A revision of the genus Paronthobium from New Caledonia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Epilissini)

A revision of the New Caledonian genus Paronthobium Paulian 1984 is presented. Anonthobium Paulian 1984 is synonymized with Paronthobium Paulian 1984 after evaluating the diagnostic characters originally introduced by Paulian to separate them. Upon examination of the type specimens, Onthobium caledonicum Paulian 1935 is separated from O. simplex Fauvel 1903 and restored as valid. Anonthobium moui Paulian 1984 is synonymized with Anonthobium micros Paulian 1984. Fifteen new species are described: P. adio n. sp., P. daghfousi n. sp., P. dierkensi n. sp., P. farino n. sp., P. iac n. sp., P. julieni n. sp., P. memaoya n. sp., P. minutum n. sp., P. nasutum n. sp., P. orientale n. sp., P. peckorum n. sp., P. petchecara n. sp., P. subdentatum n. sp., P. taom n. sp. and P. tchingou n. sp. The genus Paronthobium is now composed of 22 species. Illustrations of parameres and of male protibiae are provided for each species. Distribution maps and a key to species are given.     

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA OF AUSTRALIAN HETERONYCINI (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE: MELOLONTHINAE)

Abstract
The tribe Heteronycini and 10 included genera (4 of them new) are defined. A key to genera and keys to species of Acheilo gen. n. and Webbella gen. n. are provided. The new genera are: Acheilo, Paraheteronyx, Proborhinus and Webbella. A. clypeatus gen. n., sp. n. is described.
The following species are transferred to other genera: Heteronyx bravicollis Blackburn, H. brevicoxis Lea, H. clypealis Lea, H. cribrifrons Lea, H. inconstans Lea, H. noctivagus Lea, H. phanophilus Lea, H. transversopolitus Lea and H. unidentatus Lea to Neoheteronyx Blackburn; H. unguiculatus Burmeister to Paraheteronyx gen. n.; H. cornutus Blackburn to Proborhinus gen. n.; H. capitalis Blackburn and H. pedarius Blackburn to Acheilo gen. n.; H. firmus Blackburn and H. labralis Blackburn to Webbella gen. n. Anacheirotus Blackburn is synonymised with Heteronyx Guérin-Méneville; A. inornatus Blackburn becomes H. inornatus (Blackburn). Pseudoheteronyx seticollis Lea is synonymised with P. creber Blackburn. Heteronyx clypealis Lea is synonymised with Neoheteronyx brevicollis (Blackburn). Lectotypes are designated for Heteronyx unguiculatus and Eurychelus marmoratus Blanchard.     

Revision of the genus Adorodocia Brenske 1893 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Rutelinae: Adoretini) endemic to Madagascar

Summary. The Adoretini of the Malagasy endemic genus Adorodocia Brenske 1893 is revised. Fourteen new species and one new subspecies are described and compared with their most closely related species: A. constricta n. sp., A. cuccodoroi n. sp., A. flava n. sp., A. liliae n. sp., A. marginata n. sp., A. peyrierasi n. sp., A. pseudoconstricta n. sp., A. pseudoflava n. sp., A. pseudostrigata n. sp., A. recta n. sp., A. robusta n. sp., A. sogai n. sp., A. vadoni n. sp., A. viettei n. sp. and A. vittaticollis flavipes n. ssp. The synonymy between Adoretus strigatus Waterhouse 1878, and Pseudadorodocia aenigma Arrow 1901, is confirmed. Thus, based on the results of this study, the genus Adorodocia includes 16 species, and one of them is represented by two subspecies. Diagnostic characters to separate the species in the genus deal mostly with the shape of parameres, color of body and legs, shape of pronotum and female eighth tergite, setation of pronotum and elytra. Key to species, diagnoses and distribution for each species are provided. Endophallus and female genitalia are illustrated for the first time for this genus.     

Small but not ephemeral: newly discovered species of Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Eocene amber

New species of fossil Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae are described from middle Eocene (Lutetian) Baltic amber (41.3–47.8 Ma). A new subfamily, two new genera and three new species of Aphelinidae are described, with comments on their placement: Phtuaria fimbriae gen.n. , sp.n. in Phtuariinae subf.n. , Glaesaphytis interregni gen.n. , sp.n. and Centrodora brevispinae sp.n. These represent the first described true fossil Aphelinidae. Four new species of Trichogrammatidae are described: Mirufens illusionis sp.n. , Palaeogramma eos gen.n. , sp.n. , Pterandrophysalis plasmans sp.n. and Szelenyia terebrae sp.n. , thus expanding our knowledge of fossil Trichogrammatidae beyond the single previously described species. The presence of recognizable extant genera of Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae in the Eocene suggests that the morphology of these genera has been relatively invariant despite highly variable conditions during and since the Eocene. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E9AD60B6‐3D56‐4E74‐AA54‐F7B91F4FDC79 .     

Millipede assassins and allies (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae,Tribelocephalinae): total evidence phylogeny,revised classification and evolution of sexual dimorphism

Evolution of sexual dimorphism in animals has long been of interest to scientists, but relatively few studies have reconstructed evolutionary patterns of extreme sexual dimorphism at a phylogenetic scale, especially in insects. Millipede assassin bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae; 736 spp.) and their sister taxon, Tribelocephalinae (150 spp.), exhibit sexual dimorphism that ranges from limited to extreme, a phenomenon apparently modulated by female morphology. Here, we reconstruct the first phylogeny for the subfamilies Ectrichodiinae and Tribelocephalinae with comprehensive generic representation (152 taxa in 72 genera) using morphological and molecular data (six gene regions). The combined phylogenetic results indicate that Tribelocephalinae are paraphyletic with respect to Ectrichodiinae, and that Ectrichodiinae themselves are polyphyletic. Based on these results, we synonymize Tribelocephalinae with Ectrichodiinae syn.n. , describe three new tribes (Ectrichodiini trib.n. , Tribelocodiini trib.n. , and Abelocephalini trib.n. ) and two new subtribes (Opistoplatyina subtrib.n. and Tribelocephalina subtrib.n. ), and revise Tribelocephalini sensu n. Ancestral state reconstruction of sexual dimorphism reconstructed limited sexual dimorphism in the ancestor of Ectrichodiinae sensu n. with at least seven evolutionary transitions to extreme sexual dimorphism within the clade. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C810E20F‐D66A‐461F‐A0E6‐AB1073EA3E3C .     

Anomala trapezifera species-group: a burst of diversity (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae)

The species Anomala aereiventris n. sp., A. aspersa n. sp., A. atrivillosa n. sp., A. clarivillosa n. sp., A. contusa n. sp., A. eusticta n. sp., A. hiata n. sp., A. latifalculata n. sp., A. leopardina n. sp., A. levicollis n. sp., A. longisacculata n. sp., A. m-fuscum n. sp., A. perspicax n. sp., A. piccolina n. sp., A. globulata n. sp., A. stillaticia n. sp., A. subridens n. sp., A. subusta n. sp., A. tenoriensis n. sp., A. tuberculata n. sp. and A. vallisneria n. sp. from Costa Rica are described. These species and A. polygona Bates 1888, A. trapezifera Bates 1888 and A. vulcanicola Ohaus 1897 are placed in a new species-group, named after A. trapezifera, whose diagnosis is provided. Their distribution patterns are discussed.     

ELOVL4 protein preferentially elongates 20:5n3 to very long chain PUFAs over 20:4n6 and 22:6n3

We hypothesized that reduction/loss of very long chain PUFAs (VLC-PUFAs) due to mutations in the ELOngase of very long chain fatty acid-4 (ELOVL4) protein contributes to retinal degeneration in autosomal dominant Stargardt-like macular dystrophy (STGD3) and age-related macular degeneration; hence, increasing VLC-PUFA in the retina of these patients could provide some therapeutic benefits. Thus, we tested the efficiency of elongation of C20-C22 PUFA by the ELOVL4 protein to determine which substrates are the best precursors for biosynthesis of VLC-PUFA. The ELOVL4 protein was expressed in pheochromocytoma cells, while green fluorescent protein-expressing and nontransduced cells served as controls. The cells were treated with 20:5n3, 22:6n3, and 20:4n6, either individually or in equal combinations. Both transduced and control cells internalized and elongated the supplemented FAs to C22-C26 precursors. Only ELOVL4-expressing cells synthesized C28-C38 VLC-PUFA from these precursors. In general, 20:5n3 was more efficiently elongated to VLC-PUFA in the ELOVL4-expressing cells, regardless of whether it was in combination with 22:6n3 or with 20:4n6. In each FA treatment group, C34 and C36 VLC-PUFAs were the predominant VLC-PUFAs in the ELOVL4-expressing cells. In summary, 20:5n3, followed by 20:4n6, seems to be the best precursor for boosting the synthesis of VLC-PUFA by ELOVL4 protein.     

The phylogenetic relationships between virus vector and other genera of macrosteline leafhoppers, including descriptions of new taxa (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)

Abstract. Analysis of thirty-four macrosteline and twenty-eight non-macrosteline leafhopper genera (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) suggests that the ability to transmit plant viruses has arisen on at least three separate occasions within the Macrostelini. The tribe, including the Coryphaelini syn.n. and Balcluthini, is shown to be monophyletic. A revised diagnosis of the Macrostelini is presented, together with a key to genera. Five new genera and eight new species are described: Aderganna gen.n. , Cicadabara gen.n. Kadrabolina gen.n. , Masafuera gen.n. and Scaphosteles gen.n. , Yamatotettix remanei sp.n. , Masafuera oceanica sp.n. , Aderganna aethiopica sp.n. , A.nigra sp.n. , Scaphosteles nukahiva sp.n. , Kadrabolina elongata sp.n. , K.sinuata sp.n. and K.bispinosa sp.n. Four new combinations and five new synonymies are established: Cicadabara dorsalis (Osborn) comb.n. , C.minuta (Osborn) comb.n. , C.tintorella (Osborn) comb.n. , Balclutha thea (Distant) comb.n. , B.smaragdula Matsumura as a junior synonym of B.thea (Distant) syn.n. , B.modesta Ahmed, Murtaza & Malik as a junior synonym of B.incisa (Matsumura) syn.n. , B.karachiensis Ahmed, Murtaza & Malik as a junior synonym of B.rubrostriata (Melichar) syn.n. , B.versicoloroides Ghauri as a junior synonym of B.sternalis (Distant) syn.n. and B.knighti Rao & Ramakrishnan as a junior synonym of B.sujawalensis Ahmed syn.n.     

Parobia husbandi gen. n., sp. n. (Acari: Podapolipidae): subelytral parasites of paropsine beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract Parobia husbandi gen. n., sp. n. is described from material collected from the subelytra of the southern eucalyptus leaf beetle, Chrysophtharta agricola (Chapuis), in Tasmania, Australia. Parobia gen. n. is distinguished from other podapolipid genera adult males and females with four pairs of legs and no setae on genua I−IV and femora III−IV, adult females with setae v1 and sc2 < 20 µm, and at least two pairs of coxal setae peg-like, adult males with dorso-terminal genitalia, dorsal shields C-D-E fused, and physogastric larval females with plates C and D entire. A series of morphological plesiomorphies and biological apomorphies link Parobia gen. n. with Chrysomelobia Regenfuss, the most basal genus of Podapolipidae.     

Revision of Scotocyma Turner (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)

Abstract  The Australasian genus Scotocyma Turner is revised, containing the species S. albinotata (Walker), S. legalis (Warren), S. asiatica Holloway, S. scotopepla Prout, stat. n., S. manusensis Prout, stat. n., S. mimula (Warren), stat. n. and S. miscix Prout. Scotocyma euryochra Turner, syn. n., S. idioschema Turner, syn. n., S. ischnophrica Turner, syn. n. and S. transfixa Turner, syn. n. are regarded as synonyms of S. albinotata . Four species are described as new: S. samoensis , sp. n., S. sumatrensis , sp. n., S. rutilimixta , sp. n. and S. longiuncus , sp. n. Lectotypes are designated for S. scotopepla , S. manusensis and S. miscix . All species are illustrated, and keys to species and distribution maps are provided. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to test the monophyly of the genus and to examine distribution patterns of the species. A biogeographical discussion is included. The tribal position of the genus is clarified and relationships to closely related genera are discussed.     

Myrtlemiris,a new genus and new species of Australian plant bugs (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae): systematics,phylogeny and host associations

A new Australian genus of Orthotylinae, Myrtlemiris Cheng, Mututantri & Cassis gen.n. , is described, with nine included species described as new to science (M. agnew sp.n. , M. astartephila sp.n. , M. meanarra sp.n. , M. newmanensis sp.n. , M. rubrocuneatus sp.n. , M. russulatus sp.n. , M. silveirae sp.n. , M. tesselatus sp.n. , M. yalgoo sp.n. ). A phylogenetic analysis based on 39 morphological characters is presented for all Myrtlemiris species and 6 outgroup taxa. This analysis establishes Myrtlemiris as monophyletic, defined by a broad apophysis on the left paramere. A key to species is provided and diagnostic characters are illustrated. Myrtlemiris is endemic to southwest Western Australia. Host plants for Myrtlemiris species are near restricted to the myrtaceous tribe Chamelaucieae.     

Beetles with ‘trochantelli’: phylogeny of Cephenniini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) focussing on Neotropical genera

Neotropical genera of Cephenniini characterized by an additional leg ‘segment’ (‘trochantellus’) are revised, and the following new taxa are described: Shyri gen.n. , Shyri pichincha sp.n. (type species of Shyri) (Ecuador), Shyri perversus sp.n. (Ecuador), Shyri quitu sp.n. (Ecuador), Shyri microphthalmus sp.n. (Ecuador), Monstrophennium gen.n. (type species: Cephennium spinicolle Schaufuss), Furcodes gen.n. , Furcodes apicalis sp.n. (type species of Furcodes) (Mexico), Furcodes tutule sp.n. (Honduras), Paracephennium pumilio sp.n. (Costa Rica), Pseudocephennium iwokramanum sp.n. (Guyana), Pseudocephennium trilineatum sp.n. (Guyana), Pseudocephennium araguanum sp.n. (Venezuela), Pseudocephennium maximum sp.n. (Venezuela), Pseudocephennium peruvianum sp.n. (Peru), Pseudocephennium cochabambanum sp.n. (Bolivia), Pseudocephennium saramaccanum sp.n. (Suriname) and Pseudocephennium brokopondonum sp.n. (Suriname). Pseudocephennium spinicolle (Schaufuss) is transferred to Monstrophennium. Cladistic analysis of characters from adult morphology of all genera of Cephenniini and a large outgroup sample from Cyrtoscydmini, Eutheiini, Scydmaenini, Clidicini and Mastigini strongly supported the monophyly of Cephenniini. However, only the Cephennomicrus group comprising nine genera was strongly supported as a monophyletic clade, while only weak support was found for the previously suggested Cephennodes group and Cephennium group. Two alternative hypotheses concerning the phylogeny of Cephenniini are put forward and discussed: (i) the Cephennium group is sister to all remaining Cephenniini; or (ii) the Cephennomicrus group is sister to all remaining Cephenniini. The Neotropical genera with ‘trochantellus’ form a well‐supported clade derived from the ancestral lineage of the Cephennodes group.     

A revision of Eurysphindus LeConte (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Sphindidae) and a review of sphindid classification and phytogeny

Abstract. Eurysphindus LeConte is revised and redescribed, Genisphindus gen.n. is described and a key to the species is given for each. Four new species of Eurysphindus are described: E.comatulus sp.n., E.grandiclaviger sp.n., E.halli sp.n. and E.infuscus sp.n. Eurysphindus brasiliensis Sen Gupta & Crowson, Eurysphindus plaumanni Sen Gupta & Crowson and Eurysphindus hirtus LeConte are redescribed. Four species of Genisphindus are described: G.latisternus sp.n., G.minor sp.n., G.rotundus sp.n. and G.roxanneae sp.n. Eurysphindus laevicollis Sen Gupta & Crowson is reassigned to Genisphindus. A tentative hypothesis of the phylogenetic relationships of sphindid genera is presented based on a cladistic analysis. A classification derived from the phylogenetic hypothesis is proposed and compared with that of Sen Gupta & Crowson (1977). A generic key to adult Sphindidae is provided. Known distributions for the genera of sphindids are considered in light of the phylogenetic hypothesis and various interpretations are proposed.     

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.     

Four new Psocoptera from Lebanese amber (Insecta: Psocomorpha: Trogiomorpha)

Four new trogiomorphan Psocoptera are described from the Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber, viz. Bcharreglaris amunobi n. gen., n. sp., Setoglaris reemae n.gen., n. sp., Libanoglaris chehabi n.sp., and Libanoglaris randatae n. sp. These discoveries show that the Lower Cretaceous biodiversity of the Trogiomorpha was very high.     

Temozolomide-related infections: review of the literature

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an alkylating, antineoplastic agent which is being used to treat cases of refractory anaplastic astrocytoma, newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme and metastatic melanoma. TMZ causes lymphopenia and T-cell dysfunction in most of the patients. Related to this toxicity several opportunistic infections have been reported in the literature, but were not well characterized. To further investigate this topic, relevant English language studies were identified through Medline. There were 36 previously reported cases of infection related to TMZ. The median age of the cases was 55 years (range 33-73). The most frequently experienced infections were mucocutaneous candidiasis (n=11; 28.2%), herpes zoster (n=5; 12.8%), herpes simplex virus (n=4; 10.2%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (n=5; 12.8%), pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) (n=3; 7.6%), hepatitis B virus (HBV) (n=2; 5.1%) and others (n=9; 23%). Mortality rates were 28.5% (n=4/14) in patients with reported outcome. In this survey, about one third of the TMZ-related severe infections resulted in death. Patients treated with TMZ are at increased risk for opportunistic viral and bacterial infection. Therefore, close monitoring of patients receiving TMZ for opportunistic infections should be carried out.     

Revision of the Alamirinae (Diptera: Phoridae)

Abstract. The genus Couturiera Disney, 1979, only known in the female sex, is synonymized with Perissa Borgmeier, 1967, only known in the male sex, a syn.n., thus solving the problem of the 'missing' males of the Alamirinae. Perissa kensmithi (Disney) comb.n., P.lewisi (Disney) comb.n. and P.orientalis (Disney & Peterson) comb.n. are transferred from Couturiera. Perissa couturieri Disney is synonymized under P. lewisi (Disney) and C.palawanensis Disney under P.georgei Disney. Perissa latiptera sp.n., P.oligoseta sp.n., P.tinglei sp.n. and Perittophora couturieri gen.n., sp.n., are described from Zimbabwe. A key to the twelve species of Alamirinae is provided. It is hypothesized that the Alamirinae may be paraphyletic, by virtue of exclusion of the Termitoxeniinae. The latter is probably polyphyletic, in that each Alamirinae genus is probably the sister group of a different Termi-toxeniin clade.