Moths of the tribe Pseudoterpnini (Geometridae: Geometrinae): a review of the genera

The classification of the genera of the widely distributed Old World tribe Pseudoterpnini is reviewed and 34 genera are recognized. Two new generic synonyms ( Sterictopsis Warren and Oxyphanes Turner as synonyms of Rhuma Walker), and 21 new or reinstated combinations are established. Representative moths of all the genera are illustrated in colour (upper side and underside), and genitalia of all genera are illustrated in monochrome (162 figures). All the known species and subspecies of Pseudoterpnini are listed (321), together with their synonyms. The Pseudoterpnini and their characters are assessed, and many genera are newly assigned to the tribe.  © 2007 Natural History Museum, London. Journal compilation © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 150 , 343–412.     

Neotropical Emerald moths: a review of the genera (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The classification of the Neotropical genera of the Geometrinae is reviewed and 38 genera are recognized (including one nomen dubium). Seven generic synonyms are newly established and the genus Gnathosocia is described as new. Other changes established in this work include 1 species synonym and 36 new or reinstated combinations. A key to genera, based on external features, is provided for their identification. External features and genitalia of representatives of each genus are illustrated. All the 506 known Neotropical species and subspecies of Geometrinae are catalogued and details of type material, examined extensively, are given.     

Diel activity and reproductive isolation in a diverse assemblage of Neotropical skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

A sample of over 400 co-occurring species of Neotropical Hesperiidae attracted to artificial lures was used to test for temporal structure among species and explore potential consequences of temporal partitioning within assemblages. Five years of intermittent transect samples at the same site revealed that diel activity was significantly partitioned among subfamilies, genera and species within this species assemblage. Calculations of reproductive isolation indicate that partitions in activity times are sufficient to provide significant prezygotic reproductive isolation among some congeneric species pairs. Temporal patterns in this assemblage are considered in light of field observations and temporal partitions are examined as a potential isolating barrier among insects.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 2008, 94 , 723–736.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Scopulini moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Sterrhinae)

The phylogenetic relationships of the genera in the geometrid tribe Scopulini (Lepidoptera: Sterrhinae) were examined using 141 characters of adult morphology and ecology. The study material included 92 species, representing all previously recognized genera and covering the morphological variation and full geographical range of the tribe. The cladistic analysis resulted in 20 equally parsimonious trees and a strict consensus cladogram based on these was well resolved. A majority of the recovered synapomorphic characters have been used previously in the taxonomy of the tribe. However, many novel characters were found in the sclerotized structures of the thorax. Many previously recognized genera were found to be nonmonophyletic and based on the present revised, synapomorphy-based classification, the number of recovered genera is reduced considerably. Twenty new generic synonyms and 90 new or revived species combinations are proposed. Seven genera are considered valid, with the large genus Scopula Schrank including over 85% of all species in the tribe. The taxonomic history of the tribe is reviewed and the problems of earlier classifications are discussed. A key to the genera is presented, although an informal diagnosis is preferred. All recognized genera are illustrated and a revised world checklist of the Scopulini is presented.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 143 , 473−530.     

Biogeographic distribution of the Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata)

More than 1982 species in 90 genera were included in an analysis of the biogeography of the Phytoseiidae, a family of predatory mites. Seven biogeographic regions were taken into account: Nearctic, Neotropical, Ethiopian, West Palaearctic, East Palaearctic, Oriental, and Australasian. The number of species was particularly high in the Neotropical, Oriental, and West Palaearctic regions. These regions also present the highest levels of species endemism. The number of genera was quite similar in all regions except for the Neotropics, which also had a high level of endemism. The possible Gondwanian (Neotropical, Ethiopian, Australasian, and Oriental regions) origin of the Phytoseiidae, most probably in the Neotropics, and their possible radiation to Laurasia (Nearctic, West Palaearctic, and East Palaearctic regions) are discussed. The comparison between genera and species in the different biogeographic regions indicate the importance of both dispersal and vicariance events in the evolution of the group. Dispersal is assumed to have been most important between Neotropical and Nearctic regions and between East Palaearctic and Oriental regions, whereas vicariance could have been the dominating process between Australasian, Ethiopian, and Oriental regions, as well as between West and East Palaearctic regions. A parsimony analysis of endemicity showed the Neotropical and the Nearctic regions to be isolated from the other regions. This is certainly due to a diversification after the continents drifted apart and then a high dispersal between Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Different phylogenetic hypotheses and scenarios are proposed for each subfamily based on the results obtained and further investigations are proposed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 93 , 845–856.     

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.     

The Rubiaceae of Angola

A treatment of the Rubiaceae of Angola is presented based on herbarium collections kept at BM, BR, COI, K, LISC, LISU, LUA, LUAI, P, and PRE. The basionyms, relevant synonyms, and types from Angola are cited. For each taxon, one collection is cited for each province. An exsiccata list with over 3300 collections examined and identified during this work is provided. There are 108 genera, 422 species, and 40 infraspecific taxa of Rubiaceae in Angola. Fourteen genera and 126 species and infraspecific taxa are restricted to Cabinda. The rate of endemism of the family is c. 19%, with 86 taxa endemic to Angola (16 of which are restricted to Cabinda). Two genera are endemic. A new subspecies and a new variety are described. There are 21 unnamed entities requiring further research. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 537–638.