Antelopes (Mammalia,Ruminantia, Bovidae) from the Upper Siwaliks of Tatrot,Pakistan, with description of a new species

New antelope material from the Tatrot type locality of the Tatrot Formation, Upper Siwaliks, northern Pakistan, allows us to recognize four antelopes, i.e., Antilope intermedia sp. nov. Khan and Akhtar, Antilope subtorta Pilgrim, 1937, Antilope cervicapra (Linnaeus, 1758), and Kobus porrecticornis (Lydekker, 1878). Comparisons with A. cervicapra and A. subtorta suggest that A. intermedia sp. nov. is closely related to the black buck A. cervicapra. The new material from Tatrot confirms the idea that antelopes in the Upper Pliocene Tatrot Formation were rather diverse.     

Pleistocene foxes (Vulpes,Canidae, Carnivora) from the Taurida Cave,Crimea

Doklady Biological Sciences - A mandible fragment and four isolated teeth of the fossil foxes, Vulpes alopecoides (Del Campana, 1913), Vulpes cf. vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) and Vulpes sp., are...     

Musculature of the Male Abdominal Segments and Terminalia in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musca autumnalis</Emphasis> De Geer, 1776 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrellia rapax</Emphasis> (Harris, 1780) (Diptera,Muscidae: Muscini)

The structure of the abdominal and pregenital segments and genitalia of males was studied in Pyrellia rapax (Harris, 1780) and Musca autumnalis De Geer, 1776 (Muscidae, Muscini). The musculature of these species is compared with that in Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 (Muscidae) and Scathophaga stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scathophagidae), previously investigated by O.G. Ovtshinnikova. Morphological analysis of sclerites and muscles of abdominal and pregenital segments and genitalia of males in Pyrellia rapax, Musca autumnalis, and M. domestica demonstrates processes of reduction in Musca as compared with P. rapax and S. stercoraria.     

An experience of rearing some hawk moths (Lepidoptera,Sphingidae) on artificial diets

A method for rearing five hawk moth species, namely Acherontia atropos (Linnaeus, 1758), A. lachesis (Fabricius, 1798), Agrius convolvuli (Linnaeus, 1758), Daphnis nerii (Linnaeus, 1758), and Hyles livornica (Esper, 1780) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) on artificial diets is described. Two recipes of these artificial rearing media are proposed. Special attention is given to maintenance of adult moths in captivity and raising immature stages.     

Nucleotide sequence variation of the mitochondrial COI gene in several eelpout species of the genus Zoarces (Zoarcidae, Pisces)

The mitochondrial COI gene was for the first time sequenced in eelpout species of the genus Zoarces from the Taui Bay of the Sea of Okhotsk: notched-fin Z. elongatus Kner, 1868 and the new sympatric form Zoarces sp., differing in a large set of morphological traits. The two species were compared with European eelpout Z. viviparus Linnaeus, 1758 from the Finnish Bay of the Baltic Sea. Divergence and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated a greater genetic similarity between Zoarces sp. and Z. viviparous than between sympatric Zoarces sp. and Z. elongatus.     

Systematic status of true katydids Sathrophyllia (Orthoptera,Tettigonioidea, Pseudophyllinae) from Pakistan,with description of two new species

The genus Sathrophyllia Stål, 1874 from Pakistan is reviewed with four species recorded. The diagnostic characters are given and two new species Sathrophyllia saeedi sp. n. and Sathrophyllia irshadi sp. n. are described. In addition to that Sathrophyllia nr. rugosa (Linnaeus, 1758) and Sathrophyllia femorata (Fabricius, 1787) are re-described. Further information on the distribution and ecology of the species is given and a key to studied species of Sathrophyllia is presented. Sathrophyllia femorata (Fabricius, 1787) and Sathrophyllia rugosa (Linnaeus, 1758) are recorded from Rawalakot (KPK) and Tharparker (Sindh), Pakistan for first the time.     

Decouverte d'un Cobitidae (poisson teleosteen,Cypriniforme) dans le Pliocene continental des environs de Rochefort-Montagne (Puy-de-Dome)

A single incomplete specimen of Teleost fish has been discovered in lignitic shales of Pliocene age croppingout West of Rochefort-Montagne (Puy-de-Dôme, France). The specimen is referred to the recent species Cobitis taenia L., to which it appears identical in every respect. The presence of Cobitis cf. taenia L. in the Pliocene of Rochefort-Montagne allows the environment of deposition of the lignitic shales, which are rich in fossil plants, to be more precisely defined.     

Phyllonorycter medicaginella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) and its parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) in the Middle Volga River basin

Fifteen species of parasitoids, Chrysocharis idyia (Walker, 1983), Ch. laricinellae (Ratzeburg, 1848), Ch. submutica Graham, 1963, Ch. viridis (Nees, 1834), Hemiptarsenus ornatus (Nees, 1834), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood, 1833), Pediobius cassidae Erd?s, 1958, P. metallicus (Nees, 1834), Pnigalio nemati (Westwood, 1838), P. mediterraneus Ferriére & Delucchi, 1957, P. pectinicornis (Linnaeus, 1758), P. soemius (Walker, 1839), Rhicnopelte crassicornis (Nees, 1834), Sympiesis gordius (Walker, 1839), and Hyssopus sp. n., were reared from Phyllonorycter medicaginella on Melilotius offlcinalis for the first time. Hyssopus simbirskiensis sp. n. reared from Ph. medicaginella is described. Eight ectoparasitoid species (Hyssopus ornatus, H. simbirskiensis sp. n., Rh. crassicornis, P. mediterraneus, P. nemati, P. pectinicornis, P. soemius, and S. gordius) attack all the larval instars of Ph. medicaginella. Seven endoparasitoids (P. cassidae, P. metallicus, Ch. idyia, Ch. laricinellae, Ch. submutica, Ch. viridis, and N. formosa) attack only the 4-5th-instar larvae.     

Koi herpesvirus infection in experimentally infected common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) and three potential carrier fish species Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758); Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758); and Tinca tinca (Linnaeus, 1758) by quantitative real‐time PCR and in‐situ hybridization

Only single cells in the carrier fish species Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) for koi herpesvirus (KHV) are infected in contrast to large numbers in the susceptible species common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus 1758). Several species of the family Cyprinidae have been described as virus carrier species, showing no clinical signs of a KHV disease but able to transmit the virus to other susceptible fish. In this study, 72 common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758), 36 tench Tinca tinca (Linnaeus, 1758), 36 crucian carp Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) and 36 common roach Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758) were experimentally infected with KHV (isolate “Israel”) by immersion and kept at 20°C. The fish were euthanized at 12 timepoints over a period of 90 days and virus DNA was quantified in tissues by a real‐time TaqMan PCR. Whereas KHV‐DNA was found in Cyprinus carpio for up to 90 days, the virus DNA was detectable only in single individuals of Rutilus rutilus, Tinca tinca and Carassius carassius for up to 25 days after experimental virus exposure. Tissue samples of Cyprinus carpio and Carassius carassius were screened by in‐situ hybridization. Positive signals were found in various organs of the common carp tested crucian carp. In the latter species a much smaller number of virus‐positive stained cells was detected compared to the infected carp.     

Three New Species of Dance Flies of the Subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Empis</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Polyblepharis</Emphasis>) (Diptera,Empididae) from Kazakhstan and Eastern Siberia

Three new species of dance flies (Diptera, Empididae) of the subgenus Polyblepharis Bezzi, 1909 of the genus Empis Linnaeus, 1758 are described and illustrated: E. (P.) bartakisp. n. (Kazakhstan), E. (P.) dulkeitisp. n. (Russia (Krasnoyarsk Territory)), and E. (P.) ozerovisp. n. (Kazakhstan).     

True bugs (Hemiptera,Heteroptera) as psyllid predators (Hemiptera,Psylloidea)

Data on natural enemies of psyllids are rare and can usually be found in papers about economically significant species. During an investigation of psyllid fauna in Serbia, natural enemies were investigated, too. True bugs were the most numerous among them. From 28 psyllid species, 21 species of true bugs from families Anthocoridae and Miridae were reared. Seven species of Anthocoridae were identified: Anthocoris amplicollis (Horváth, 1839), Anthocoris confusus Reuter, 1884, Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius, 1794), Anthocoris nemorum (Linnaeus, 1761), Orius majusculus Reuter, 1884, Orius minutus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Orius niger Wolff, 1811. The following 14 species of Miridae were identified: Atractotomus mali Meyer-Dür, 1843, Campylomma verbasci (Meyer-Dür, 1843), Deraeocoris flavilinea (A. Costa, 1862), Deraeocoris ruber (Linnaeus, 1758), Deraeocoris lutescens (Schilling, 1836), Heterocordylus genistae (Scopoli, 1763), Hypseloecus visci (Puton, 1888), Malacocoris chlorizans Panzer, 1794, Miris striatus (Linnaeus, 1758), Orthotylus marginalis Reuter, 1884, Psallus assimilis Stichel, 1956, Psallus quercus Kirschbaum, 1856, Psallus flavellus Stichel, 1933 and Pseudoloxops coccinea (Meyer-Dür, 1843). The aim of the research was to provide list of true bugs recorded as predators of psyllids in order to preserve their diversity and significance, especially on cultivated plants.     

Treerunners,cryptic lizards of the Plica plica group (Squamata,Sauria, Tropiduridae) of?northern?South?America

The arboreal, Neotropical lizard Plica plica (Linnaeus, 1758) has been long considered a widespread species with a distribution east of the Andes. A preliminary examination of 101 specimens from about 28 locations mostly north of the Amazon suggests that Plica plica is a cryptic species complex with taxa that can be distinguished on the basis of the number of scale rows at mid-body; the arrangement, shape and ornamentation of scales on the snout; the number of lamellae on the fourth toe; the number of subocular plates; as well as other commonly used external morphological traits. The allopatric species discussed here are concordant with northern South American geography. Plica plica (Linnaeus, 1758) is associated with the Guiana Shield (Suriname, Guyana and Venezuela). A second species, P. caribeana sp. n. is associated with the Caribbean Coastal Range of Venezuela including Trinidad and Tobago. A third, distinctive species, P. rayi sp. n. is associated with the middle Orinoco at the eastern edge of the Guiana Shield. Two other species, P. kathleenae sp. n. and P. medemi sp. n., each based upon a single specimen, one from the Sierra Acarai Mountains of Guyana, and the other from southern Meta, Colombia are described. In addition to morphological analyses, we sequenced 12S and 16S rDNA gene fragments from one Plica plica from Trinidad to assess its relationship and taxonomy to other mainland Plica cf. plica. The results suggest Plica caribeana sp. n. likely diverged prior to the separation of Trinidad from northern Venezuela. Isolation in the Caribbean Coastal Range during its rapid uplift in the late Miocene, combined with a marine incursion into northern Venezuela may have contributed to their genetic divergence from other populations.     

Confirmed occurrence of the Cusk-eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophidion barbatum</Emphasis> (Osteichthyes: Ophidiidae) from the Coast of Tunisia (Central Mediterranean)

This paper reports the second record but also the first substantiated record of cusk-eel Ophidion barbatum (Linnaeus, 1758) from the northern coast of Tunisia, 168 mm in total length and weighing 18.3 g. The specimen is described including morphometric measurements and counts. Differences from its close relative species O. rochei (Linnaeus, 1758) are pointed out that confirm the occurrence of O barbatum in the Tunisian waters. This finding constitutes the northernmost extension range of the species in the area.     

On a record of the spotted asparagus beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crioceris duodecimpunctata</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae) in Leningrad Province

The spotted asparagus beetle, Crioceris duodecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) was recorded in Leningrad Province for the first time.     

The mammal fauna from the late Early Biharian site of Castagnone (Northern Monferrato, Piedmont, NW Italy)

Small and large mammals associated in Early Pleistocene floodplain sediments outcropping near Castagnone (Cerrina Valley, northern Monferrato Hills, Piedmont, NW Italy) are here examined, with particular emphasis on the voles. The micromammal assemblage includes Talpa sp., Sciurus cf. S. warthae, Mimomys savini, Mimomys pusillus, Microtus (Allophaiomys) cf. M. (A.) nutiensis, Ungaromys cf. U. nanus, Apodemus mystacinus, Leporidaeindert. and the associated macrofauna lists the following generic Galerian components: Stephanorhinus cf. S. hundsheimensis, Sus sp., Hippopotamus sp., Capreolus sp. and other Cervidae indet. (a fallow-deer and a megacerine), Bison sp. and Elephantidae indet. Due to the co-occurrence of U. nanus and an evolutionary advanced form of Allophaiomys with the normal paleomagnetic polarity of the embedding sediments, this faunal assemblage can be biochronologically dated to the late Early Biharian within the Jaramillo subchron.     

Early Miocene Amphibians (Caudata, Salientia) from the Mokrá-Western Quarry (Czech Republic) with comments on the evolution of Early Miocene amphibian assemblages in Central Europe

The Mokrá-Western Quarry exhibits the rare occurrence of Early Miocene (MN 4) vertebrate fauna within the area of the eastern part of Central Europe. In addition to a rich fauna of reptiles and mammals, two fossiliferous karst joints (Mokrá-Western Quarry, 1/2001 Turtle Joint and Mokrá-Western Quarry, 2/2003 Reptile Joint) yielded a rich fauna of amphibians including 13 amphibian taxa: Salamandridae: Mioproteus sp., Chelotriton sp., type I, Chelotriton sp., type II, Triturus aff. roehrsi, Triturus cf. marmoratus, Triturus sp. (T. cristatus species group), Chioglossa meini, Mertensiella mera, Salamandridae gen. and sp. indet.; Pelobatidae: Pelobates sanchizi; Ranidae: Rana sp. (synklepton Rana esculenta); Bufonidae: Bufo sp. The first records of the West European species Triturus cf. marmoratus and Chioglossa meini are reported from the eastern part of Central Europe indicating the wide distribution of those taxa throughout the whole of Europe as early as MN 4. The oldest known record of Pelobates sanchizi documents the Early Miocene presence of representatives closely related to the extinct Late Oligocene representatives of Pelobates. The slow evolution of amphibian species is documented by the presence of Triturus cf. marmoratus and the oldest known occurrence of the extinct salamander Mertensiella mera.     

Diversity and eco-zoogeographic analysis of lamellicorn beetles (Coleoptera,Scarabaeoidea) of Yakutia,Russia

A comprehensive analysis of the diversity of Yakutian lamellicorn beetles is provided. A total of 54 species from 18 genera, 14 tribes, 14 subfamilies, and 5 families are revealed. The family Ochodaeidae Mulsant & Rey, 1871, the genus Codocera Eschscholtz, 1821, and six species, namely Codocera ferruginea (Eschscholtz, 1818), Aegialia friebi Balthasar, 1935, A. kamtschatica Motschulsky, 1860, Aphodius ater (De Geer, 1774), A. pusillus Herbst, 1789, and A. haemorrhoidalis (Linnaeus, 1758), are recorded in the fauna of Yakutia for the first time. The ecological and zoogeographic features of the Scarabaeoidea of the region are considered. Data on the trophic specialization, phenology and spatial distribution of the species are given.     

Les grands mammifères du Villafranchien supérieur des travertins du Bassin de Denizli (Sud-Ouest Anatolie,Turquie)

The large mammals from travertine deposits in the Denizli basin include the following species: Archidiskodon meridionalis meridionalis, Equus cf. altidens s. l., E. cf. apolloniensis, Stephanorhinus cf. etruscus, Metacervoceros rhenanus, Cervalces (Libralces) ex gr. minor-gallicus, Palaeotragus sp., Bovinae gen. and sp. indet. This association resembles those from the late Villafranchian of Southern and Eastern Europe, and, to some extent, fromWestern Asia, and could be older than 1.2 Ma.     

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.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships for 10 pelagic fish species from the Adriatic Sea (Croatia)

Length–weight and length–length relationships are described for 10 of the most important and most frequent small, middle‐size and large pelagic fish species from the Adriatic Sea, namely Sardina pilchardus Walbaum 1792, Sardinella aurita Valenciennes 1847, Sprattus sprattus Linnaeus 1758, Engraulis encrasicolus Linnaeus 1758, Belone belone Linnaeus 1761, Scomber scombrus Linnaeus 1758, Scomber japonicus Houttuyn 1780, Thunnus thynnus Linnaeus 1758, Auxis rochei Risso 1810 and Sarda sarda Bloch 1793. Length–length equations for converting size measurements: standard length (SL) and fork length (FL) to total length (TL) and vice versa, were linear.