Altitudinal replacement of Ephemeroptera in a subtropical river

An altitudinal sampling transect was established in a subtropical mountain river to determine if replacement between two mayfly faunal components (oligostenothermal and polystenothermal) occurred. We detected three main groups: Group A, species with high abundance at higher stations, declining abruptly downstream; Group B, species with maximum abundance at lower elevations; either declining abruptly upstream or absent from higher elevations; and Group C, species with little elevational change. The physical and chemical variables did not change abruptly with altitude during our winter sampling, although the distribution of groups A and B species did. The observed distributional patterns of groups A and B do not appear to be correlated with variations in the physical and chemical variables surveyed.     

Darwin’s legacy to rove beetles (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae): A new genus and a new species,including materials collected on the Beagle’s voyage

A species of xanthopygine rove beetles is described and figured here as Darwinilus sedarisigen. n. and sp. n. The holotype was collected by Charles Darwin in Bahía Blanca, Argentina on the Beagle’s voyage. The contributions of Charles Darwin to rove beetle systematics are summarized briefly.     

Hemiodus bimaculatus,a new species of Hemiodontidae from the Rio Tapajós drainage,Brazil (Ostariophysi: Characiformes)

Hemiodus bimaculatus sp. nov., is described from tributaries of the Rio Juruena and Rio Teles Pires in the upper Rio Tapajós basin. The new species is diagnosed from most congeners, except Hemiodus jatuarana, by having a conspicuous circular or horizontally elongate dark blotch on the caudal peduncle (v. inconspicuous in H. iratapuru and absent in the other species). The new species differs from H. jatuarana by having a round midlateral spot on the flank (v. absent in H. jatuarana), 98–121 perforated scales in the lateral line (v. 66–72 in H. jatuarana), 23–28 scale series above and 14–19 below lateral line (v. 12–13 above and 6–7 below in H. jatuarana). Hemiodus bimaculatus is hypothesised to be related to species of the H. microlepis group, from which it also differs by having 11–25 epibranchial (v. 26–34 in H. argenteus, 29–39 in H. microlepis, 21–42 in H. orthonops and 27–35 in H. parnaguae) and 18–31 ceratobranchial (v. 38–50 in H. argenteus, 43–58 in H. microlepis, 32–52 in H. orthonops and 34–48 in H. parnaguae) gill rakers in the first arch.     

Revision of the rhinoceros beetle genus Oryctophileurus Kolbe with description of a new species,the male of O. varicosus Prell,and notes on biogeography (Scarabaeoidea,Dynastinae, Phileurini)

The genus Oryctophileurus is reviewed and its validity is supported by a combination of the following apomorphic characters: a single cephalic horn with lateral carina, pronotal cavity with ocellate punctures and two teeth or tubercles close behind the anterior pronotal margin. The male of Oryctophileurus varicosus Prell, 1934, is described for the first time. A new species, Oryctophileurus guerrai Perger & Grossi sp. n., from subhumid Tucuman-Bolivian forest in the Southern Bolivian Andes is described. The new species is distinguished from its closest relative, O. armicollis Prell, 1911, by a narrower distance between the inner teeth of the dorsal pronotal protuberances and a reduced area of weakly developed ocellate punctures above the posterolateral pronotal margin. The occurrence of Oryctophileurus species in areas of endemism along the eastern slope of the tropical Andes suggests that these populations represent biogeographic “relicts”, and the discovery of Oryctophileurus guerrai sp. n. in the southern Bolivian Andes suggests that this area is underrated with respect to insect diversity and endemism.     

Macrelmis pubescens (Grouvelle, 1889) – redescription of the species,designation of a lectotype and description of its larva (Coleoptera: Elmidae)

The adult of Macrelmis pubescens (Grouvelle, 1889) is redescribed, illustrated, a lectotype designated, and new locality information provided. The lectotype is housed in the Grouvelle’s collection in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France. The larva of M. pubescens is described, illustrated and compared with the known larvae of the genus. A diagnosis for Macrelmis Motschulsky, 1860 larvae is provided.     

Hidden areas of endemism: Small units in the South-eastern Neotropics

This study aimed to establish if the Lower Río de la Plata Basin (LRPB) wetlands can be considered a biogeographic unit. The species of this area were compiled and segregated according to the habitat, selecting only 87 endemic taxa restricted to the LRPB and linked to wetlands. Distributional data of species obtained from the literature, web databases, biological collections, and field trips were georeferenced. The areas of endemism were established as those areas where the distribution of two or more taxa overlaps in groups of rivers’ sections with geographic continuity and were tested with a cluster analysis. This congruence is due to ecological, geomorphological, and historical factors. Four areas of endemism were found: a broad area that comprises the whole study area (Riverine district), which is divided into three nested smaller areas (Paraguay–Paraná Flooding Valleys, Uruguay Basin, and Paraná Delta subdistricts). Then, we analysed 170 taxa distributions to evaluate the relationship between the study area and the neighbouring biogeographic units. According to the results, the study area belongs to the Paraná biogeographic province. Some areas of endemism are hidden inside broader areas and are hardly detected with the currently used biogeographic grid-methods. We propose to combine the information about ecological requirements of each taxon with its georeferenced records to estimate their areas of distribution as a primary step for searching areas of endemism in intracontinental studies.     

A revision of the Solatium sessile species group (section Geminata pro parte: Solanaceae)

KNAPP, S., 1991. A revision of the Solatium sessile species (sectio Geminata pro parte : Solanaceae ). The taxonomy of the Solanum sessile species group (a part of the large and unwieldy section Geminata) is reviewed, based on detailed field and herbarium studies. Members of the group are found from Mexico to Bolivia in a variety of habitats. Ten species are recognized: S. obovalifolium, S. sessile, S. monadelphum, S. turgidum, S. triste, S. chlamydogynum, S. rovirosanum, S. palmillae, S. oppositifolium and conferliseriatum.