Aralichus porrectus (Mégnin & Trouessart) and related feather mite species (Acarina,Pterolichidae) from parrots of the genus Brotogeris Vigors (Aves,Psittacidae)

A species complex of the large genus Aralichus Gaud (Pterolichoidea, Pterolichidae) is restricted to Central and South American parrots of the genus Brotogeris Vigors. Aralichus porrectus (Mégnin & Trouessart) from Brotogeris jugularis (Müller) is redescribed, and five new species are described: A. chrysopteri from B. chrysopterus (L.), A. cyanopterae from B. cyanoptera (Salvadori), A. crassisetosus and A. sanctithomae from B. sanctithomae (Müller), and A. tiricae from B. tirica (Gmelin). Hostcommensal relationships are discussed.     

The pterolichoid feather mites (Acarina, Astigmata) of the Megapodiidae (Aves, Galliformes)

The pterolichoid feather mites of megapodes are reviewed. Named taxa are briefly discussed and most are figured. The Pterolichidae (Pterolichinae) are: Ascetohchus Perez & Atyeo, three species; Echinozonus Atyeo & Perez, six species; Pereziella Atyeo, two species; and Phycoferus Atyeo & Perez, two species. New pterolichine taxa, with the type species listed first, include: Botryaspis cordiforma gen. et sp.n. and B. cordata gen. et sp.n.; Cycloprotarsus lineatus gen. et sp.n., C. centralis gen. et sp.n. and C. monacrotrichus gen. et sp.n.; Eurypterolichus gen.n. for Pterolichus navicula comb.n. Trouessart & Neumann and E. coniger gen. et sp.n.; Goniodurus gen.n. for Pterolichus ( Pseudalloptes ) quadratus comb.n. Trouessart and G. bilobatus gen. et sp.n.; Haptepigynus gen.n. for Pterolichus ( Pseudalloptes ) tridentiger comb.n. Trouessart and H. holonotus gen. et sp.n.; Heliaspis ventralis gen. et sp.n.; Leipobius ocellatus gen. et sp.n.; Maleolichus maleo gen. et sp.n.; Mayracarus gen.n. for Pterolichus (P.) tritilobus comb.n. Trouessart; Megapodobius arcuatus gen. et sp.n. and M. striatus gen. et sp.n.; Oxygynurus brevissimus gen. et sp.n., O. longicaulis gen. et sp.n., O. mediocaulis gen. et sp.n. and O. parvicaulis gen. et sp. n.; Prionoturus amembranatus gen. et sp. n.; Talegallobius bidentatus gen. et sp.n.; and Tanysomacarus imperfectus gen. et sp.n. and T. brachymeles gen. et sp.n. A new taxon of the Thoracosathesidae is: Thoracosathes caudiculata sp.n. Keys are provided and host- commensal associations are discussed. All taxa are restricted to the Megapodiidae. Cheylabis fuscina Trouessart is assigned to Pereziella and has as a synonym P. dupilcata Atyeo.     

Systematic relationships of the Antillocorini of the Western Hemisphere (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

Abstract. The status of the tribe Antillocorini as it occurs in the Western Hemisphere is discussed. An evaluation of characters useful in systematic analysis is included together with an evaluation of the plesiomorphic and apomorphic character states. The phylogenetic relationships of the genera are discussed and a cladogram included. A key is given to all known genera found in the Western Hemisphere. The following new taxa are described: Paradema gen.n.; Paradema bathydemoides sp.n. (Venezuela), P.engiernani sp.n. (Panama), P.longisetosa sp.n. (Argentina), P.oculata sp.n. (Coiumbia, Guyane) (type-species), P.pameroides sp.n. (Brazil), Caeneusia obrienorum sp.n. (Peru), Antillodema gen.n. (to include Antillocoris obscurus Barber comb.n. (type-species) and Bathydema maculosa Slater and Baranowski comb.n.), Paurocoris gen.n., P.yvgodzinskyi sp.n. (type-species) (Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Venezuela), P.punctata (Distant) transferred to Paurocoris from Bathydema, Trachinocoris gen.n., T.crassus sp.n. (Brazil), Terenocoris gen.n., T.nitidus sp.n. (Peru).     

Feather mites (Astigmata: Psoroptidia) parasitising the rock ptarmigan <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagopus muta</Emphasis> (Montin) (Aves: Galliformes) in Iceland

Four new species of feather mites are described from the Icelandic rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta islandorum (Faber) in Iceland. These are Metamicrolichus islandicus n. sp., Myialges borealis n. sp. (Epidermoptidae), Strelkoviacarus holoaspis n. sp. (Analgidae) and Tetraolichus lagopi n. sp. (Pterolichidae). This is the first report on feather mites associated with the Icelandic rock ptarmigan. Brief comments on the systematics and biology of corresponding feather mite genera are given. For two species, originally described in Pterolichus Robin, 1868 (Pterolichidae), new combinations are proposed, i.e. Tetraolichus gaudi (Černy, 1971) n. comb. and T. microdiscus (Trouessart, 1887) n. comb.     

Revision of Ticorea Aubl. (Rutaceae, Galipeinae)

Ticorea comprises five species, which occur in the Guianas, throughout the Amazonian basin, and on the lower eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Two of the five are described here as new: T. diandra, from eastern Ecuador and adjacent Peru, and T. froesii, from Maranhão and Pará, Brazil.     

Two new quill mite species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psittaciphilus</Emphasis> Fain,Bochkov &amp; Mironov, 2000 (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) associated with pigeons and doves (Columbiformes: Columbidae)

Two new quill mite species of the genus Psittaciphilus Fain, Bochkov & Mironov, 2000 (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) collected from columbiform birds (Columbiformes) are described: Psittaciphilus montanus n. sp. form the ruddy quail-dove Geotrygon montana Gosse from Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Panama, and Psittaciphilus patagioenas n. sp. from the band-tailed pigeon Patagioenas fasciata (Say) from Colombia and the scaled pigeon Patagioenas speciosa (Gmelin) from Surinam. A key to the species of the genus Psittaciphilus is provided. Our finding is the first record of the representatives of this genus on columbiform birds.     

The Evolutionary History and Genetic Diversity of Kinkajous, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potos flavus</Emphasis> (Carnivora,Procyonidae)

The genus Potos (Procyonidae) is currently recognized as a monotypic genus comprising the single species Potos flavus, the kinkajou. Kinkajous are widely distributed throughout forested habitats of tropical Central and South America, extending from eastern Brazil across central Bolivia, eastern Peru, northern Ecuador, Guianas, Suriname, Venezuela, Colombia, and then through Central America and into western Mexico. The taxonomic history of the species is complex, with seven or eight subspecies historically recognized to acknowledge the phenotypic variation among populations. In this study, the systematics and the evolutionary history of Potos flavus were investigated based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, including specimens from a large range of localities, covering most of the distribution of the species, from central Middle America (Costa Rica and Panama) through South America (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana). Analyses of 30 Potos flavus sequences showed 27 haplotypes that were grouped in five main clades in all phylogenetic analyses. These clades suggested a high geographic structure with specimens from (1) Costa Rica, (2) Guianas and North Brazil, (3) North Peru, (4) Ecuador and Panama, (5a) interfluves Branco-Negro rivers in the Brazilian Amazon, (5b) Eastern Atlantic Forest, (5c) Amazonian lowlands east Negro river including Bolivia, Peru, and West Brazil. Each of these clades differs from 4.5 % to 9.3 % in their genetic distance estimates, which suggests that the specific status of some of these lineages should be reconsidered. Divergence dating and biogeographic analysis suggested that crown Potos diversified in the Miocene-Pliocene in South America, and geographic barriers, such as savannas and rivers, may have played a significant role in the kinkajou diversification.     

New Pudicinae (Trichostrongylina, Heligmosomoidea) coparasites of Proechimys longicaudatus (Caviomorpha) from Bolivia. I--Description of Pudica ginsburgi n. sp. and Heligmostrongylus chiarae n. sp

Two new Pudicinae (Trichostrongylina, Heligmosomoidea, Heligmonellidae) coparasites of Proechimys longicaudatus (Caviomorph rodent) from Bolivia are described: Pudica ginsburgi n. sp. is differentiated from all the other species of the genus by the great length of the spicules and of the vestibule and by a different ratio of the length of the spicules on the length of the body. Heligmostrongylus chiarae n. sp. has very developed rays 4, strongly divergent from rays 5 as occurs in three other species, H. almeidai (Durette-Desset & Tcheprakoff, 1969), a parasite of Trichomys apereoides (= Cercomys cunicularius) from Brazil, H. squamastrongylus (Travassos, 1937), a parasite of Proechimys oris from Brazil and H. proechimysi Durette-Desset, 1970, a parasite of Proechimys semispinosus from Columbia. The specimens from Bolivia are differentiated from the three species by the division of the dorsal ray (anterior half versus posterior half) and by a different ratio of the length of the spicules on the length of the body.     

The Order Euplotida (Ciliophora): Taxonomy, with Division of Euplotes into Several Genera

ABSTRACT. The order Euplotida represents a monophyletic order of five families of hypotrich ciliates united by morphology, stomatogenesis, ultrastructure, cyst structure, and behavior. A review of variability of ciliation and nuclei among the 14 genera suggests that lines of evolution may have involved both the loss of cirri and nuclear simplification. We present a binary key to genera in the families Aspidiscidae ( Aspidisca and Euplotaspis ), Certesiidae n. fam. ( Certesia ), Gastrocirrhidae ( Cytharoides, Euplotidium , and Gas-trocirrhus ), Uronychiidae ( Diophryopsis, Diophrys, Paradiophrys , and Uronychia ), and Euplotidae. The latter family contains species formerly in the genus Euplotes. Based primarily on cortical structure, endosymbionts, data from morphometric analysis, and ecology, we recognize four different groups. The first group of species remains in Euplotes with Euplotes charon as type. We place a second group of species into the genus Moneuplotes Jankowski 1979 with Moneuplotes vannus (Müller, 1786) as type. We erect two new genera: Euplotoides n. g. and Euplotopsis n. g. with Euplotoides patella (Müller, 1773) n. comb. and Euplotopsis affinis (Dujardin, 1841) n. comb. as type species respectively. We discuss possible phylogenetic relationships within the order.     

Taxonomic revision of the South American fish genus Chalceus Cuvier (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes) with the description of three new species

The Neotropical characid fishes of the genus Chalceus Cuvier, 1817, are reviewed. In total, five species are recognized (including three new species). Chalceus epakros sp. nov. is the most widespread geographically, occurring in many rivers of the Amazon basin, the Río Orinoco and in the Essequibo River drainage in Guyana. Chalceus guaporensis sp. nov. is restricted to the upper Rio Madeira, Rio Guaporé and Río Madre de Dios, of Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, respectively. Chalceus spilogyros sp. nov. occurs only in the Rio Trombetas, lower Rio Tapajós and lower Rio Madeira drainages. Chalceus macrolepidotus Cuvier occurs in the Rio Negro drainage, middle and lower Río Orinoco basin and in the rivers of the Atlantic slopes of the Guianas, and Chalceus erythrurus Cope in the Rio Amazonas and Rio Solimões to Río Ucayali drainage in Peru. Chalceus ararapeera Cuvier & Valenciennes and Creagrutus pellegrini Puyo are considered synonyms of C. macrolepidotus , and Pellegrinina heterolepis Fowler is placed into the synonymy of C. erythrurus . Characters pertaining to the monophyly of Chalceus are discussed and a key to species is presented.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 103−135.     

Systematics of Otarrha, a new Neotropical subgenus of Chimarra (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae)

Abstract. Subgenus Otarrha is established in genus Chimarra to include eighteen described species formerly placed either in subgenus Chimarra or unplaced to subgenus, and thirteen new species. All species are Neotropical, with collective distributions primarily in the Antilles (Greater and Lesser) and northern South America. One species occurs in southeastern Brazil and another species in Costa Rica and Panama. New species are described, recognized species redescribed (except for C. diannae and C. koki ), and a key to the identification of males in the subgenus is provided. Additionally, characters supporting monophyly of the subgenus and a phylogeny of its species are proposed. Described species transferred to this subgenus include Chimarra cubanorum Botosaneanu, C . diakis Flint, C . diannae Flint & Sykora, C . dominicana Flint, C . garciai Botosaneanu, C . guapa Botosaneanu, C . jamaicensis Flint, C . koki Botosaneanu, C . machaerophora Flint, C . patosa Ross, C . puertoricensis Flint, C . quadrifurcata Botosaneanu, C . retrorsa Flint, C . rossi Bueno-Soria, C . sensillata Flint, C . septemlobata Flint, C . septifera Flint and C . spinulifera Flint. Chimarra patosa is designated the type species of the subgenus. New species described in Otarrha include Chimarra amazonia (Peru), C . barinas (Venezuela), C . darlingtoni (Cuba), C . diaphora (Venezuela), C . incipiens (Venezuela), C . odonta (Brazil), C . parene (Peru), C . parilis (Peru), C . particeps (Peru), C . peruana (Peru), C . phthanorossi (Colombia), C . redonda (Dominican Republic) and C . tachuela (Venezuela). Two additional species are described and left incertae sedis to subgenus, Chimarra usitatissima Flint and C . angularis , sp.n. (Venezuela, Guyana).     

What is Tubifex tubifex (O. F. Müller) (Oligochaeta,Tubificidae)?

A review of the fairly muddled conditions in the early history of Tubifex tubifex (O. F. Müller, 1774) is given. The identity of Müller's (1774) Lumbricus tubifex is discussed, analytical examinations of samples from the most likely type-locality of the species are accounted for, and a neo type has been selected. For comparison, other "Tubifex" specimens, both European and American, are likewise analysed and a scrutiny of the literature concerning the species and its synonyms is undertaken. The survey results in a clearer picture of T. tubifex and a revised view of the qualifying characters on the specific level. Diagnoses of the species T. tubifex (O. F. Müller) and T. fissidens sp.n., Kernall, MS, 1914, are given.     

A new feather mite species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picalgoides</Emphasis> Černý, 1974 (Astigmata: Psoroptoididae) from a passerine host in Costa Rica

A new feather mite species, Picalgoides giganteus n. sp. (Psoroptoididae: Pandalurinae), is described from the tawny-throated leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus Sclater (Passeriformes: Furnariidae) in Costa Rica. Among the 10 species of Picalgoides Černy, 1974, including the new one, this is the third recorded from a passerine host; the remaining seven nominal species are associated with hosts of the order Piciformes. Brief data on the host-parasite associations of Picalgoides spp. are provided. Megninia megalixus Trouessart, 1885 from the short-tailed green magpie Cissa thalassina (Temminck) is transferred to Picalgoides as P. megalixus (Trouessart, 1885) n. comb.