Larval head morphology of Hydroscapha natans (Coleoptera, Myxophaga) with reference to miniaturization and the systematic position of Hydroscaphidae

 The head of third instar larvae of Hydroscapha natans was reconstructed three dimensionally on a computer. This technique allowed a detailed examination and presentation of internal features of a representative of the ’suborder’ Myxophaga, which is characterized by the very small size of the immature stages and adults. Larval character states of H. natans were compared with features found in other representatives of the Coleoptera. The monophyly of the Myxophaga (excluding Lepiceridae) is supported by several autapomorphies of the larval head: a broadened, transverse head, scale-like cuticular surface structures, round and flattened labral sensilla, short antennae with only two antennomeres, a ligula with papillae, and a broadened tentorial bridge. A monophylum comprising the Hydroscaphidae and Microsporidae is characterized by a very unusual semientognathous condition of the mouthparts and an unusual shape and large relative size of the brain. The last common ancestor of the Hydroscaphidae, Torridincolidae, and Microsporidae was probably living in hygropetric habitats. Several apomorphies have evolved in correlation with this peculiar life style. The very dense arrangement of muscles and other internal structures, and the unusual shape and size of the cerebrum have resulted from miniaturization. The overall complexity of the head is not reduced in comparison to larvae of other representatives of Coleoptera. A negative allometric relationship between body size and the size of the brain, and a correlation between brain size and the size of neurons was found in several species of Coleoptera examined. Accepted: 16 December 1997     

Larval morphology of the weevil genus Ceutorhynchus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from Middle Asia

Larvae of three species of the weevil genus Ceutorhynchus (C. subtilirostris Schultze., C. viator Faust, and C. setosellus Voss) are described from Middle Asia for the first time. The larvae differ in the shape of frons, structure of the labrum, and chaetotaxy of the epicranium, frons, and lacinia. A key to the species described is given.     

Immature Stages of Hydrobiomorpha spinosa (Orchymont, 1928) (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)

The preimaginal stages of the Neotropical species Hydrobiomorpha spinosa (Orchymont) are described and figured for the first time. They are compared to the larvae of the New World species Hydrobiomorpha casta (Say) and to unidentified African and Australian larvae. Bionomical notes on this species are included.     

A review of the genus Berosus Leach of Cuba (Coleoptera,Hydrophilidae)

The Cuban fauna of the genus Berosus Leach, 1817 is reviewed based on newly collected material as well as historical and type specimens. Nine species are recognized, including three recorded from Cuba for the first time: Berosus infuscatus LeConte, 1855, Berosus interstitialis Knisch, 1924 (= Berosus stribalus Orchymont, 1946 syn. n.) and Berosus metalliceps Sharp, 1882. Only one of the nine Cuban species, Berosus chevrolati, remains endemic to Cuba, as two other species previously considered as endemic to Cuba are recorded from elsewhere: Berosus quadridens from Mexico and Central America and Berosus trilobus from the Dominican Republic. Notes on biology and Cuban distribution are provided for all nine species. Berosus quadridens Chevrolat, 1863, stat. restit. is removed from synonym with Berosus truncatipennis and considered a valid species.     

First non-feeding Sericini beetles (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae): new genus from Amazonia and phylogenetic position

Organisms Diversity & Evolution - Two unusual scarab species discovered from two localities in the Amazonian Basin are described. We used comparative morphology and phylogenetic analysis to...     

An aberrant species of Nipponocercyon from Sichuan, China (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae)

A detailed examination of specimens of Cryptopleurum sichuanicum Ryndevich, 2005 from high altitudes of Sichuan Province, China, revealed that the species belongs in the genus Nipponocercyon Satô, 1963 previously endemic to Japan. The species is here transferred in Nipponocercyon, and Nipponocercyon sichuanicus (Ryndevich, 2005), comb. n. is redescribed and compared with Nipponocercyon shibatai Satô, 1963. The male genitalia of Nipponocercyon sichuanicus is described for the first time. An adapted diagnosis of Nipponocercyon is provided, and reasons for the inclusion of Nipponocercyon sichuanicus into Nipponocercyon and the general distribution of the genus are discussed.     

Larval phases and ecology of Chrysolina (Pezocrosita) sahlbergiana (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Larvae of four instars are described in the little known leaf-beetle species Chrysolina sahlbergiana Jacobson from the Minusinsk Depression. Artemisia spp. is recorded as its host plant. Short setae on small scleroids distinguish the described larva from those of other species of the subgenus Pezocrosita. According to this character, this larva is closely related to larvae of species of the arcto-alpine subgenera of Chrysolina Motsch. Ch. sahlbergiana is regarded as a trans-Sayan, depression-steppe petrophilous species.     

Contributions to the taxonomy of the genera Pachysternum and Cyrtonion (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae)

Pachysternum loxodonta sp. n. from the Republic of the Congo and Pachysternum sulawesicum sp.n. from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia are described. The generic status of Pachysternum sculpticolle (Régimbart, 1907) is revised, the species is transferred to the genus Cyrtonion and its differences from C. ghanense Hansen, 1989 are discussed. Taxonomy of Pachysternum is discussed, dividing the genus prelusively into three species groups, one comprising all known Oriental and Eastern Palearctic species, and two comprising the Afrotropical species. Species with unclear positions within the genus Pachysternum or with questionable generic status are left as “Species incertae sedis”.     

Annotated checklist of Iranian Hydrophilidae (Coleoptera: Polyphaga: Hydrophiloidea)

This checklist comprises all species of Hydrophilidae (Coleoptera: Hydrophiloidea) quoted in the literature referring to Iran and confirmed by our study. In total, 104 species within 17 genera and five subfamilies, Hydrophilinae (eight genera, 63 species), Chaetarthriinae (three genera, five species), Enochrinae (single genus, 20 species), Acidocerinae (single genus, three species) and Sphaeridiinae (four genera, 13 species), are listed for the fauna of Iran. Three species are endemic; four species are recorded here for the first time from Iran, and nine species are excluded from Iranian fauna.     

Predation of Arternia cysts by water-tiger larvae of the genus Anacaena (Coleoptera,Hydrophilidae)

Artemia cysts are preyed upon by the larvae of Anacaena (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) in the wet supralittoral of the hypersaline Solar Lake near Elat. The larvae are specialized feeders of the cysts, as shown by laboratory experiments.     

基于触角感器的部分芫菁属、种分类地位和关系分析(鞘翅目:芫菁科)

针对斑芫菁族分类系统中伪斑芫菁属Pseudabris分类关系的不确定,选择该族6个代表种,对其触角感器的形态特征、类型变化和分布位置做了记述、分析比较,提供了扫描电镜照片;基于14个触角特征的分析数据,构建了该族3个属和6个种可能的系统发育树。属间关系:沟芫菁属Hycleus+(伪斑芫菁Pseudabris+苹斑芫菁Mylabris);种间关系:(眼斑沟芫菁H.cichorii+大斑沟芫菁指名亚种H.phaleratus)+((长角伪斑芫菁P.hingstoni+长腹伪斑芫菁P.longiventris)+(苹斑芫菁M.calida+丽斑芫菁M.speciosa))。     

A review of the omicrine genera Omicrogiton,Mircogioton and Peratogonus of China (Coleoptera,Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae)

The Chinese species of the genera Omicrogiton Orchymont, 1919, Peratogonus Sharp, 1884 and Mircogioton Orchymont, 1937 are reviewed, diagnosed and keyed. Mircogioton and Omicrogiton are reported for the first time from China, Peratogonus for the first time for mainland China. Five species are recognized: Omicrogiton coomani Balfour-Browne, 1939 (Guangdong, Hongkong), Omicrogiton hainanensis sp. n. (Hainan), Omicrogiton roberti sp. n. (Hainan), Mircogioton coomani Orchymont, 1937 (Yunnan), and Peratogonus reversus Sharp, 1884 (Guangdong, Jiangxi, Taiwan). Lectotype of Omicrogiton coomani is designated. Mircogioton cognitus (Malcolm, 1981), syn. n. is considered a junior subjective synonym of Mircogioton coomani Orchymont, 1939. Species of Mircogioton and Omicrogiton inhabit decaying banana trunks, whereas Peratogonus reversus was always collected from moist forest leaf litter.     

中国牙甲科二新记录种

报道我国南方牙甲科2新记录种:锚丽阳牙甲Helochares atropiceus Régimbart和线纹梭腹牙甲Cercyon lineolatus(Motschulsky)。     

Larval morphology and Karyotype of Cladopelma viridula (Diptera, Chironomidae)

The larval morphology and karyotype of Cladopelma viridula are described.