New species of Brachygasterina Macquart (Diptera: Muscidae) from high altitudes of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela

The genus Brachygasterina Macquart (Muscidae), comprising seven species, is endemic in South America. Three new species are herein described from the highlands of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. A key to the species of this genus is provided.     

Predation upon reptiles in Mediterranean habitats of Chile,Spain and California: A comparative analysis

Summary Pradation on reptiles at three Mediterranean-type habitat sites was assessed by computing the incidence of reptiles as a percentage of vertebrates in the diet of each predator species and the incidence of each reptile species as prey for the entire assemblage of predators at each locality. The overall importance of reptiles is lowest in Chile, intermediate in California, and highest in Spain. These differences do not appear to result from interlocality variation in the size distributions of predators or of prey. The incidence of particular reptile species as prey is correlated with their relative abundances in Spain and California, but not in Chile. Behavioral and morphological attributes evidently make some species more vulnerable to predation and others less so than their abundances would predict. Predation on the speciose lizard genus Liolaemus in Chile is sufficient to promote behavioral responses but not major morphological divergence.     

Do climatically similar regions contain similar alien floras? A comparison between the mediterranean areas of central Chile and California

Aim Taxonomic comparisons of alien floras across climatically similar regions have been proposed as a powerful approach for increasing our understanding of plant invasions across scales. However, detailed comparisons between the alien biotas of climatically similar regions are scarce. This study aims to compare the taxonomic patterns of alien species richness in mediterranean‐type climate areas of central Chile and California, in order to better understand how climatically similar regions converge or diverge in terms of their alien flora. Location Central Chile and California, United States. Methods We compared the alien floras of the state of California in the United States and central Chile, considering within‐region variation and taxonomic composition up to the species level. To test for within‐region variation, administrative units and counties were grouped within seven latitudinal bands for each region. We tested for differences in the relative contributions of the various origins of the naturalized species to each region. We used a family naturalization index to establish which families had relatively higher numbers of naturalized species in each region. We evaluated the similarity, using cluster analyses with Jaccard’s similarity index, of alien taxa between regions and latitudinal bands using presence–absence matrices at the species, genus and family levels. We used principal components analysis to determine the presence of a compositional gradient including all latitudinal bands. Results We recorded 1212 alien plant species in California and 593 in central Chile, of which 491 are shared between the two regions. These figures include 25 species that are native to California and 37 that are native to Chile. A comparison between the alien floras of central Chile and California reveals three major trends: (1) higher naturalized species diversity for California than for Chile, at all taxonomic levels; (2) differences in the proportion of species according to origin, with America, Africa, Asia and Australia providing a larger number of species in California than in Chile; (3) segregation between regions in terms of taxonomic composition of their alien flora, and a rather weak differentiation within regions; and (4) a trend towards higher similarity between the alien floras of latitudinal bands associated with higher levels of human disturbances. Main conclusions The alien floras of central Chile and California are significantly different, but this difference diminishes in highly disturbed areas. Thus, the current high levels of species movement caused by globalization, together with increasing levels of anthropogenic disturbances, should reduce the differentiation of the alien floras in these regions, increasing overall biotic homogenization.     

Araucnephia iberaensis n. sp., a neotropical black fly with a peculiar distribution (Diptera-Simuliidae)

Araucnephia Wygodzinsky & Coscarón is a Neotropical black fly genus in which only one species from Central Chile is known. Another species has now been found in Corrientes province on the eastern side of the Iberá tropical swamps of Argentina, on the western border of the mountainous region of southern Brazil. This new species, A. iberaensis, is herein described and illustrated and information on its bionomics is recorded. It is an interesting species because previous to its discovery no black fly genus or subgenus from Central Chile region has been found in tropical areas, because these two regions are separated by the Monte and Pampas realms. Similarly, no Brazilian genus or subgenus has crossed the Andes mountains to Chile. A comparison with other Neotropical, Nearctic, Ethiopian (Afrotropical) and Australian Prosimuliini (sensu Crosskey & Howard) showed Araucnephia to be a valid taxon most closely related to Araucnephioides (sympatric in Chile). Araucnephia also shows great affinities with Lutzsimulium from Southeast Brazil and Argentina and Paracnephia from South Africa.     

Some species of the genus Phyllodoce (Polychaeta) from Southern California

Five species of the genus Phyllodoce from Southern California are reviewed. A new subgenus (Aponaitides) is proposed and a new species, Phyllodoce cuspidata , is described. A key to the Southern California species is included.     

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Darwin's frog Rhinoderma spp. in Chile

The presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Chile was evaluated in 2 endangered frog species of the genus Rhinoderma. Specimens from a captive rearing facility, wild populations and preserved collection material were analyzed using histological and molecular techniques. The fungus was identified in the rearing facility and in wild populations, but not in the archived frogs. This study confirms, for first time, the presence of chytridiomycosis in Rhinoderma darwinii in Chile.     

A revision of the desert shrub Fagonia (Zygophyllaceae)

The taxonomy of the desert shrub genus Fagonia is revised in detail. In total 167 names are accounted for, lectotypes are selected for 33 names, and two names are neotypified. A key to the 34 species is presented, as well as distribution maps for each species. Three new species are described and illustrated, F. densispina and F. latistipulata from Somalia, and F. hadramautica from Yemen. Of the accepted species, 24 are restricted to the Old World and eight to the New World. Most of the Old World species are confined to the Saharo‐Sindian region, with two extending to parts of Macaronesia. Eight species are endemic to the Somali‐Masai region, and two are restricted to southern Africa. In the New World four species are endemic to Baja California, two to northern Baja California and adjacent parts of southwestern USA, one to the province of Coahuila in northeastern Mexico, and one to Chile and Peru. The names of all four species of Fagonia currently on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants are put into synonymy.     

THE SEASONAL CAMBIUM ACTIVITY OF CHILEAN AND CALIFORNIAN SHRUBS

The sclerophyllous evergreen shrub vegetation of southern California and central Chile is characterized by several examples of morphologically similar species. For each one out of a group of four Californian shrub species, four morphologically analogous sclerophyllous evergreens from Chile were chosen. In monthly intervals two-year branchlets from these eight species were collected and their cambium activity was evaluated by means of a histological analysis. Similar shrub species from Chile and California show a surprisingly strong coincidence in their seasonal fluctuations of cambium activity regardless of their systematic position. This observation is interpreted to mean that convergence has taken place.     

Taxonomy of the Neotropical Genus Americabaetis,New Status (Insecta: Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)

Americabaetis (Insecta: Ephemeroptera: Baetidae), previously considered synonymous with Acerpenna, is reinstated and given generic rank. The genus differs from Acerpenna in lacking hindwings, gills on abdominal segment 1, and a conical process between the male genital forceps, and in possessing apically rounded gills on abdominal segment 7. The genus has a general Neotropical distribution with a northern limit in east-central Mexico. Five new species of Americabaetis are described from South America: A. alphus, new species, from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay; A. labiosus, new species, from Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay; A. longetron, new species, from Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay; A. maxifolium, new species, from Paraguay; and A. titthion, new species, from Brazil. Americabaetis boriquensis, new combination; A. intermedius, new combination; A. naranjoi, new combination; A. pleturus, new combination; and A. robacki, new combination, are reviewed.     

A taxonomic revision of the North American species of Stigmella (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae)

Abstract. A revision of the fifty-one species of the genus Stigmella from North America is presented. Thirty-one species are recorded only from the U.S.A., seventeen species and one subspecies from the U.S.A. and Canada and three species and one subspecies are known only from Canada. Five species are new: Stigmella inconspicuella (U.S.A., California); S.heteromelis (California); S.sclerostylota (Arkansas); S.longisacca (California) and S.plumosetaeella (Arizona). Life histories, mine characteristics and larval habits are given where known. These are collated from field study, material examined, breeding records and the literature. A list of host plants is also provided.
A neotype is designated for Nepticula prunifoliella Clemens, previously considered to be possibly dipterous.
Although most Stigmella species have different genital morphology, some pairs of species do not. In these pairs, however, external features and characteristics of the mine often differ – some pairs also differ in distribution or season. The taxonomic implications are discussed in the individual treatments – not all the problems, however, can be resolved without further rearing studies and collection. Species-groups have been designated on the basis of morphology. Some species are, however, structurally intermediate between species-groups and others may resemble Ectoedemia Busck in aspects of the male genitalia while their female genitalia, external features and venation are typical of Stigmella.     

A taxonomic revision of the New World genus Oropodes Casey (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae)

The genus Oropodes is characterized and revised with 18 species being treated. Members of this genus are found in temperate forests to desert brush lands from Oregon to Baja California, but are associated primarily with dry forests and shrub lands of California. Keys to males and females, where known, are provided. Seven species are redescribed: Oropodes arcaps (California), Oropodes dybasi (Oregon), Oropodes ishii (California), Oropodes nuclere (California), Oropodes orbiceps (California), Oropodes rumseyensis (California), Oropodes yollabolly (California). The name Oropodes raffrayi (California) is raised from synonymy and the species is redescribed, NEW STATUS. Ten new species are described: Oropodes aalbui (California), Oropodes bellorum (California), Oropodes casson (California), Oropodes chumash (California), Oropodes esselen (California), Oropodes hardyi (California), Oropodes serrano (California), Oropodes tataviam (California), Oropodes tongva (California), and Oropodes tipai (Baja California, Mexico), NEW SPECIES. These species are placed into three species groups: the arcaps-group, the orbiceps-group, and the raffrayi-group. Data for a new record of Euplecterga fideli are given, and a list of the unassociated Oropodes females with distinctive genitalia is included with their label data.     

Taxonomic revision of the genus Chiloporter Lestage (Ameletopsidae: Ephemeroptera) with notes on its biology and distribution

A taxonomic revision of the genus Chiloporter is presented confronting new material collected in Chile and Argentina, with the literature of the genus. Unknown developmental stages are described; association of larvae and winged stages is confirmed here by rearing. The synonymy of the extant species is proposed. Notes on the biology and distribution are also included.     

中国阔颈叶蝉属分类研究（同翅目：叶蝉科：缘脊叶蝉亚科）

阔颈叶蝉属现全世界已知2种,中国均有分布。本文记述1新种,新种模式标本保存在西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆。     

A new species and first record of the genus Triacanthella Schäffer, 1897 (Collembola, Poduromorpha, Hypogastruridae) for Africa

The first species of the genus Triacanthella to be recorded from Africa is described. Triacanthella madibasp. n. belongs to the Southern Hemisphere group of the genus. It is morphologically closely related to Triacanthella vogeli Weiner & Najt, 1997 from Chile, and appears to be a gondwanian relict. The new species is also the first Triacanthella recorded from a guano habitat.     

First record of the planthopper family Kinnaridae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea) in Chile

A new genus and a new species, Apocathema lukashevitshae (family Kinnaridae) from Central Chile (the La Campana National Park, Valparaiso Region) belonging to the tribe Prosotropini which was known earlier only from Central America (Panama and the Antilles) is described. The species was collected from the bamboo Chusquea sp.     

Three New Genera of Small Minnow Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from the Andes and Patagonia

Three new genera and three new species of Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) are described from the Andes and Patagonia. Larvae of Andesiops, new genus, are distinguished by the apically bifid right prostheca and two rows of denticles on the tarsal claws. Larvae of Deceptiviosa, new genus, are distinguished by the apically bifid right prostheca and small subapical denticle on the tarsal claws. Larvae of Nanomis, new genus, are distinguished by the apically acute maxillary palp segment 2, smooth posterior margin of the terga, and paddle-shaped subapical seta on the hindtibiae. Adults of Andesiops and Deceptiviosa are similar, but distinguished from other South American baetids by having hindwings with a small costal process in the basal one third and three lon gitudinal veins with the middle vein being forked, and an elongate and ellipsoidal genital forceps segment 3. Larvae and adults of Andesiops peruvianus, new combination, are redescribed, and additional locale data are provided for Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Deceptiviosa ardua, new species, is described from larvae from Chile, and D. torrens, new species, is described from larvae and adults from Chile and Argentina. Nanomis galera, new species, is described from larvae from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.     

New Species,Synonymies and Records of the Neotropical Spider GenusAnyphaenoides Berland (Araneae,Anyphaenidae, Anyphaeninae)

New data on the genus Anyphaenoides are presented. A. paraguana Brescovit and A. lecta (Chickering) are synonymized with A. irusa Brescovit and Sillus placens (O.P.-Cambridge), respectively. The latter species is transferred to Anyphaenoides. The first records of an anyphaenine, A. pacifica (Banks), are given from Chile. Four new species are described: A. volcan from Panama; A. xiboreninho and A. coddingtoni from Brazil; and A. samiria from Peru.     

Alsodes Australis,A New Species of Leptodactylid Frog from the Temperate Nothofagus Forest of Southern Chile and Argentina

A new species of frog, Alsodes australis, is described from the temperate Nothofagus forest of southern Chile and Argentina, based on adults and tadpoles. Up to now, no sympatric occurrence of another congeneric species is known from the type locality. The genus comprises three species groups. From a karyological point of view this species is included in the monticola group, whose species have 26 chromosomes.     

Licea eremophila, a new myxomycete from arid areas of South America

A new stipitate species of myxomycete of the genus Licea is described based on material from arid areas in Argentina and Chile. It was isolated from moist chamber cultures and found fruiting on field collections, usually on the same substrate, Puya sp. (Bromeliaceae). It differs from all described species in the genus in that it has stipitate sporocarps with dehiscence by defined preformed platelets and a smooth inner peridial surface. The new species has polyhedral, yellow spores with a uniform thick spore wall and dense warts except on irregularly dispersed raised bands with fewer warts, visible by SEM, an ornamentation not previously observed in the genus. Life-cycle events are described and illustrated, from germination to sporulation, based on moist chamber and agar cultures. The morphology of the myxomycete specimens was examined with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and both light and SEM micrographs of relevant details are included.     

Stylodrilus californianus n. sp., a new lumbriculid (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from North America

A new species of the genus Stylodrilus is described from phreatic waters in California, North America. Tubular atria with bulbous penes and spermathecae with broad and short ducts characterize the new species. The habitat of Stylodrilus californianus n. sp., confirms that the distribution of the genus Stylodrilus in the Neartic biogeographical zone is mainly associated with subterranean waters.