Contribution to the fauna of blackflies of the tribe Simuliini (Diptera: Simuliidae) of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)

The data on the fauna of blackflies of the tribe Simuliini (Diptera: Simuliidae) of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) comprising the available literature, collections of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and new material collected in Yakutia were analyzed. Three new species were recorded in the fauna of Yakutia: Archesimulium polare Rubzov, 1940, A. splendidum Rubzov, 1940, and A. tumulosum Rubzov, 1956. Distribution of 11 species was clarified. Processing of the collected material confirmed the presence of 9 blackfly species previously known from Yakutia. On the whole, the blackfly fauna of the region comprises 27 species.     

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

Four new species of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) are described. Helodon rezidentsii Yankovsky, sp. n., Khabarovsk Territory, differs from all known species of the genus with morphology of eyes consisting only of microommatidii in male; from related species H. kamtshaticus (Rubzov, 1940) with large triangular posteromedial lobes of branches of genital fork in female; with number of rays of primary fan of premandibles (20-22, when in H. kamtshaticus 30-32) in larva. Helodon submulticaulis Yankovsky, sp. n., Transbaikalia, differs from related species H. multicaulis (Popov, 1968) with number of rays of primary fan of mandibles (36-40, when in H. multicaulis 26-28), narrow anterior branches of anal sclerite, number of rows of hooks in posterior attachment organ (88-92, when in H. multicaulis 78-80) in larva; with morphology of respiratory organ, consisting of 5-8 lobes bearing 40-60 tune filaments (in H. multicaulis 3-4 lobes bearing more than 150 filaments) in pupa. Sch. samarkandica Yankovsky, sp. n., Uzbekistan, differs from related species Sch. pseudopusilla Rubzov, 1956 with 3 (not 2 as in Sch. pseudopusilla) hooks in parameres, bifurcated lateral branches of X sternite, long projection of gonostyles in male. Schoenbaueria ivdelensis Yankovsky, sp. n., Middle Ural, differs from related species Sch. rangiferina (Rubzov, 1956) with prolonged gonostyles bearing narrow projection in male; with number of rays of secondary fan of premandibles (20-28, when in Sch. rangiferina 44-48), deep ventral groove of cephalic capsule, number of rows of hooks in posterior attachment organ (80-82, when in Sch. rangiferina 70-72) in larva; with morphology of respiratory organ (very long stems of 2 and 3 pairs of filaments) in pupa.     

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)     

Two new chironomid species (Diptera,Chironomidae) from Wrangel Island

Two new species from Wrangel Island, Orthocladius (Eudactylocladius) tschernovi sp. n. and O. (E.) ushakovskiensis sp. n. (Orthocladiinae), are described and illustrated from on the male adults. Orthocladius (E.) tschernovi sp. n. is closely related to O. (E.) fuscimanus (Kieffer) and O. (E.) musester Sæther, but can be distinguished from both by an almost straight transverse sternapodema, a rounded triangular superior volsella, and a long phallapodema, as well as by the presence of a subapical crista dorsalis of the gonostylus and by the shape of the anal point. Orthocladius (E.) ushakovskiensis sp. n. differs from all the known species of the subgenus in the absence of superior and inferior volsellae and in the shape of both short gonostylus and the short and wide anal point.     

A new species of the chironomid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaetocladius</Emphasis> (Diptera,Chironomidae) from the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago

The new species Chaetocladius makarchenkovi, subfamily Orthocladinae, is described on the basis of examination of adult males found on the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago (Yuzhnyi Island, Pankov Peninsula, Gribovaya Bay). According to the structure of the head, thorax, and anal point of the hypopygium, the species is closely related to Ch. perennis (Meigen), but differs from it in the form and structure of the lower inner volsella, gonostylus, virga of the hypopygium, in the presence of shortened setae on the antennal flagellum, in the lower antenna index AR, and in the smaller number of Ac and Dc setae on the mesonotum.     

A new genus and a new species of Orthocladiinae (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago

Arctosmittia biserovi gen. n., sp. n. (subfamily Orthocladiinae) is described from a single male. The specimen was collected in the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago (Yuzhnyi (Southern) Island, Pankov Peninsula). The new genus is closely related to Mesosmittia Brundin in the structure of the head, thorax, anal lobe, and squamae, and the presence of a false anal appendage in the male genitalia, but differs from it in a low value of the antenna index (AR < 1), the structure of the wing veins (FCu situated at the same level with cross-vein RM; veins R ₁ and R ₄₊₅ with macrotrichiae), presence of SCI on Ta ₁, and pseudospurs on Ta ₂ in the middle and hind legs, and in the structure of the genitalia (gonostylus with large additional lobe).     

A new species of blackflies--Simulium (Argentisimulium) dolini sp. n. (Diptera, Simuliidae)

Female, male and larva of the new species of black flies, Simulium (Argentisimulium) dolini sp. n. are described. By its morphology the species occupies an "intermediate position" between S. nolleri and S. palustre. In the USSR the species was found in wooded and forest-steppe zones of West Ukraine.     

Seladonia (Pachyceble) henanensis sp. n. (Hymenoptera,Halictidae) from China

Seladonia (Pachyceble) henanensis sp. n., is described from Henan Province, the eastern-central part of China. This species is separated from its allied species by a combination of the following morphological characters: head broad in female, inner hind tibial spur of female with 7–8 slender teeth, T1 basolaterally with appressed hair tuft in both sexes, and genitalia with long and large lower gonostylus in male. Important taxonomic characters are illustrated with photographs, scanning electron micrographs, and line drawings.     

Chromis okamurai,a new damselfish from the Okinawa Trough,Japan

A new pomacentrid fish,Chromis okamurai, is described from a single specimen taken from the Okinawa Trough (25°53.4′N, 123°59.4′E), in 135–175 m. This species is most closely related to the deep-dwellingC. mirationis, sharing with it the same meristic data (in particular XIV dorsal spines and 2 upper and lower caudal spinules), large eye, and relatively deep body. It differs in having a small round posterior nostril (large and slit like inmirationis), longer second anal spine, shorter pelvic fins, and in color: two dark brown stripes on body and a pale pectoral-fin axil (mirationis has a single, midlateral, yellow to yellowish brown stripe which extends broadly onto lower part of caudal fin, and a black pectoral axil).     

Description of the third-instar larva of Aphodius bimaculatus (Laxmann) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

The third-instar larva of Aphodius bimaculatus (Laxmann) is described from the material collected in Belarus. The larva differs from other species of the subgenus Acrossus in the convex clypeus with a complex structure and in the coloration of the head.     

A new species of Gadirtha Walker (Nolidae,Eligminae): a proposed biological control agent of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small) (Euphorbiaceae) in the United States

Gadirtha fusca sp. n., is described from Guangxi Province, China. Gadirtha fusca differs in forewing color and pattern, male and female genitalia, and in larval pattern from all other species of Gadirtha. Gadirtha fusca has been evaluated as a potential biological control agent for Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small, Euphorbiaceae) in the southeastern United States. Adult, male and female genitalia, larva, and pupa are described, illustrated, and compared with Gadirtha impingens Walker.     

Description and DNA barcoding of Tipula ( Pterelachisus) recondita sp. n. from the Palaearctic region (Diptera, Tipulidae)

Tipula (Pterelachisus) recondita Pilipenko & Salmela, sp. n. is described. The new species is collected from two localities: Finland, Kittilä (North boreal ecoregion) and Russia, Primorski kray (Zone of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests). Although variation in the structure of male hypopygium between the Finnish and Russian populations is observed, DNA barcode sequences differ only by three nucleotides (0.2 % K2P distance), supporting presence of one widespread species. K2P minimum distances between the new species and 17 other species of the subgenus range from 5.3 to 15.8 % (mean 8.8 %). The new species is forest-dwelling, known from an old-growth herb-rich forest (Finland) and Quercus mongolica forest (Russia). The new species is perhaps closest to Tipula (Pterelachisus) imitator Alexander and in lesser extent to Tipula (Pterelachisus) pauli Mannheims; the inner gonostylus of both species are illustrated.     

New data on the distribution of winter gnats (Diptera,Trichoceridae) in Russia

Six species of winter gnats are recorded for the first time in the fauna of Russia: Trichocera (Trichocera) inexplorata (Dahl, 1967), T. (Saltrichocera) antennata Starý, 1999, T. (S.) calva Starý, 1999, T. (S.) dahlae Mendl, 1971, T. (S.) recondita Starý, 2000, and T. (S.) sparsa Starý et Martinovský, 1996. One species, Trichocera arctica Lundström, 1915, is transferred to the subgenus Saltrichocera. Females of T. (S.) dahlae Mendl, 1971 are described and illustrated for the first time. Occurrence of several winter gnat species in the territory of Russia is confirmed and their ranges are described.     

Heterodera canadensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) from Spike-Rush (Eleocharis acicularis (L.) R. &S.) in Quebec,Canada

Heterodera canadensis n. sp. is described and illustrated from the roots of spike-rush, Eleocharis acicularis (L.) R. &S., in Deschenes, Quebec. This new abullate species is related to Heterodera graminophila Golden and Birchfield, 1972, but differs significantly in cyst shape, cone top structures, body length of the second-stage larva (520-600 μm, vs. 380-400 for H. graminophila) and tail length (110-120 μm, vs. 57-67 for H. graminophila). A taxonomic key based on cyst and second-stage larva characters is provided for identification of the fifteen species in the Heterodera goettingiana group.     

New snakeflies of the genus Inocellia Schneider, 1843 (Raphidioptera: Inocelliidae) from the Hengduan Mountains,China

Three species of the snakefly genus Inocellia Schneider, 1843 (Raphidioptera: Inocelliidae) are reported from the Hengduan Mountains in southwestern China. Among them, Inocellia yulongensis sp. nov. is described as new to science. Inocellia cheni Liu, H. Aspöck, Yang & U. Aspöck, 2010 is first recorded from Sichuan Province based on a newly collected male from a locality over 4200 m a.s.l. Inocellia obtusangularis Liu, H. Aspöck, Yang & U. Aspöck, 2010 is first recorded from Yunnan Province. The rich species diversity of snakeflies and its biogeographic significance from the Hengduan Mountains are discussed.     

Morphology of the blackfly species group macropyga of the genus Prosimulium roubaud, 1906, and re-establishment of the generic name Taeniopterna Enderlein, 1925 for this group (Diptera: Simuliidae)

The genus Taeniopterna with the types species Melusina macropyga Lundstrom, 1911 was proposed by Enderlein in 1925. Later this taxon was considered as the species group macropyga in the genus Prosimulium Roubaud, 1906 by many authors (Rubzov, 1956; Crosskey et Howard, 1997; Adler et al., 2004, and others). However, differences between this group and the remaining species of Prosimulium s. str. (species group hirtipes/mixtum) seem to be not lesser, than those between other genera (or subgenera) of the tribe Prosimuliini (in our sense), namely Helodon Enderlein, 1921, Urosimulium Contini, 1963, Parahelodon Peterson, 1970, and Distosimulium Peterson, 1970. Taeniopterna differs from other genera of Prosimuliini by the following characters. Imago differs from all other genera in having shortened proboscic (1.5 times shorter than clypeus, while in other genera it is of the same length with clypeus). It differs from all genera except Helodon in having relatively prolonged and lightly pointed distally wings (in other genera wings are wide and rounded distally). Male differs from all other genera of the tribe, except Urosimulium, in having narrow frons between the eyes. It differs from the Urosimulium male by conic gonostyles (in Urosimulium gonostyles bear the large heel). Female differs from all other genera of tribe by very small spermatheca (1/3-1/5 of the lenght of the branch of genital fork (while in other genera spermatheca is equal or longer, than the branch of genital fork) and by the absence of serration on maxillae and mandibles. Female also differs from other genera of the tribe, except Prosimulium, by very long hypogynal valves and by missing or very small and pressed basal tooth of claws (in Helodon, Urosimulium, Parahelodon, and Distosimulium hypogynal valves are short and rounded, basal tooth of claws is moderate or large and put aside). It differs from Prosimulium by smaller head (more narrow than thorax, while in Prosimulium head is near equal by width with thorax) and by absence of sclerotization on the medial edges of hypogynal valves. Larva differs from all other genera of the tribe, except Prosimulium, in having long dorsoventral projections of wide sclerotized band of prothorax (in other genera this band is narrow and without projections). It differs from Prosimulium by another pattern of the hypostomal teeth. Pupa differs from all other genera of the tribe, except Distosimulium, by cocoon covering all the pupal body (in other genera cocoon covers only posterior part of the pupal body). It differs from Distosimulium by long and strong caudal thorns (in Distosimulium caudal thorns are of moderate length and more thin). These and some other characters give the base for the proposition to consider the species group macropyga as a a separate genus Taeniopterna Enderlein, 1925. A list of Taeniopterna species is given.     

Two new gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) from marine fishes off the northern coast of Australia

Based on light and electron microscopical studies, two new gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) are described from the ovary of marine perciform fishes off the northern coast of Australia (near Darwin): Philometra carangis n. sp. from the bluespotted trevally Caranx bucculentus Alleyne & Macleay (Carangidae) and P. carponotati n. sp. from the Spanish flag snapper Lutjanus carponotatus (Richardson) (Lutjanidae). Philometra carangis is mainly characterised by the length of the spicules (153–189 µm), the presence of a distinct dorsal protuberance consisting of two dorsolateral lamellar parts separated from each other by a smooth median field, a V-shaped mound on the male caudal extremity, a pair of large post-cloacal papillae and the body length of the males (3.22–4.15 mm). Philometra carponotati is distinguished from other congeneric species parasitising lutjanids by the length of the spicules and gubernaculum (225–252 and 99–117 µm, respectively), the absence of a dorsal protuberance on the distal lamellar part of the gubernaculum, the presence of a U-shaped mound on the male caudal extremity, a pair of large post-cloacal papillae and the body length of the male (3.74–4.31 mm). Besides the recently established Philometra zabidii Moravec & Diggles, 2014 (based on a single female), these two newly described nematodes are the only nominal gonad-infecting species of Philometra known to parasitise marine fishes in Australian waters.