Speices diversity and the systematics of some New World leaf litter Thysanoptera (Phlaeothripinae; Glyptothripini)

Abstract More than fifty species of closely related glyptothripine Thysanoptera
have been described from leaf litter at one site in southern Brazil. The ecological and evolutionary significance of this species swarm are discussed, and the relationships of the New World glyptothripine genera are reassessed. A key is produced to the world genera of the Glyptothripini, and a check list is provided to the fifteen genera and 119 species from the New World. Nomenclatural changes include thirty-five new combinations, five new generic synonyms and one new specific synonym.     

Frugivore gape size and the evolution of fruit size and shape in southern hemisphere floras

Abstract The present study uses differences among frugivore faunas of the southern hemisphere landmasses to test whether frugivore characteristics have influenced the evolution of fruit traits. Strong floristic similarities exist among southern landmasses; for example, 75% of New Zealand vascular plant genera also have species in Australia. However, plants in Australia and South America have evolved in the presence of a range of mammalian frugivores, whereas those in New Zealand, New Caledonia and the Pacific Islands have not. In addition, the avian frugivores in New Zealand and New Caledonia are generally smaller than those of Australia. If frugivore characteristics have influenced the evolution of fruit traits, predictable differences should exist between southern hemisphere fruits, particularly fruit size and shape. Fruit dimensions were measured for 77 New Zealand species and 31 Australian species in trans‐Tasman genera. New Zealand fruits became significantly more ellipsoid in shape with increasing size. This is consistent with frugivore gape size imposing a selective pressure on fruit ingestability. This result is not a product of phylogenetic correlates, as fruit length and width scaled isometrically for Australian species in genera shared with New Zealand. Within‐genus contrasts between New Zealand and Australian species in 20 trans‐Tasman genera showed that New Zealand species have significantly smaller fruits than their Australian counterparts. Within‐genus contrasts between New Zealand and South American species in nine genera gave the same result; New Zealand species had significantly smaller fruits than their South American counterparts. No difference was found in fruit size or shape between New Zealand and New Caledonia congeneric species from 12 genera. These results are consistent with the broad characteristics of the frugivore assemblage influencing the evolution of fruit size and shape in related species. The smaller‐sized New Zealand frugivore assemblage has apparently influenced the evolution of fruit size of colonizing taxa sometimes within a relatively short evolutionary timeframe.     

A review of the freshwater ostracods of New Zealand

Summary The freshwater ostracod fauna of New Zealand is reviewed, and a key is given to the 28 known living species, belonging to 18 genera. 10 new species are described, and 8 genera are recorded for the first time from New Zealand. Brief notes on the habitat and life-history of some of the species are given.Present address: Dept. of Zoology, The University, Glasgow     

Taxonomic review of the Pterostichini and Loxandrini fauna of New Caledonia (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The generic-level taxa included in Pterostichini and Loxandrini from New Caledonia are reviewed and a key to genera and species provided. Two new genera are described, Paniestichus and Abacophrastus, with the following new species: Paniestichus subsolianus, Abacophrastus millei, Abacophrastus chapes, Abacophrastus carnifex, Abacophrastus hobbit, Abacophrastus megalops, Abacophrastus reflexus and Abacophrastus bellorum. Abacoleptus curtus new species, is described. Notonomus irideus and Notonomus savesi are moved to Prosopogmus. Four new species of Prosopogmus are described: Prosopogmus koghisensis, Prosopogmus lescheni, Prosopogmus fortis and Prosopogmus aoupiniensis. Homalosoma griseolum is moved to Sphodrosomus. Cerabilia is newly recorded from New Caledonia and the genus is moved from Platynini to Loxandrini and therefore is the first report of Loxandrini from New Caledonia. An apparent adventive from Australia, Darodilia, is newly reported from New Caledonia.     

Unexpectedly diverse Mesorhizobium strains and Rhizobium leguminosarum nodulate native legume genera of New Zealand, while introduced legume weeds are nodulated by Bradyrhizobium species

The New Zealand native legume flora are represented by four genera, Sophora, Carmichaelia, Clianthus, and Montigena. The adventive flora of New Zealand contains several legume species introduced in the 19th century and now established as serious invasive weeds. Until now, nothing has been reported on the identification of the associated rhizobia of native or introduced legumes in New Zealand. The success of the introduced species may be due, at least in part, to the nature of their rhizobial symbioses. This study set out to address this issue by identifying rhizobial strains isolated from species of the four native legume genera and from the introduced weeds: Acacia spp. (wattles), Cytisus scoparius (broom), and Ulex europaeus (gorse). The identities of the isolates and their relationship to known rhizobia were established by comparative analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA, atpD, glnII, and recA gene sequences. Maximum-likelihood analysis of the resultant data partitioned the bacteria into three genera. Most isolates from native legumes aligned with the genus Mesorhizobium, either as members of named species or as putative novel species. The widespread distribution of strains from individual native legume genera across Mesorhizobium spp. contrasts with previous reports implying that bacterial species are specific to limited numbers of legume genera. In addition, four isolates were identified as Rhizobium leguminosarum. In contrast, all sequences from isolates from introduced weeds aligned with Bradyrhizobium species but formed clusters distinct from existing named species. These results show that native legume genera and these introduced legume genera do not have the same rhizobial populations.     

Revision of the termite family Rhinotermitidae (Isoptera) in New Guinea

Recently, we completed a revision of the Termitidae from New Guinea and neighboring islands, recording a total of 45 species. Here, we revise a second family, the Rhinotermitidae, to progress towards a full picture of the termite diversity in New Guinea. Altogether, 6 genera and 15 species are recorded, among which two species, Coptotermes gambrinus and Parrhinotermes barbatus, are new to science. The genus Heterotermes is reported from New Guinea for the first time, with two species restricted to the southern part of the island. We also provide the first New Guinea records for six species of the genera Coptotermes and Schedorhinotermes. We briefly describe soldiers and imagoes of each species and provide a key based on soldier characters. Finally, we discuss the taxonomic and biogeographical implication of our results. A replacement name, Schedolimulus minutides Bourguignon, is proposed for the termitophilous staphylinid Schedolimulus minutus Bourguignon, to solve a question of secondary homonymy.     

Molecular phylogeny of the scincid lizards of New Caledonia and adjacent areas: evidence for a single origin of the endemic skinks of Tasmantis

We use approximately 1900bp of mitochondrial (ND2) and nuclear (c-mos and Rag-1) DNA sequence data to recover phylogenetic relationships among 58 species and 26 genera of Eugongylus group scincid lizards from New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea. Taxon sampling for New Caledonian forms was nearly complete. We find that the endemic skink genera occurring on New Caledonia, New Zealand and Lord Howe Island, which make up the Gondwanan continental block Tasmantis, form a monophyletic group. Within this group New Zealand and New Zealand+Lord Howe Island form monophyletic clades. These clades are nested within the radiation of skinks in New Caledonia. All of the New Caledonian genera are monophyletic, except Lioscincus. The Australian and New Guinean species form a largely unresolved polytomy with the Tasmantis clade. New Caledonian representatives of the more widespread genera Emoia and Cryptoblepharus are more closely related to the non-Tasmantis taxa than to the endemic New Caledonian genera. Using ND2 sequences and the calibration estimated for the agamid Laudakia, we estimate that the diversification of the Tasmantis lineage began at least 12.7 million years ago. However, using combined ND2 and c-mos data and the calibration estimated for pygopod lizards suggests the lineage is 35.4-40.74 million years old. Our results support the hypothesis that skinks colonized Tasmantis by over-water dispersal initially to New Caledonia, then to Lord Howe Island, and finally to New Zealand.     

Two new Campanulaceae from New Guinea

Two new species of Campanulaceae from New Guinea are described, Lobelia victoriensis and Wahlenbergia papuana. Keys to and enumerations of the species of both genera of New Guinea taxa are provided.     

Revision of New Zealand Orthotylinae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract

Six genera and 11 species of Orthotylinae are now known from New Zealand. Zanchius Distant is newly recorded. One new genus, Tridiplous, and seven new species of endemic New Zealand Orthotylini are described and illustrated. Four new species are described in Tridiplous: T. burrus, T. parvapiatus, T. penmani, and T. virens, and three new species are described in Zanchius: Z. ater, Z. rubicrux, and Z. totus. Keys are provided to identify New Zealand taxa of the tribes of Orthotylinae, genera and species of Halticini, genera of Orthotylini, and species of Tridiplous and Zanchius. The bugs are illustrated with colour habitus photos, and drawings including male and female genitalia. Economic importance is discussed.     

Comparative morphology of epicortical roots in Old and New World Loranthaceae with reference to root types, origin, patterns of longitudinal extension and potential for clonal growth

The large mistletoe family, Loranthaceae, contains 75 genera, three of which are terrestrial root parasites. The remaining 72 genera are aerial parasites. Four basic haustorial system types are found in aerial genera: epicortical roots (ERs), wood roses, clasping unions and bark strands. The focus of this report is on genera in which ERs are present. Presence of ERs is based on our worldwide collection of haustoria and from literature sources. Our collections include 78% of all aerial genera and 72% of genera with ERs. Collections were analyzed using comparative morphological methods. Of the 72 aerial genera 40 (56%) have ERs and 75% of these are Old World. ERs are the most common haustorial type for Loranthaceae on every major landmass except Africa. Three ER types are described, basal, cauline and adventitious. Basal and adventitious ERs occur in both the Old and New World, whereas cauline ERs are exclusively New World. Adventitious ERs form in a few species in response to injury or epiparasitism. Significant differences occur between basal and cauline ERs in the extent and pattern of elongation, frequency of lateral root formation, and production of haustoria and shoots. Three patterns of axis extension of ERs are recognized, the monochasial sympodium, dichasial sympodium and monopodium. Marked differences in patterns of axis elongation occur between the Old and New World genera analyzed. In Old World taxa 94% of lateral roots contributed to a monochasial sympodium, whereas in New World taxa 84% of root extension was monopodial. Two strategies of resource procurement occur in genera with ERs; the “phalanx” strategy is found in species with basal ERs only, the “guerilla” strategy in New World species with cauline ERs. Species with ERs have the potential for clonal growth through fragmentation of stems, ERs, or both, but the extent of clonal growth in nature is unknown. The large number and wide distribution of genera with ERs add support to the hypothesis that the presence of ERs is an ancestral trait for aerial Loranthaceae.     

The pseudoscorpions of New Zealand,Norfolk, and Lord Howe

Nearly 20 000 specimens of pseudoscorpions from a full range of habitats have been examined. For New Zealand, 70 species and subspecies in 28 genera are recognised, and for Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands, 11 species in 9 genera. Endemism is very high in this area: in New Zealand, 13 out of 25 indigenous genera are endemic; 2 others (Apatochernes, Nesochernes) are shared with Norfolk Island; and 4 (Sathrochthonius, Austrochthonius, Synsphyronus, Protochelifer) extend their distribution to Australia (Austrochthonius is known also from South America and South Africa). The rest of the native genera have a wider distribution in the Pacific. Three species (Lamprochernes savignyi, Withius subruber, Chelifer cancroides) have a wide and disjunct distribution induced by human traffic, and are considered to be an introduced element.     

The systematics and adaptations of some Papuan microhylid frogs which live underground

A taxonomic, anatomical and behavioural account is given of some burrowing microhylid frogs from New Guinea. Six species belonging to four genera are dealt with, of these four are described as new species. Two genera are removed from synonomy to accommodate four of the burrowing species. Histological and anatomical modifications to the head, which are associated with head-first burrowing, are described. The calls of the male frogs are described in detail and attention is drawn to the similarity of calls made by all burrowing species. This is discussed in relation to the problems of sound transmission below ground.     

刚毛蚜族系统分类及分布格局(半翅目,毛管蚜科)

系统研究了刚毛蚜族Schoutedeniini的分类,世界已知3属7种;重新定义了该族的鉴别特征,编制了分属、分种检索表,补充了已知种的地理分布与寄主植物信息;记述了1中国新纪录种--酸果藤刚毛蚜Schoutedenia emblica(Patel et Kulkarni,1953)的形态特征,提供了形态特征图和照片.刚毛蚜族的现生分布格局呈明显的冈瓦那古陆分布,马达加斯加岛及青藏高原东南缘为其物种分化中心,文章简单探讨了该族现代分布格局的可能成因.     

STUDIES OF PACIFIC ISLAND PLANTS. XXIX. BLEASDALEA AND RELATED GENERA OF PROTEACEAE

The genus Kermadecia (Proteaceae), originally described as endemic to New Caledonia, has been expanded in recent decades to include three species from the New Hebrides and Fiji. Specialists on the Proteaceae have suggested that the three Melanesian species were generically misplaced, and careful reexamination supports this viewpoint. It is now apparent that a distinct group within the subfamily Grevilleoideae is composed of the genera Euplassa (endemic to South America), Sleumerodendron (a monotypic New Caledonian genus), Gevuina (based on a single South American species but recently expanded to include two other species from Queensland and New Guinea), and the three questionable Melanesian species. A review of this cluster of taxa indicates that Gevuina should again be interpreted as restricted to South America and that the generic name Bleasdalea F. v. Muell. ex Domin should be adopted for a group of five species extending from Queensland and New Guinea to the New Hebrides and Fiji. The relationships of the four genera are discussed and within Bleasdalea four new combinations are proposed: B. bleasdalei (F. v. Muell.), B. ferruginea (A. C. Sm.), B. vitiensis (Turrill), and B. lutea (Guillaumin). Kermadecia, very distinct from the four genera under present consideration, is again interpreted as a New Caledonian endemic.     

Phylogenetic relationships among New Caledonian Sapotaceae (Ericales): molecular evidence for generic polyphyly and repeated dispersal

The phylogeny of a representative group of genera and species from the Sapotaceae tribe Chrysophylleae, mainly from Australia and New Caledonia, was studied by jackknife analyses of sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The phylogeny conflicts with current opinions on generic delimitation in Sapotaceae. Pouteria and Niemeyera, as presently circumscribed, are both shown to be nonmonophyletic. In contrast, all species currently assigned to these and other segregate genera confined to Australia, New Caledonia, or neighboring islands, form a supported clade. Earlier classifications in which more genera are recognized may better reflect relationships among New Caledonian taxa. Hence, there is need for a revision of generic boundaries in Chrysophylleae, and particularly within the Pouteria complex, including Leptostylis, Niemeyera, Pichonia, Pouteria pro parte (the main part of section Oligotheca), and Pycnandra. Section Oligotheca have been recognized as the separate genus Planchonella, a monophyletic group that needs to be resurrected. Three clades with strong support in our jackknife analysis have one Australian species that is sister to a relatively large group of New Caledonian endemics, suggesting multiple dispersal events between this small and isolated tropical island and Australia. The phylogeny also suggests an interesting case of a relatively recent and rapid radiation of several lineages of Sapotaceae within New Caledonia.     

Deltocephalinae of New Zealand (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

The subfamily Deltocephalinae is represented in New Zealand by 3 tribes, 9 genera, and 20 species, of which 3 genera and 13 species are new to science. All taxa are described, and keys are given for their separation. Three of the genera are endemic, 3 are Australian, 2 are Holarctic, and 1 is cosmopolitan. Nesoclutha and Macrosteles are recorded in New Zealand for the first time, and the presence of Deltocephalus is authenticated. Fourteen species are endemic, 4 are Australian, 1 is widespread in the Pacific area, and 1 is Holarctic. Nesoclutha pallida, Macrosteles fieberi, and Deltocephalus hospes are recorded in New Zealand for the first time.     

An introductory ecological biogeography of the Australo-Pacific Meliphagidae

Abstract

The Meliphagidae, that can readily be defined on tongue characteristics, are a monophyletic group centred in the Australo-Pacific region, but with one African genus (Promerops). The classification of Salomonsen (1967) allows 38 genera and 170 species in the former region, and one genus with two species in the latter. Australia and New Guinea jointly have 23 genera and 108 species, and constitute the centre of diversity of the group. Endemic genera are concentrated in Australia and New Guinea, and around the periphery of the Pacific part of the range (Sulawesi, Bonins, Marianas, Hawaii, New Zealand). The meliphagids are diversified in body size and bill form. They are basically nectarivores and insectivores, with most species combining the two roles to varying degrees. There is a good general correlation between bill form and way of life. A few species feed on trunks and aerial flycatching is well developed in many. Morphological modification is only minor in these instances and the meliphagids as a group remain rather generalised in bodily proportions. A long period of coevolution with Australian plant elements is shown by meliphagids being the major pollinators of several tree and shrub genera.

The group combines monotypic genera with restricted ranges and wide-ranging genera with many species. Of the latter; Myzomela, Lichema, and Philemon are centred in the tropics, and Meliphaga and Phylidonyris in Australia. Most of these co-occur over a wide area, this being favoured by differences in body size and bill morphology.

Comparison of three kinds of meliphagid communities, two typical continental ones, two of isolated forest outlyers in Australia, and six insular Pacific ones, shows the first to be rich (10 and 11 genera, 21 and 17 species), and the second impoverished (6 and 7 genera, 9 and 12 species). Individual Pacific island groups, however, have only 2–5 genera, and 3–6 species. Genus to species ratios are 0.55–0.64 in the major continental communities, but are 1.0 in New Zealand and Samoa.

Morphological distance between species, measured as the percent difference in size between successive members along a size gradient is 5.4 and 5.5% for wing length and 4.9 and 9.3% for bill length in the two continental communities. It increases to 7.8–14.9, and 11.3–12.7%, respectively, in the isolated forest outlyers of Tasmania and southwestern Australia. The figures are 23.0 and 35.0% for wing and bill length in New Zealand, and 41.0 and 51.0% in Fijian forms. This accords with current theory that in impoverished insular environments, size separation of co-occurring species must be greater.

The marked success of the Meliphagidae in the Australo-Pacific region can be attributed to their versatility and adaptibility, and dual role of insectivore and nectarivore in an area exceptionally rich in nectar-producing trees and shrubs.     

Unexpectedly Diverse Mesorhizobium Strains and Rhizobium leguminosarum Nodulate Native Legume Genera of New Zealand, while Introduced Legume Weeds Are Nodulated by Bradyrhizobium Species

The New Zealand native legume flora are represented by four genera, Sophora, Carmichaelia, Clianthus, and Montigena. The adventive flora of New Zealand contains several legume species introduced in the 19th century and now established as serious invasive weeds. Until now, nothing has been reported on the identification of the associated rhizobia of native or introduced legumes in New Zealand. The success of the introduced species may be due, at least in part, to the nature of their rhizobial symbioses. This study set out to address this issue by identifying rhizobial strains isolated from species of the four native legume genera and from the introduced weeds: Acacia spp. (wattles), Cytisus scoparius (broom), and Ulex europaeus (gorse). The identities of the isolates and their relationship to known rhizobia were established by comparative analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA, atpD, glnII, and recA gene sequences. Maximum-likelihood analysis of the resultant data partitioned the bacteria into three genera. Most isolates from native legumes aligned with the genus Mesorhizobium, either as members of named species or as putative novel species. The widespread distribution of strains from individual native legume genera across Mesorhizobium spp. contrasts with previous reports implying that bacterial species are specific to limited numbers of legume genera. In addition, four isolates were identified as Rhizobium leguminosarum. In contrast, all sequences from isolates from introduced weeds aligned with Bradyrhizobium species but formed clusters distinct from existing named species. These results show that native legume genera and these introduced legume genera do not have the same rhizobial populations.     

Contributions to the Cladocera fauna from Papua New Guinea

Twenty-eight taxa of the Cladocera are identified in collections from Papua New Guinea, 17 being new records for New Guinea, bringing the total number of Cladocera taxa reported for this region to 39. Most of the taxa are circumtropical. One species (Sarsilatona papuana) is endemic to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia. The species list includes two species that are normally listed as Holarctic:Alonella nana andAlona rustica. Widespread genera such asDaphnia, Pleuroxus, Disparalona, Acroperus were strikingly absent from the Papua New Guinean material.