Recognition of the genus Hoplosaenidea Laboissière in Australia, with a key to the Australian genera of Galerucini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

Abstract The south-east Asian genus Hoplosaenidea Laboissière is recognised in Australia for the first time, with a single species, scutellata sp. n., occurring in north Queensland and New Guinea. A key is provided for identification of the Australian genera of Galerucini.     

A new citrus-feeding psyllid from the Comoro Islands, with a review of the Diaphorina amoena species group (Homoptera)

ABSTRACT. Analysis of host plant data for the seventy-one species of Diaphorina shows the genus to be unusually polyphagous, the species developing on eighteen families of dicotyledonous angiosperms. Apart from the common Asian citrus pest, Diaphorina citri , a second citrus-feeding species is described and discussed. This species belongs to the amoena species-group which is defined and a key to nine of the ten included species is given. Seven new species are described: flavipennis sp.n. and nigripennis sp.n. from East Africa on Strychnos usambarensis; huila sp.n. from Angola on Ptaeroxylon obliquum; turned sp.n., from South Africa (host unknown); orantimina sp.n. from Madagascar (host unknown); auberti sp.n. from Comoro Islands on citrus trees; and bispinulata sp.n. from Madagascar (host unknown).     

The phylogeny of the Pantropical genus Arrhipis Bonvouloir (Coleoptera, Eucnemidae)

The phylogeny of the genus Arrhipis Bonvouloir (Coleoptera, Eucnemidae) is clarified with a cladistic analysis based on five molecular markers and morphology. Sixteen species from Africa, America, Asia, and Australia are included in the analysis. Two separate Asian clades are recovered, one of them being the sister group to a clade with the American and African species. With the exception of the continental south-east Asian species, all Gondwanan regions have monophyletic faunas. According to the present data, the continental south-east Asian fauna comprises two monophyletic groups, one of which is the sister group to African and American species. Vicariance seems to be the logical explanation for the distribution of these lignicolous beetles.
© The Willi Hennig Society 2009.     

Courtship and mating in the whip spider Phrynichus orientalis Weygoldt, 1998 (Chelicerata: Amblypygi)

Mating behaviour and spermatophore morphology of the south-east Asian whip spider Phrynichus orientalis is described. During courtship there is less bodily contact between mates than in other studied species of the same genus. However, a peculiarity for the species is that the pair often pauses for minutes, sitting front to front without any movement. For spermatophore formation, the male shifts his body under that of the female like in many other species. However, after spermatophore formation, the male lures the female to the spermatophore instead of pulling her as in most other species studied. The spermatophore differs from those of most other species of the genus by the fact that the cushions in front of the sperm masses are replaced by a hard, transparent mass which has the same function as the cushions. Mating behaviour and spermatophore morphology of P. orientalis thus show peculiarities that so far have not been described for other species of the genus. It is not clear whether these characters should be considered plesiomorphic or apomorphic. But it does clearly show that there is more diversity within this genus than expected.     

Biogeography and speciation patterns of the golden orb spider genus Nephila (Araneae: Nephilidae) in Asia

The molecular phylogeny of the globally distributed golden orb spider genus Nephila (Nephilidae) was reconstructed to infer its speciation history, with a focus on SE Asian/W Pacific species. Five Asian, two Australian, four African, and one American species were included in the phylogenetic analyses. Other species in Nephilidae, Araneidae, and Tetragnathidae were included to assess their relationships with the genus Nephila, and one species from Uloboridae was used as the outgroup. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed from one nuclear (18S) and two mitochondrial (COI and 16S) markers. Our molecular phylogeny shows that the widely distributed Asian/Australian species, N. pilipes, and an African species, N. constricta, form a clade that is sister to all other Nephila species. Nested in this Nephila clade are one clade with tropical and subtropical/temperate Asian/Australian species, and the other containing African and American species. The estimated divergence times suggest that diversification events within Nephila occurred during mid-Miocene to Pliocene (16 Mya-2 Mya), and these time periods were characterized by cyclic global warming/cooling events. According to Dispersal and Vicariance Analysis (DIVA), the ancestral range of the Asian/Australian clade was tropical Asia, and the ancestral range of the genus Nephila was either tropical Asia or Africa. We conclude that the speciation of the Asian/Australian Nephila species was driven by Neogene global cyclic climate changes. However, further population level studies comparing diversification patterns of sister species are needed to determine the mode of speciation of these species.     

The ant-parasitic genus Rhipipalloidea Girault (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), with a description of a new species

The genus Rhipipalloidea Girault (1934 ), from the Australian region is revised. Rhipipalloidea gruberi Girault (1940 ) is synonymised with R. mira Girault 1934 . A new species, R. madangensis , is described from Papua New Guinea. This species is separated from R. mira from Australia by the distinct striation on the head, and ramose, 12-segmented antennae of the females. Males and a host for the genus are described for the first time.     

Ascaridoid nematodes of South American mammals, with a definition of a new genus

Ascaridoid nematodes occurring in South American mammals are divided into categories based on their possible origin. The affinities are discussed of five species so far known only from the Neotropical Region. Toxocara alienata (Rudolphi 1819) is reported from Nasua rufa socialis, Procyon cancrivorus, and Tayassus torquatus. The specimens from T. torquatus are described and found most closely to resemble Toxocara mackerrasae from south-east Asian and Austrialian rodents. Anisakis insignis from Inia geoffrensis is transferred back to Peritrachelius Diesing, 1851, on account of the structure of the lips and spicules. P. insignis is shown to exhibit remarkable convergence of lip structure with Lagochilascaris turgida from Didelphis marsupialis. Galeiceps longispiculum (Freitas & Lent, 1941) from Pteronura brasiliensis is confirmed as a species distinct from G. cucullus (Linstow, 1899) and G. spinicollis (Baylis, 1923), but G. simiae (Mosgovoy, 1951) is considered to be a synonym of G. spinicollis. An error in the host record of G. spinicollis is corrected from Cercopithecus leucampyx kandti to Lutra maculicollis kivuana. Ascaris dasypodina Baylis, 1922 from armadillos, including Cabassous unicinctus and Tolypeutes matacos, is redescribed and placed in a new genus Bairdascaris. The question is raised as to whether some species in Lagochilascaris, Galeiceps, and Toxocara may have crossed directly by sea from Africa to South America, rather than entering via North America.     

中国南方内生拟盘多毛孢

采集并鉴定了我国南方8科17种植物的内生拟盘多毛孢23种,其中4个过去归在盘多毛孢属的种重组到拟盘多毛孢属中,它们是布氏拟盘多毛孢Pestalotiopsis briosiana,、芍药生拟盘多毛孢P.paeoniicola、亚角质拟盘多毛孢P.subcuticularis和窒息拟盘多毛孢P.suffocata,并对这4个新组合进行了重新描述和图解,其它19种列出名录。     

New species of the myrmecophile Polyplocotes Westwood (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) from South Australia

Six new species of the Australian myrmecophilous ptinid genus Polyplocotes are described from South Australia. Three are from the deserts of central Australia, one from the Franklin Islands in the Great Australian Bight, one from Eyre Peninsula and one from the Riverland region. Morphologically, the majority of these new species are conventional Polyplocotes , but two are less typical. The characters uniting the genus are explored in the discussion, and comparisons are made to related genera. Although the six new species described here have not been observed in the field, the species of this genus are known to be myrmecophilous, and ant – beetle interactions similar to those seen in other spider beetles might occur between these new species and their host ants.     

Potential risk of accidental introduction of Asian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) to Australasia: effects of climatic conditions and suitability of native plants

1 The potential risk of the establishment of the Asian strain of the gypsy moth (AGM) (Lymantria dispar) in New Zealand and Australia (Australasia) was assessed from a study of the insect's host range and potential distribution. In New Zealand, viable eggs of AGM have been continuously intercepted on cargo from Asia, and therefore there is a high probability of accidental introductions of AGM to Australasia. 2 We predicted potential distribution ranges of AGM based on climatic conditions. Asian gypsy moth is predicted to be able to persist in N and SE New Zealand and SE and SW Australia. 3 Using three populations of AGM and 59 species (seven families) of plant (55 from Australasia and four from elsewhere), we also conducted laboratory trials to examine the ability of AGM larvae to complete development on native plants from Australasia. Asian gypsy moth was able to complete development on 26 out of the 55 native species tested. Furthermore, larval performance on at least five species of Australian native plant was as good as on AGM's preferred host species (Quercus pubescens and Q. robur). 4 Larval performance of AGM was poor on all but one species of New Zealand native tree species (Nothofagus solandri), and therefore the risk of establishment in the indigenous forests of New Zealand is considered to be low. 5 Given the suitability of some Australian plants and the climatic suitability for the establishment of AGM, this insect should be treated as a serious quarantine threat and managed accordingly, particularly in Australia.     

Paraorygmatobothrium?taylori n. sp. (Tetraphyllidea: Phyllobothriidae) from the Australian weasel shark Hemigaleus?australiensis White, Last & Compagno (Carcharhiniformes: Hemigaleidae)

Paraorygmatobothrium taylori n. sp. (Tetraphyllidea: Phyllobothriidae) is described from the Australian weasel shark Hemigaleus australiensis White, Last & Compagno in Moreton Bay, off Queensland, Australia. The new species differs from 10 of the 11 described species of Paraorygmatobothrium Ruhnke, 1994 by the possession of prominent, semicircular bothridial muscle bands. From P. barberi Ruhnke, 1994, with which it shares the bothridial muscle bands, it differs in the possession of a cephalic peduncle and vitelline follicles that extend almost to the mid-line of the proglottis and are reduced, rather than completely interrupted, at the level of the ovary. P. janineae Ruhnke, Healy & Shapero, 2006 is recorded from its type–host but in a new locality, Moreton Bay, off Queensland, Australia. P. taylori is the third species of the genus recorded from the Hemigaleidae in Australian waters. Three of the eight known hemigaleid species are now recorded to harbour this genus, and three different species are now known from the two hemigaleids found in Australian waters.     

Key to the New Zealand species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) with descriptions of three new species and a new record of the psyllid hyperparasitoid Coccidoctonus psyllae Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Abstract  This paper records seven species of wasps in the genus Psyllaephagus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from New Zealand. All of these species are primary parasitoids of psylloids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea). Two are species previously described from New Zealand: P. acaciae Noyes and P. pilosus Noyes. Two are described Australian species which have established recently: P. bliteus Riek and P. gemitus Riek. Three new species are described here, from New Zealand: P. breviramus sp. nov., P. cornwallensis sp. nov. and P. richardhenryi sp. nov. All species are probably Australian in origin. A key to all seven Psyllaephagus species known from New Zealand is provided. An earlier first record of the Australian psyllid hyperparasitoid Coccidoctonus psyllae Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), previously first recorded from New Zealand in 2006, is noted.     

Review of Australian Asperoseius Chant, Euseius Wainstein, Okiseius Ehara and Phytoscutus Muma (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) with a key to the genera of Australian Amblyseiinae and descriptions of two new species

Previous workers have used a conservative generic classification of the subfamily Amblyseiinae that treated most Australian Phytoseiidae as species in the genus Amblyseius Berlese. However, this lumping masks the occurrence of a number of genera recognised overseas, including some that contain important biological control agents. In this review, a key to the genera of Australian Amblyseiinae is provided and the Australian species in four amblyseiine genera are reviewed and keyed. Asperoseius Chant is represented by a single known Australian species, A. australiensis Fain and Krantz collected from a Culicoides midge in South Australia. Six species of Euseius Wainstein are recognised in Australia, including four endemics: E. dowdi (Schicha), E. elinae (Schicha), E. neovictoriensis (Schicha), and E. victoriensis (Schicha), and two Asia–Pacific species: E. noumeae (Schicha) and E. ovalis (Evans). Okiseius Ehara is represented in Australia by the previously described O. morenoi Schicha and O. domatorum (Schicha); the Asian species O. subtropicus Ehara (new record); and two new species, O. tribulation and O. cowbay described from tropical rainforest in Far North Queensland. Phytoscutus acaridophagus Collyer, a mite described from New Zealand, is reported in association with acarid mites ( Neotropacarus sp.) in Victoria and in Queensland.     

Allopatric speciation in the nematode parasites of frogs in southern Western Australia

The nematodes parasitic in frogs in southern Western Australia are closely related to those found in South Australian hosts, with two cosmocercoid species common to both regions and at least two of the three Western Australian species of Parathelandros forming pairs with species in South Australia.
The host distribution of the Western Australian species of Parathelandros suggests a host specificity, at generic level, with one species restricted to the genus Hyla, one largely restricted to the genus Helioporus and one, more widespread, in the genera Neobatrachus, Helioporus and Limnodynastes.
Studies of the hosts have demonstrated that the four species of Helioporus in which P. carinae is known to occur do not represent a local radiation but are the result of at least three host invasions from the eastern side of the Nullarbor Plain. Because of this it is argued that the speciation of the parasites was independent of that of the hosts, was allopatric and probably involved intra-host competition.
The importance of using the divisions of their environment recognized by the parasites, rather than those recognized by their hosts, in studies of host: parasite relationships is stressed. As a consequence it is argued that although the theoretical basis of using parasites as indicators of host relationships is weakened their practical value remains unimpaired. Attention is drawn to the danger of circularity in the use of parasites in establishing host relationships.     

Second species in the Australian ant genus Peronomyrmex Viehmeyer (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

A second species of the rare Australian ant genus Peronomyrmex is described from Victoria. This new species, P. bartoni , represents only the third time the genus has been collected, the previous records being the holotype of P. overbecki Viehmeyer from north-eastern New South Wales and a collection, subsequently lost, from northern Queensland.     

Pterigodermatites (Paucipectines) spinicaudatis n. sp. (Nematoda: Rictularidae) from Dromiciops australis (Marsupialia: Microbiotheriidae) in Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina. Biogeographical distribution and host-parasite relationships.

Pterigodermatites (P.) spinicaudatis sp. n. from Dromiciops australis is proposed and described. The simple morphology of the ovijector and the presence of a well developed spine between the two cuticular projections at the caudal extremity of the female distinguish the studied nematode from the remainder species of the genus parasitizing South American Edentata, marsupials and cricetid rodents. The distribution area of the hosts of the different species of P. (P.) are given. The studied genus does not parasitize any Australian marsupials. It was found in the endemic South American Microbiotheriidae. This fact suggests from a parasitological point of view that D. australis is not related to the Australian marsupials but to the South American ones.     

Three new species and a new combination in the genusTorulomyces from soil

Seven isolates ofTorulomyces from Asian and Australian soil samples were studied in comparison with known taxa of the genus and withMonocillium indicum, the type species ofMonocillium. Three new species,Torulomyces parviverrucosus, T. laevis, andT. ovatus, are described, andT. brunneus is described as a new combination. Conidial characteristics, especially their shape and surface structure, are useful taxonomic criteria for distinguishing species ofTorulomyces. Monocillium is considered to be a distinct genus.     

The first record of genus Bruggmanniella (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Taiwan with description of a new species inducing bud galls on Neolitsea parvigemma (Lauraceae)

The genus Bruggmanniella Tavares is newly discovered from Taiwan and Bruggmanniella brevipes sp. n. is described as new to science. This is the southernmost species of Bruggmanniella found in the Old World. Furthermore, the gall midge induces bud galls on Neolitsea parvigemma (Hayata) Kaneh (Lauraceae), an endemic species in Taiwan, and the plant genus Neolitsea is the third host genus of Lauraceae-associated Bruggmanniella in East Asia. The knowledge of its distribution and host information provide us to shed the light on evolutionary and biogeography issue of East Asian Bruggmanniella.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:820320EC-17BC-4E00-A401-2DBDA3EEE9C4     

A phylogeographic study of the cosmopolitan genus Phragmites (Poaceae) based on AFLPs

Within the genus Phragmites (Poaceae), the species P. australis (the common reed) is virtually cosmopolitan, and shows considerable variation in ploidy level and morphology. Genetic variation in Phragmites was studied using AFLPs, and analysed with parsimony and distance methods. Groups of P. australis strongly supported in the analyses include one that comprises all South American clones, a distinct group from the US Gulf Coast, and a group of E. Asian and Australian octoploids. Among the other species, the paleotropical P. vallatoria is supported as monophyletic and most closely related to the paraphyletic P. mauritianus and to the Gulf Coast and S. American groups. The E. Asian species P. japonicus is closely related to a group of P. australis clones mostly from central North America. Tetraploidy predominates in the genus, and optimisation of chromosome numbers onto the phylogeny shows that higher ploidy levels have evolved many times.