Separation of two species standing as Helophorus aquaticus (L.) (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) by banded chromosome analysis

Abstract. Methods are described for making chromosome preparations from developing embryos of Helophorus , for producing C- and G-banding, and for staining the nucleolus organizer with silver. These methods are used to compare the karyotypes of two species currently included in H.aquaticus (L.). It is shown that these species differ because of reciprocal translocations between some chromosomes, and that they would therefore be unable to produce fertile hybrids. Morphological differences in the male and female genitalia are described, and the range of aedeagal variation shown by each species is established by reference to chromosome preparations from testis. Reference to the relevant type specimens shows that the two species are H.aequalis Thomson and H.aquaticus (L.). The latter is not a British species. Differences in the egg cocoons and third instar larvae are described. The present distributions and Pleistocene histories of the two species are described.     

Separation of Helophorus grandis, maritimus and occidentalis sp.n. (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) by banded chromosome analysis

Abstract Examination of the chromosomes shows that Helophorus grandis Ill. is a species quite separate from H.maritimus Rey. Further investigation shows that while the karyotype of H.grandis is the same in populations from southern England, northern and central France, and the northern half of Spain, that of H.maritimus from the Camargue is sufficiently different from supposed maritimus from central Spain for the Spanish specimens to be regarded as a separate species, here described as H.occidentalis sp.n. Aedeagophores of the three species are figured, along with additional maritimus -like material.
No aedeagal or other morphological features for distinguishing maritimus and Occidentalis have been discovered. The implications of the discovery of two species of an H.maritimus complex are discussed.     

Revision of the umbellatarum species group of Anthaxia (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Abstract. The umbellatarum species group of the genus Anthaxia Eschscholtz of the Mediterranean region is characterized. A key is provided to distinguish this group from some superficially similar groups occurring in the same region, and to the five species and one subspecies referable to the group. Two new species, scylla and hamata are described. A.inculta ab. boissyi Obenberger is recognized as a distinct species and a lectotype is designated. A.domina Abeille is made a subspecies of umbellatarum (Fabricius). A.inculta ab. karamani Obenberger is found to be a colour form of cichorii (Olivier), not of umbellatarum as previously regarded. The other species belonging to the group is lusitanica Obenberger. All species belonging to the group are described.     

Revision of Palaearctic mountain midges (Diptera: Deuterophlebiidae), with phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses of world species

Abstract. The mountain midges (Diptera: Deuterophlebiidae) of the Palaearctic Region are revised to include eight species. Four new species are described: D. brachyrhina sp. nov., D.oporina sp. nov. and D. blepharis sp.nov. from the Himalayas (Assam and Sikkim), and D.bicarinata sp. nov. from southern Korea. A lectotype is designated for D.mirabilis Edwards, and a key to adult males of all Palaearctic species is provided.
Larval, pupal and adult characters were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships of world species of Deuterophlebiidae. Based on features of the adult male, the Himalayan species D. brachyrhina and D. oporina are considered the most primitive deuterophlebiids. The Nearctic species D. inyoensis is proposed as the sister group of the remaining species. Relationships among the latter are based primarily on larval and pupal characters; however, lack of information about the immature stages of several Palaearctic species contributes to a poorly resolved phylogeny. Several alternative hypotheses are presented and discussed. All phylogenetic alternatives suggest that the Nearctic fauna originated from at least two invasions of North America.     

Revision of the species of the Tychus rufus group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

The species belonging to Tychus rufus group are revised. Eleven species are recognized, described and illustrated and a key to their identification is provided. Nine taxa are new to science: Tychus carpathius n. sp. from Karpathos island (Greece); T. torticornis n. sp. from Lesbos Island (Greece); T. pisidicus n. sp. and T. inermis n. sp. from southwestern Turkey; T. antiocheus n. sp. and T. effeminatus n. sp. from southeastern Turkey; T. artvinensis n. sp. from northeastern Turkey, and T. sidonicus n. sp. and T. libanus n. sp. from Lebanon.     

Revision of the Clytra subfasciata species group (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae: Clytrini)

The Clytra subfasciata species group is proposed, to comprise Clytra subfasciata Lacordaire, 1848 Lacordaire, J. T. (1848): Monographie des coléoptères subpentamères de la famille des phytophages. Tome second. Mémoires de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liége, 5, 1–890 pp. [Google Scholar], C. hajeki Medvedev &; Kantner, 2002 Medvedev, L. N., &; Kantner, F. (2002): Some new and poorly know Clytrinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) of the Old World. Entomologica Basiliensia, 24, 259–269. [Google Scholar] and C. kadleci sp. n. (Yemen). The species of the group are characterised by the peculiar shape of the aedeagus, with a dorsal plate separated from the rest of aedeagus by a deep narrow slit. Colour photographs of habitus and drawings of genitalia are provided for all three species.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F6706A76-CD49-4A5A-A109-A6E6C23514A5     

Helophorus erzurumicus sp. n., a new species from Turkey and some notes on H. ponticus Angus, 1988 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)

A new species of Helophorus Fabricius, 1775 is described from Erzurum, northeastern Turkey: Helophorus erzurumicus. In addition, distributional and morphological notes on H. ponticus Angus, 1988 are presented.     

Revision of Tegyrius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), with descriptions of eight new species

The flea beetle genus Tegyrius Jacoby, 1887 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) associated with Piperaceae is revised. Eight new species, namely Tegyrius agasthyai sp. nov. , Tegyrius dalei sp. nov. , Tegyrius nigrotibialis sp. nov. , Tegyrius pucetibialis sp. nov. , Tegyrius radhikae sp. nov. , and Tegyrius tippui sp. nov. , from India, and Tegyrius anupama sp. nov. and Tegyrius buddhai sp. nov. , from Sri Lanka, are described and illustrated. Key to species and host plant information are also provided. Tegyrius piceus Kimoto, 2001 is transferred to Longitarsus Latreille, 1829 (new combination); Tegyrius antennatus ( Medvedev, 2001 ), Tegyrius bicolor ( Medvedev, 2001 ) (both earlier Lankaphthona), and Tegyrius keralaensis ( Doeberl, 2003 ) (earlier Ogloblinia) are proposed as new combinations.     

Evolutionary stability since the Pleistocene illustrated by reproductive compatibility between Swedish and Spanish Helophorus lapponicus Thomson (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae)

Spanish and Swedish populations of Helophorus lapponicus are shown on fossil evidence to have been isolated from one another for about 10 000 years, since the end of the Pleistocene. When cross-bred they show some evidence of heterosis in the F₁, with reduced viability in the F₂ and back-cross generations. The level of compatibility of these populations is similar to that found when different populations of Lepidoptera species are crossed, and quite different from the incompatibility revealed by studies of interspecific hybridization. The degree of evolutionary stability revealed is consistent with the apparent absence of evolution revealed by studies of Pleistocene fossil Coleoptera.     

Revision of the genus Psalitrus d'Orchymont from Southern India and Sri Lanka (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Omicrini)

Abstract. Eight new species of Psalitrus are described: P.besucheti, P.coccinelloides, P.decoratus and P.silvestris from Southern India and P.loebli, P.mahanuwara, P.serendibensis and P.veddha from Sri Lanka. The two Psalitrus known previously from India, P.championi and P.fallax , are redescribed and lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated. For each species the aedeagus and female ectodermal genitalia are figured. For the first time among Hydrophiloidea species characters have been found in female ectodermal genitalia, thanks to staining with chlorazol black dye. The best biometric characters are selected by multiple-discriminant analysis and an identification key is given. A list of the known Psalitrus species is given.     

A new species of the Phanaeus endymion species group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), with comments on ecology and distribution

Phanaeus edmondsi n. sp. is described from the tropical forest of La Sierra Madre del Sur, estado de Oaxaca, Mexico. The new species belongs to the P. endymion species group. Distributional and ecological information of the new and allied species is included. A modification to update the identification key for related species is presented.     

Stridulatory apparatus in the Italian species of the genus Laccobius erichson (Coleoptera : Hydrophilidae)

The stridulatory apparatus in males of the Italian species of the genus Laccobius Erichson (Coleoptera : Hydrophilidae) was examined by means of scanning electron microscope. In Laccobius, there is an elytron-uropleural type stridulatory apparatus. The “pars stridens” is situated on the 3rd abdominal pleurite and has an eulamellated structure. The “plectrum” is located on the inner elytron face. Significant subgeneric differences were found mainly in the extent of the areas, which make up the pars stridens and in the type of pleural denticulations. Differences in the plectrum cusps are also indicated.     

Revision of the aerea group of Chrysobothris (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Abstract. The aerea group of the genus Chrysobothris Eschscholtz, as characterized for the first time, includes eight species which occur in the south-western United States and in Mexico. The complicated taxonomic history and confused identity of some species is discussed in depth. Four Mexican species are redescribed in detail from type material: aerea Chevrolat, quadriplagiata Water-house, simplex Waterhouse, stellifera Waterhouse. Lectotypes are designated for the last two species. C.costifrons Waterhouse is considered to comprise three subspecies; two, C.c.rubiterga and C.c.baja are newly described. The remaining species in the group are C.bispinosa, chalcophoroides and serripes . Illustrations and keys to species and subspecies are provided.     

Revision of Asian species of the Drosophila melanica species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae), with a description of a new species from Vietnam

A new species of the Drosophila (Drosophila) melanica species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae), Drosophila denruoi Suwito & Watabe, sp. nov., is described from northern Vietnam. It is proved by crossing experiments that reproductive isolation is complete between this species and other morphologically similar species. Larval ganglion cells of D. denruoi possess 2n = 12 chromosomes, comprised of four pairs of acrocentric, one pair of metacentric and one pair of micro‐chromosomes. This is the largest number of acrocentric chromosomes in the group and implies that the species has the most primitive chromosomal configuration in the melanica group. Based on the results of crossing experiments and close morphological examination, Drosophila pengi Okada & Kurokawa, 1957 from central Japan, once regarded as a synonym of Drosophila tsigana Burla & Gloor, 1952, is shown to be distinct from D. tsigana. Drosophila pengi is thus resurrected as a member of the melanica group. We synonymize Drosophila bisetata Toda, 1988, described from central Myanmar, with D. pengi. In addition, a population from Guizhou, southwestern China, once regarded as D. tsigana, is also identified as D. pengi. These populations from central Myanmar and southwestern China share the diagnostic characters of D. pengi. At the same time, it is reconfirmed that the Hokkaido population is conspecific with European D. tsigana. Furthermore, another species, Drosophila longiserrata Toda, 1988 described from central Myanmar, is synonymized with Drosophila afer Tan, Hsu & Sheng, 1949 from China, based on their having identical karyotypes and external morphology.     

Enochrus ater (Kuwert) and E. salomonis (Sahlberg) (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), two widespread but overlooked species new to the European fauna

Enochrus ater (Kuwert) and E. salomonis(Sahlberg) are recorded for the first time in Europe.E. ater has a wide distribution in the wholeMediterranean basin, reaching central Asia in the eastand central Europe in the north. It is common instagnant well vegetated waters, particularly incoastal wetlands. E. salomonis is so far knownto occur only in the Iberian Peninsula and in theeastern Mediterranean region, and inhabits smallstreams at low and medium altitude.     

Revision of the subgenus Orthoscymnus Canepari of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera,Coccinellidae), with descriptions of four new species

The subgenus Orthoscymnus Canepari, 1997 of Scymnus Kugelann, 1794 is herein revised. Seven species of the Orthoscymnus fauna are recognized, of which four species, Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) jilongicus sp. n., Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) paradoxus sp. n., Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) crispatus sp. n. and Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) duomaculatus sp. n., are described as new to science. Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) rhododendri Canepari is recorded from China for the first time. Scymnus (Pullus) robustibasalis Yu is transferred to the subgenus Orthoscymnus (comb. n.). All species are diagnosed, described and illustrated, and distributions are provided for each species. A key to the species is included.     

A revision of West Palaearctic species of the Micropsectra atrofasciata species group (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Phylogenetic relations among selected Micropsectra (Diptera: Chironomidae) species are inferred using mitochondrial COII gene sequences and morphological characters. Both maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses indicate a monophyletic atrofasciata species group. However, some species morphologically similar to M. atrofasciata (Kieffer) in the adult male, i.e. M. appendica sp. nov. and M. logani (Johannsen), are placed outside the atrofasciata group in the gene trees. The phylogenetic hypotheses based on parsimony analyses of the combined molecular and morphological data sets weakly support a monophyletic atrofasciata group including M. appendica sp. nov. and M. logani if third positions in the COII gene sequences are excluded. In the taxonomic part of this study, adult males, pupae and larvae of Micropsectra aristata Pinder, M. atrofasciata, M. bavarica sp. nov., M. klinki sp. nov., M. logani, M. pallidula (Meigen) and M. schrankelae sp. nov. , and adult males and pupae of M. appendica sp. nov. and M. sofiae sp. nov. as well as adult males of M. andalusiaca Marcuzzi, M. calcifontis sp. nov., M. freyi Storå, M. longicrista sp. nov., M. robusta sp. nov. , and M. zernyi Marcuzzi are described and diagnosed. Micropsectra bidentata (Goetghebuer), M. jokaquarta Sasa & Ogata, M. miki Marcuzzi, M. pallida Goetghebuer, M. subnitens Goetghebuer, M. suecica (Kieffer) and M. shouharasima Sasa are new junior synonyms of M. atrofasciata; Micropsectra groenlandica Andersen and M. utonaitertia Sasa are new junior synonyms of M. logani; Micropsectra candida Chaudhuri & Datta, M. franzi Goetghebuer and M. viridiscutellata Goetghebuer are new junior synonyms of M. pallidula. Comments on the ecology, distribution and systematics of each species are provided. Keys to all known life stages are presented, as well as an annotated list of species morphologically similar to species in the atrofasciata group and nomina dubia in the atrofasciata group. Chironomus mimulus Holmgren is transferred to the genus Micropsectra. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 146 , 165–225.