Effectiveness of recruitment behavior in stingless bees (Apidae,Meliponini)

Summary We examined the ability of stingless bees to recruit nest mates to a food source (i) in group foraging species laying pheromone trails from the food to the nest (Trigona recursa Smith, T. hypogea Silvestri, Scaptotrigona depilis Moure), (ii) in solitary foraging species with possible but still doubtful communication of food location inside the nest (Melipona seminigra Friese, M. favosa orbignyi Guérin), and (iii) in species with a less precise (Nannotrigona testaceicornis Lep., Tetragona clavipes Fab.) or no communication (Frieseomelitta varia Lep.). The bees were allowed to collect food (sugar solution or liver in the necrophageous species) ad libitum and the forager number to accumulate, as it would do under normal unrestrained conditions. The median number of bees collecting differed considerably among the species (1.0–1436.5). It was highest in the species employing scent trails. The time course of recruitment was characteristic for most of the species and largely independent of the number of foragers involved. The two Melipona species recruited other bees significantly faster than T. recursa, S. depilis, and N. testaceicornis during the first 10 to 30 minutes of an experiment. In species laying a scent trail to guide nestmates to a food source the first recruits appeared with a delay of several minutes followed by a quick increase in forager number. The median time required to recruit all foragers available differed among the species between 95.0 and 240.0 min. These differences can at least partly be explained by differences in the recruitment mechanisms and do not simply follow from differences in colony biomass.     

Nutritional studies on species and mutants of Lepista,Cantharellus, Pleurotus and Volvariella

The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of select Agaricales species to utilize various sources of carbon, nitrogen, vitamins, and growth hormones. Fungi selected for the studies include:Cantharellus clavatus Fries,C. cibarius Fries,Lepista nuda (Bull. ex. Fries)Cooke,Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex. Fries)Kummer, andVolvariella volvacea (Bull. ex. Fries)Singer. Three strains ofC. cibarius and one mutant ofV. volvacea (V135), V134, were employed to determine if nutritional requirement differences occurred. One species,V. volvacea, is grown commercially as a cottage industry in the Orient (Alicbusan &Ela, 1961) while the other species currently have no commercial value. All species studied possess pleasing flavors and have potential use in the mushroom production industry.A literature compilation of the nutritional regulation of basidiocarp formation and vegetative growth of Agaricales was made with specific mention to the named species (Volz &Beneke, 1969). Recent nutritional studies with one or more of the specific species include those byYusef &Allam (1967), andEger (1970).     

Interspecific hybridizations among species of theElymus semicostatus andElymus tibeticus groups (Poaceae)

Interspecific hybridizations were made between species of theE. semicostatus group, viz.,E. semicostatus (Nees exSteud.)Meld.,E. validus (Meld.)B. Salomon,E. abolinii (Drob.)Tzvel., andE. fedtschenkoi Tzvel., and species of theE. tibeticus group, viz.,E. pendulinus (Nevski)Tzvel.,E. tibeticus (Meld.)Singh,E. shandongensis B. Salomon, andE. gmelinii (Ledeb.)Tzvel., as well as among species within theE. tibeticus group. All species are tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) and possess SY genomes. Meiotic pairing data from 24 hybrids involving 17 interspecific combinations are presented. The average number of chiasmata per cell ranged from 17.91 to 26.20 in hybrids within theE. tibeticus group, compared with 7.26 to 22.04 in hybrids between the two species groups. Despite the extensive collection of cytological data, there was no definite evidence for confirming or disproving the separate existence of the two groups.     

Delineations of forest fungi

Summary Several forest fungi, primarily species that occur in Mississippi, are discussed, and three species are described as new. These includeBotryobasidium (subgenusBrevibasidium)croceum Lentz,Tharoopama mississippiensis Lentz, andHarpographium zonatum Lentz.Dactylium leptosporum (Sacc.)Lentz is recognized as a distinct species, rather than as a subspecies ofD. dendroides Fr. Allescheriella crocea (Mont.)Hughes,D. leptosporum andMelanographium cookei M. B. Ellis are reported from Mississippi for the first time. Attention is called to the fact thatM. citri (Fragoso &Ciferri)M. B. Ellis apparently has not previously been reported from the United States, although a specimen from Florida is in the National Fungus Collections.B. croceum evidently represents the basidiophorous stage ofA. crocea.     

Cephalodiate Arten der GattungLecidea sensu lato (Ascomycetes lichenisati)

(1) The ability to produce cephalodia is usually a genus-specific character in lichens. (2)Lecidea shushanii Thoms., is a member of the genusTephromela, closely related toT. aglaea. It is not clear, whether or not the cephalodia of this taxon are true cephalodia or colonies of epiphytic cyanobacteria and whether or notLecidea shushanii is an independent species. (3)Lecidea dovrensis Nyl., is, in contrast to the traditional concept, not conspecific withLecidea alpestris Sommerf., but an earlier name forLecidea pallida Th. Fr. (4)Lecidea dovrensis is described in some detail. Chemically the species is characterized by the presence of isousnic acid (previously unknown in lecideoid lichens). It is restricted to areas north of the 60th parallel with an oceanic climate. (5) In connection with the attempt to clarify the taxonomic relationships ofLecidea dovrensis, figures of ascus apical structures of the following species are given (marked by an asterisk are genera where we found discrepancies with published data):Austrolecia antarctica, Catillaria chalybeia, Lecidea alpestris, L. caesioatra, L. limosa, Lecidoma demissum, Koerberiella wimmeriana, Micarea assimilata, M. crassipes, M. melaenida, M. prasina, Pilophorus robustus, Placodiella olivacea, Placolecis opaca, Porpidia trullisata, Protoblastenia rupestris, Psilolechia lucida, Psorula rufonigra, Squamarina gypsacea, Xanthopsorella texana. (6) Among crustaceous lichens we find no groups related toLecidea dovrensis. We supportTimal's concept of including this species in the genusPilophorus. Pilophorus, as well asLecidea dovrensis is characterized by the same ascus type, by a similar structure of thallus, cephalodia, paraphyses, and ascocarp (although there is no pseudopodetium developed inLecidea dovrensis), and the presence of isousnic acid. In addition, both taxa are restricted to cool oceanic climates and non-calciferous substrates. The following combination is proposed:Pilophorus dovrensis (Nyl.)Timdal, Hertel & Rambold, comb. nova. (7) The species of theLecidea alpestris-group form an independent genus, probably near toAustrolecia Hertel.

Frau Prof. Dr.Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess zu ihrem 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Beiträge zur Kenntnis der europäischen Raupenfliegen (Dipt. Tachinidae)

Summary In this revision of the European species of the genusMyxexoristops t. t. (parasites of sawflies) six species, including a new one (abietis n. sp., parasite ofCephalcia), are described by their distinguishing characters. Separate keys for the determination of males and females are given. For five species, hosts are recorded on the basis of bred material examined by the author himself.Zenillia nox hall, described from Japan is identical to the European speciesM. stolida stein (nov. syn.).      

Cytogenetic evidence for the specific distinction of an Alaskan marmot,Marmota broweri Hall and Gilmore (Mammalia: Sciuridae)

Summary Cytogenetic studies based upon somatic cells (bone marrow) have disclosed that the marmot hitherto designated Marmota caligata broweri Hall and Gilmore, occurring in the Brooks Range of arctic Alaska, differs from M. c. caligata (Eschscholtz) in number of chromosomes (2n=36 as compared with 2n=42 in M. caligata) and in proportions of chromosomal types. Typical karyograms for the two species are presented. It is concluded that the Brooks Range marmot is specifically distinct from M. caligata, the applicable name being Marmota broweri Hall and Gilmore. Also determined were diploid chromosome numbers for two other Nearctic species of marmots, M. flaviventris (Audubon and Bachman), with 42, and M. olympus (Merriam), with 40. It is suggested that M. broweri survived the last (Wisconsin) glaciations in the amphi-Beringian refugium, and that its closest affinities may be with one of the Eurasian species of Marmota.     

Pollination biology of annual and perennialLeonotis species (Lamiaceae)

The pollination syndromes ofLeonotis (Pers.)R. Br. are discussed. Ornithophily accounts for most of the nutlets set in perennialLeonotis species but in the annual species [L. nepetifolia (L.)R. Br.] autogamy prevails.Leonotis species are predominantly pollinated by a variety of sunbirds, although bees are also involved. Nectar is sucrose-dominant in perennial species but hexose-dominant in the annual.     

Zwei neue Heliotropium-Arten aus Afghanistan

Summary Two new species ofHeliotropium sect.Catimas DC. from the desert Registan in south-eastern Afghanistan are described, one of which,H. arenicolum Rech. f. et H.Riedl, is very closely related toH. Rechingeri H.Riedl (1967) and different from it only in the colour of the stems and the longer basal part of the style. The other one,H. leucocladum H.Riedl, belongs to a very natural group of xerophytic and halophytic species includingH. digynum (Forssk.)Aschers.,H. eremobium Bge.,H. Aucheri DC.,H. halame Boiss. etBuhse,H. Popovii H.Riedl andH. carmanicum Bge. Adaptations to the extremely dry habitat are discussed.     

The application and citation of the generic nameParmeliopsis (Lecanorales,Parmeliaceae)

The nomenclatural history of the generic nameParmeliopsis is reviewed. Its correct citation is found to beParmeliopsis (Nyl. exStizenb.)Nyl., dating from 1866, not 1869 as commonly cited, withP. placorodia (Ach.)Nyl. as holotype species. There is consequently no nomenclatural problem to the adoption ofForaminella Fricke Meyer, typified byF. ambigua (Wulfen)Fricke Meyer for theParmeliopsis species with falcate conidia. A synopsis of the nomenclature of the North American and European species of both these genera is included.     

“Australopithecus afarensis”: A composite species

In response to a critique byFerguson (1989),Leonard (1991) reiterates most of his original arguments for supporting “Australopithecus afarensis”Johanson, White, andCoppens, 1978 as a single species. He disregards the principle of morphological equivalence by comparing the dental metrics and morphology of a hominid with those of species of the Pongidae, which do not correspond with the degree of variation in hominids, instead of with those of species of the Hominidae. He fails to refute clear evidence that the range of variation of dental metrics and morphology in “A. afarensis” exceeds that seen in species of the Hominidae. On the basis of extreme variation, “A. afarensis” is, therefore, interpreted as representing a composite species.     

Normania,an endemic Macaronesian genus distinct fromSolanum (Solanaceae)

Morphological data and results from scanning electron microscopy of seeds and pollen show thatNormania Lowe [syn.Solanum L. subg.Potatoe (G. Don)D'Arcy sect.Normania (Lowe)Bitter] (Solanaceae: Solaneae) should be considered as a distinct genus fromSolanum L. It has two species, one restricted to the island of Madeira [Normania triphylla (Lowe)Lowe] and the other to Tenerife and Gran Canaria [Normania nava (Webb & Berthel.)Franc.-Ort. & R. N. Lester]. These species are extremely rare and had not been found for about 100 years, untilN. nava was rediscovered in two different localities in Tenerife in 1973 and 1982.Normania triphylla was reported in two different places from northern Madeira in 1991. Both species have the highest conservation priority in the Macaronesian region.     

An Iranian floristic link with Socotra inHypericum (Hypericaceae)

Hypericum dogonbadanicum Assadi, a local species from theQuercus brandtii forests of the Zagros Mountains in south-western Iran, belongs to sect.Campylosporus (Spach)R. Keller and is most closely related to a Socotran endemic,H. socotranum Good subsp.smithii N. Robson. Despite the inclusion of these forests in the Irano-Turanian Element of the Iran flora byZohary (1963),H. dogonbadanicum appears to belong rather to the Mediterranean dwarf-shrub maquis type of community and therefore to be a member ofZohary's (1963) Mediterranean/Irano-Turanian group of Iranian species.—The key position of the Socotran endemics to the understanding of the inter-sectional relationships is discussed.Dedicated to Prof.K. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Bemerkungen zu einigenStipagrostis-Arten (Gramineae) aus Afrika und Arabien

Summary A new species from Egypt (Sinai) and Arabia is described asStipagrostis multinerva H.Scholz. Stipagrostis arabiaefelicis Bor 1967 is a synonym ofSt. drarii (V.Täckholm)de Winter 1963 (Aristida drarii V.Täckholm 1941). The taxonomic status ofStipagrostis foexiana (Maire etWilczek)de Winter (Aristida obtusa subsp.pubescens Andreánszky) in North and South Africa is discussed. Furthermore some new data on taxonomy and distribution of the following species are recorded:Stipagrostis acutiflora subsp.algeriensis (Henrard) comb, nov. et stat. nov.,St. ciliata (Desf.)de Winter,St. lanata (Forsk.)de Winter,St. libyca (H.Scholz) comb, nov.,St. papposa (Trin. etRupr.)de Winter,St. raddiana (Savi)de Winter,St. shawii (H.Soholz) comb, nov., andSt. sokotrana (Vierhapper)de Winter.      

Chromosomes of Syrphidae

This report describes the karyotypes of five species of the tribe Sericomyiini (Diptera, Syrphidae). The five species are: Sericomyia chalcopyga Lw. (2n=12), S. chrysotoxoides Mq. (2n=10), S. lata (Coq.) (2n = 12), S. militaris Walker (2n=12) and S. sp. 1 (2n=10). Polytene chromosomes of Arctophila flagrans O. S. are illustrated.Dedicated to Prof. J. Seiler on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Favositidae (Tabulata) from Emsian to Middle Devonian limestones of the Tamworth Group (N.S.W., Australia)

Several different species and species groups of the familiy Favositidae from the Emsian and Middle Devonian limestones of the Tamworth Group (N.S.W., Australia) are described. The Emsian Sulcor Limestone Member yieldedFavosites sp. aff.F. basalticus (Goldfuss, 1826),Favosites sp. aff.F. salebrosus Etheridge, 1899,Favosites stellaris Chernyshev, 1937,Squameofavosites nitidus (Chapman, 1914),Sq. bryani (Jones, 1937),Pachyfavosites rariporosus Dubatolov, 1963, andP. tumulosus Yanet, 1965. The Middle Devonian Moore Creek Limestone Member yieldedFavosites ex gr.goldfussi D’Orbigny, 1850, exclusively. In the Emsian limestones occur favositids in a wide array of different facies, with most being found in stratified biostromes and in bedded nodular limestones. In the Middle Devonian most favositids are found in nodular and lumpy limestones which occur at the base and at the top of some successions      

Die europäischen Arten der GattungCallitula spinola (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Summary The author reviews the European species of the Pteromalid genusCallitula Spinola and keys them out. All four species develop as parasites, probably all on small Diptera: two species [pyrrhogaster (Walk.) andbicolor spin.] on Cecidomyids and Chloropids in grass stems, two species are associated withPhragmites communis [C. ferrierei sp. n. andelongatus (Thoms)]. From the latter two one is described as new and in the other (elongatus) the so-far-unknown male is described. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A5180147 00002      

A new trematosphaeria from roots of rhizophora racemosa

Summary A new species ofTrematosphaeria Fuck.,T. mangrovis Kohlm. sp. nov., is described. The fungus occurred as perthophyte in roots ofRhizophora racemosa Meyer in West Africa (Liberia) and is classified as a marine species. The taxonomical situation of the Ascomycete is discussed and some ecological considerations are given.Support in part by grant GB 5587 of the National Science Foundation is gratefully acknowledged. Mrs.Erika Kohlmeyer kindly prepared the drawings.     

Manayunkia speciosa Leidy — a fresh-water polychaete found in Northern Alaska

Summary Two new localities are reported for the fresh-water polychaete worm Manayunkia speciosa. Details of the two lakes from the investigations in the summers of 1961, 1963 and 1964 are given. A short summing up of the various Manayunkia species is presented, viz. M. speciosa Leidy 1858, M. aestuarina (Bourne) 1883, M. baicalensis (Nusbaum) 1901, M. caspica Annenkova 1920, and M. brasiliensis Banse 1956. The opinion of Zenkevich (1935) and Kozhov (1963) that the genus may be rather old is accepted, but it is emphasized that other theories must rest, until much more is known about the various species.     

Some new or rare Chrysophyceae from the English Lake District

Summary Tetrasporopsis pseudofenestrata and Chrysolykos gracilis are new species. Chrysococcus cystophorus f. astigmata Skuja and Cyclonexis uraliensis Pochmann are new British records. Chrysolykos planctonicus Mack was recorded but not named by Scourfield (1930).The taxonomy of Cyclonexis Stokes is confused. It is uncertain whether C. annularis Stokes and C. erinus Jane are separate species but, if they are, the only definite records of the former are from the U.S.A. The known British populations of C. erinus seem to lack discobolocystes though Hovasse (1949) doubts this. The other European populations may or may not possess these organs.