Correlation between spermathecal morphology and mating systems in spiders

This study tested predictions regarding male mating preferences which were based on some aspects of female reproductive morphology which may influence sperm precedence patterns in six species of spiders. Males of two species, whose 'conduit' spermathecal design has been associated in previous studies with first male sperm precedence, showed the predicted preference for associating with immature females about to moult to maturity rather than mature females. Those of a third species, however, associated indiscriminately with mature and penultimate instar females. As predicted, males of three other species with 'cul-de-sac' spermathecal morphology did not associate preferentially with immature females. Immature females were avoided in two of the species, but not in the third. One of the species with cul-de-sac spermathecae showed, as predicted, lack of a strong first male advantage in sperm precedence. These data give only limited confirmation of the predictions.     

Scorpions of the genus Odontobuthus Vachon, 1950 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Iran: Phylogenetic relationships inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data

The molecular phylogeny of the genus Odontobuthus Vachon, 1950 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Iran was evaluated using two mitochondrial DNA genes, cytochrome c oxidase, subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA). The molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The resulting topologies supported two main clades: the clade comprising Odontobuthus doriae, O. bidentatus, and O. tavighiae, and another one which is the O. tirgari clade. The results clearly presented additional support for the taxonomic validity of the recently described species, O. tirgari and O. tavighiae. In addition, the monophyly of two previously described species O. doriae and O. bidentatus was confirmed. According to the data presented here, three taxonomically valid species belonging to the genus Odontobuthus occur in Iran.     

Redescription and remarks on the species Minniza persica (Pseudoscorpiones: Olpiidae) from Iran

Minniza persica, which has been described briefly by Beier in 1951 on the basis of specimens from Hormozgan and Mazandaran provinces of Iran, was recently collected again from Hormozgan and Fars provinces and is described and illustrated here. The subspecies M. persica deminuta Beier is regarded as synonymous with the nominate subspecies.     

Description of a new pseudoscorpion species of the genus Amblyolpium Simon (Pseudoscorpiones: Garypinidae) from north-western Iran

A new species of pseudoscorpion, Amblyolpium atropatesi n. sp. is described and illustrated on the basis of the adult specimens extracted from soil by Berlese funnel.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0150B850-E80D-46F5-983C-7E958FE69B87     

Contamination of public facilities with Dermatophagoides mites (Acari: Phyroglyphidae) in Japan

The distribution of allergenic mites, Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, was surveyed among public facilities in Japan, in order to assess the risk of people, including allergic patients, being exposed to mite allergens outside homes. Dust samples were collected using a vacuum cleaner from bedclothes, floors and other materials in four hospitals, two hotels, two ryokans, one film theatre and four office buildings. Fine dust fractions of these samples were examined for mite antigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, clinically important antigen levels of 50 g m–2 (corresponding to approximately 500 mites m–2) or more were detected in 71% of samples from chairs in a film theatre and 42% of samples from tatami and carpet floors of ryokans, whereas such serious mite contamination was not observed in samples from hospitals, hotels and offices. High mean antigen levels were observed in chairs in a film theatre (98.2 g m–2) and floors of ryokans (81.4 g m–2), whereas samples from other facilities showed mean antigen levels of <11 g m–2. Hospitals had individual antigen levels of 50 g m–2 in 2% of mattresses and 5% of painted and tiled floors but not in comforters, futons and pillows. No samples obtained from bedclothes in hotels and ryokans had antigen levels of 50 g m–2. In office buildings where the air was fully controlled by a central air-conditioning system all the year round, 99% of samples showed low antigen levels of <10 g m–2. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

中国伪蝎名录（蛛形纲：伪蝎目）

本文根据我国伪蝎目已有种类记述,归纳并列出10科34属73种（包括亚种）伪蝎的中文名、拉丁学名、引证及其地理分布,以供今后研究参考。     

中国广西十万大山八木蛛属一新种(蜘蛛目:跳蛛科)

记述了广西跳蛛一新种：陈氏八木蛛Yaginumanis cheni sp.nov.。模式标本保存于中国科学院动物研究所,量度单位nm。     

SPIRACLE STRUCTURE IN TICKS (IXODIDA: ANACTINOTRICHIDA: ARACHNIDA): RÉSUMÉ, TAXONOMIC AND FUNCTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

Spiracle and tracheal structure in the extant Ixodida is revised and shown to comprise 29 distinct component characters, some of which are common to all Anactinotrichida, while others are unique to the Ixodida or one of its six component clades of ((Argasidae Nuttalliellidae) (Prostriata Metastriata)). Structural variation both between and within families is based upon combinations of minor differences in the component characters, only one of which, spiracular position, proved to be incongruent within the most parsimonious cluster- and tree-analysis solutions. Tracheal airflow in ticks is mediated via passive diffusion gradients. In the argasid spiracle, both aeropyles and ostium are functional, although the latter is only opened briefly during infrequent periods of activity. The ixodid ostium is sealed and all gas exchange takes place via an enlarged sieveplate which reduces transpiration via small aeropyles, an underlying dense array of pedicels and possibly hygroscopic sub-atrial glands. Changes in spiracular morphology from a more ‘ancestral’ argasid type to a more ‘derived’ ixodid type are correlated with changes in tick behaviour, particularly with increased activity associated with the change from nidicoly to host-seeking.     

TERTIARY NEOTROPICAL HERSILIIDAE (ARTHROPODA, ARANEAE) WITH NEW COMBINATIONS FOR THE EXTANT FAUNA AND COMMENTS ON HISTORICAL BIOGEOGRAPHY OF THE FAMILY

Abstract:  The Neotropical fossil amber Hersiliidae are revised. Prototama Petrunkevitch is a senior synonym of both Priscotama Petrunkevitch and Neotama Baehr and Baehr. Fictotama Petrunkevitch and Perturbator Petrunkevitch are removed from synonymy and are considered nomina dubia because the fossils are poorly preserved. The following new combinations are established for the fossil fauna: Prototama antiqua (Petrunkevitch), P. maior (Wunderlich), P. media (Wunderlich), and P. minor (Wunderlich), and for the extant fauna: P. cunhabebe (Rheims and Brescovit), P. forcipata (F. O. P.-Cambridge), P. longimana (Baehr and Baehr), P. mexicana (O. P.-Cambridge), P. obatala (Rheims and Brescovit), P. punctigera (Baehr and Baehr), P. rothorum (Baehr and Baehr) and P. variata (Pocock) (all ex Neotama ). It is predicted that at least one undiscovered, extant Prototama species exists on Hispaniola. Hersiliidae have a diverse fossil record. The presence of Oecobiidae, the sister taxon of the Hersiliidae, in New Jersey and Lebanese ambers predicts a minimum geological age of Early Cretaceous for the family. Fossils are of paramount importance in studies of historical biogeography but were not considered in earlier hypotheses regarding the palaeogeographical origins of the family. Previous conclusions that Hersiliidae originated in Africa are here considered to be speculative and unsupported.