Distribution and ecology of the earthworm Eisenia nordenskioldi pallida (Oligochaeta,Lumbricidae) dominant in southern Siberia and the Russian Far East

A literature review and the results of re-examination of collections of the earthworm Eisenia nordenskioldi are presented. Peculiarities of the geographic and habitat distribution, as well the ecology of the diploid subspecies E. n. pallida, originally described as a non-pigmented form of E. nordenskioldi, are analyzed. E. n. pallida inhabits mainly the south of Siberia and the Russian Far East, penetrating as far northwards as the forest-tundra zone along the valleys of large rivers. It is the most abundant in the low-mountain belt in dark coniferous forests, being the dominant form of Lumbricidae there, but it is quite rare above the timberline. The range of E. n. nordenskioldi, which can be found together with E. n. pallida in the south of the territories studied, is much wider, extending further to the north and including some Arctic islands. In addition, E. n. nordenskioldi is known from the eastern parts of European Russia. Both subspecies show high levels of resistance to unfavorable abiotic factors. Differences in the latitudinal and altitudinal distribution patterns of both subspecies of E. nordenskioldi are determined by their different morpho-ecological forms.     

Cold hardiness and geographic distribution of earthworms (Oligochaeta,Lumbricidae, Moniligastridae)

Cold hardiness of 12 species and 2 subspecies of earthworms from Northern Eurasia was studied. Supercooling temperatures, the water content and the thresholds of tolerated temperatures of worms and their cocoons were determined. The threshold values varied within ?1…?35°C for worms and within ?1…?196°C for cocoons. Earthworms of 4 species and 2 subspecies survived freezing. Cocoons of all species except Eisenia fetida possessed a protective dehydration mechanism which prevented their freezing. During wintering at subzero temperatures, earthworms lost up to 20% of water, cocoons up to 37%. Species of the same life form can overwinter at different phases and have different cold hardiness values. On the whole, epigeic and epi-endogeic species (except for Eisenia fetida) were more resistant to cold than endogeic ones. The following preliminary classification of earthworms according to their tolerance to negative temperatures is proposed: (1) both onthogenetic phases are tolerant; (2) only cocoons are tolerant; (3) both onthogenetic phases are intolerant. The geographic distribution of all the studied species (except for Eisenia nordenskioldi nordenskioldi) is partially or completely limited by insufficient resistance of the worms to negative temperatures. A significant cold hardiness of cocoons of most species is nonadaptive, since the worms hatched from the eggs in spring die without having enough time to reach maturity and to lay cocoons before the onset of subzero temperatures. Only 3 species (Eisenia nordenskioldi nordenskioldi, Eisenia atlavinyteae, and Dendrobaena octaedra) can live in permafrost regions; this is the main reason for a drastically reduced diversity of earthworm assemblages in eastern Siberia except for its southern, mountain parts. In general, the reasons for the impoverishment lie in the modern climatic conditions correlated with the ecophysiological capacities of earthworms.     

To the knowledge of the leaf beetle genus Cystocnemis (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Four subspecies of Cystocnemis discoidea are distinguished; two subspecies are described as new to science based on investigation of intraspecific variation in different parts of the species range, and ssp. gebleri was resurrected from synonymy. The ways of speciation in highland-hollow landscapes are discussed. The alpine subspecies C. discoidea oreas ssp. n. has an altibiome disjunction with the nominotypical subspecies. Similarity of the alpine subspecies of C. discoidea to the species from the subgenus Entomomela was found to be the reason of permanent confusion of representatives of these taxa. The subgenus Entomomela is transferred from the genus Oreomela to the genus Cystocnemis. A key to species and subspecies of the genus Cystocnemis is given.     

Polyploid races of earthworms (Lumbricidae, Oligochaeta) in the East European plain and Siberia

The distribution of polyploid races of earthworms in the East European plain and Siberia was analyzed. Amphimictic autopolyploid races of two species of the Asian genus Eisenia, E. nordenskioldi and E. atlaviniteae, are widespread in Siberia, from its southern boundary to the arctic region, while polyploid Lumbricidae in the East-European plain, except for the Volga region, are represented mainly by parthenogenetic forms of other genera. This is presumably related to differences in the Pleistocene environmental history between the two adjacent geographic regions of Eurasia.     

On the northernmost distribution of leaf beetles of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreomela</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae): New species from mountains of southern Siberia

Three new species of leaf beetles are described: Oreomela dudkorum sp. n. (Terektinskii Ridge, Central Altai Mountains), O. tuvensis sp. n. (mountains of southeastern Republic of Tuva), and O. romantsovi sp. n. (Western Sayan Mountains). The representatives of this genus, and especially of the nominotypical subgenus, were found in Russia and in the territories mentioned for the first time. Thus, the distribution boundary of this genus is shifted 3–4° northwards. The representatives of Oreomela have most probably migrated from Tien Shan to the mountains of southern Siberia via the Mongolian Altai Mountains.     

Taxonomic and morphological survey of the Lygephila lusoria (Linnaeus, 1758) species-group with description of a new species (Lepidoptera,Erebidae, Toxocampinae)

The taxa of the Lygephila lusoria (Linnaeus, 1758) species-group are revised. The genital features of all known taxa are described and illustrated with special reference to the structure of vesica. The male genitalia of L. pallida pallida (Bang-Haas, 1907) are described and illustrated for the first time. L. pallida subpicata (Wiltshire, 1971) is treated here as a species, L. pallida subpicata (Wiltshire, 1971), stat. n., distinct from L. pallida. A new species, L. minima, sp. n.,from South Russia is described. Illustrations of the holotype and its genitalia are provided; a diagnostic comparison with L. pallida is given. L. alaica Remm, 1983 is included in the L. lusoria species-group for the first time.     

Molecular and morphological evidence for a new subspecies of Fazila’s Lycian Salamander Lyciasalamandra fazilae in South-west Anatolia

A new subspecies of the Fazila’s Lycian Salamander Lyciasalamandra fazilae is described based on material from ten localities in the Köyce?iz, Ortaca and Dalaman area in south-western Turkey. It is distinguished from the nominotypical subspecies by differences in the colouration pattern, morphometry and the mitochondrial molecular marker 16S rRNA. The distribution area of the new subspecies is located mainly in the western part of Dalaman River except for two seemingly intermediate populations (?erefler and Sarsala-Kap?karg?n). New localities for the species are reported.     

On a record of the striped flea beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllotreta erysimi</Emphasis> Weise, 1900 (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae) from Leningrad Province,Russia

The striped flea beetle Phyllotreta erysimi Weise, 1900 was found in Leningrad Province for the first time. The specimen belongs to the nominotypical subspecies, Ph. erysimi erysimi.     

On the taxonomic status of Idiomelas himalayensis Della Beffa (Coleoptera,Carabidae: Harpalini)

Idiomelas himalayensis Della Beffa, 1931 is treated as a subspecies of I. (Egaploa) fulvipes (Erichson, 1843), occurring in northern Pakistan and northeastern India. It is easily distinguished from two other subspecies of this species, the nominotypical one and I. fulvipes indus Kataev, 1997, by the dark coloration of the legs. Comparative characteristics of all the three subspecies of I. fulvipes and data on their distribution are given. Idiomelas fulvipes indus is recorded from Myanmar for the first time. A key to the species and the subspecies of Egaploa Alluaud, 1916 is provided.     

Confirmation of the Subspecies Status of Dianemobius fascipes nigrofasciatus (Orthoptera,Gryllidae) Based on Bioacoustic and Morphological Data,with the Description of the Male Sounds from Southern Siberia

The taxonomic status of Dianemobius fascipes (Walker, 1869) from Nepal (Kathmandu) and D. nigrofasciatus (Matsumura, 1904) from Japan (Akiruno City near Tokyo), Korea (Incheon near Seoul), and Russia (Novosibirsk) is discussed based on comparison of acoustic calling signals. The sounds of D. nigrofasciatus are described for the first time from the northwesternmost locality of its range in southern Siberia, Russia. The signals of males from Russia, Japan, and Korea show no differences in their amplitude-time characteristics but they differ slightly from the signals of D. fascipes from Nepal. There are no morphological differences between these taxa except for the color of the hind tibia. The male genitalia are similar, slightly differing only in the degree of development of the ectoparamere lobe. Thus we suggest that D. fascipes should be considered a polytypic species with two subspecies: the southern nominotypical subspecies D. fascipes fascipes stat. resurr., common in the Oriental Region, and the northern subspecies D. fascipes nigrofasciatus stat. resurr., known from the eastern part of the Palaearctic Region.

     

Earthworms (Lumbricidae,Annelida) as a Component of Artificial Forest Ecosystems in the Northern Caspian Semidesert

The results of an ongoing 50-year experiment of introduction of the species Eisenia nordenskioldi into massive oak plantations (Quercus robur L.) in the Northern Caspian semidesert are analyzed. The change in the quantitative proportion of the dominant earthworm species due to the growth and conditions of forest cultures as well as their impact on meadow-chestnut soils is considered.     

Geographic nestedness of Lyciasalamandra billae (Amphibia: Salamandridae) populations within L. antalyana and description of a new subspecies

A new subspecies of the Bille’s Lycian Salamander Lyciasalamandra billae is described from four localities in the vicinity of Geyikbay?r? nearby Antalya, Turkey. It is distinguished from the nominotypical subspecies by colouration and surface pattern. The distribution area of the new subspecies is nested within the range of Lyciasalamandra antalyana, with L. a. gocmeni bordering in the north and the range of L. a. antalyana bordering in the south. New localities of both L. antalyana subspecies are reported.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8F541E98-61F3-4EDD-A432614B0A250711     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kailasius autocrator</Emphasis> (Avinov, 1913) (Lepidoptera,Papilionidae) found in the alai mountain ridge (the Pamir-Alai)

A new subspecies, Kailasius autocrator murun Korb, ssp. n., of the species Kailasius autocrator (Avinov, 1913) from the eastern part of the Alai Mountain Ridge is described. This subspecies differs from the other known ones in the smaller size (the fore-wing length is less than 23 mm) and in the presence of 5 black rounded spots in the submarginal area of the hind-wing upper side (4 spots in the nominotypical subspecies and K. a. pshartanus). The new subspecies is shown to be the most archaic one among the subspecies of the genus Kailasius by the wing pattern. Possible ways for the origin of local and small populations of morphologically different subspecies of the genus are discussed.     

Differentiation and phylogeny of the olivaceous warbler Hippolais pallida species complex

The pattern of phenotypic and molecular variation within the polytypic olivaceous warbler H. pallida was examined. This species is distributed in the southern parts of the western Palaearctic, central Asia and in the arid parts of northern Africa, and also in parts of the sub-Saharan Sahel zone. Based on morphology, five subspecies, at times assigned to three groups, have been identified. By comparing morphological, behavioural, vocal and molecular variation, we investigated the phenotypic and phylogenetic relationships within the Hippolais pallida group. The morphological and genetic data of the present study support the view of splitting the olivaceous warbler into a western (former subspecies opaca) and an eastern form (former subspecies elaeica, pallida, reiseri and laeneni). Opaca is consistently and significantly larger than the other taxa in all size measurements, even if it does share morphological properties with elaeica in characters associated with migration. The song of the polytypic pallida differs clearly from that of opaca, and is remarkably consistent within its wide range which comprises four subspecies. The molecular analysis, and the resulting phylogenetic pattern, clearly separated opaca on a single branch distant from the other subspecies. The eastern form consists of two non-overlapping haplotype groups: elaeica with relatively diverse mtDNA variation, and the three African subspecies pallida, reiseri and laeneni, which all share the same or closely related mtDNA haplotypes. It remains open whether the African taxa should be regarded as three valid subspecies of the Eastern olivaceous warbler, or if they are better treated as a single African subspecies.     

Leydigia louisi louisi Jenkin, 1934 in the Neotropics, L. louisi mexicana n.subsp. in the Central Mexican highlands

Leydigia louisi Jenkin, 1934 was recently redescribed by Kotov (2003). We found in Guatemala and South of Mexico populations of this species, similar with the typical African form. A re-examination of Daday's (1902) specimens from Patagonia demonstrated that his material, determined as L. leydigi, was also L. louisi. At the same time, we describe a new subspecies Leydigia louisi mexicana n.subsp. from four water bodies on the central Mexican plateau (State of Mexico). Parthenogenetic females, ephippial females, juvenile and adult males are described. SEM illustrations are given for L. louisi mexicana n.sp. It differs from the nominotypical subspecies by (1) ocellus of irregular shape; (2) chitinous insertions within distal segments of swimming setae far from bases of segments; (3) on IDL, 3 bunches of very long setules; (4) setules on distal lobe of limb II long; (5) longest seta of exopodite III with long, fine setules; (6) seta 1 of exopodite IV relatively short; (7) a two-lobed body on inner margin of limb V. Features 2–6 were never used in the genus previously, but were applied in the systematics of other genera of Chydoridae. The ranges of these two subspecies are, probably, the Neotropical and Holarctic regions.     

Morphology and ontogeny of Tetmemena pustulata indica nov. subspec. (Ciliophora,Hypotricha), from the Thane Creek,Mumbai, India

The morphology and ontogenesis of a novel stylonychid ciliate, Tetmemena pustulata indica nov. subspec., were investigated using live observation and protargol preparation. The new subspecies was isolated from a water sample collected from the Thane Creek, Mumbai, India. At first glance, T. pustulata indica looked very similar in morphology and ontogenesis to the well-known Tetmemena pustulata, however, on detailed investigation some non-overlapping features in the ciliature were identified, i.e., the numbers of cirri in marginal rows, adoral membranelles, and bristles in dorsal kineties. These morphometric differences justified the separation at subspecies level. Furthermore, the resting cysts are different, i.e., with smooth external layer in T. pustulata indica whereas spinous in the nominotypical subspecies T. pustulata pustulata. The Venezuelan population of T. pustulata described by Foissner corresponds very well with the Indian population in the ciliature; however, the information on the resting cyst is lacking for the former. Our study presents an example of a cyst subspecies among hypotrich ciliates, and thus extends the concept which has been mainly reported for spathidiids.     

A new species,a new synonym,and new records of the hover-fly genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cheilosia</Emphasis> Meigen (Diptera,Syrphidae)

A new species, Cheilosia richterae sp. n., is described in the nominotypical subgenus, being most closely related there to Ch. annulifemur Stackelberg, 1930. Two species, Ch. sootryeni Nielsen, 1970 and Ch. rufimana (Becker, 1984), are recorded from Russia for the first time. Ch. kuznetzovae Skufjin, 1977 is recorded for the first time from the Urals and western Siberia. The subgenus Nephocheila Barkalov, 2002 is synonymized with Nephomyia Matsumura, 1916. Figures of the male and female heads and the male genitalia are given for all the species.     

Effects of temperature on carbon fixation and carbon budget partitioning in the zooxanthellal symbiosis of Aiptasia pallida (Verrill)

Effects of temperature on carbon fixation rates and partitioning between Aiptasia pallida (Verrill) and its symbiotic alga Symbiodinium microadriaticum Freudenthal were examined by ¹⁴C incubation studies. Total fixation varied strongly with temperature, with an optimum of 32 °C. More photosynthate was translocated to the host at 12 °C (82%) than at 27 °C (63%). Partitioning among three fractions (alcohol soluble, ether soluble, and alcohol/ether insoluble) varied with temperature in Aiptasia pallida, but not in the alga. Relative partitioning between host and alga increased with time in favor of A. pallida when maintained at 12 °C, but absolute levels of translocation to the host did not change; however, photosynthate retention by the alga did decline substantially. Total fixation declined by ≈ 80% after 10 days at 12 °C. Turnover rates of fixed carbon also varied with temperature, as determined by pulse-chase studies, and the effect varied for the different fractions.These results suggest that zooxanthellae are less thermally adaptable than their hosts, and may be especially susceptible to low temperatures. Thermal effects on biochemical partitioning may have great importance in relation to growth and reproduction of animal hosts of zooxanthellae and the viability of the symbiotic relationship. These effects, combined with the pronounced effect of temperature on total photosynthate production, probably play a major role in limitation of zooxanthellal symbioses to warm waters.     

On the taxonomic position of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Issus reticulatus</Emphasis> Bervoets, 1910 (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Issidae) from Baltic amber

A new genus Bolbossus gen. n. is erected in the tribe Parahiraciini for Issus bervoetsi Gnezdilov et Bourgoin, nom. n. pro Issus reticulatus Bervoets, 1910 (nom. praeocc., non Issus reticulatus Herrich-Schäffer, 1835) described from the Baltic amber of Kaliningrad Province in Russia. The genus Issites Haupt, 1956 is assigned to the nominotypical subtribe of the tribe Issini Spinola. Bolbossus bervoetsi (Gnezdilov et Bourgoin) is the first species of the Oriental tribe of the family Issidae discovered in Europe. This finding implies the dispersal of taxa from the Oriental Region to the Western Palaearctic during the Eocene. Other fossil Issidae are briefly discussed.     

A new subgenus and a new species of the planthopper family lophopidae (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea) from Papua New Guinea

A new subgenus, Acarnana subgen. n. with the type species Acarna karnyi Baker, is established in Acarna Stål. Acarna fulgoroides sp. n. from Papua New Guinea is described in the nominotypical subgenus. The subfamily Acarninae is downgraded to a tribe, its limits are extended.