Revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Podocotyloides</Emphasis> Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Opecoelidae), resurrection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedunculacetabulum</Emphasis> Yamaguti, 1934 and the naming of a cryptic opecoelid species

Despite morphological and ecological inconsistencies among species, all plagioporine opecoelids with a pedunculate ventral sucker are currently considered to belong in the genus Podocotyloides Yamaguti, 1934. We revise the genus based on combined morphological and phylogenetic analyses of novel material collected from haemulid fishes in Queensland waters that we interpret to represent species congeneric with the type-species, Pod. petalophallus Yamaguti, 1934, also known from a haemulid, off Japan. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrates polyphyly of Podocotyloides; prompts us to resurrect Pedunculacetabulum Yamaguti, 1934; and suggests that Pod. brevis Andres & Overstreet, 2013, from a deep-sea congrid in the Caribbean, and Pod. parupenei (Manter, 1963) Pritchard, 1966 and Pod. stenometra Pritchard, 1966, from mullids and chaetodontids, respectively, on the Great Barrier Reef, may each represent a distinct genus awaiting recognition. Our revised concept of Podocotyloides requires a pedunculate ventral sucker, but also a uterine sphincter prior to the genital atrium, a petalloid cirrus appendage, restriction of the vitelline follicles to the hindbody, and for the excretory vesicle to reach to the level of the ventral sucker. Of about 20 nominal species, we recognise just three in Podocotyloides (sensu stricto): Pod. petalophallus, Pod. gracilis (Yamaguti, 1952) Pritchard, 1966 and Pod. magnatestes Aleshkina & Gaevskaya, 1985. We provide new records for Pod. gracilis, and propose two new species of Podocotyloides, Pod. australis n. sp. and Pod. brevivesiculatus n. sp., and one new Pedunculacetabulum species, Ped. inopinipugnus n. sp., all from haemulids. Podocotyloides australis is morphologically indistinguishable from Pod. gracilis, and exploits the same definitive host, but is genetically and biogeographically distinct. It is thus a cryptic species, the first such opecoelid to be formally named.     

Vetch aphid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megoura crassicauda</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Aphididae), parasitism does not reduce the bean production of narrow-leaved vetch, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia sativa</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">nigra</Emphasis> (Fabaceae)

Megoura crassicauda Mordvilko (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a dominant aphid species found on Vicia sativa subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (Fabaceae) in the spring. Worker ants of Formica japonica, the dominant ant species attracted to the extrafloral nectaries of V. s. nigra, often attack ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata), which are aphid enemies. However, the workers of F. japonica do not attack or exclude M. crassicauda, the non-myrmecophilous aphid. It appears that the “bodyguard” retained by the plant guards the plant’s herbivore by attacking the herbivores’ enemies, rather than guarding the plant itself. The relationship between V. s. nigra and M. crassicauda was observed in the field to examine and evaluate the cost of parasitism. Parasitism by M. crassicauda delayed flower bud formation markedly in V. s. nigra but did not kill the plants. V. s. nigra plants that were parasitized showed a net bean production similar to that of the non-parasitized controls. The parasitism rate of M. crassicauda increased when extrafloral nectaries were used by F. japonica. These results may indicate that M. crassicauda provides V. s. nigra with benefits by preventing other serious disadvantages.     

On the tachinid fauna of the southeastern part of European Russia (Diptera,Tachinidae)

A list of tachinids (Diptera, Tachinidae) of the southeastern European part of Russia comprising 74 species is given. Eight species (Bithia jacentkovskyi, Estheria bohemani, Zeuxia nudigena, Stomina iners, Opesia descendens, Labigastera pauciseta, Cylindromyia rufifrons, Besseria reflexa) are for the first time recorded from Russia, three species (Acemya rufitibia, Atylomyia loewi, Crapivnicia donabilis), from the European part of Russia, and 25 species, from the southeastern European part of Russia. The male of Crapivnicia donabilis Richter found in Astrakhan Province is described. The genus Crapivnicia Richter is assigned to the tribe Goniini, based on the examination of the abdomen of C. donabilis female from Kalmykia which has shown the presence of dark microtype eggs.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Viola woosanensis</Emphasis>, a recurrent spontaneous hybrid between <Emphasis Type="Italic">V. ulleungdoensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">V. chaerophylloides</Emphasis> (Violaceae) endemic to Ulleung Island,Korea

Ulleung Island is an oceanic volcanic island in Korea, which has never been connected to the adjacent continent. Previous studies highlighted Ulleung Island as an excellent system to study the pattern and process of early stages of flowering plant evolutions on oceanic island. The predominant mode of speciation in flowering plants on Ulleung Island appears to be anagenesis. However, the potentially important role of hybrid speciation among incompletely reproductively isolated lineages cannot be ruled out. Viola woosanensis (Violaceae) is of purportedly hybrid origin between V. ulleungdoensis (i.e., formerly recognized as V. selkirkii in Ulleung Island) and V. chaerophylloides, based on morphology. To examine the origin of V. woosanensis, we sampled a total of 80 accessions, including V. woosanensis and its putative parental species and sequenced nrDNA ITS, and four highly variable chloroplast noncoding regions (trnL-trnF, rpl16 intron, atpF-atpH, and psbA-trnH). Representative species of Viola from Korea were also included in the phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference). Additive polymorphic sites in the nrDNA ITS regions were confirmed by cloning amplicons from representative species. The molecular data strongly supported the hybrid origin of V. woosanensis, and the maternal and paternal parent were determined to be V. ulleungdoensis and V. chaerophylloides, respectively. The presence of two parental ribotypes in V. woosanensis (with the exception in one population) was confirmed by cloning, suggesting V. woosanensis is primarily the F₁ generation. No trace of backcrossing and introgression with its parents was detected due to low fertility of hybrid species. We found a multiple and unidirectional hybrid origin of V. woosanensis. Additional studies are required to determine which factors contribute to asymmetric gene flow of Viola species in Ulleung Island.     

Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxymetopon</Emphasis> (Microdesmidae: Ptereleotrinae) in the coastal areas of Province Khanh Hoa (Vietnam,South China Sea)

Species of the genus Oxymetopon of the fauna of Vietnam are revisited. New species O. curticauda sp. n. is described. New synonymy of O. compressum Chan, 1966 = O. formosum Fourmanoir, 1967 is established. New traits for the species identification are revealed. A key to the species was compiled.     

Asparagus beetles of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crioceris duodecimpunctata</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758) group (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae) from Russia and Adjacent Countries

The distribution of Crioceris duodecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) and two related species with their subspecies is defined more precisely. Crioceris orientalis tshingisana Lopatin, 1966, stat. n. and C. hypopsila demokidovi Semenov, 1909, stat. n. are treated as subspecies for the first time. Lectotypes of C. hypopsila Jacobson, 1907, C. demokidovi Semenov, 1909, and C. duodecimpunctata hypolachna Jacobson, 1907 are designated. The male and female genitalia are described and illustrated for all the species considered. A new key to the species of Crioceris without a black sutural stripe is compiled.     

Detection and Quantification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio cholerae,Vibrio parahaemolyticus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">and Vibrio vulnificus</Emphasis> in Coastal Waters of Guinea-Bissau (West Africa)

V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus are recognized human pathogens. Although several studies are available worldwide, both on environmental and clinical contexts, little is known about the ecology of these vibrios in African coastal waters. In this study, their co-occurrence and relationships to key environmental constraints in the coastal waters of Guinea-Bissau were examined using the most probable number-polymerase chain reaction (MPN-PCR) approach. All Vibrio species were universally detected showing higher concentrations by the end of the wet season. The abundance of V. cholerae (ISR 16S-23S rRNA) ranged 0–1.2 × 10⁴ MPN/L, whereas V. parahaemolyticus (toxR) varied from 47.9 to 1.2 × 10⁵ MPN/L. Although the presence of genotypes associated with virulence was found in environmental V. cholerae isolates, ctxA+ V. cholerae was detected, by MPN-PCR, only on two occasions. Enteropathogenic (tdh+ and trh+) V. parahaemolyticus were detected at concentrations up to 1.2 × 10³ MPN/L. V. vulnificus (vvhA) was detected simultaneously in all surveyed sites only at the end of the wet season, with maximum concentrations of 1.2 × 10⁵ MPN/L. Our results suggest that sea surface water temperature and salinity were the major environmental controls to all Vibrio species. This study represents the first detection and quantification of co-occurring Vibrio species in West African coastal waters, highlighting the potential health risk associated with the persistence of human pathogenic Vibrio species.     

Check-List of the Aphidiid-Wasp Subfamily Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera,Aphidiidae) from Russia and Adjacent Countries

A total of 104 species belonging to 15 genera of the subfamily Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae) are reported from the former USSR: Aclitus Förster, 1862 (1), Adialytus Förster, 1862 (6), Aphidius Nees, 1802 (39), Chaetopauesia Mackauer, 1967 (1), Diaeretiella Starý, I960 (1), Diaeretellus Starý, I960 (4), Diaeretus Förster, 1862 (1), Lysiphlebia Starý et Schlinger, 1967 (1), Lysiphlebus Förster, 1862 (13), Metaphidius Starý et Sedlag, 1959 (1), Paralipsis Förster, 1862 (2), Pauesia Quilis, 1931 (29), Protaphidius Ashmead, 1862 (3), Pseudaclitus Starý, 1974 (1), and Xenostigmus Smith, 1944 (1). Thirteen species, Aphidius (Aphidius) erysimi Starý, I960, A. (A.) stigmaticus Rakhshani et Tomanovi?, 2011, A. (A.) viaticus Sedlag, 1969, A. (Euaphidius) plocamaphidis Starý, 1973, Diaeretellus palustris Starý, 1971, Lysiphlebus (Phlebus) alpinus Starý, 1971, L. (Ph.) orientalis Starý et Rakhshani, 2010, Pauesia (Pauesia) goidanichi Starý, 1966, P. (P.) jezoensis (Watanabe, 1941), P. (P.) montana Starý, 1966, P. (Paraphidius) konoi (Watanabe, 1941), and P. (Par.) similis Starý, 1966, are recorded from Russia for the first time. The distribution of 32 species already known from Russia is specified.     

Palaearctic species of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microchelonus retusus</Emphasis> group (Hymenoptera,Braconidae, Cheloninae)

Microchelonus species of the M. retusus group differ from the other members of the subgenus Microchelonus s. str. (characterized primarily by the 16-segmented female antennae and deepened apical abdominal opening of the male) in their elongate carapace of female abdomen more strongly narrowed apically than toward base. The first key to 45 species of this group, including 7 new species, is given: M. alexeevi Tobias, 1986 (apicalis Alexeev, 1971); M. angustiventris Tobias, 1986; M. apicalis Papp, 1971; M. arnoldii (Tobias, 1964); M. artus Tobias, 1986; M. cisapicalis Tobias, 1989; M. crassitarsus Tobias, 1989; M. dolosus Tobias, 1989; M. elenae Tobias, 1995; M. erosus Herrich-Schaeffer, 1838 (analipennis Fahringer, 1934; hungaricus Szépligeti, 1896; frivalaldszkyi Shenefelt, 1973); M. heraticus Tobias, 1985; M. hofferi Tobias et Lozan, 2006; M. jonaitisi Tobias, 2000; M. justus Tobias, 1989; M. kievorum sp. n. (Ukraine); M. kiritshenkoi (Tobias, 1976); M. klugei Tobias, 2001; M. kopetdagicus (Tobias, 1966) (caucasicus Abdinbekova, 1967, syn. n.); M. korinthiacus sp. n. (Greece); M. kozlovi (Tobias, 1961); M. longirimosus Tobias, 1995; M. madridi sp. n. (Spain); M. marshakovi Tobias, 1986; M. mediterraneus sp. n. (Greece); M. microphthalmus (Wesmael, 1838) (dilatus Papp, 1971); M. mikhaili Tobias, 1989; M. mirabilis (Tobias, 1972); M. morrocanus sp. n. (Morocco); M. nachitshevanicus (Abdinbekova, 1971); M. ononicus Tobias, 2000; M. pamiricus (Voinovskaya-Kriger, 1928); M. retrusus Tobias, 1989; M. retusus (Nees, 1813) (caudatus Thomson, 1874); M. stenogaster Tobias, 1995; M. sternaus (Tobias, 1964); M. subcaudatus (Tobias, 1971); M. subjustus sp. n. (Spain); M. sulcatus Jurine, 1908 (rimulosus Thomson, 1874; rimatus Szépligeti, 1896); M. tersakkanicus Tobias, 2001; M. tjanshanicus Tobias, 1995; M. turcius sp. n. (Turkey); M. volgensis Tobias, 1986; M. xenia Tobias, 2000; M. zorkuli Tobias, 1991.     

Secreted proteins produced by fungi associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botryosphaeria</Emphasis> dieback trigger distinct defense responses in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis rupestris</Emphasis> cells

Grapevine trunk diseases (Eutypa dieback, esca and Botryosphaeria dieback) are caused by a complex of xylem-inhabiting fungi, which severely reduce yields in vineyards. Botryosphaeria dieback is associated with Botryosphaeriaceae. In order to develop effective strategies against Botryosphaeria dieback, we investigated the molecular basis of grapevine interactions with a virulent species, Neofusicoccum parvum, and a weak pathogen, Diplodia seriata. We investigated defenses induced by purified secreted fungal proteins within suspension cells of Vitis (Vitis rupestris and Vitis vinifera cv. Gewurztraminer) with putative different susceptibility to Botryosphaeria dieback. Our results show that Vitis cells are able to detect secreted proteins produced by Botryosphaeriaceae, resulting in a rapid alkalinization of the extracellular medium and the production of reactive oxygen species. Concerning early defense responses, N. parvum proteins induced a more intense response compared to D. seriata. Early and late defense responses, i.e., extracellular medium alkalinization, cell death, and expression of PR defense genes were stronger in V. rupestris compared to V. vinifera, except for stilbene production. Secreted Botryosphaeriaceae proteins triggered a high accumulation of δ-viniferin in V. vinifera suspension cells. Artificial inoculation assays on detached canes with N. parvum and D. seriata showed that the development of necrosis is reduced in V. rupestris compared to V. vinifera cv. Gewurztraminer. This may be related to a more efficient induction of defense responses in V. rupestris, although not sufficient to completely inhibit fungal colonization. Overall, our work shows a specific signature of defense responses depending on the grapevine genotype and the fungal species.     

Banding and FISH in three species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vernonia</Emphasis>, subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrocephalae</Emphasis> (Asteraceae,Vernonieae)

To complement our knowledge about the karyotypes of the genus Vernonia Schreb., different techniques of chromosome banding, including AgNOR, triple staining with fluorochromes CMA/DA/DAPI (CDD), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the 45S rDNA probe, were applied to three species of subsection Macrocephalae. Vernonia bardanoides was collected from an area of cerrado (savanna) vegetation in Itirapina, São Paulo State, Brazil, and V. linearifolia and V. tomentella were collected from areas of rocky, open altitudinal vegetation in Joaquim Felicio and Diamantina, respectively, in Minas Gerais State. All species showed two terminal CMA⁺ and NOR bands. FISH indicated two terminal 45S rDNA sites in V. linearifolia and V. tomentella, and six in V. bardanoides.     

Two monorchiid species from the freckled goatfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Upeneus tragula</Emphasis> Richardson (Perciformes: Mullidae), in Moreton Bay,Australia, including a proposal of a new genus

Two monorchiid species are reported from the freckled goatfish, Upeneus tragula Richardson, from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Specimens of a species new to science were most morphologically similar to species of the genus Timonia Bartoli & Prevot, 1966, but significant differences in the arrangement of the testes (symmetrical vs oblique) and morphology of the terminal organ (bipartite vs unipartite) necessitate the proposal of a new genus; Madhavia n. g. is proposed for M. fellaminutus n. sp. Specimens of the second species are identified as Parachrisomon delicatus (Manter & Pritchard, 1964) Madhavi, 2008, extending its known range from Hawaii to Australia. Complete ITS2 and partial 28S rDNA sequence data were generated for both species and analysed with those for other monorchiids available on GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses of the 28S rDNA dataset showed that both genera are distinct from other sequenced monorchiids, but overall the resolution between genera is poor and more sequence data are required to elucidate relationships within the family. We propose to transfer Timonia stunkardi (Ahmad, 1985) and Timonia vinodae (Ahmad, 1987) to the genus Neotimonia Madhavi, 2008, as Neotimonia stunkardi (Ahmad, 1985) n. comb. and Neotimonia vinodae (Ahmad, 1987) n. comb. Additionally, we were unable to locate any literature on Parachrisomon brotulidorum (Toman, 1973) Madhavi, 2008 and consider this species as nomen nudum.     

New species of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Endelus</Emphasis> Deyrolle (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) from China,India, and Laos

Endelus (Kubaniellus) indicus sp. n. from India, E. (K.) lao sp. n. and E. (K.) khnzoriani sp. n. from Laos, E. (s. str.) sausai sp. n. from China, and E. (s. str.) dembickyi sp. n. from India are described, the two latter species are included in the Endelus bicarinatus Théry, 1932 species-group recently established by the author. E. collinus Obenberger, 1922 is included in this group; lectotype of this species is designated. Keys to species of the subgenus Kubaniellus and of the E. collinus group are provided. E. (K.) kareni Kalashian is for the first time recorded for Shaanxi Prov., E. pacholatkoi Kalashian, E. smaragdinus Desc. et Vill., and E collinus Obenb., for Laos (the latter species, also for Myanmar).     

A review of the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calotelea,Calliscelio</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxyscelio</Emphasis> (Scelioninae,Scelionidae, Proctotrupoidea) from the Palaearctic fauna

Nine new species of scelionids collected in Japan, Israel, and the Ukraine, Calotelea shimurai Kononova et Fursov, C. japonica Kononova, C. stellae Kononova, Calliscelio recens Kononova, C. floridum Kononova, C. parilis Kononova, C. ordo Kononova, Oxyscelio florum Kononova, and O. perpensum Kononova, are described. A brief morphological characteristics of the mentioned genera and some data on the geographical distribution of these species are given. Calotelea shimurai differs from C. striola Kononova in the sculpture of the metasoma (tergites I–III striate, whereas in C. striola striation present only on tergites I and II), fore-wing venation (stigmal vein of C. shimurai 0.43 times as long as postmarginal vein and 1.75 times as long as marginal one; in C. striola, stigmal vein 0.52 times as long as postmarginal vein and 1.3 times as long as marginal one), and the length of the metasoma (in C. shimurai and C. striola, metasoma 4.0 and 2.3 times as long as wide, respectively). Calotelea shimurai parasitizes in eggs of the dragonflies Aeshna nigroflava Martin, Planaeschna milnei Selys, and Boyeria macachlani (Aeshnidae, Odonata). C. japonica is closely related to C. originalis Kozlov and Kononova, but differs from it in the sculpture of the metasoma (metasomal tergites with longitudinal wrinkles against the bright smooth background; in C. originalis, tergites I and II with longitudinal wrinkles against the alveolate background), in the coloration of fore wing (infuscate in C. japonica and dark, with dark transverse stripes in C. originalis). C. stellae differs from C. artus Kozlov and Kononova in the more flattened mesoscutum (C. artus with protruding mesoscutum) and the sculpture of the metasomal tergites (in C. stellae, only petiolus and tergite II striate, while in C. artus, such striation present on tergites I–IV). C. stellae was reared from eggs of unidentified Orthoptera. C. recens is closely related to C. parilis Kononova. It can be distinguished by the fore-wing venation (C. recens has stigmal vein, which is twice as long as marginal vein and 0.66 times as long as postmarginal one; stigmal vein of C. parilis is 3 times as long as marginal vein and 0.83 times as long as postmarginal one), by the sculpture of the metasoma, and coloration of the coxae (yellow in C. recens and black in C. parilis). C. floridum is similar to C. mediterranea Kieffer, but can be identified by the length of the postmarginal vein, which is 3 times as long as the stigmal vein, whereas C. mediterranea has the postmarginal vein, which is only twice as long as the stigmal one. C. floridum also differs in the sculpture of the metasoma (C. floridum has all the metasomal tergites with longitudinal lines, while C. mediterranea has only metasomal petiolus with the same sculpture and tergites II–IV with alveolate sculpture, tergites V and VI are slightly stippled) and in the coloration of the legs, which are yellow (as coxae), while C. mediterranea has brownish black legs. C. parilis resembles C. recens, but differs from it in the fore-wing venation, sculpture of the metasoma, and coloration of the coxae. C. ordo differs from the closely related C. ruficollis Kozlov et Kononova in the head sculpture, which is finely alveolate in C. ordo and finely granulate in C. ruficollis. Oxyscelio florum is closely related to O. perpensum, but differs from it in the coloration of the body and size of the antennal segments, stigmal and postmarginal veins, and metasomal tergites. O. perpensum is closely related to O. florum. The main distinguishing morphological characters are similar to those in O. florum. O. perpensum was reared from eggs of unidentified Orthoptera.     

Taxonomic composition of bacteria associated with cultivated mollusks <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea lugubris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna viridis</Emphasis> and with the water of the Gulf of Nha Trang lagoon,Vietnam

One hundred and four strains of heterotrophic bacteria have been isolated and characterized from two species of bivalve mollusks cultivated in the Gulf of Nha Trang (Vietnam) and from the water of a mariculture farm. The isolates have been identified on the basis of morphological, physiological, biochemical, and chemotaxonomic properties, as well as by the content of G+C bases in DNA. In the microflora of mollusks, Vibrio alginolyticus was predominant; the pathogenic species V. harveyi and V. splendidus were found as well. Staphylococci and bacilli occupied the second place in abundance after vibrios. In addition, coryneforms and enterobacteria, as well as Pseudomonas spp. and Pseudoalteromonas spp., were revealed. The composition of the water microflora was more diverse as compared with the microflora of mollusks. In the water, Bacillus spp., Vibrio spp., and Pseudomonas spp. were predominant. Brevibacterium spp. and other coryneform bacteria, as well as enterobacteria, occurred in significant amounts. In addition, Pseudoalteromonas spp., Marinococcus sp., Halobacillus sp., Shewanella sp., Sulfitobacter sp., and bacteria of the CFB cluster were noticed. The presence of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic bacterial species in the water and mollusks is probably the reason for the high death rate of cultivated animals at the mariculture farm.     

A new species of the leaf-beetle genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptocephalus</Emphasis> Geoffroy (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae) from Southeastern Kazakhstan

A new species of the genus Cryptocephalus is described from the Malaysary Mountains (Southeastern Kazakhstan). The new species belongs to the subgenus Asionus and is closest to the group of species with a deep impression on the male anal (V) sternite (C. halophilus, C. impressipygus and C. mniczechi). Cryptocephalus malaysaryensis sp. n. clearly differs in the structure of the aedeagus and abdominal sternite V of the male.