First record of Synidotea laevidorsalis (Miers, 1881) (Crustacea: Isopoda) in Europe (Gironde estuary,France)

This note reports on the presence of a well established population of the isopod Synidotea laevidorsalis (Miers) in the Gironde estuary (southwestern France). This species is new for the European fauna. S. laevidorsalis is a nonendemic cool-temperate to subtropical, shallow-water species which was probably introduced into the study area from Asia. In the salinity range of 1 to 10 g 1^-1 of the Gironde the species constitutes an important component of the brackish-water hyperbenthic community. The population was already present in 1975 when it was misidentified as the native species Idotea emarginata (Fabricius).     

Ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea: Argasidae,Ixodidae) of China

This paper presents results of an investigation and listing of tick species found in China during a survey in all 28 provinces. This will be a step towards a definitive list of tick species and their distribution. To date, the tick fauna of this area consists of 117 species in the following families: Argasidae-Argas (7 species), Carios (4 species) and Ornithodoros (2 species); Ixodidae-Amblyomma (8 species), Anomalohimalaya (2 species), Dermacentor (12 species), Haemaphysalis (44 species), Hyalomma (6 species), Ixodes (24 species) and Rhipicephalus (8 species). Some well known ticks carrying and transmitting many infectious agents to man and domestic animals are also found in China. These include Ixodes persulcatus, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma asiaticum. It is worth mentioning that Ixodes rangtangensis Teng and Haemaphysalis xinjiangensis Teng should be relegated to a synonym of I. moschiferi and Hae. danieli, respectively. The distribution of ticks over the provinces of China is also discussed. The information on ticks in some areas such as Henan is not exhaustive.     

Species composition of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) on cultivated chrysanthemum (Asteraceae) in Okinawa,southwestern Japan

We investigated the species composition of phytophagous thrips and spider mites on cultivated chrysanthemum in Okinawa, southwestern Japan. Eight thrips species belonging to the genera Frankliniella, Microcephalothrips, Scirtothrips and Thrips were found on chrysanthemum leaves. Among them, Thrips nigropilosus was the predominant species irrespective of season, island or cultivation environment (meshed greenhouse or open field), with its infestation frequency being 89% of the fields in which thrips occurred. This high frequency of occurrence suggests that T. nigropilosus is a major pest of chrysanthemum in Okinawa, even though this species has rarely been regarded as an important pest of chrysanthemum or other crops in any other areas. Thrips palmi was the second most dominant (infestation frequency 36%) and other species were scarce (<14%). Tetranychus urticae (green form) was the only tetranychid species on chrysanthemum in our survey. This lack of diversity among spider mites on chrysanthemum is peculiar considering that eight Tetranychus species have been found on vegetables in the same area. Since T. urticae (green form) has been shown to be resistant to a number of pesticides, severe pesticide applications might have simplified the spider mite fauna on chrysanthemum in Okinawa.     

Terranova galeocerdonis (Thwaite, 1927) (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from Carcharias taurus (Chondrichthyes: Odontaspididae) off Argentina, with comments on some related species

The purpose of this study was to study and redescribe Terranova galeocerdonis (Thwaite, 1927) from Carcharias taurus off Argentina. Its fourth larval stage was described, measured and illustrated for the first time. The host and geographical range of this species is extended into the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. When the present material was compared with T. rochalimai (Pereira, 1935) and T. ginglymostomae Olsen, 1952, it was considered that both morphological and morphometrical differences between the three species did not justify differentiation at the specific level. As a result, T. rochalimai and T. ginglymostomae are considered to be junior synonyms of T. galeocerdonis.     

Tonnacypris glacialis (Ostracoda, Cyprididae): taxonomic position, (palaeo-) ecology, and zoogeography

Abstract. The freshwater ostracod Tonnacypris glacialis (Sars, 1890) is reported from the European Pleistocene for the first time. The historical allocation of the species is discussed, and the species composition and characteristics of Tonnacypris Diebel & Pietrzeniuk (1975) and its phylozoogeography are considered. The significance of T. glacialis is reviewed, particularly from the viewpoint of the possible implications of parthenogenesis (and occasional-male production) for the Quaternary history of the genus, and for the use of the species in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. It is suggested that the Pleistocene fossil occurrence of T. glacialis in modern temperature latitudes is a robust indicator of mean summer temperatures of 6°C.     

Freshwater sponge (Porifera: Spongillidae) distribution across a landscape: Environmental tolerances,habitats, and morphological variation

Freshwater sponges are important to ecosystem functioning; however, information about their biogeography and interspecific variation is fragmentary, limiting our ability to assess their role. Although the specific epithets of two common species suggest that sponges found in lentic habitats are Spongilla lacustris, and those found in lotic habitats are Ephydatia fluviatilis, the number of sponge species in the UK is unresolved. We sampled sponges in a variety of habitats and used both morphological and molecular (D3 domain of 28S rDNA) methods to identify six species, including the first record of Trochospongilla horrida. We contrasted species in terms of their environmental tolerances, habitats, and variation, and we expanded on the limited information available about the geographic distributions of these sponges. In our study, most sponge species colonized a variety of substrates, but exhibited different distributions. The most widespread sponge, S. lacustris, was present at lower mean water temperatures and was more often located above a latitude of 55°N. Ephydatia fluviatilis was the most common species in rivers, but was also located in lentic habitats. Salinity in anthropogenic habitats was not a significant factor for the presence of E. fluviatilis or the more patchily distributed species Eunapius fragilis. Instead, these species occurred more frequently at sites with negative oxidation–reduction potential. Sponge biodiversity may be affected by substrate availability in anthropogenic habitats, invasive species, and improved ability to recognize sponge taxa. Crucially, we provide foundation data as a prerequisite for future ecological evaluation.     

Molecular phylogeny of the subgenus Holothuria (Selenkothuria) Deichmann, 1958 (Holothuroidea: Aspidochirotida)

The subgenus Selenkothuria comprises 12 species of tropical shallow water sea cucumbers that share morphological features, such as rods in the body wall and tube feet, modified tentacles for suspension feeding, and cryptic colours. The taxonomic status of this taxon has been controversial, but currently it is accepted as a subgenus of the genus Holothuria. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial genes [cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), 16S RNA] of ten species of Selenkothuria and related subgenera showed the polyphyly of this subgenus; monophyly was rejected by a likelihood ratio test. A geographical split divides the species of this subgenus into three different groups: one Indo‐West‐Pacific (IWP) group and two American groups. The IWP group is more closely related to Holothuria (Semperothuria) cinerascens and to other subgenera such as Roweothuria, Holothuria, and Vaneyothuria, whereas the two American groups are more closely related to each other and to some species of the subgenus Halodeima. These results suggest multiple parallel originations and diversification of ossicle morphology within the subgenus Selenkothuria. The current scheme of subgenera for the genus Holothuria is not supported, suggesting the need for a new classification. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 165 , 109–120.     

Petraliellidae Harmer, 1957 (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) from Queensland,Australia

Several species of the family Petraliellidae were first described from the coast of Queensland, including the type species of Sinupetraliella, S. litoralis. These species are redescribed from type, or topotype specimens, and include Petraliella concinna, which has not been certainly found since its introduction in 1891; lectotype material is designated for P. buski and P. magna. Six other species are described from Queensland, P. crassocirca, P. dentilabris, P. dorsiporosa, Mucropetraliella bennetti, M. serrata and M. tuberosa. The species Mucropetraliella tuberosa is a new addition to the Queensland fauna and is described and illustrated here for the first time since its introduction in 1884. The characters of the family Petraliellidae are briefly discussed and the genera to which the Queensland species are assigned is reviewed. A taxonomic key to the ten Queensland petraliellid species described is also provided.     

Untangling the Spurilla neapolitana (Delle Chiaje, 1841) species complex: a review of the genus Spurilla Bergh, 1864 (Mollusca: Nudibranchia: Aeolidiidae)

Spurilla neapolitana (Delle Chiaje, 1823) was considered to be a species with a broad geographic range and substantial colour variability; however, analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear gene data revealed that it is a complex of five distinct species. Further anatomical and morphological examinations determined that coloration is one of the main diagnostic traits for all five species, although some display substantial colour pattern variation. As a result of this study, S. neapolitana is determined to be restricted to the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. Spurilla sargassicola Bergh, 1871 from the Caribbean is redescribed and confirmed as a valid species. The name Spurilla braziliana MacFarland, 1909 is retained for western Atlantic and Pacific populations. Two new species are described herein. S purilla onubensis sp. nov. occurs in Europe, with a range overlapping that of S. neapolitana. Finally, S purilla dupontae sp. nov. is found in the Bahamas. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Parasitism,seasonality, and diversity of trombiculid mites (Trombidiformes: Parasitengona,Trombiculidae) infesting bats (Chiroptera) in Poland

The study aims to ascertain the diversity of trombiculid species associated with Chiroptera in Poland, and for the first time in the case of research on Central European Trombiculidae, we use both DNA and morphology in an integrative taxonomic approach to determine species identities of trombiculids. The research was carried out from 2015 to 2019. In total, 2725 larvae were collected from 300 specimens of bats belonging to 11 species. Deutonymphs were obtained through laboratory rearing of larvae; few larvae and deutonymphs were collected also from bats' daily roosts. The presence of trombiculid larvae on hosts was observed between July and April of the following year, with the highest numbers recorded in autumn, during bat swarming. Male bats were infested more often than females (16.4 vs. 6.6%). The highest infestation rate was recorded for Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis nattereri and Plecotus auritus, and the highest prevalence of chiggers (>?30%) for Myotis bechsteinii and P. auritus. The larvae found on bats occupied the areas with free access to the host’s skin: auricles, tragus, and snout. Morphological identification of specimens to the species level was hindered by the mosaic distribution of diagnostic traits. Morphological analyses indicated the presence of Leptotrombidium russicum and Leptotrombidium spp. in the examined material, whereas molecular analyses additionally suggested three other potential species assigned to the same genus based on the assessed scope of intrageneric variation (ASAP method). We argue that the identification of the parasitic larvae (chiggers) using morphological characters does not address the question of actual species boundaries, which, in turn, affects the inferences about host specificity and host range.

     

Temporal host plant use in three polyphagous Heliothinae,with special reference to Helicoverpa punctigera (Wallengren) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)

Abstract Potential host plants of the polyphagous lepidopteran Helicoverpa punctigera (Wallengren) were surveyed in two ways. A broad survey, conducted in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, indicated that H. punctigera larvae were present on relatively few plant species. A detailed survey of host plant use in a non-cropping area in which H. punctigera was numerous demonstrated restricted host plant use by this species. The density of H. punctigera on its principal host in the area, the indigenous daisy Ixiolaena brevicompta F. Muell., was much higher (as measured per unit of time searched) than on other plant species available. Also, I. brevicompta was used regularly by H. punctigera after rainfall events. Ixiolaena brevicompta represents a new host record and on the basis of the pattern of its use by H. punctigera should be considered a ‘primary host plant’ of this noctuid. In cropping areas sampled, usually more than one plant species hosted H. punctigera regularly and in large numbers. Usually a crop species was included (e.g. cotton and chick pea). Alternative hosts in cropping areas were Sonchus oleraceus L. (sowthistle) and possibly the native legume Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Poiret. Our results imply that the polyphagy of H. punctigera is probably not as extensive as previously claimed. The criteria for inclusion of a plant species as a primary host for H. punctigera need to include the regularity of use of that species and the relative abundance of eggs and larvae on it. We suggest that an understanding of the host-searching mechanism of this species will be best achieved through study of the interaction of H. punctigera with its indigenous primary hosts. The surveys also yielded information on host plants of two other heliothine noctuids, H. armigera (Hübner) and Australothis rubrescens (Walker), and this is also presented.     

Suitability of five mealybug species (Hemiptera,Pseudococcidae) as hosts for the solitary parasitoid Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci is an endoparasitoid which has been used as a biological control agent of mealybug pests. In this study, we compared the suitability of five mealybugs species with different phylogenetic relationships and geographical origins as hosts of this parasitoid. The selected mealybugs were: (1) a Mediterranean-native species, Planococcus ficus, sharing a long co-evolutionary history with the parasitoid; (2) three exotic species, the Afrotropical Planococcus citri, the Australasian Pseudococcus calceolariae and the Neotropical Pseudococcus viburni, with a recent history; and (3) the Neotropical Phenacoccus peruvianus, with no previous common history with the parasitoid. Host suitability was assessed based on different fitness parameters, such as body size, developmental time, emergence rate and sex ratio. The parasitoid was able to complete development in all mealybug species. Nevertheless, its emergence rate significantly varied among mealybug species, with the highest values observed in Pl. ficus and Pl. citri, intermediate values in Ps. calceolariae and the lowest ones in Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. The body size of adult wasp females varied with host suitability and was positively correlated with other measures of parasitoid fitness, including the emergence rate and the sex ratio. The parasitoid developmental time differed among mealybug species but did not correlate with any other measure of fitness. A female biased sex ratio was found in the parasitoid progeny emerged from all mealybug species, except in Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. There was a direct relationship between the proportion of females in the parasitoid progeny and the emergence rate.     

Benthic hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from Peter I Island (Southern Ocean, Antarctica)

Twenty-three species of benthic hydroids, belonging to eight families and 13 genera, were found in a hydroid collection from Peter I Island, collected during both the Bentart 2003 and Bentart 2006 Spanish expeditions with BIO Hespérides in 2003 and 2006. Fourteen out of the 23 species constitute new records for Peter I Island, raising the total number of known species in the area to 30, as also do seven out of the 13 genera. The majority of the species are members of the subclass Leptothecata; the subclass Anthoathecata being scarcely represented. Sertulariidae is the family with the greatest number of species in the collection, with eight species (35%), followed by Lafoeidae with five (22%). Symplectoscyphus with four species (17%) and both Antarctoscyphus and Halecium with three (13%), including H. frigidum sp. nov., were the most diverse genera. Twenty species (ca. 77%) are endemic to Antarctic waters, either with a circum-Antarctic (11 species, ca. 42%) or West Antarctic (9 species, ca. 35%) distribution. Twenty-four (ca. 92%) are restricted to Antarctic or Antarctic/sub-Antarctic waters; only two species have a wider distribution. Peter I Island hydroid fauna is composed of typical representatives of the Antarctic benthic hydroid fauna, though it is characterized by the low representation of some of the most diverse and widespread Antarctic genera (Schizotricha and Staurotheca).     

Multivariate analyses of morphometrical features from Apatemon gracilis (Rudolphi, 1819) Szidat, 1928 and A. annuligerum (v. Nordmann, 1832) (Digenea: Strigeidae) metacercariae

Only two species of the strigeid subgenus Apatemon (Apatemon) sensu Sudarikov (1959), Apatemon gracilis (Rudolhi, 1819) and A. annuligerum (von Nordmann, 1832), are known to infect British fishes. A. annuligerum is poorly characterised, with few life-cycle data available, since only the adult and metacercarial stages have been described. Both of these life-stages demonstrate only minor morphological differences from those of A. gracilis. The multidimensional approach of principal components analysis (PCA) was employed to determine the intra- and inter-specific morphological variation that exists for metacercariae of these species. Analyses revealed that metacercarial morphometrics cannot confidently discriminate between Apatemon gracilis and A. annuligerum specimens. Indeed, levels of intra-specific variation present between A. gracilis metacercariae originating from different piscine hosts were as marked for certain populations as those between the two nominal species. Individual populations of A. gracilis metacercariae differed most in the relative dimensions of their internal organs, whereas variation between the two nominal species was primarily in length-related variables. A. gracilis specimens originating from Welsh and Scottish stoneloach represented two populations with the most comparable total body lengths, yet clustered separately. Conversely, A. gracilis metacercariae infecting rainbow trout and salmon parr differed markedly in size, but demonstrated minimal composite morphological variation. Much, if not all, of the variation described between populations and species of parasites can be attributed to host or to metacercarial location within a particular host. These findings and the lack of strong life-cycle data for A. annuligerum place some doubt on its validity as a species discrete from A. gracilis.     

Phenology of native weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in New Zealand pastures and parasitism by the introduced braconid,Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract

The phenology of native brachycerine weevil species at seven pasture sites in Otago, Canterbury and Waikato was studied by regular quantitative sampling of adults. Weevils were identified to species, and dissected to record reproductive status and parasitism by introduced braconid parasitoids in the genus Microctonus. Climatic data assisted in the interpretation of some population density patterns. Weevil population density was estimated for periods of two to five years at the selected sites. Species in the Entimini (species of Irenimus and Nicaeana) were generally univoltine, with adults emerging in winter‐spring. The main period of reproductive activity was spring, and parasitism by Microctonus aethiopoides reached its highest incidence in January. Low level parasitism of native weevil species by M. aethiopoides was detected at all sites, and by M. hyperodae at two sites. At one site in Otago, parasitism by M. aethiopoides was higher and could have affected the population density of Irenimus aemulator (Broun) and Nicaeana sp. Most parasitism occurred after the main reproductive period of weevils in spring, but a putative second generation in some species might be more affected by parasitoid attack. A native rhytirhinine species, Steriphus variabilis, differed from the entimines because adults emerged in autumn and spring, and may be bivoltine. Mechanisms of M. aethiopoides parasitism of non‐target species in the field are discussed.     

Diversity,ecology, and seasonality of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the Jenin District (Palestinian Territories)

The diversity, ecology, and seasonality for sand flies from two localities in Jenin District, the Palestinian Territories, were studied. A total of 12,579 sand flies (5,420 Phlebotomus and 7,159 Sergentomyia) were collected during the study period. The genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia are represented by 13 and nine species and subspecies, respectively. Species account was given for all collected species. CDC light traps yielded 7,649 (60.8%) of the total captured sand flies, while sticky traps and aspirators contributed to 36.4 and 2.8% of the total collected specimens, respectively. Phlebotomus sergenti and P. syriacus showed two peaks, one in July and one in October. Phlebotomus tobbi showed one peak towards the end of the summer in September and August, while P. papatasi showed a bimodal peaks pattern, one in June and one in October. Phlebotomus canaaniticus showed a peak in August. P. perfiliewi transcaucasicus and P. neglectus showed a peak in October. Sergentomyia dentata showed one peak in August and increasing numbers from June to August, declining afterwards. Other species, such as S. theodori, had one peak in June, S. taizi had steady numbers across the summer, and S. christophersi had a peak in August.     

CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN NORTH AMERICAN LORANTHACEAE: (ARCEUTHOBIUM,PHORADENDRON, PSITTACANTHUS,STRUTHANTHUS)

Chromosome numbers are reported from 67 populations of 36 taxa, mostly in Phoradendron. The basic number is 14 in Phoradendron and probably also in Arceuthobium. The 4 species of Struthanthus for which chromosome numbers are recorded suggest that the basic number is 8. Numbers of n = 8 and n = 10 have been reported for Psittacanthus. In Phoradendron the 22 taxa examined are all diploid, although 1 instance of polyploidy was discovered. Objects interpreted as supernumerary chromosomes were discovered in a number of species of Phoradendron; no evidence of sex chromosomes previously reported in Phoradendron was observed. The Loranthaceae have chromosomes comparable in size to the largest in the plant kingdom.     

Species in the genus Rhytidelasma Gaud (Acarina: Pterolichidae) from the Green Conure,Aratinga holochlora (Sclater) (Aves: Psittacidae)

Three species in the genus Rhytidelasma Gaud (Pterolichoidea: Pterolichidae) are known from the Green Conure, Aratinga holochlora (Sclater): R. cornigera n. sp., R. urophila n. sp. and R. mesomexicana Atyeo et al. The new species are described, and the microhabitat(s) for each species discussed.