Taxonomy and geographical distribution of Dugesia japonica and D. ryukyuensis in the Far East

Dugesia japonica Ichikawa et Kawakatsu, 1964, is a common and polymorphic species of freshwater planarian distributed widely in the Far East. In 1976 the geographic populations were separated into 2 subspecies (D.j.japonica and D.j. ryukyuensis). The taxonomy of this species is reconsidered once again from the morphological, anatomical, histological, and karyological viewpoints. From the result of these studies, D.j. ryukyuensis is elevated to the rank of species: D. ryukyuensis Kawakatsu, 1976. D. japonica (n = 8, 2x = 16, 3x = 24) differs from D. ryukyuensis (n = 7, 2x = 14, 3x = 21) in having an asymmetrical penis papilla without a well-developed valve surrounding its basal part, and a well-developed vagina (distribution: the Japanese Islands, Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula, China, and Primorskiy, Northeast Siberia, in Russia). D. ryukyuensis is characterized by an asymmetrical penis papilla with a well-developed valve surrounding its basal part, and a less-developed vagina (distribution: the Southwest Islands of Japan).     

Karyology and biogeography of Dugesia japonica and Dugesia ryukyuensis in Kyûshû, southern Japan

In southern Japan, two dugesiid species of freshwater planarians are known: Dugesia japonica Ichikawa et Kawakatsu, 1964, and Dugesia ryukyuensis Kawakatsu, 1976. D. japonica is a common and polymorphic species widely distributed in the Far East (karyotypes: n=8, 2x=16, 3x=24). D. ryukyuensis is a species recorded only from the Southwest Islands of Japan (Nansei Shotô) (karyotypes: n=7, 2x=14, 3x=21). Recently, small populations of D. ryukyuensis were found in the lowland areas in Kyûshû on the East China Sea (the Nishisonogi Peninsula, the Shimabara Peninsula, the Gotô Islands, the Satsuma Peninsula, and the Ôsumi Peninsula). The current geographical distribution of D. japonica and D. ryukyuensis in southern Japan can be explained from geological and faunal viewpoints, as follows: (1) two separate inversions by the ancestor of D. japonica, one in the Miocene and one after early Quaternary; (2) only one expansion of its domain by the ancestor of D. ryukyuensis in the Miocene.     

A review of chromosomal variation in Dugesia japonica and D. ryukyuensis in the Far East

The chromosome numbers of Dugesia japonica Ichikawa et Kawakatsu, 1964, are n = 8, 2x = 16 and 3x = 24; those of Dugesia ryukyuensis Kawakatsu, 1976, are n = 7, 2x = 14 and 3x = 21. The karyotypes of both species include diploid, triploid and mixoploid; aneuploidic and mixoaneuploidic karyotypes may occur. In 785 specimens studied of D. japonica, the occurrence rates of specimens having each karyotype are substantially the same (29–37%). Diploid sexual specimens represented nearly 10% of the total and virtually no triploid or mixoploid sexual specimens were found. The diploid karyotype can be inherited by both sexual and asexual reproduction; the triploid and mixoploid karyotypes will be inherited only by asexual reproduction. In 51 specimens studied of D. ryukyuensis, the different karyotypes are diploid (ca 39%), triploid (ca 57%) and mixoploid (ca 4%). Diploid sexual specimens represented nearly 25% of the total; sexual specimens with tripooidic karyotypes made up nearly 27%. The diploid, triploid and mixoploid karyotypes were also found in juveniles hatched from cocoons. The diploid karytyype is inherited by both sexual and asexual reproductions; the other karyotypes may be inherited by parthenogenesis or self-fertilization (including pseudogamy) and asexual reproduction.     

Two new species of Spiochaetopterus (Annelida: Polychaeta) from Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay, Central Japan with a comparative table of species from Japanese and adjacent waters

Two new species of Spiochaetopterus (Chaetopteridae: Polychaeta), S. sanbanzensis, from Sanbanze, off Ichikawa and Funabashi Cities, Tokyo Bay, and S. izuensis from the shallow waters of Sagami Bay, were described. The most obvious difference is the number of segments in region A: 9 in S. sanbanzensis and 10 in S. izuensis. In addition, Spiochaetopterus sanbanzensis has elliptical light brown or blackish eye-spots, asymmetrical cordate specialized A4 chaetae, and a color pattern consisting of many dispersed brown spots on both ventral and dorsal faces of region A. In Spiochaetopterus izuensis, a brown band extends from each eye-spot to the level of the A1 chaetae; the convex ventral edge of the head of the specialized A4 chaeta has an oblique section and the color pattern of the body is absent. A comparison is established between these two new species and other known species from Indo-Pacific Ocean.     

Variation in karyotypes of Dugesia japonica japonica (Turbellaria) from Ôsaka Prefecture,Central Japan

An analysis of the karyotypes of Dugesia japonica japonica Ichikawa et Kawakatsu, 1964, from 30 localities of seven river systems in Ôsaka Prefecture, Central Japan, revealed a total of 26 karyotypes of which 12 are new-found varieties. More than two karyotypes were found in many localities. The mixoaneuploidic triploid karyotype showed the widest distribution (21 localities), orthoploidic diploid karyotype and orthoploidic mixoploid of diploid and triploid karyotype were next (13 localities, respectively), and other karyotypes (triploidic aneuploid, orthoploidic triploid and mixoploid of triploid & tetraploid) were also found. Some correlation of karyotype with elevation was also detected.     

Presence of rhodopsin-like proteins in the planarian head

The presence of rhodopsin-like protein was detected in the head of the freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica japonica Ichikawa et Kawakatsu by use of anti-frog-rhodopsin rabbit IgG. Two membrane proteins of molecular weights 65000 and 62000 were separated by sodium-dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and found to react with the anti-rhodopsin IgG. The antibody may be useful for monitoring regeneration of the planarian eye.     

Two new myrmecophilous species of the genus Scutacarus (Acari: Prostigmata: Scutacaridae) with world keys to related species groups

In a survey on heterostigmatic mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Heterostigmata) associated with insects including ants in northwestern Iran, two new species of myrmecophilous mites of the genus Scutacarus (Acari: Scutacaridae) were found. They are S. shajariani sp. nov. phoretic on Tetramorium sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and S. ebermanni sp. nov. phoretic on Messor sp. The mentioned new species belong to groups of species with reduced setae e and h₂, and no setae 4b, respectively. These two new species are described and illustrated, and world keys are provided for respective species groups.     

Phylogeny and classification of Ochlerotatus and allied taxa (Diptera: Culicidae: Aedini) based on morphological data from all life stages

The phylogenetic relationships and generic assignments of ‘Ochlerotatus’ and related taxa of uncertain taxonomic position in the classification of Aedini previously proposed by the authors in 2004 and 2006 are explored using 297 characters from eggs, fourth‐instar larvae, pupae, adults and immature habitat coded for 158 exemplar species. The ingroup comprises 54 species and the outgroup includes four non‐aedine species and 100 aedine species, 21 of which were previously classified as incertae sedis. Data are analysed in a total‐evidence approach using implied weighting. The analysis produced 158 most parsimonious cladograms. The strict consensus tree (SCT) corroborates the monophyly of the 30 generic‐level taxa recognized previously that are included in the analysis. Overall, the results show remarkable congruence with those obtained previously despite differences in the taxa and morphological characters analysed in this and the two previous studies. All species of Ochlerotatus s.s., subgenus ‘Ochlerotatus’sensu auctorum, Geoskusea, Levua, Pseudoskusea and Rhinoskusea included in the analysis fall within a single clade that is treated as genus Ochlerotatus; thus, the last four taxa are restored to their previous subgeneric rank within this genus. Nine additional subgenera, of which four are new, are proposed for monophyletic clades of Ochlerotatus species based on the strength of character support and application of the principle of equivalent rank. Acartomyia stat. nov. , Culicelsa stat. nov. , Gilesia stat. nov. , Protoculex stat. nov. and Chrysoconops stat. nov. are resurrected from synonymy with Ochlerotatus; and Empihals subgen. nov. (type species: Culex vigilax Skuse), Pholeomyia subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes calcariae Marks), Buvirilia subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes edgari Stone & Rosen) and Sallumia subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes hortator Dyar & Knab) are described as new. The sister group of Ochlerotatus includes a number of species that were previously regarded as incertae sedis in ‘Oc. (Finlaya)’ and ‘Oc. (Protomacleaya)’. Based on previous observations, refined relationships and new character support, three additional genera are recognized for species previously included in ‘Finlaya’, i.e. Danielsia stat. nov . (type species: Danielsia albotaeniata Leicester), Luius gen. nov. (type species: Aedes fengi Edwards) and Hopkinsius gen. nov. (type species: Aedes ingrami Edwards). Additionally, Alloeomyia subgen. nov. (type species: Culex pseudotaeniatus Giles) and Yamada subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes seoulensis Yamada) are introduced as subgenera of Collessius and Hopkinsius, respectively. As is usual with generic‐level groups of Aedini, the newly recognized genera and subgenera are polythetic taxa that are diagnosed by unique combinations of characters. The analysis corroborates the previous observation that ‘Oc. (Protomacleaya)’ is a polyphyletic assemblage of species. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 153 , 29–114.     

Species in the genus Rhytidelasma Gaud (Acarina: Pterolichidae) from the Green Conure,Aratinga holochlora (Sclater) (Aves: Psittacidae)

Three species in the genus Rhytidelasma Gaud (Pterolichoidea: Pterolichidae) are known from the Green Conure, Aratinga holochlora (Sclater): R. cornigera n. sp., R. urophila n. sp. and R. mesomexicana Atyeo et al. The new species are described, and the microhabitat(s) for each species discussed.     

Annotated checklist of the Hydraenidae (Coleoptera: Staphylinoidea) recorded from Iran

According to our analysis of literature sources on the family Hydraenidae (Coleoptera: Staphylinoidea) of Iran, it is represented by 67 species and three genera: Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 (21 species), Limnebius Leach, 1815 (six species) and Ochthebius Leach, 1815 (40 species). Twenty-two species are supposed to be endemic to Iran. Here, for the first time, we summarize species distribution data in Iranian provinces and present them in a checklist of Iranian Hydraenidae. We also present two additional species lists: one with incorrect records (one species and one subspecies) and the other with unidentified species.     

Taxonomic studies of Pterostichus ishikawai Nemoto (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

A macrocephalic pterostichine carabid, Pterostichus ishikawai Nemoto, endemic to the Korean Peninsula, is taxonomically revised based mainly on the membranous parts of the genitalia (male endophallus and female vagina). Two species are separated from P. ishikawai (type locality: Mount Taebaegsan) and newly described: P. ishikawaioides (type locality: Mount Sobaeksan) and P. jiricola (type locality: Mount Jirisan). Since comparative male genital morphology does not support monophyly for these three species, the two novel species should be treated as distinct species, not subspecies of P. ishikawai.     

亚草叶蝉属分类订正（半翅目：叶蝉科：角顶叶蝉亚科：隆脊叶蝉族）

对亚草叶蝉属进行系统研究并首次报道其在中国分布,共记述5种：E. acarifer (Lethierry),E. hilaris (Melichar),E. magnus Mitjaev,E. medius (Mulsant & Rey) 和E. pratensis Emeljanov,其中E. hilaris (Melichar) 和E. medius (Mulsant & Rey) 为中国新记录种。文中提供了分种检索表和雄性外生殖器特征图,并首次记述和提供雌性生殖器特征。     

中国绿芫菁属分类纪要（鞘翅目:芫菁科）

简要介绍了绿芫菁属Lytta 9亚属的分类历史。记述了采自西藏的1中国新记录种:赛兰绿芫菁Lytta(Asiolytta)selanderi Saha,并对2个种的亚属分类地位进行了重新处理:Lytta(Lytta)battonii(Kaszab),Lytta(Lytta)sifanica(Semenov);列出了中国绿芫菁属已知种类的名录,并编制了分种检索表。中国新记录种标本保存在河北大学博物馆。     

Pythiopina,an enigmatic subtribe of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pedinini): taxonomic revision,microtomography, ecological niche models and phylogenetic position

Morphological, anatomical, and distributional data concerning the S outh A frican endemic beetle subtribe P ythiopina (T enebrionidae: P edinini) are revised. Five species, representing two genera, are recognized. Included in this total is one new species (Meglyphus mariae K amiński sp.n. ). The following species are placed in synonymy: Meglyphus ciliatipes [=Meglyphus calitzensis syn.n. ]; Meglyphus laenoides [=Meglyphus andreaei syn.n. ; =Meglyphus namaqua syn.n. ]. Microtomographic models for all valid P ythiopina species, including the holotype of the newly described species, are presented and analysed. Endoskeleton morphology (specifically characters of the tentorium and metendosternite) proved to be informative at the specific and generic levels. An identification key is provided to all known species of the subtribe. Environmental niche models are presented for the majority of species. A molecular phylogeny of P edinini based on six genetic loci (28S : D 1–D 3 region; 28S : D 4–D 5 region, COII , A rgK , CAD 2, wg) was also produced to explore the phylogenetic position of P ythiopina. This analysis is the first to include representatives of all seven subtribes of P edinini, and supports a sister relationship between P ythiopina and the P alaearctic subtribe D endarina. Results also suggest the existence of a second pair of sister taxa within P edinini (in addition to M elambiina) with an amphitropical A frican distribution. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:285AD87A‐46B1‐4FE9‐BC57‐949EA1F70D49 .     

The origin and diversity of Drilus Olivier, 1790 (Elateridae: Agrypninae: Drilini) in Crete based on mitochondrial phylogeny

We investigated the phylogeography and speciation of Drilus in the Mediterranean, with focus on the Aegean and especially Crete. Altogether 12 species were sequenced for two fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (cox1–3′ and cox1–5′ mtDNA) and provided 1381 nucleotides. Both fragments were analysed under the maximum likelihood criterion and Bayesian inference separately and concatenated as a single dataset. The Drilus species from the Peloponnese, the Ionian islands and Crete did not form a monophylum. Drilus sp. E from the Peloponnese and Zakynthos was sister to D. mauritanicus Lucas from Spain in most cases. The remaining Greek Drilus species formed a robustly supported clade in all analyses; however, the species from Crete do not seem to be monophyletic. Estimating species divergences using BEAST, we found out that the key dates in the west Aegean Drilus phylogeography appeared to be the Tortonian Crete–Peloponnese separation (12–9 Mya), the desiccation of the Mediterranean basin during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.96–5.33 Mya), and the repeated fragmentation of Crete during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Within the Drilus lineages, we obtained a substitution rate estimate of 2.75% divergence per million years, which is in excellent agreement with previous studies. A Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) analysis suggested the presence of six Drilus species in Crete (seven species in total, since the DNA sequences were not available for D. creticus Pic); however, we formally identified and (re)described only four which can be morphologically defined: D. creticus, D. longulus Kiesenwetter, D. horasfakionus sp. nov. and D. baenai sp. nov. These species are endemic to Crete and surrounding islets. Their diagnostic characters are illustrated and an identification key to males of these species is provided. The intraspecific variability, distribution and ecology of all species are discussed and suggestions for further research are given.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F8DDBCC1-C2D1-48F7-BE99-55D9ED4C2234     

Eucoptocnemis tischendorfi (Püngeler) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae): New record for Iran with description of female of Brachygalea miskoi Ronkay (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Oncocnemidinae)

A noctuid species, Eucoptocnemis tischendorfi (Püngeler, 1915) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is first reported for the fauna of Iran and the female of Brachygalea miskoi Ronkay, 1997 is first described. Adults including genitalia of both species are illustrated.     

New moth flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) from Turkey

Specimens of moth flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) were sampled in southwest Anatolia and the European part of Turkey between 2003 and 2009. Samples contained nine species new to science: Ulomyia asiaminorica sp. n., Pneumia pellucida sp. n., Berdeniella turcica sp. n., B. aktashi sp. n., Clytocerus thracicus sp. n., Jungiella afyonica sp. n., J. geniculatoides sp. n., J. barlasi sp. n., and Telmatoscopus remotus sp.n. The new species are described and illustrated. Distributional data for a total of 45 species are provided. 63 species of Psychodinae are now known to occur in Turkey.     

Notes on Shetland lichens: I

ABSTRACT

Background: According to modern coexistence theory, ecologically similar species can coexist if fitness differences between them are small, or niche differences between them are large. However, these predictions have not been tested extensively in real systems and are difficult to examine in traits-based studies.

Aims: The aim of our study was, by using the carnivorous pitcher plant genus Nepenthes as a model system, to examine (1) species growth ranks as a proxy for fitness; (2) modern coexistence theory at a geographical scale; (3) evidence for pitcher trait-mediated resource partitioning between sympatric Nepenthes species.

Methods: We used growth ranks, obtained from a survey of experienced Nepenthes nursery owners, as a proxy for fitness. Multivariate pitcher-, vegetative- or combined-trait distances, computed from morphometric-trait data from the literature were used as proxies for niche differences. Data on global Nepenthes species-pair sympatry was modelled against these fitness and niche differences.

Results: Niche and growth rate differences were positively and negatively correlated with sympatry, respectively, as expected from theory.

Conclusion: Our results agree with theory and suggest that fitness differences can be approximated from average species growth. Prey- and microhabitat-resource partitioning, operating through divergent pitcher and vegetative traits respectively, are likely mechanisms that stabilise the coexistence of sympatric Nepenthes species.     

Areography of the genus Dendroctonus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Mexico

Objective To analyse whether the geographical ranges of Dendroctonus species are (1) associated with factors such as host species or elevation, and (2) in agreement with Halffter's Nearctic distribution pattern. (3) To identify and discuss the factors that are likely to act as barriers to the genus’ geographical distribution. (4) To explore whether there is an association between the size of the geographical ranges of Dendroctonus species and the number of Pinus host species used by each of them, and (5) to assess if these host species are most common at the elevations preferred by the individual Dendroctonus species. Site Mexico. Methods Records of 12 species of Dendroctonus were gathered from entomological collections in Mexico. Distribution ranges were defined by using the propinquity method ( Rapoport, 1975a ). Analysed parameters were: (1) geographical distribution of single species, (2) overlapping of species ranges, (3) disjunction patterns and barriers by means of isoprobabilistic lines, based on the morphotectonic subdivision of Mexico ( Ferrusquía‐Villafranca, 1998 ), (4) spatial variation in species richness with respect to latitude and altitude, (5) size of geographical ranges, and (6) host species for each Dendroctonus species. A correlation was determined between area size and number of pine host species. Results The species ranges varied in shape and size. Geographical ranges tend to be discontinuous in shape. Composite patterns showed that disjunctions among ranges do not closely follow Mexico's morphotectonic subdivision. There are repeated discontinuities among individual distributions, which define five areas: (1) Baja California Peninsula, (2) Sierra Madre Occidental (SMOC), (3) northern Sierra Madre Oriental (SMOR), (4) Sierra Madre de Chiapas, and (5) SMOR + Faja Volcanica Transmexicana (FVT) + Sierra Madre del Sur. The isoprobabilistic lines confirm that the inner part of SMOC provides an optimal environment for the genus, and the FVT province constitutes the broader corridor for it in the country. Richness does not directly decrease or increase with latitude. Richness behaviour of the insect is not associated with that of its host. Elevation distributions showed that most Dendroctonus species move within broad margins of tolerance and species richness is concentrated in the montane interval. Dendroctonus attack 24 of the 47 Pinus species distributed in Mexico. Preferred pine species belong predominantly to Leiophyllae, Ponderosae and Oocarpae subsections. The Spearman rank correlation between area size and number of pine host species was not significant. Dendroctonus clearly belongs to a Nearctic distribution pattern (sensu Halffter, 1987 ). Main conclusions Dendroctonus is present in all montane systems of Mexico and its species coexist within a high geographical sympatry. Overlapping of species distribution appears to be the result of two elements – generalized polyphagy inside Pinus and a wide elevation tolerance within mountainous environments. This behaviour, linked to a high vagility, has allowed the genus Dendroctonus to expand its distribution across Mexico and to employ mountainous systems as corridors separated by barriers that exert a low selective filter effect.