New species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasa</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Limacodidae) from Southeastern Asia

Five new species of the genus Parasa Moore, 1859 from Southeastern Asia are described. At present, this genus comprises 94 species in Southeastern Asia. P. actiacus Solovyev, sp. n. is included in the lepida group, P. fidea Solovyev, sp. n. and P. anchutka Solovyev, sp. n., in the bimaculata-group, and P. pygmy Solovyev, sp. n. and P. martini Solovyev, sp. n., in the undulata group.     

A review of Rheocricotopus (Psilocricotopus) chalybeatus species group from China,with the description of three new species (Diptera,Chironomidae)

The Rheocricotopus (Psilocricotopus) chalybeatus species group from China is reviewed. Three new species, R. (P.) brochus sp. n., R. (P.) rotundus sp. n. and R. (P.) serratus sp. n. are described as adult males. R. (P.) imperfectus Makarchenko & Makarchenko, 2005, R. (P.) robacki (Beck & Beck, 1964) and R. (P.) valgus Chaudhuri & Sinharay, 1983 are recorded from China for the first time and annotated. The diagnosis for the species group is emended and a key to adult males of the species group in China is presented.     

One known and an unknown species of the genus Thaparocleidus Jain, 1952, infecting Sperata aor (Hamilton, 1822): comparison with species from China,on molecular basis

Sperata aor commonly called as long- whiskered cat fish or “Bada Tengan” in local fish markets harboured one new and one previously known species of genus Thaparocleidus Jain, 1952, along with two species of Cornudiscoides Kulkarni, 1969, infesting gills. Thaparocleidus aori (Rizvi, 1971) Lim, 1996, was earlier described by Rizvi therefore was briefly recorded in the present study, except the egg. The newly found species Thaparocleidus susanae n.sp was characterized by the structure of its peculiar copulatory organ. Phylogenetic relationship of the two species under study, along with 14, reterived from GenBank was established using the sequences of 28S rDNA region (Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 taken as an out group).     

Taxonomy of the Colocasiomyia gigantea species group (Diptera,Drosophilidae), with descriptions of four new species from Yunnan,China

Species of the genus Colocasiomyia de Meijere feed/breed on inflorescences/infructescences of the plants from the families Araceae, Arecaceae and Magnoliaceae. Although most of them utilize plants from the subfamily Aroideae of Araceae, three species of the recently established C. gigantea species group make use of plants of the subfamily Monsteroideae. We describe four new species of the gigantea group found from Yunnan, China: Colocasiomyia longifilamentata Li & Gao, sp. n., C. longivalva Li & Gao, sp. n., C. hailini Li & Gao, sp. n., and C. yini Li & Gao, sp. n. The species delimitation is proved in virtue of not only morphology but also DNA barcodes, i.e., sequences of the partial mitochondrial COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) gene. Some nucleotide sites with fixed status in the alignment of the COI sequences (658 sites in length) are used as “pure” molecular diagnostic characters to delineate species in the gigantea group.     

First record of the genus Prosopistoma Latreille, 1833 (Ephemeroptera,Prosopistomatidae) in Taiwan

The finding of three immature nymphs of Prosopistoma Latreille, 1833 (Ephemeroptera, Prosopistomatidae) in an upstream site of Baishih River represents the first record of this rarely collected genus in Taiwan. These nymphs were discovered through extensive monthly sampling at the riffle habitats from 13 undisturbed sites over two years (Dec 2008–Nov 2010). The coloration pattern of the collected immature nymphs in Taiwan is similar to the immature stage of Prosopistoma ocellatum and Prosopistoma annamense, two species which have been found in similarly undisturbed, upland forested-stream habitats.     

A new species of Chilicola from Bahia, Brazil (Hymenoptera, Colletidae), with a key to the species of the megalostigma group

The bee genus Chilicola Spinola (Xeromelissinae) is recorded from the State of Bahia, Brazil for the first time, based on a new species of the megalostigma group of the subgenus Hylaeosoma Ashmead. Chilicola (Hylaeosoma) kevani sp. n. is described and figured from males collected in Wesceslau Guimarães, Bahia. The species can be distinguished on the basis of coloration, size, integumental sculpturing, and structure of the hidden metasomal sterna and genitalia. A revised key to the species of the megalostigma group is provided.     

A review of the genus Monema Walker in China (Lepidoptera,Limacodidae)

Four species and one subspecies of the genus Monema Walker, 1855 are recognized from China, in which Monema tanaognatha Wu & Pan sp. n. is described as new, Monema coralina Dudgeon, 1895 and Monema meyi Solovyev & Witt, 2009 are newly recorded for China. The female of Monema meyi is reported for the first time. Monema nigrans de Joannis, 1901 and Monema melli Hering, 1931 are synonymized with Monema flavescens Walker, 1855. Cnidocampa rubriceps Matsumura, 1931 is regarded here as a subspecies of Monema flavescens Walker, 1855. The photographs of moths and their genitalia are given. A key to the species of the genus is provided.     

Distribution and nests of paper wasps of Polistes (Polistella) in northeastern Vietnam,with description of a new species (Hymenoptera,Vespidae, Polistinae)

Seven species of the subgenus Polistella Ashmead of the genus Polistes Latreille including a new species, P. brunetus Nguyen & Kojima, sp. n. described here, are recognized to occur in northeastern Vietnam, the easternmost part of the eastern slope of the Himalayas. A key to these species is provided. Their distributional records are remarked. Nests of P. delhiensis Das & Gupta, P. mandarinus de Saussure and P. brunetus are also described.     

Cytogenetics of the Brazilian Bolitoglossa paraensis (Unterstein, 1930) salamanders (Caudata,Plethodontidae)

Plethodontid salamanders of genus Bolitoglossa constitute the largest and most diverse group of salamanders, including around 20% of living caudate species. Recent studies have indicated the occurrence of five recognized species in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. We present here the first cytogenetic data of a Brazilian salamander, which may prove to be a useful by contribution to the cytotaxonomy of the genus. Specimens were collected near the “type” locality (Utinga, Belém, PA, Brazil). Chromosomal preparations from duodenal epithelial cells and testes were subjected to Giemsa staining, C-banding and DAPI/CMA₃ fluorochrome staining. All specimens showed a karyotype with 13 bi-armed chromosome pairs (2n = 26). Nucleolar Organizer Regions, evidenced by CMA₃, were located distally on the long arm of pair 7 (7q). DAPI+ heterochromatin was predominantly centromeric, with some small pericentromeric bands. Although the C-banding patterns of other Bolitoglossa species are so far unknown, cytogenetic studies conducted in other Plethodontid salamanders have demonstrated that pericentromeric heterochromatin is a useful cytological marker for identifying interspecific homeologies. Species diversification is usually accompanied by chromosomal changes. Therefore, the cytogenetic characterization of Bolitoglossa populations from the middle and western Brazilian Amazon Basin could identify differences which may lead to the identification of new species.     

Ancyronyx Erichson, 1847 (Coleoptera,Elmidae) from Mindoro,Philippines, with description of the larvae and two new species using DNA sequences for the assignment of the developmental stages

Ancyronyx buhid sp. n. and Ancyronyx tamaraw sp. n. are described based on adults and larvae, matched using their cox1 or cob DNA sequence data. Additional records of Ancyronyx schillhammeri Jäch, 1994 and Ancyronyx minerva Freitag & Jäch, 2007 from Mindoro are listed. The previously unknown larva of Ancyronyx schillhammeri is also described here, aided by cox1 data. The new species and larval stages are described in detail and illustrated by SEM and stacked microscopic images. Keys to the adult and larval Ancyronyx species of Mindoro and an updated checklist of Philippine Ancyronyx species are provided. The usefulness as bioindicators, the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic aspects affecting the distribution patterns are briefly discussed.     

Three new species of Hagnagora Druce, 1885 (Lepidoptera,Geometridae, Larentiinae) from Ecuador and Costa Rica and a concise revision of the genus

Three new Hagnagora Druce species (Geometridae, Larentiinae) are described: Hagnagora richardi Brehm, sp. n. from Ecuador, Hagnagora hedwigae Brehm, sp. n. from Ecuador, and Hagnagora mirandahenrichae Brehm, sp. n. from Costa Rica. A checklist of taxa assigned to Hagnagora is provided. Hagnagora is provisionally divided into six clades: the anicata clade (6 species), the buckleyi clade (3 species), the croceitincta clade (3 species), the ephestris clade (3 species), the mortipax clade (4 species) and Hagnagora subrosea (1 species). Two taxa are revived from synonymy: Hagnagora catagrammina Druce, stat. rev. and Hagnagora luteoradiata Thierry-Mieg, stat. rev. Two taxa are reinstated from subspecies to species level: Hagnagora acothysta Schaus, stat. rev. and Hagnagora jamaicensis Schaus, stat. rev. Four taxa are provisionally removed from Hagnagora: “Hagnagora” ignipennis, “Hagnagora” mesenata, “Hagnagora” vittata, and “Hagnagora” ceraria. After these changes, the genus Hagnagora now comprises 20 valid species.     

Reassessment of the taxonomic position of Iranocypris typhlops Bruun & Kaiser, 1944 (Actinopterygii,Cyprinidae)

The Iranian cave barb (Iranocypris typhlops Bruun & Kaiser, 1944) is a rare and endemic species of the family Cyprinidae known from a single locality in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran. This species is “Vulnerable” according to the IUCN Red List and is one of the top four threatened freshwater fish species in Iran. Yet, the taxonomic position of I. typhlops is uncertain. We examined phylogenetic relationships of this species with other species of the family Cyprinidae based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Our results show that I. typhlops is monophyletic and is sister taxon of a cluster formed by Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843) and Garra barreimiae (Fowler & Steinitz, 1956) within a clade that includes other species of the genus Garra. Based on previous molecular and morphological studies, as well as our new results, we recommend that I. typhlops should be transferred to the genus Garra Hamilton, 1822.     

Revision of the genus Paridea Baly, 1886 from Taiwan (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)

The Taiwanese species of the genus Paridea Baly, 1886, are revised. Two new species, Paridea (Semacia) houjayi sp. n. and P. (S.) kaoi sp. n. are described. Both were confused previously with P. (S.) sexmaculata (Laboissière, 1930) and P. (S.) angulicollis (Motschulsky, 1854) respectively. Paridea (P.) sauteri (Chûjô, 1935) and P. (P.) taiwana (Chûjô, 1935) are removed from synonymy with P. (P.) sinensis Laboissière, 1930. The synonymy of Paraulaca flavipennis Chûjô, 1935 with Paridea (Paridea) testacea Gressitt & Kimoto, 1963 is supported. Paridea (Semacia) nigrimarginata Yang, 1991 is regarded as a junior synonym of P. (S.) angulicollis and excluded from the Taiwan fauna. Lectotypes are designated for Paraulaca costata Chûjô, 1935, P. flavipennis Chûjô, 1935, P. taiwana Chûjô, 1935, Semacia nipponensis Laboissière, 1930, and Paridea sinensis Laboissière, 1930.     

Status of the enigmatic Oriental genus Rhithrogeniella Ulmer, 1939 (Ephemeroptera,Heptageniidae)

Based on historic collections and new material from Sumatra and Java, the species Rhithrogeniella ornata Ulmer, 1939, type species of the genus Rhithrogeniella, is reinvestigated. The nymph is described for the first time and is closely related to the continental Southeast Asian species Rhithrogeniella tonkinensis Soldán and Braasch, 1986. Rhithrogeniella belongs to the subfamily Ecdyonurinae, and is related to the genera Nixe Flowers, 1980 and/or Paracinygmula Bajkova, 1975 based on characters of the nymphal stage. Species described from Taiwan in the genus Nixe are transferred to the genus Rhithrogeniella: Rh. littoralis (Kang and Yang, 1994) comb. n., Rh. mitifica (Kang and Yang, 1994) comb. n. and Rh. obscura (Kang and Yang, 1994) comb. n.     

Circanota: a new genus of Sparganothini from the Neotropics,and its two new species (Lepidoptera,Tortricidae)

Circanota, new genus, and its two new species, Circanota undulata sp. n. (type species), from Costa Rica and Panama, and Circanota simplex sp. n., from Panama and Ecuador, are described and illustrated. Although superficially similar to some species of Platynota Clemens, 1860, Circanota appears to be more closely related to members of a putative clade within Sparganothini defined by a slender crescent-shaped signum in the corpus bursae of the female genitalia. The most conspicuous autapomorphy for Circanota is the strongly undulate costa of the male and female forewing. Barcode sequence data (i.e., cytochrome oxidase I) from Circanota undulata (n = 12) form a tight cluster with exceedingly limited genetic divergence (less than 0.1%); specimens of Circanota simplex have not been sequenced. In neighbor-joining trees based on COI, Circanota is portrayed nearest Sparganothoides, which is consistent with morphological evidence.     

A new species of the Rhinella margaritifera species group (Anura,Bufonidae) from the montane forest of the Selva Central,Peru

We describe a new species of the bufonid toad genus Rhinella from transition montane forest of the buffer zones of the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park and the Pui Pui Protected Forest (eastern slopes of Andes, Selva Central, Peru). The new species belongs to the Rhinella margaritifera species group (confirmed by mtDNA data) and differs from all its members by the absence of tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus. It is characterized by medium size (SVL 57.5–65.5 mm, n = 5), moderately developed cranial crests, absence of neural crest of vertebrae, absence of bone protrusion at angle of jaw, presence of lateral rows of enlarged tubercles, and absence of subgular vocal sac and vocal slits in males. In addition, based on the molecular phylogenetic analyses of selected Rhinella species we propose the monophylum containing R. chavin, R. festae, R. macrorhina, R. manu, R. nesiotes, R. rostrata, and R. yanachaga as a new species group under the name Rhinella festae species group.