorded from flowers of Eucalyptus gracilis F. (Myrtaceae). Adults and larvae of Paracucujus rostratus Sen Gupta & Crowson are redescribed. Athertonium parvum Crowson is redescribed and Athertonium williamsi sp.n. is described from coastal New South Wales. Several host records for Athertonium are also presented.     

Phylogenetic systematics of the gondwanan Empis macrorrhyncha group (Diptera,Empididae, Empidinae)

The Empis macrorrhyncha group (Diptera: Empididae) from cool to warm temperate areas of South America and Australia is diagnosed and cladistically analysed, and five new species, Empis animosa sp.n. , E. austera sp.n. , E. maculosa sp.n. , E. occidentalis sp.n. and E. pedivillosula sp.n. , are described. Cladistic analysis of 23 adult morphological characters for 14 species of the group generated a single tree of 28 steps (CI = 0.82; RI = 0.93). Monophyly was established on the basis of a single apomorphy, possession of a bilobed cercus of the male hypopygium. Three main clades were inferred: clade 1 included three Patagonian and a single southwestern Australian species; clade 2 included two species from southeastern Australia; clade 3 included a large Patagonian group of five species and a single southeastern Australian species. The E. fulvicollis complex (clade 1) is a sister‐group of the E. macrorrhyncha complex (clades 2 + 3). A provisional historical biogeographic hypothesis is advanced correlating the appearance of the South American and Australian sister lineages with the timing of the break‐up of Gondwana.     

Old Lineage on an Old Island: Pixibinthus,a New Cricket Genus Endemic to New Caledonia Shed Light on Gryllid Diversification in a Hotspot of Biodiversity

Few studies have focused on the early colonization of New Caledonia by insects, after the re-emergence of the main island, 37 Myr ago. Here we investigate the mode and tempo of evolution of a new endemic cricket genus, Pixibinthus, recently discovered in southern New Caledonia. First we formally describe this new monotypic genus found exclusively in the open shrubby vegetation on metalliferous soils, named ‘maquis minier’, unique to New Caledonia. We then reconstruct a dated molecular phylogeny based on five mitochondrial and four nuclear loci in order to establish relationships of Pixibinthus within Eneopterinae crickets. Pixibinthus is recovered as thesister clade of the endemic genus Agnotecous, mostly rainforest-dwellers. Dating results show that the island colonization by their common ancestor occurred around 34.7 Myr, shortly after New Caledonia re-emergence. Pixibinthus and Agnotecous are then one of the oldest insect lineages documented so far for New Caledonia. This discovery highlights for the first time two clear-cut ecological specializations between sister clades, as Agnotecous is mainly found in rainforests with 19 species, whereas Pixibinthus is found in open habitats with a single documented species. The preference of Pixibinthus for open habitats and of Agnotecous for forest habitats nicely fits an acoustic specialization, either explained by differences in body size or in acoustic properties of their respective habitats. We hypothesize that landscape dynamics, linked to major past climatic events and recent change in fire regimes are possible causes for both present-day low diversity and rarity in genus Pixibinthus. The unique evolutionary history of this old New Caledonian lineage stresses the importance to increase our knowledge on the faunal biodiversity of ‘maquis minier’, in order to better understand the origin and past dynamics of New Caledonian biota.     

Discheramocephalini,a new pantropical tribe of featherwing beetles (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae): description of new taxa and phylogenetic analysis

Abstract Two new genera and eight new species of featherwing beetles (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae) possessing a remarkable horizontal perforation of the mesoventral keel are described: Skidmorella vietnamensis sp.n. (Vietnam), S. memorabilis sp.n. (Indonesia), S. serrata sp.n. (Vietnam), Fenestellidium capensis gen. et sp.n. (South Africa, type species), F. kakamegaensis sp.n. (Kenya), Cissidium okuensis sp.n. (Cameroon), Dacrysoma usambarensis gen. et sp.n. (Tanzania, type species) and D. felis sp.n. (Madagascar). A phylogenetic analysis of 24 taxa and 37 parsimony‐informative characters supports the hypothesis of a single origin of the mesoventral perforation, thus uniting Discheramocephalus, Skidmorella, Africoptilium, Fenestellidium, Cissidium and Dacrysoma into a pantropically distributed clade, for which a new tribe Discheramocephalini (type genus Discheramocephalus) is proposed. Identification keys to Discheramocephalini genera and, in some cases, to species are provided. Each new species is illustrated with scanning electron microscopy images.     

A third species of the relict family Epiophlebiidae discovered in China (Odonata: Epiproctophora)

Epiophlebia sinensis sp.n. , a third species of the relict odonatan family Epiophlebiidae, is described from two male adults collected in Heilongjiang province, China. The new species lives in an environment rather similar to that of the two other species, E. superstes and E. laidlawi, i.e. along cold streams in a coniferous and deciduous forest. Possible explanations for the lack of fossil Epiophlebiidae and the biogeography of these damsel‐dragonflies are proposed.     

Phylogeny and biogeography of Thyridosmylus (Neuroptera: Osmylidae)

The first phylogenetic analysis of the genus Thyridosmylus Krüger is presented. All species from China were scored in a morphological analysis, along with extralimital species from India (Thyridosmylus pustulatus Kimmins) and Madagascar (Thyridosmylus marmoratus Fraser), and were compared with out‐group exemplars from Spilosmylus Kolbe, Thaumatosmylus Krüger and Osmylus Latreille. A monophyletic Thyridosmylus sister to Spilosmylus is confirmed based on this analysis, with the Malagasy Thyridosmylus marmoratus as sister to the Oriental Thyridosmylus species. Based on the results of this analysis, the biogeography of world Thyridosmylus is discussed. It is proposed that the genus originated in Gondwana no later than the Late Cretaceous (88 Ma) before the break‐up of the Madagascar–India continent. A new species, Thyridosmylus paralangii sp.n., is described from Guangxi Province, whereas two species [Thyridosmylus langii (McLachlan) and Thyridosmylus perspicillaris minor Kimmins] are recorded from China for the first time. Four synonyms are identified: Thyridosmylus laetus Yang et al. syn.n. , Thyridosmylus similaminor Yang syn.n. , Thyridosmylus vulgatus Yang syn.n. and Thyridosmylus mimoroides Yang syn.n. A key to the species of the world is provided.     

The high‐Andean Jivarus Giglio‐Tos (Orthoptera,Acridoidea, Melanoplinae): systematics,phylogenetic and biogeographic considerations

The high‐Andean genus Jivarus Giglio‐Tos from Ecuador, Colombia and Peru is revised. Morphological cladistic analysis indicated that Jivarus montanus and the new species digiticercus sp.n. and rugosus sp.n. must be treated as a separate genus, Maylasacris gen.n. The remaining species included in the analysis are assigned to the genus Jivarus, for which the following six species groups are identified: americanus group, antisanae group, carbonelli group, cohni group, pictifrons group and jagoi group. Twenty‐nine species are recognized for Jivarus, with ten described as new: J. rectus sp.n. , J. megacercus sp.n. , J. spatulus sp . n. , J. auriculus sp.n. , J. riveti sp.n. , J. sphaericus sp.n. , J. discoloris sp . n. , J. profundus sp.n. , J. ronderosi sp.n. and J. guarandaensis sp.n. The following new synonymies are proposed: Jivarus albolineatus Ronderos with J. antisanae (Bolivar) syn.n. , J. cerdai Ronderos and J. osunai Ronderos with J. alienus (Walker) syn.n. , and J. rubriventris Ronderos with J. ecuadorica (Hebard) syn.n. ; the new combinations Jivarus ecuadorica (Ronderos) comb.n. and Maylasacris montanus (Ronderos) comb.n. are proposed. Keys to the species of the genera and a review of the morphological characters defining the taxa are provided. Patterns of distribution of the clades coincide with the geography of the northern Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. Areas of endemism of the Jivarus species groups and Maylasacris are delimited by both the high‐altitude curves, including transverse zones, and the drier climates of the intra‐Andean valleys, clearly indicating recent, post‐glacial palaeogeography, as shown also in vegetation distributions. This paper has been formatted with many embedded links to images of type and paratype specimens, maps based on geo‐referenced specimen data and species keys available on the Orthoptera Species file online ( http://orthoptera.speciesfile.org ).