Carcinops troglodytes (Erichson) (Coleoptera: Histeridae) preying on Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in poultry houses

We first record Carcinops troglodytes (Paykull) as a predator of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) larvae in poultry houses in North and Northwest regions of the state of Paraná. Carcinops spp. are commonly recorded as predators of dipterans, and this record in poultry houses indicates the possibility of exploiting such predator for future studies aiming the development of management strategies for A. diaperinus.     

Redescription of Dicyemennea nouveli (Phylum: Dicyemida) from Enteroctopus dofleini (Mollusca: Cephalopoda: Octopoda)

A species of dicyemid mesozoan is redescribed from the giant Pacific octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini (Wülker, 1910), collected off Iwase in Toyama Bay, Honshu, Japan. Dicyemennea nouveli McConnaughey, 1959, is a large species that reaches about 12,000 microm in length. This species lives in folds of the renal appendages. The vermiform stages are characterized as having 30-41 peripheral cells, a conical calotte, and an axial cell that extends to the middle of the metapolar cells. An anterior abortive axial cell is present in vermiform embryos. Full-grown vermiform embryos have as many as 4 agametes. Infusoriform embryos consist of 39 cells; 2 nuclei are present in each urn cell and the refringent bodies are solid.     

Nasal mites (Gamasida: Rhinonyssidae) of Paroaria coronata (Miller) (Passeriformes: Emberezidae)

With the aim of identifying the species of nasal mites of Paroaria coronata (red-crested cardinal), the nasal cavity of 40 birds were examined. The nasal mites were identified as Ptilonyssus sairae de Castro and Sternostoma pirangae Pence, with 50% and 7.5% of prevalence, respectively. This is the first record of these mite species parasitizing P. coronata. This report also amplifies the area of occurrence of S. pirangae for Brazil and that of P. sairae for Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.     

Predation ofApochthonius minimus (Pseudoscorpionida: Chthoniidae) onFolsomia canadida (Collembola: Isotomidae)

Summary We investigated the functional response of the predaceous pseudoscorpion,Apochthonius minimus, to density of the springtail,Folsomia candida, as well as the effects of temperature and prey size on handling time and attack rate. Temperature slightly altered the overall rise in response. Both the rise and shape of the response differed for two prey sizes. The changes in number of prey eaten over a 48-hour period were also examined, and the attack and feeding behaviour ofA. minimus was described and discussed in relation to the predation experiments. The pseudoscorpion preferred young adultF. candida, 0.8–1.2 mm in length, when offered prey in the range, 0.2–1.5 mm.     

Egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae) of Kolla paulula (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Taiwan

Pseudoligosita nephotetticum (Mani) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Gonatocerus (Cosmocomoidea) sp. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) have been identified for the first time as egg parasitoids of the sharpshooter leafhopper Kolla paulula (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Cicadellini) in Taiwan. K. paulula has been recently identified as a candidate vector of the phytopathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causative agent of Pierce's disease of grapes and similar diseases of other affected plants in Taiwan, and thus has become of particular economic importance. Also provided is a summary of the known records of egg parasitoids (Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae) of other leafhoppers from the tribe Cicadellini in the world, as well as taxonomic notes on P. nephotetticum.     

Biology of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of six different temperatures on the development of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) using eggs of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) as hosts. The temperature affected the development of A. lacunatus. The largest values for the progeny (19 mites in T. castaneum and 15 mites in C. ferrugineus) were obtained at about 30 degrees C, as also observed for the net reproductive rate (Ro), which revealed that the A. lacunatus population increased 18 times in T. castaneum and 14 times in C. ferrugineus in a generation. The intrinsic rate of increase (r m) gradually increased with temperature, reaching the maximum value at 35 degrees C in T. castaneum (1,608) and C. ferrugineus (1,289). The generation time was negatively correlated with temperature, ranging from 1,60 to 4,85 days in T. castaneum and from 1,96 to 5,34 days in C. ferrugineus. These results suggest that the mite A. lacunatus may be used in programs of biological control of T. castaneum and C. ferrugineus in the tropics.     

Arhynchobdellida (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Hirudinida): phylogenetic relationships and evolution

A remarkable diversity of life history strategies, geographic distributions, and morphological characters provide a rich substrate for investigating the evolutionary relationships of arhynchobdellid leeches. The phylogenetic relationships, using parsimony analysis, of the order Arhynchobdellida were investigated using nuclear 18S and 28S rDNA, mitochondrial 12S rDNA, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence data, as well as 24 morphological characters. Thirty-nine arhynchobdellid species were selected to represent the seven currently recognized families. Sixteen rhynchobdellid leeches from the families Glossiphoniidae and Piscicolidae were included as outgroup taxa. Analysis of all available data resolved a single most-parsimonious tree. The cladogram conflicted with most of the traditional classification schemes of the Arhynchobdellida. Monophyly of the Erpobdelliformes and Hirudiniformes was supported, whereas the families Haemadipsidae, Haemopidae, and Hirudinidae, as well as the genera Hirudo or Aliolimnatis, were found not to be monophyletic. The results provide insight on the phylogenetic positions for the taxonomically problematic families Americobdellidae and Cylicobdellidae, the genera Semiscolex, Patagoniobdella, and Mesobdella, as well as genera traditionally classified under Hirudinidae. The evolution of dietary and habitat preferences is examined.     

小黑瓢虫对高氏瘤粉虱捕食作用的研究

在高氏瘤粉虱不同虫态共存的条件下,小黑标虫对高氏瘤粉虱各虫态的选择次序为卵＞1龄若虫＞2龄若虫＞3龄若虫＞4龄若虫和拟蛹,对卵的捕食率均最高,有明显的嗜好选择;小黑瓢虫幼虫捕食粉虱卵的数量,随着龄期的增长而递增,其中4龄幼虫的捕食量最大,4龄期捕食量平均为1565．42粒,占全幼虫期总食卵量的45．42％,整个幼虫期可捕食高氏瘤粉虱的卵数平均为3446．5粒。小黑瓢虫3龄幼虫对粉虱卵的捕食作用率在所给的猎物密度（1500粒／皿）条件下,随着自身密度的增加而降低。     

Parasitism of Neotropical Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) by Anthrax (Diptera: Bombyliidae)

Bee flies (Bombyliidae) were recorded as parasitoids of larval tiger beetles at two rain forest localities (near São Paulo and Manaus) in Brazil. Anthrax gideon was reared from larvae of Oxycheila tristis. Up to 33 parasitoid larvae were found on a single tiger beetle host. Pupation of the bee fly took place in late August and the pupal stage lasted 14 days. The host digs horizontal burrows in contrast to the great majority of cicindelids, as does Pseudoxycheila tarsalis, the other known host of A. gideon. Two pupae of another undetermined Anthrax species were reared from larvae of Pentacomia ventralis in Central Amazonia. Pupation of this Anthrax sp. took place in October, the period of lowest host abundance.     

CHORIZOCOCCUS HERBICOLA (MASKELL) (COMB. N): (HOMOPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) A GRASS-INFESTING SPECIES IN AUSTRALIA

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The Maskell species Dactylopius herbicola , a mealybug infesting grass in Australia, is redescribed and designated as a new combination, Chorizococcus herbicola (Maskell).     

Record of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) preying on Metrogaleruca obscura Degeer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Asopines are predators of insects, with several species with potential as biocontrol agents of a number of pests. Metrogaleruca obscura (Degeer), a neotropical species of Galerucini, was introduced in Malaysia, Asia, and Mauritius, Africa, to control the spread of Cordia curassavica (Boraginaceae), a native plant of the neotropics. The occurrence of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) preying on M. obscura is recorded, and Cordia verbenacea (Boraginaceae) is mentioned as a host plant for M. obscura. A list of Chrysomelidae attacked by asopines in the neotropical region is also presented.     

Redescription of two Dicyemennea (Phylum: Dicyemida) from Rossia pacifica (Mollusca: Cephalopoda: Decapoda)

Two species of dicyemid mesozoan are redescribed from Rossia pacifica Berry, 1911, collected off Iwase in Toyama Bay, Honshu, Japan. Dicyemennea brevicephaloides Bogolepova-Dobrokhotova, 1962, is a large species that reaches about 4,000 microm in length. This species attaches to the surface of the branchial heart appendages. The vermiform stages are characterized as having 23 peripheral cells, a disc-shaped calotte, and an axial cell that extends to the propolar cells. An anterior abortive axial cell is absent in vermiform embryos. Infusoriform embryos consist of 35 cells; a single nucleus is present in each urn cell and the refringent bodies are absent. Dicyemennea rossiae Bogolepova-Dobrokhotova, 1962, is a medium species that reaches about 2000 microm in length. This species lives in folds of the renal appendages. The vermiform stages are characterized as having 29-34 peripheral cells, a conical calotte, and an axial cell that extends to the middle of the metapolar cells. An anterior abortive axial cell is present in vermiform embryos. Infusoriform embryos consist of 39 cells; 2 nuclei are present in each urn cell and the refringent bodies are solid.     

Parallel evolution of Myobiidae (Acari: Prostigmata) mites and jerboas (Rodentia: Dipodoidea)

The phenomenon of the parallel evolution is considered with the example of the myobiid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Myobiidae) and the jerboas (Rodentia: Dipodoidea). According to recent phylogenetic studies of the superfamily Dipodoidea it is separated into 4 family: Allactagidae, Dipodidae, Zapodidae and Sminthidae (Shenbrot e. a., 1995). The myobiid mites of the subenus Dipodomyobia (11 species) of the genus Cryptomyobia are known as specific parasites associated with jerboas of the families Dipodidae and Allactagidae. One more species (Radfordia ewingi) considered as incertae sedis species within the genus Radfordia is found on the jerboas of the family Zapodidae. The myobiid mites are apparently absent on the members of the family Sminthidae. The reconstruction of phylogeny of the myobiid subgenus Dipodomyobia was carried out by the cladistic method (software PAUP 3.0 s). The analysis was based on 13 morphological characters. At the first step of analysis 42 parsimonious trees have been obtained. The strict consensus tree displays one distinct cluster, which incorporates mites of the allactaga species of group restricted to the jerboa family Allactagidae, and several plesions, species of which are usually refferred to as dipi species group and associated with the family Dipodidae (fig. 1). At the second step of analysis, two characters, which appeared as homoplasies at the first step of analysis were excluded, and one new characters (structure of male genital shield) was additionally included. Single cladogram obtained displays two general clusters and one plesion. The first cluster comprises the allactaga species group (parasites of Allactagidae). The second cluster incorporates the dipi species group, the parasites of subfamilies Dipodinae and Paradipodinae of Dipodidae). The plesion is represented by one species Cryptomyobia baranovae being a specific parasite of Salpingotus crassicauda (Cardiocraninae, Dipodidae). There is the high level congruence between the pattern of myobiid cladogram and jerboas phylogeny proposed by Shenbrot (1992) (fig. 2). The position of one species C. paradipi (the parasite of Paradipus ctenodactylus, single representative of subfam. Paradipodinae) does not fit to this phylogenetic system of the jerboas. This mite species belongs to the claster dipi. All others myobiid species of this group are the parasites of the subfamily Dipodinae. In the cladogram of jerboas, the subfam. Paradipodinae is a sister group of Cardiocraninae, but not of Dipodinae, as it is suggested by the parasitological data. If sinapomorphies in the node Paradipodinae--Cardiocraninae are not correct (as Shenbrot admitted), there would be a complete congruence between the phylogenetic pattern of myobiid and of jerboas. The general phylogeny of Dipodoidea based on citogenetical data was proposed by Vorontsov e. a. (1971). 3 families only were recognized within Dipodoidea: Zapodidae, Sminthidae and Dipodidae. The latter family included 3 subfamilies: Dipodinae, Cardiocraninae and Allactaginae. The version of the jerboa phylogeny proposed in the present paper based on parasitological data corresponds in general lines to the hypotesis of Vorontsov e. a. (1971). The myobiid mites are absent on Sminthidae, they are represented by one species incertae sedis on Zapodidae, and by the subgenus Dipodomyobia on others jerboas (Dipodidae sensu Vorontsov e. a.). According to the parasitological data, the subfamilies Dipodinae and Allactaginae are the sister groups, because the myobiid mites of the subgenus Dipodomyobia parazitise on the jerboas of these taxa only. The subfamily Paradipodinae (sensu Shenbrot) is a sister group for Dipodinae, as far as species C. paradipi is the sister species to other members of the dipi group. The subfamily Cardiocraninae is a sister group for the node Dipodinae-Paradipodinae and also should be included to Dipodidae, because the aberrant species C. baranovae is obviously related to the dipi species group.     

Larviposition of Compsilura concinnata (meigen) (diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar (L.) (lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Larviposition of Compsilura concinnata, a polyphagous tachinid parasitoid of Lepidoptera, is described. The conventional assessment, long‐established in the literature, places the site of larval deposition by C. concinnata as directly into the host's gut. New evidence, reported here, contradicts the earlier view. Dissection of 38 freshly parasitized gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae revealed as many maggots (n = 26) situated in the lumen of the midgut as were free in the hemocoel. Observations on maggot behavior and morphology in dissected hosts are briefly presented.     

Enterokinase (enteropeptidase): comparative aspects

The serine protease enterokinase is the physiological activator of trypsinogen and has a specificity for the sequence (Asp)4-Lys-Ile. The enzyme consists of two subunits linked by a disulfide bond. The heavy chain achors enterokinase in the intestinal brush border membrane and the light chain is the catalytic subunit, which has the same mechanism of action as trypsin and chymotrypsin. Many properties of enterokinase resemble blood-clotting enzymes, suggesting that enterokinase lies on the same phylogenetic branch as the blood-clotting proteins.     

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Psammotettix striatus (Linnaeus) and Exitianus nanus (Distant) (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)

Previous studies of insect spermatozoa indicate that these specialized cells have undergone significant morphological evolution and exhibit traits useful for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships. Although leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) are among the largest and most economically important insect families, few comparative studies of their spermatozoa have been published. Here, the ultrastructure of mature spermatozoa of two leafhoppers Psammotettix striatus (Linnaeus) and Exitianus nanus (Distant), representing two different tribes of the largest leafhopper subfamily, Deltocephalinae, was examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The shape and ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the two species are very similar to those of other Cicadellidae as well as other Auchenorrhyncha, comprising a conical acrosome invaginated to form a subacrosomal space, a filiform homogeneously condensed nucleus, a lamellate centriolar adjunct connecting the nucleus with the mid-piece/flagellum, a long flagellum with a 9 + 9 + 2 axoneme pattern and two symmetrical mitochondrial derivatives with an orderly array of peripheral cristae, and two drop-shaped accessory bodies. They may be distinguished by the size of the sperm, and the shape of the nucleus, accessory bodies, and paracrystalline region of mitochondrial derivatives. The fine morphology and ultrastructure of spermatozoon in P. striatus and E. nanus are illustrated, along with a brief discussion of the implications for classification and phylogenetic analyses of the subfamily.     

Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): An update

The isolation and characterization of delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) achieved from 1963 to 1977 were reviewed in 1984. The first reports describing sleep as well as extra-sleep effects of DSIP also were included in that work. Only two years later, much additional literature concerning DSIP has accumulated. Besides further sleep-inducing and/or-supporting effects of DSIP in animals, considerable work has been carried out to evaluate the potential use of the peptide for therapeutic purposes such as treatment of insomnia, pain, and withdrawal. Immunohistochemical as well as radioimmunochemical studies provided further insights into the natural occurrence of the nonapeptide and the distribution of DSIP-like material in the body, suggesting possible relations of the peptide to certain diseases. Various physiological functions of DSIP and a possible mechanism of action involving the modulation of adrenergic transmission remain to be established.     

Development of Amphioplus abditus (Verrill) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea): I. Larval biology

A fraction rich in secretory granules was prepared from the pyloric caeca of Asterias amurensis by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The freshly prepared fraction exhibited no casein-hydrolyzing activity- but showed nine times as much specific activity as that of tissue homogenates after incubation at 37 degrees C for thirty minutes. Electron microscopy showed that the secretory granules were membrane-bound granules measuring 0.5-290 mu in diameter and contained dense and/or light amorphous substances.