Similascarophis n. gen. n. spp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitizing marine fishes off the Chilean coast

Similascarophis (Cystidicolidae) n. gen. is proposed. In the mouth of specimens of this genus, submedial labia are absent and pseudolabia do not have any part projecting toward the central oral opening. These nematodes were obtained from the alimentary tract of 7 marine fish species along the coast of Chile: Bovichthys chilensis Regan, Eleginops maclovinus (Cuvier), Pinguipes chilensis (Valenciennes), Cilus gilberti (Abbott), Cheilodactylus variegatus Valenciennes, Girella laevifrons (Tschudi), and Graus nigra Philippi. Morphology and morphometry are compared between 2 new Similascarophis species: Similascarophis maulensis n. sp. and S. chilensis n. sp., which differ in the presence of sublabia and in the length of the glandular esophagus and left spicule. We also recorded Similascarophis sp. in 2 other host species, which showed some distinct proportional measurements, although these differences were not sufficiently clear to identify them as a new species.     

A revision of the neotropical genus Vilga Stål (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

Abstract. Thirteen species of the genus Vilga Stål are recognized and described or redescribed and a key for their identification is given. Lectotypes are designated for Centrocoris westwoodi Kolenati, Vilga dissimilis Distant, Vilga spinosula Montandon, Vilga mexicana Distant, Vilga penningtoni Bergroth and Vilga dallasi Distant. The new combination Vilga chilensis (Stein) is established for Arenocoris chilensis Stein. The new synonymy Vilga dissimilis Distant (= Vilga spinosula Montandon) is established. The new species Vilga brasiliensis (from Brazil), V.grisea (Brazil), V.grisescens (Brazil), V.obliqua (Brazil), V.peruviana (Peru) and V.sanctipauli (Brazil) are described. The genus Vilga is divided into six subgenera, the five new subgeneric names being Vilgula (type-species: Vilga dissimilis Distant), Trichovilga (type-species: Vilga mexicana Distant), Platyvilga (type-species: Arenocoris chilensis Stein), Laevivilga (type-species: Vilga divaricata Distant) and Echinovilga (type-species: Vilga dallasi Distant).     

Neoheterobothrium chilensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae), a parasite of the bigeye flounder Hippoglossina macrops (Paralichthyidae: Pleuronectiformes) from northern Chile

Neoheterobothrium chilensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae) from the gills of the bigeye flounder Hippoglossina macrops (Paralichthyidae: Pleuronectiformes) from northern Chile (30 degrees 11'S, 71 degrees 51'W) is described and compared with the known species in the genus. Diagnostic characters include the position of the seminal receptacle, the number of hooks in the male copulatory organ, the number of testes, and the relative size of the clamp peduncles.     

Revision of the Nearctic species of the genus Stiropius Cameron (=Bucculatriplex Auct.) with the description of a new related genus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract. The New World rogadine genus Stiropius Cameron is revised for the Nearctic region and a new related genus from the Americas, Viridipyge , is decribed. Bucculatriplex Viereck is found to be a junior subjective synonym of Stiropius Cameron. Three Nearctic species are recognized: S.bucculatricis (Ashmead) comb.n., S.californicus sp.n. and S.wagneri sp.n. A single Nearctic specis of Viridipyge is described as new: V.prunicola , and a Neotropical species, V.letifer (Mann) comb.n., is found to be congeneric. The biology and systematic relationships of both genera are discussed; the two genera appear to represent a relatively basal branch of the Rogadini lineage.     

Revision of the southern African genus Macroderes Westwood (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

The southern African genus Macroderes Westwood is revised. Six new species, M. amplior n. sp., M. minutus n. sp., M. endroedyi n. sp., M. namakwanus n. sp., M. foveatus n. sp., and M. cornutus n. sp., are described.The neotype of M. bias (Olivier) is designated.Two new synonymies are established: M. pilula Sharp is a junior synonym of M. bias (Olivier), and M. westwoodi Preudhomme de Borre is a junior synonym of M. undulatus Preudhomme de Borre. A key to species and notes on biology and distribution are given.     

5 new species of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Siberia, the Far East and Central Asia

Five new species of the family Simuliidae Stegopterna byrrangii Yankovsky, sp. n. and Cnephia chaurensis Yankovsky sp. n., from Taimyr peninsula, Metacnephia olyutorii Yankovsky sp. n. from Kamchatka, Metacnephia karakechensis Yankovsky sp. n. and Montisimulium sonkulense Yankovsky sp. n. from Kirghizia, are described. Stegopterna byrrangii differs from related species: in male--from all known species of the genus by peculiar form of apical end of gonostyles, when apical spine is approximately parallel to inner surface of gonostyle; in female--from all known species of the genus by very long genital lobes (their length twice more than width), from S. longicoxa Rubzov, 1971 and S. duodecimata (Rubzov, 1940) by long stem of genital fork, absence of anterolateral sclerotized projections of branches of genital fork; in pupa--from all known species of the genus by number of filaments of respiratory organ (14-16, when in other species no more than 12). Cnephia chaurensis differs from related species: in male--from C. intermedia Rubzov, 1956 and C. toptchievi Yankovsky, 1996 by absence of medial projection or ridge of gonosternum, from C. intermedia by widened body of gonosternum, from C. toptchievi by ridge on gonocoxites and wide triangular projections near base of arms of gonosternum; in female--from C. intermedia by sclerotized finger-like anterolateral projections of branches of genital fork, subdivision of branches into two lobes, wide flat apical end of stem of genital fork. Metacnephia karakechensis differs from related species: in male--from M. subalpina (Rubzov, 1956) by form of gonostyles, absence of triangular medial projection of gonosternum, short widened gonofurca and more number of spines in parameres, from M. kirjanovae (Rubzov, 1956) and M. slepjani (Rubzov, 1967) by triangular body of gonosternum, widened gonostyles, more number of spines in parameres; in larva--from M. subalpina by more number of rays of primary fan of premandibles, less number of ridges of hooks in posterior attachment organ, from M. kirjanovae by short thick antennae; in pupa--from M. subalpina by character of divergence of upper thick filaments of respiratory organ, from M. kirjanovae by presence of thick filaments of the organ. Metacnephia olyutorii differs from related species: in female--from M. larunae Worobez, 1984 and M. aldanica Worobez, 1987 by thick sclerotized anterolateral projections of branches of genital fork, from M. taimyrica Patrusheva, 1976 by 1-ended (not 3-ended) anterolateral projections of branches of genital fork, large (not shortened) anal lobes, from M. crassifistula (Rubzov, 1956) by very long stem of genital fork. Montisimulium sonkulense differs from related species: in male--from M. brachystylum (Rubzov, 1976) by more prolonged gonostyles, less number of spines of parameres, from M. ocreastylum (Rubzov, 1956) by form of gonostyles, from M. odontostylum (Rubzov, 1947) by more number of spines of parameres; in female--from M. brachystylum and M. odontostylum by stricktly developed posteromedial projections of branches of genital fork, from species having posteromedical projections of branches of genital fork--from M. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)     

Revision of the Australasian genus Orussobaius Benson (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Orussidae)

Abstract The Australasian genus Orussobaius Benson is revised. Seven species are recognised: Orussobaius paniculus sp. n. from Papua New Guinea, and six species from Australia: O. badius sp. n., O. caligneus sp. n., O. mesembrinus Benson, O. minutissimus sp. n., O. minutus Benson, and O. wilsoni Benson. Orussobaius normani Rayment (new synonymy) is removed from synonymy with O. wilsoni and treated as a junior synonym of O. minutus instead. With a body length of only 2 mm, O. minutissimus sp. n. is the smallest currently known sawfly species in the world. A key is provided and distribution maps are shown for all species. The genus Orussobaius is redefined on the basis of all species currently included.     

Revision of the genus Menippus Clark in Australia (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

Abstract  The genus Menippus is revised for Australia, with six species, three of which are new: M. cynicus Clark, M. darcyi sp. nov. , M. ewani sp. nov. , M. fugitivus (Lea), M. sufi sp. nov. and M. yulensis (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Diorhabda Weise). Menippus yulensis was described from New Guinea. This species and M. darcyi were formerly confused in Australia with M. fugitivus , which is now considered endemic to Lord Howe Island. The species formerly considered M. fugitivus and protected under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, New South Wales, is now named M. darcyi . A key is provided for the Australian species of Menippus and a lectotype designated for M. yulensis . The composition of Menippus is discussed and three non-Australian species are transferred to this genus: M. inconspicua (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Diorhabda Weise); M. laterimaculata (Jacoby) comb. nov. ; and M. marginipennis (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Galerucella Crotch). A revised checklist of Menippus species is given. The recorded foodplants of Menippus are species of Celtis (Ulmaceae).     

New Quill Mites of the Family Syringophilidae (Acari: Cheyletoidea)

Five new species and two new genera belonging to the family Syringophilidae (Acari: Cheyletoidea) are described from birds that died in the Antwerp Zoo during their quarantine: Charadriaulobia vanelli n. g., n. sp. from Vanellus chilensis (Charadriiformes: Charadriidae) in Brazil; Fritschisyringophilus lonchurae n. g., n. sp. from Lonchura punctulata (Passeriformes: Estrildidae) in India; Mironovia coturnae n. sp. from Coturnix coturnix (Galliformes: Phasianidae) in Europe; Syringophiloidus daberti n. sp. from Passerina ciris (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) in Mexico; and S. serini n. sp. from Serinus mozambicus (Passeriformes: Fringillidae) in Central Africa. Charadriaulobia n. g. differs from the closely related Aulobia Kethley, 1970, in both sexes, by the divergent epimeres I; in females, by the absence of protuberances on the hypostomal apex and by the situation of the bases of setae l4 distinctly anterior the bases of setae d4. Fritschisyringophilus n. g. differs from the closely related Syringophiloidus Kethley, 1972, in both sexes, by the presence of setae vs ' on legs II, the absence of setae dT on legs III and IV; in females, by the presence of median hypostomal protuberances and by short setae l1, l2 and l3. The relationships between the Syringophilidae and their hosts are briefly discussed. A list of all known syringophilid genera and their distribution on bird families is provided.     

Observations on trichodinid ectoparasites (Ciliophora: Peritricha) from the gills of maricultured molluscs in China, with descriptions of three new species of Trichodina Ehrenberg, 1838

During surveys of the trichodinid parasites in mariculture beds off the coast of Shandong Province, China, four species of the genus Trichodina from the gills of marine molluscs were investigated and morphologically studied. Of these, three are described as new: T. ruditapicis n. sp. from Ruditapes philippinarum (Veneridae), T. scapharcae n. sp. from Scapharca subcrenata (Arcidae) and T. mactrae n. sp. from Mactra veneriformis (Mactridae). One little-known species, T. macomarum Raabe & Raabe, 1959, is redescribed from M. veneriformis. Taxonomic and morphometric data for these trichodinids based on wet silver nitrate and protargol-impregnated specimens are presented. For each of the new species, comparisons with closely related species are provided.     

Helminths in Mesaspis monticola (Squamata: Anguidae) from Costa Rica, with the description of a new species of Entomelas (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) and a new species of Skrjabinodon (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae)

Entomelas duellmani n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabdiasidae) from the lungs and Skrjabinodon cortagoensis n. sp. (Oxyurida: Pharyngodonidae) from the intestines of Mesaspis monticola (Sauria: Anguidae) are described and illustrated. E. duellmani is the sixth species assigned to the genus and is the third species described from the Western Hemisphere. It is easily separated from other neotropical species in the genus by pre-equatorial position of its vulva. Skrjabinodon cartagoensis is the 24th species assigned to the genus and differs from other neotropical species in the genus by female tail morphology.     

Metazoan parasite fauna of the bigeye flounder, Hippoglossina macrops, from Northern Chile. Influence of host age and sex.

The metazoan parasite fauna of Hippoglossina macrops (n = 123) from northern Chile (30 degrees S) is quantitatively described for the first time, and the role of host age and sex was evaluated. Twelve parasite species were recovered, including 5 ectoparasites (2 Monogenea, 2 Copepoda and 1 Piscicolidae) and 7 endoparasites (1 Digenea, 3 Cestoda, 2 Acanthocephala, and 1 Nematoda). The copepod Holobomolochus chilensis, the monogenean Neoheterobothrium sp., the adult acanthocephalan Floridosentis sp. and the hirudinean, Gliptonobdella sp. are new geographical and host records. The most prevalent ectoparasitic species were the monogenean, Neoheterobothrium sp. and the copepod, H. chilensis. Among endoparasites, the acanthocephalans Floridosentis sp. and Corynosoma australe were most prevalent and abundant. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection for most parasitic species were not affected by host sex, however the prevalence of Floridosentis sp. was significantly greater in males. Intensity of infection was positively correlated with host age for Neoheterobothrium sp., and negatively correlated for Floridosentis sp. and H. chilensis. The helminth species richness of the host H. macrops was lower compared to related flatfishes from the Northern Hemisphere. The relationship of the helminth fauna of H. macrops, its feeding habits and ecological habitats are discussed.     

A new genus and four new species of quill mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Syringophiudae) from phasianid birds (Galuformes: Phasianidae)

A new genus and four new species of the quill mites are described. Galliphilopsis gen. n. (G. francolinus sp. n., type species) differs from the closely related Dissonus Skoracki, 1999 by loss of leg setae dGII, the slightly divergent tips of epimeres I and the stylophore constricted posteriorly. Three new species of the genus Galliphilopsis gen. n. and one new species of the genus Mironovia Chirov and Kravtsova, 1995 are described from galliform birds (Phasianidae) collected at the Museum of Natural History, Wroclaw University (Poland): G. lophurus sp. n. from Lophura leucomelanos, G. bochkovi sp. n. from Tragopan sp. and Alectoris barbara, G. francolinus sp. n. from Francolinus levalliantoides, and Mironovia rouloul sp. n. from Rollulus rouloul.     

A revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megalonchos</Emphasis> Baer &; Euzet, 1962 (Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae), with the description of two new species and transfer of two species to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Biloculuncus</Emphasis> Nasin,Caira &; Euzet, 1997

The onchobothriid tapeworm genus Megalonchos Baer & Euzet, 1962 is revised and the generic diagnosis amended based on the examination of some of Southwell's material of M. mandleyi (Southwell, 1927) Baer & Euzet, 1962, the type-specimens of M. dubius Prudhoe, 1969 and M. musteli Prudhoe, 1969, and material of two new species, M. sumansinghai n. sp. and M. shawae n. sp., collected from the snaggletooth shark Hemipristis elongatus off northern Australia. Based on their possession of two pairs of uni-pronged hooks (rather than one pair of bi-pronged hooks) and possession of, rather than lack of, post-vaginal testes, M. dubius and M. musteli are transferred to Biloculuncus Nasin, Caira & Euzet, 1997 as B. dubius (Prudhoe, 1969) n. comb. and B. musteli (Prudhoe, 1969) n. comb. Both new species of Megalonchos differ from M. mandleyi in their possession of conspicuously smaller hooks and shorter cephalic peduncles. The new species are readily distinguished from one another in that, whereas the pores of the axial prongs of the medial and lateral hooks are located well anterior to the middle of the prong in M. sumansinghai n. sp., they are well posterior to the middle of the prongs in M. shawae n. sp. In addition, the base of the lateral hook is longer relative to that of the medial hook in the latter species than it is in the former species. The proglottid anatomy of valid species of Megalonchos is described for the first time, and the lack of post-vaginal testes is confirmed for the genus. In addition, members of this genus appear to be characterised by a sacciform uterus that extends only to the level of the cirrus-sac and an ovary that is H-shaped in frontal view and bilobed in cross-section. Species of Megalonchos have now been reported from two of the eight known species of hemigaleid sharks.     

Review of the Chinese species of the genus Varma Distant (Hemiptera,Fulgoromorpha, Tropiduchidae), with description of two new species

Two new species of Varma Distant, 1906, V. falcata Chang & Chen, sp. n. (China: Guizhou) and V. lobata Chang & Chen, sp. n. (China: Guizhou) are described and illustrated. The female genitalia of four speices including two known species are described and illustrated for the first time. The diagnostic characters of this genus are redefined. A checklist to the species of Varma in China is given. The Keys on male and female genitalia to the Chinese species of Varma are provided.