The correct name of the neotropical soybean bug (Hemiptera: Alydidae)

A species of Neomegalotomus is an occasional pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] in the neotropics, including in Brazil. It was known as Neomegalotomus parvus (Westwood); but the discovery of the type specimen of a species described earlier requires that the name be changed to Neomegalotomus simplex (Westwood), which becomes the correct name for the soybean pest.     

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism in three Antillean island populations of the fruit bat, Artibeus jamaicensis

The Neotropical fruit bat, Artibeus jamaicensis, occurs throughout Latin America and on many islands in the Caribbean. Populations from Jamaica (in the Greater Antilles) to Barbados (in the Lesser Antilles) have been classified as a subspecies (A.j. jamaicensis) separate from that on the Lesser Antillean island of St. Vincent (A.j. schwartzi). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was isolated from 54 individuals collected on these islands, analyzed by digestion with restriction endonucleases, and the restriction sites were mapped. Three different mtDNA genotypes (16,000 +/- 200 bp) were identified: J-1 (16 animals from Jamaica, one from St. Vincent, 15 from Barbados), J-2 (two animals from Jamaica), and SV-1 (18 animals from St. Vincent, two from Barbados). The J-1 and J-2 genotypes were estimated to differ from each other by only 0.4%, but the SV-1 genotype differed from J-1 and J-2 by 8.1%-10.5%. The estimated sequence divergence between SV-1 and J-1 is unusually large for mammals that are regarded as conspecific. Restriction mapping showed that the differences among the genotypes (presence or absence of particular restriction sites) were located throughout the genome. The presence of the J-1 mtDNA genotype on Jamaica and on St. Vincent and Barbados (1,400 km away) demonstrates that maternal lineages in these bats are not necessarily confined to single islands or limited geographic regions. The presence of the J-1 mtDNA genotype within the A. j. schwartzi population on St. Vincent and the presence of the SV-1 genotype in two specimens of A. j. jamaicensis from Barbados document genetic exchange between subspecific populations on these islands, which are separated by 180 km of open water.     

中国新疆地区粉虱种类（半翅目：粉虱科）记述

记述了新疆地区粉虱5属6种,即欧洲甘蓝粉虱Aleyrodes proletella(Linnaeus),葡萄穴粉虱Aleurolobus shantungi Tang,非洲小粉虱Bemisia afer(PriesnerHosny),烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius),桑粉虱Pealius mori(Takahashi),温室白粉虱Trialeurodes vaporariorum(Westwood),其中葡萄穴粉虱为新疆新记录种。并且用扫描电镜对其伪蛹进行拍照,并依据玻片标本进行了描述。编制了新疆地区粉虱分类检索表。     

On the types of mesozoic archostematan beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera, Archostemata) in the Natural History Museum, London

About 40 type specimens of archostematan beetles from the Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Paleogene of England, named by P. Brodie, J.O. Westwood, C. Giebel, A. Handlirsch, F. Zeuner, P. Whalley, and R. Crowson and stored in the Paleontological Department of the Natural History Museum (London) are redescribed. Nine genera and 11 species are recognized, three genera are assigned to Archostemata for the first time. One new species, Tersus crowsoni (Schizophoridae), is described.     

珀蝽属中国种类记述（半翅目：蝽科）

本文为珀蝽属中国种类的一次修订,共记述５个种和１个亚种,其中包括２个新种（邻珀蝽、黄珀蝽）和１个新亚种（庐山珀蝽云南亚种）。并对与中国区系有关的Ｐ．ｓｐｌｅｎｄｅｎｓ Ｄｉｓｔａｎｔ和Ｐ．ｖｉｒｉｄｉｃｏｌｌｉｓ模式标本作了重新描述。     

A Geographic Mosaic of Plant–Pollinator Interactions in the Eastern Caribbean Islands

The interplay between generalized and specialized plant–animal interactions is a core concept in understanding the evolution of mutualisms. Within the Eastern Caribbean, Heliconia bihai is a dominant forest species in the southern island of St. Vincent where H. caribaea is virtually absent. Heliconia caribaea is most common on the northern island of St. Kitts where H. bihai is restricted to the tops of the highest peaks. Both species are abundant on the central island of Dominica. We compared flowering patterns, nectar characteristics, and visitation frequency of hummingbirds in the two heliconias on the three islands to determine the extent of geographic variations in this plant–pollinator mutualism. The peak flowering season of the two heliconias was observed to be in April–May on all three islands with little within‐ and between‐island variations. Nectar production significantly varied between species and between islands. Visitation patterns by the principal hummingbird pollinators also varied between the islands: (1) on Dominica, only females of a single species of hummingbird pollinated the flowers of H. bihai (sexual specialization), whereas both sexes of the same hummingbird pollinated the flowers of H. caribaea (species specialization); (2) on St. Vincent, both sexes of the same hummingbird pollinated the flowers of H. bihai (species specialization); and (3) on St. Kitts, only females pollinated the flowers of H. bihai (sexual specialization), whereas several species of hummingbird visited the flowers of H. caribaea (species generalization). We propose that the Heliconia–hummingbird interactions in the Eastern Caribbean represent a geographically variable coevolutionary mosaic of plant–pollinator interactions.     

Determination of freedom-from-rabies for small Indian mongoose populations in the United States Virgin Islands, 2019–2020

Mongooses, a nonnative species, are a known reservoir of rabies virus in the Caribbean region. A cross-sectional study of mongooses at 41 field sites on the US Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas captured 312 mongooses (32% capture rate). We determined the absence of rabies virus by antigen testing and rabies virus exposure by antibody testing in mongoose populations on all three islands. USVI is the first Caribbean state to determine freedom-from-rabies for its mongoose populations with a scientifically-led robust cross-sectional study. Ongoing surveillance activities will determine if other domestic and wildlife populations in USVI are rabies-free.     

Systematics of Otarrha, a new Neotropical subgenus of Chimarra (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae)

Abstract. Subgenus Otarrha is established in genus Chimarra to include eighteen described species formerly placed either in subgenus Chimarra or unplaced to subgenus, and thirteen new species. All species are Neotropical, with collective distributions primarily in the Antilles (Greater and Lesser) and northern South America. One species occurs in southeastern Brazil and another species in Costa Rica and Panama. New species are described, recognized species redescribed (except for C. diannae and C. koki ), and a key to the identification of males in the subgenus is provided. Additionally, characters supporting monophyly of the subgenus and a phylogeny of its species are proposed. Described species transferred to this subgenus include Chimarra cubanorum Botosaneanu, C . diakis Flint, C . diannae Flint & Sykora, C . dominicana Flint, C . garciai Botosaneanu, C . guapa Botosaneanu, C . jamaicensis Flint, C . koki Botosaneanu, C . machaerophora Flint, C . patosa Ross, C . puertoricensis Flint, C . quadrifurcata Botosaneanu, C . retrorsa Flint, C . rossi Bueno-Soria, C . sensillata Flint, C . septemlobata Flint, C . septifera Flint and C . spinulifera Flint. Chimarra patosa is designated the type species of the subgenus. New species described in Otarrha include Chimarra amazonia (Peru), C . barinas (Venezuela), C . darlingtoni (Cuba), C . diaphora (Venezuela), C . incipiens (Venezuela), C . odonta (Brazil), C . parene (Peru), C . parilis (Peru), C . particeps (Peru), C . peruana (Peru), C . phthanorossi (Colombia), C . redonda (Dominican Republic) and C . tachuela (Venezuela). Two additional species are described and left incertae sedis to subgenus, Chimarra usitatissima Flint and C . angularis , sp.n. (Venezuela, Guyana).     

Mites of the genus Eupodes (Acari, Prostigmata) from maritime Antarctica: a biometrical and taxonomic study

A series of 40 male and 40 female mites of the prostigmatid genus Eupodes from the maritime Antarctic were each scored for 58 morphological characters, and principal co-ordinate analyses were performed on each data set. The analyses produced three clusters of points, which were interpreted as representing three species. One of these species, identified as Eupodes minutus (Strandtmann), the only species of Eupodes currently known from the maritime Antarctic, is redescribed. The other two species, E. exiguus up. and E. parvus nsp., are described. Two subspecies are recognized for the latter species, E. p. parvus from the South Orkney Islands, and E. p. grahamensis nsp. from the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. The geographical distribution and habitat preferences of the four text are discussed, and a key to the species is presented.     

Parasite-mediated competition in Anolis lizards

Summary On many small Caribbean islands, two species of Anolis lizard coexist, but the two are typically very different in body size. The two Anolis of St. Maarten, however, are exceptional because they are similar in size and are known to be strongly competitive. One species, A. gingivinus, appears the stronger competitor and occurs throughout the island; the other, A. wattsi, is found only in the central hills. The malarial parasite Plasmodium azurophilum very rarely infects A. wattsi, but in some locations is very common in A. gingivinus. Wherever malaria infects A. gingivinus, A. wattsi is present, but wherever malaria is absent, only A. gingivinus occurs. This pattern of coincidence of malaria and coexistence of both Anolis is observed over distances of only a few hundred meters. The parasite infects both red and white blood cells of A. gingivinus and causes important pathology: immature erthrocytes increase in abundance, blood hemoglobin decreases, monocytes and neutrophils increase, and infected white cells are less likely to produce acid phosphatase. These results argue that malaria mediates competition between the two species and determines the present distribution of the lizards on St. Maarten. This kind of parasite-mediated competition could be common if susceptibility to parasitic infection varies among competitors. The distribution of malaria in the Anolis of Caribbean islands suggests this parasite can play an important role in Anolis community ecology.     

Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae): an exploding mite pest in the neotropics

Major infestations of the flat mite species Raoiella indica Hirst affecting bananas, palms and other ornamental plants have been reported from the Caribbean islands, Mexico, FL (USA), Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil. Specimens from these localities were examined using traditional light microscopy and low-temperature scanning electron microscopy techniques. While little is known about the biology of this mite, its recent appearance in the Americas in both commercial coconut and banana plantations has raised concerns about its economic impact as an invasive pest.     

A new species of Caligus (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida) from the plankton of the Caribbean coast of Venezuela with a key to species

During a survey of the zooplankton community of Bahía Amuay, Venezuelan Caribbean, specimens of an undescribed species of Caligus Müller were collected. It resembles Caligus xystercus Cressey and Caligus ocyurus Cressey, both known only from the Caribbean Sea. The new species can be distinguished from these and other congeners by a combination of characters including the armature of legs 1 and 4, but mainly by its unique female genital complex. This is the first species of Caligus described from Venezuela. The species is described in full and a key to the species of the genus recorded in Venezuela is provided.     

黑带艾尤飞虱的重新描记及美伽飞虱属中国一新纪录种记述(半翅目,蜡蝉总科)(英文)

重新描记了采自宁夏六盘山自然保护区的艾尤飞虱属模式种:黑带艾尤飞虱E.nigrolineata Scott,1875,该种国外学者曾报道在我国新疆有分布,但目前未见国内学者的研究报道;同时记述美伽飞虱属Megadelphax一中国新纪录种:科尼美伽飞虱M.cornigera(Kusnezov,1929),提供了美伽飞虱属中国已知种的检索表.所有研究标本均保存在西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆.     

Description of the type species of the genus Goerodes and generic assignment of three East Asian species (Trichoptera, Lepidostomatidae)

After critical examination of specimens from several localities in Japan, I synonymize Goerodes toyotamaensis (Kobayashi) with G. corniger Ulmer, the type species of the genus. I redescribe the male, female, larva, and larval case of G. corniger and describe the pupa and egg for the first time. I reconfirm the generic assignment of G. albardanus (Ulmer), G. elongatus (Martynov), and G. sinuatus (Martynov), which were placed in Dinarthrodes by some authors, based on the similarity of their larvae with those of other species of Goerodes, including the type species. I synonymize Crunobiodes koreaensis Kobayashi, originally described from Korea, with G. sinuatus. Received: February 18, 2000 / Accepted: May 31, 2000     

Revision of the Neotropical genus Nyttum (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

Abstract The Neotropical genus Nyttum, belonging to the wholly New World tribe Acanthocephalini of the plant-feeding heteropterous family Coreidae, is redescribed. Its distribution is shown to extend from Mexico to Uruguay. Nyttum limbatum Spinola, from Brazil, and N.punctatum (Dallas), widespread in South and Central America, are redescribed; Anasa perfusa Distant is synonymized with N.punctatum. Seven new species are described: Nyttum amaralae, from Uruguay; N.beckeri, from Brazil and 'West Indies' N.nigrum, from Venezuela; N.pallens, from Mexico; N.pulchrum, from Peru; N.rubrum, from Brazil; and N.spinolai from Brazil and Guyana. A key to the species is included. Placoscelis is regarded as the genus most closely related to Nyttum and it is shown that the same two types of paramere and the same two types of aedaegus occur in both genera.  

Resumen

. Se redescribe el género neotropical Nyttum, perteneciente a la tribu Acanthocephalini que se encuentra exclusivamente en el Nuevo Mundo, dentro de la familia Coreidae (Hemiptera-Heteroptera) que se alimenta exclusivamente de vegetales. Se indica que la distribución de este género se extiende desde Mexico al Uruguay. Se redescriben Nyttum limbatum Spinola del Brasil y N.punctatum (Dallas), de amplia distribución en América del Sur y Central. Anasa perfusa Distant es sinonimizada con N.punctatum. Se describen siete neuvas especies: Nyttum amaralae, del Uruguay; N.beckeri, del Brasil e 'Indias Occindentales' N.nigrum, de Venezuela; N.pallens, de Mexico; N.pulchrum, de Perú; N.rubrum, de Brasil; y N.spinolai, de Brasil y Guyana. Se incluye una clava para la separation de las especies. Se considera que Placoscelis es el género mas cercano a Nyttum, y se indica que los mismos dos tipos de parameros y los mismos dos tipos de aedeagus se encuentran en ambos.     

Lack of convergence in aquatic Anolis lizards

Why convergent evolution occurs among some species occupying similar habitats but not among others is a question that has received surprisingly little attention. Caribbean Anolis lizards, known for their extensive convergent evolution among islands in the Greater Antilles, are an appropriate group with which to address this question. Despite the well-documented pattern of between-island convergence, some Greater Antillean anoles are not obviously part of the convergence syndrome. One example involves aquatic anoles--species that are found near to and readily enter streams-which have evolved independently twice in the Caribbean and also twice on mainland Central America. Despite being found in similar habitats, no previous study has investigated whether aquatic anoles represent yet another case of morphological convergence. We tested this hypothesis by collecting morphological data for seven aquatic anole species and 29 species from the six convergent types of Greater Antillean habitat specialists. We failed to find evidence for morphological convergence: the two Caribbean aquatic species are greatly dissimilar to each other and to the Central American species, which, however, may be convergent upon each other. We suggest two possible reasons for this lack of convergence in an otherwise highly convergent system: either there is more than one habitat type occupied by anoles in the proximity of water, or there is more than one way to adapt to a single aquatic habitat. We estimate that almost all of the 113 species of Greater Antillean anoles occupy habitats that are also used by distantly related species, but only 15% of these species are not morphologically similar to their distantly related ecological counterparts. Comparative data from other taxa would help enlighten the question of why the extent of convergence is so great in some lineages and not in others.     

Prehistoric fisheries in the Caribbean

We studied faunal remains from archaeological sites on five Caribbean islands, each with an early (1,850-1,280 years B.P.) and late (1,415-560 years B.P.) occupation. On each of these islands (Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Saba, and Nevis), the mean size of reef fishes in the faunal remains declined from the early to the late occupation. The large samples from sites on St. Thomas and Nevis allowed examination of the size distribution of individual taxa. Samples of obligate reef fishes (Scaridae, Acanthuridae, Lutjanidae, and Serranidae) showed large reductions in size between the early and late occupations. Samples of facultative reef fishes (Carangidae and Clupeidae) showed little change in size frequency distribution. The percentage of estimated reef fish biomass in the total aquatic faunal record sharply declined in the samples from four of the islands, while on Nevis there was a slight increase. The mean trophic level of reef fishes declined from the early to the late occupations on each island. Together these patterns suggest that populations of reef fishes adjacent to occupation sites on these islands were heavily exploited in prehistoric times. Such exploitation resulted in shifts in size structure and species composition among the reef fish fauna. On some islands the decline in reef fish resources corresponded with a shift towards greater exploitation of pelagic species.     

The genus Speleocola lipovsky (Acari: Trombiculidae) with descriptions of two new species from Venezuela

Speleocola Lipovsky 1952 is redescribed. New species S. clangula off Rhipidomys sp., Venezuela, and S. nolae off Peropteryx kappleri, Venezuela, are described. A key to the 5 included species is given.