A synopsis of the genusScleromitrula (=Verpatinia) (Ascomycotina: Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae)

The systematics ofScleromitrula andVerpatinia of the family Sclerotiniaceae is reevaluated on the basis of morphological, cultural and molecular criteria.Scleromitrula shiraiana, Verpatinia species andCiborinia candolleana share gross morphological, microanatomical and cultural features which clearly distinguish them from the closely relatedCiborinia andRutstroemia species. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1, ITS2, and the 5.8S gene) of nuclear ribosomal DNA demonstrate that the stipitate-capitate specimens ofScleromitrula andVerpatinia species plus the stipitate-cupulateCiborinia candolleana constitute a monophyletic clade separate from a clade including the type species ofCiborinia. Scleromitrula is emended to includeS. shiraiana, the new speciesS. rubicola, C. candolleana, and specimens formerly assigned toVerpatinia. A key to the accepted species ofScleromitrula is provided.     

Systematics of the tribe Euderomphalini (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): parasitoids of whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract. Eulophid parasitoids of whiteflies are reviewed, with comments on their systematic placement, and a generic key. All eulophid whitefly parasitoids are placed in the tribe Euderomphalini in the subfamily Entedoninae, and reasons for this placement are discussed. Three new genera are described. The seven included genera can be divided into two distinct genus groups: the Euderomphale group contains Baeoentedon Girault, Euderomphale Girault, Neopomphale gen.n., and Pomphale Husain el al. ; the Enicdononecremnus group contains Aleuroctonus gen.n., Dasyompluile gen.n., and Enicdononecremnus Girault. The new species Dusyomphale chilensis is described.     

Phylogenetic systematics of the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea-group (Insecta: Diptera: Empididae)

Six clades are inferred from a phylogenetic analysis including 42 species belonging to the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea‐group. These clades are named as follows: E. (C.) acris, E. (C.) aspina, E. (C.) atratata, E. (C.) hyalea, E. (C.) jacobsoni and E. (C.) nahaeoensis. The presence of two dorsal more or less developed epandrial projections is considered autapomorphic for the E. (C.) hyalea‐group in addition to two characters previously found to support the monophyly of this group (presence of an unsclerotized zone in the middle of labella and epandrium unpaired). Amongst the cladistically analysed species, 24 are newly described [ E. ( C. ) acris , E. ( C. ) aspina , E. ( C. ) cameronensis , E. ( C. ) duplex , E. ( C. ) incurva , E. ( C. ) inferiseta , E. ( C. ) kuaensis , E. ( C. ) lachaisei , E. ( C. ) lamellalta , E. ( C. ) lata , E. ( C. ) loici , E. ( C. ) longiseta , E. ( C. ) mengyangensis , E. ( C. ) menglunensis , E. ( C. ) missai , E. ( C. ) nimbaensis , E. ( C. ) padangensis , E. ( C. ) parvula , E. ( C. ) projecta , E. ( C. ) pseudonahaeoensis , E. ( C. ) submetallica , E. ( C. ) urumae , E. ( C. ) vitisalutatoris and E. ( C. ) woitapensis ], five are reviewed [E. (C.) hyalea Melander, E. (C.) jacobsoni De Meijere, E. (C.) ostentator Melander, E. (C.) sinensis Melander and E. (C.) thiasotes Melander] and 13 were recently described in two previous papers. Two additional species, E. (C.) abbrevinervis De Meijere and E. (C.) multipennata Melander, are also reviewed but not included in the cladistic analysis since they are only known from the female. A lectotype is designated for E. (C.) jacobsoni. A key is provided to the six clades of the E. (C.) hyalea‐group as well as to species of each clade. A catalogue of the E. (C.) hyalea‐group, including 72 species, is given. The taxonomic status of 25 additional species mainly described by Bezzi and Brunetti, from the Oriental and Australasian regions, is discussed. The E. (C.) hyalea‐group is firstly recorded from the Palaearctic Region and Australia. Finally, the distribution and the habitats of the species compared with their phylogeny suggest a possible relationship between the diversification of the group and forest fragmentations during the Quaternary. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145 , 339–391.     

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.     

Phylogeny of the gudgeons (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Gobioninae)

The members of the cyprinid subfamily Gobioninae, commonly called gudgeons, form one of the most well-established assemblages in the family Cyprinidae. The subfamily is a species-rich group of fishes, these fishes display diverse life histories, appearances, and behavior. The phylogenetic relationships of Gobioninae are examined using sequence data from four loci: cytochrome b, cytochrome c oxidase I, opsin, and recombination activating gene 1. This investigation produced a data matrix of 4114 bp for 162 taxa that was analyzed using parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenies our analyses recovered corroborate recent studies on the group. The subfamily Gobioninae is monophyletic and composed of three major lineages. We find evidence for a Hemibarbus-Squalidus group, and the tribes Gobionini and Sarcocheilichthyini, with the Hemibarbus-Squalidus group sister to a clade of Gobionini-Sarcocheilichthyini. The Hemibarbus-Squalidus group includes those two genera; the tribe Sarcocheilichthyini includes Coreius, Coreoleuciscus, Gnathopogon, Gobiocypris, Ladislavia, Paracanthobrama, Pseudorasbora, Pseudopungtungia, Pungtungia, Rhinogobio, and Sarcocheilichthys; the tribe Gobionini includes Abbottina, Biwia, Gobio, Gobiobotia, Huigobio, Microphysogobio, Platysmacheilus, Pseudogobio, Romanogobio, Saurogobio, and Xenophysogobio. The monotypic Acanthogobio is placed into the synonymy of Gobio. We tentatively assign Belligobio to the Hemibarbus-Squalidus group and Mesogobio to Gobionini; Paraleucogobio and Parasqualidus remain incertae sedis. Based on the topologies presented, the evolution of swim bladder specializations, a distinctive feature among cyprinids, has occurred more than once within the subfamily.     

Phylogeny of the Eucoilinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae)

The Eucoilinae are a diverse and important group of parasitoids of Diptera, particularly in the tropics, but they are poorly known systematically and their generic classification is partly chaotic. Here, we present the first comprehensive cladistic analysis of higher eucoiline relationships. The analysis is based on 148 skeletal characters of adults documented in more than 1100 digital images available in an Internet-accessible database. The characters were coded for 45 taxa representing 35 eucoiline genera, spanning the entire diversity of the group, and 7 outgroup genera. Relationships were partly difficult to resolve and parsimony analysis under implied weights performed considerably better than analysis under uniform weights. The results support the monophyly of the Eucoilinae and show that eucoilines are most closely related to the figitid subfamilies Emargininae and Pycnostigminae, but are ambiguous concerning the exact relationships among these three lineages. Of the 6 eucoiline genus groups recognized by Nordlander in 1982 ( Entomol. Scand. 13, 269–292), only 2 are supported as monophyletic: the Trybliographa and Kleidotoma groups. The Gronotoma group is a paraphyletic assemblage of two different basal clades of eucoilines. The Rhoptromeris group is unnatural and only the 2 core genera, Rhoptromeris and Trichoplasta , form a monophyletic lineage. The data are ambiguous concerning the Ganaspis group, which appears to be paraphyletic, and the Chrestosema group, which may be a good clade. Based on the results we propose a modified system of informal genus groups in the Eucoilinae and discuss putative synapomorphies supporting each genus group. The proposed relationships imply that the first eucoilines were parasitoids of leaf-mining agromyzids. The earliest split in the group was apparently between an Afrotropical and a Neotropical lineage, and much of the early radiation of the group occurred in these regions, particularly in the Neotropics.     

Effect of the pupal age of Calliphora erythrocephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on the reproductive biology of Melittobia acasta (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae)

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the pupal age of Calliphora erythrocephala (Meigen) on the reproductive biology (in terms of number, size, developmental time and longevity of progeny) of the parasitoid Melittobia acasta Walker. Melittobia acasta females of uniform size were given five C. erythrocephala pupae from one of four experimental age groups: 17–24 h, 24–48 h, 48–72 h and 72–96 h, for parasitization. The mean number of progeny produced from the experimental age groups for a 24 h period were 2, 7.6, 15.6 and 13.6, respectively. The parasitoids preferred hosts that were 48–72 h old. There were no significant differences in the mean development time (18.2 days) and size of progeny (mean head width = 0.38 ± 0.01 mm) produced from the experimental host age groups. The longevity of progeny from the four host age groups varied (range: 4–39 days), with those from the 48–72 h group living longest (mean = 25 days). The F₁ females from the 48–72 h group were reproductively more successful than those from the other groups, producing a mean F₂ progeny of 912 individuals when compared with 867, 801 and 757 individuals from the 24–48 h, 72–96 h and 17–24 h age groups, respectively. These findings make significant contributions to our knowledge of the breeding and utilization of this parasitoid for the biological control of dipteran flies in pigsties and poultry houses.     

Evolution of the planthoppers (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea)

The planthopper superfamily Fulgoroidea (Insecta: Hemiptera) comprises approximately 20 described insect families, depending on which classification is followed. Multiple competing hypotheses of fulgoroid phylogeny have been published, based on either morphological character coding or DNA sequence data; however, those hypotheses disagree in several key aspects regarding the evolution of planthoppers. The current paper seeks to test these hypotheses, including the Asche (Asche, M. 1987. Preliminary thoughts on the phylogeny of Fulgoromorpha (Homoptera Auchenorrhyncha). In: Proceedings of the 6th Auchenorrhyncha Meeting, Turin, Italy, 7-11 September, 1987, pp. 47-53.) hypothesis of a trend in ovipositor structure, which may be correlated with planthopper feeding ecology. Presented here are phylogenetic reconstructions of Fulgoroidea based on analysis of DNA nucleotide sequence data from four loci (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Histone 3, and Wingless) sequenced from 83 exemplar taxa representing 18 planthopper families and outgroups. Data sets were analyzed separately and in various combinations under the maximum parsimony criterion, and the total combined dataset was analyzed via both maximum parsimony and partitioned Bayesian criteria; results of the combined analyses were concordant across reconstruction paradigms. Relationships recovered suggest several major planthopper lineages, including: (1) Delphacidae+Cixiidae; (2) Kinnaridae+Meenoplidae; (3) Fulgoridae+Dictyopharidae; (4) Lophopidae+Eurybrachidae (possibly+Flatidae); (5) Ricaniidae+Caliscelidae (possibly+Tropiduchidae). Results also suggest the placement of Achilixiidae outside of Cixiidae and of Tettigometridae as one of the more recently diversified lineages within Fulgoroidea. The resulting phylogeny supports Asche's (1987) hypothesis of a functional trend in ovipositor structure across families.     

Postembryonic development of the auditory system of the cicada Okanagana rimosa (Say) (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae)

Cicadas (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae) use acoustic signalling for mate attraction and perceive auditory signals by a tympanal organ in the second abdominal segment. The main structural features of the ear are the tympanum, the sensory organ consisting of numerous scolopidial cells, and the cuticular link between sensory neurones and tympanum (tympanal ridge and apodeme). Here, a first investigation of the postembryonic development of the auditory system is presented. In insects, sensory neurones usually differentiate during embryogenesis, and sound-perceiving structures form during postembryogenesis. Cicadas have an elongated and subterranian postembryogenesis which can take several years until the final moult. The neuroanatomy and functional morphology of the auditory system of the cicada Okanagana rimosa (Say) are documented for the adult and the three last larval stages. The sensory organ and the projection of sensory afferents to the CNS are present in the earliest stages investigated. The cuticular structures of the tympanum, the tympanal frame holding the tympanum, and the tympanal ridge differentiate in the later stages of postembryogenesis. Thus, despite the different life styles of larvae and adults, the neuronal components of the cicada auditory system develop already during embryogenesis or early postembryogenesis, and sound-perceiving structures like tympana are elaborated later in postembryogenesis. The life cycle allows comparison of cicada development to other hemimetabolous insects with respect to the influence of specially adapted life cycle stages on auditory maturation. The neuronal development of the auditory system conforms to the timing in other hemimetabolous insects.     

Island evolutionary biogeography: analysis of the weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Aim I analysed distributional and phylogenetic information on weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Falklands, and integrated it with molecular, palaeontological and geological information to infer a geobiotic scenario. Location Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Methods The panbiogeographical analysis was based on data on 23 Falkland species and their related taxa from southern South America. For the cladistic biogeographical analysis I analysed six weevil taxa for which phylogenetic hypotheses are available (the generic groups Cylydrorhinus, Strangaliodes and Falklandius, and the genera Antarctobius, Germainiellus and Puranius). Results from this analysis were compared with previous regionalizations. Cenocrons (sets of taxa that share the same biogeographical history) were identified by considering temporal information provided by fossils and molecular clocks. Finally, a geobiotic scenario was proposed by integrating the available information. Results Six generalized tracks were detected: Maule–Valdivian forests, Magellanic forest, Magellanic moorland, Falkland Islands, Magellanic forest–Magellanic moorland, and Magellanic forest–Falkland Islands. A node was identified in the Magellanic forest, based on the overlap of two generalized tracks. A single general area cladogram was obtained, implying the following sequence: (Magellanic moorland (Maule–Valdivian forests (Magellanic forest, Falkland Islands))). The Falklands are classified here as a biogeographical province in the Austral realm, Andean region and Subantarctic subregion. Falkland weevils seem to belong to a single Subantarctic cenocron. The sequence of events deduced implies the following steps: development of the Subantarctic biota in southern South America, arrival of the Falkland crustal block from South Africa in the Early Cretaceous, geodispersal of the Subantarctic cenocron from southern South America to the Falklands during the Early Oligocene, vicariance of the Magellanic moorland, vicariance of the Maule–Valdivian forests, and final vicariance between the Magellanic forest and the Falkland Islands. Main conclusions The biotic components identified support the connection of the Falkland weevils with the Magellanic forest. Falkland weevils belong to a single cenocron, dated to at least the Early Oligocene, when geodispersal from southern South America may have occurred. An older African cenocron may have been replaced completely by the Subantarctic one when the proto‐Falklands made contact with the Patagonian continental shelf. A geobiotic scenario implying vicariance events related to sea‐level variations could explain the distributional patterns analysed herein.     

Ultrastructure of the intracellular melanization of Brugia malayi (Buckley) (Nematoda : Filarioidea) in the thoracic muscles of Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Say) (Diptera : Culicidae)

Ultrastructural details of the melanization of the filarial parasite Brugia malayi (Nematoda : Filarioidea) in the thoracic muscle cell of selected susceptible and refractory strains of Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Diptera : Culicidae) were examined. In both susceptible and refractory strains, following infection of the muscle cells, there is a dissolution of the sarcoplasmic cytoskeletal matrix surrounding the myofibrils, causing the myofibrils and mitochondria to drift apart and lose their regular spacing. This is coupled with a reorganization of the cytoplasm near the normally developing intracellular larva. Masses of vesicles and vesiculated cytoplasmic bodies accumulate near the larva. Eventually, these form a dense layer of cytoplasm around the parasite. Fine grains of melanin begin to appear in this dense cytoplasmic layer, increasing gradually until a nearly complete capsule of melanin surrounds the larva. The time course of melanization was found to be quite variable among and even within mosquitoes. Strains of A. quadrimaculatus selected to be refractory or susceptible to B. malayi, were found to vary substantially in the frequency of intracellular melanization, but not in the mechanism.     

Studies of the protein content of individualPergamasus longicornis (Berlese) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Parasitidae)

The protein content ofPergamasus longicornis (Berlese) individuals is of the order of 45 g bovine serum albumen equivalents and varies depending on gender, time of year and gut colour (postulated nutritive state). Variation between males and females closely matches their size difference. A sinusoidal relationship with a late spring/early summer maximum and a late autumn/early winter minimum is shown for females. Gut colour is a useful predictor in females only. Pregnancy and prey utilisation over the year are suggested as important determinants of protein content and are discussed in detail.     

Effect of juvenile hormone (III) from the hostApis mellifera (Insecta: Hymenoptera) on the neurosecretion of the parasitic miteVarroa jacobsoni (Acari: Mesostigmata)

In the parasitic bee miteVarroa jacobsoni neurosecretory material of ten different cell groups in the synganglion was examined by victoria blue staining after oxidation. Important periods in the life of the mite correspond to definite patterns of filling in of the neurosecretory cell groups. Material of cell group 1, which is situated in the medial protocerebral area of the synganglion, supports molting and oviposition. Secretion of cell group 2, which lies between the two ganglionic masses, seems to be necessary during the whole reproductive process. Cell group 8, located at the opisthosomal ganglion where the genital nerves leave the subesophageal ganglion, seems to be mainly responsible for the initiation of reproduction. Juvenile hormone (JH_III) in the hemolymph of the bees acts on the mites as a release mechanism for reproductive behavior with entry into the brood cell of the bee. Mites on bees with a low JH_III titer that are sprayed with external JH_III show a similar neurosecretion pattern to mites parasitizing bees with a high JH_III titer. The influence of external JH_III on the degree in which the three cell groups are filled with neurosecretion is discussed with respect to the regulatory mechanisms. In this parasite-host relationship there is a clear synchronization of the reproductive cycle of the mite with the metamorphosis and hormonal regulation of the bee.     

Sterols of the amansieae (rhodomelaceae: Rhodophyta)

Osmundaria prolifera, kuetzingia natalensis, Halopythis pinastroïdes and Vidalia fimbriata contain C₂₇ sterols as the major sterols. Six other species of the Amansieae, belonging to the genera Amansia, Vidalia, Lenormandia and Rythiphlaea, contain C₂₈-sterols as the major sterols.     

Growth of the tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier) (Characiformes: Characidae): which is the best model?

In order to decide which is the best growth model for the tambaqui Colossoma macropomum Cuvier, 1818, we utilized 249 and 256 length-at-age ring readings in otholiths and scales respectively, for the same sample of individuals. The Schnute model was utilized and it is concluded that the Von Bertalanffy model is the most adequate for these data, because it proved highly stable for the data set, and only slightly sensitive to the initial values of the estimated parameters. The phi values estimated from five different data sources presented a CV = 4.78%. The numerical discrepancies between these values are of not much concern due to the high negative correlation between k and Linfinity viz, so that when one of them increases, the other decreases and the final result in phi remains nearly unchanged.