A taxonomic revision of Labiostrongylus (Labiostrongylus) (Yorke & Maplestone, 1926) and Labiostrongylus (Labiomultiplex) n. subg. (Nematoda: Cloacinidae) from macropodid and potoroid marsupials

The morphological characters used to differentiate species in the genus Labiostrongylus Yorke & Maplestone, 1926, parasitic in macropodid and potoroid marsupials, are discussed. The genus is divided into three subgenera Labiostrongylus (Labiostrongylus), L. (Labiomultiplex) n. subg. and L. (Labiosimplex) n. subg. on the basis of the presence or absence of interlabia and the morphology of the oesophagus. A key to the subgenera is given and a detailed revision of two of the subgenera is presented. Keys to each of the subgenera are given, the species discussed being: L. (L.) labiostrongylus) (type-species) (syn. L. (L.) insularis, L. (L.) grandis, L. (L.) macropodis sp. inq. and L. (L.) nabarlekensis n. sp., in the subgenus Labiostrongylus, and L. (Lm.) eugenii, L. (Lm.) novaeguineae, L. (Lm.) onychogale, L. (Lm.) uncinatus, L. (Lm.) billardierii n. sp., L. (Lm.) constrictis n. sp., L. (Lm.) kimberleyensis n. sp., L. (Lm.) thylogale n. sp., and L. (Lm.) potoroi, n. sp., in the subgenus Labiomultiplex.     

The genera Dirina and Roccellina (Roccellaceae)

In the present monograph of the coastal lichens, generally referred to as Dirina (crustose), Lobodirina (placoid), and Roccellina (suffruticose), two genera comprising 38 taxa are recognized: Dirina Fr. (7 species, 2 subspecies, and 4 forms) and Roccellina Darbish. (23 species and 2 forms). One Chiodecton and one Enterographa species are transferred to Dirina. Lobodirina Follm. is included in Roccellina together with seven species formerly placed in Dirina, one in Schismatomma, and one in Dirinastrum. The relationships between the two genera and the relation to other genera in Roccellaceae are discussed. Eleven species, and four forms are new: Dirina approximata Zahlbr. ssp. hioramii (B. de Lesd.) Tehler f. sorediala Tehler, D. catalinariae Hasse f. sorediala Tehler, D. insulana (C. Tav.) Tehler f. sorediala Tehler, Roccellina badia Tehler, R. cerebriformis (Mont.) Tehler f. sorediala Tehler, R. chalybea Tehler, R. conformis Tehler, R. exspectata Tehler, R. flavida Tehler, R. inaequabilis Tehler, R. nigricans Tehler, R. nigrocincta Tehler, R. obscura Tehler, R. suffruticosa Tehler, R. terrestris Tehler. Sixteen new combinations are proposed: D. approximata Zahlbr. ssp. africana (Fee) Tehler, D. approximata Zahlbr. ssp. hioramii (B. de Lesd.) Tehler, Dirina cretacea (Zahlbr.) Tehler, D. insulana (C. Tav.) Tehler, D. massiliensis Durteu et Mont. f. sorediala (Mull. Arg.) Tehler, Roccellina accedens (Nyl.) Tehler, R. capensis (Nyl. ex Stiz.) Tehler, R. cerebriformis (Mont.) Tehler, R. chilena (Dodge) Tehler, R. cinerea (Mull. Arg.) Tehler, R. cinerea (Mull. Arg.) Tehler f. sorediosa (Müll. Arg.) Tehler, R. falklandica (Zahlbr.) Tehler, R. limitata (Nyl.) Tehler, R. lutosa (Zahlbr.) Tehler, R. mahuiana (Follm.) Tehler, R. niponica (Nyl.) Tehler. All Dirina and 18 Roccelina species have been collected and studied in the field. Gross morphology and chemistry arediscussed. Statistical measurements of spore size are made for all species and subspecies. A cladistic relationship of the species of both genera, and a reduced area cladogram for Roccellina are proposed. Dirina is mainly restricted to the Northern Hemisphere and Roccellina, except for four species, is found in the Southern Hemisphere. The species are mainly bound to mediterranean, arid or subtropical climates.     

Geothermal diatoms: a comparative study of floras in hot spring systems of Iceland,New Zealand,and Kenya

Diatom floras were examined from geothermal environments in three contrasting tectonic settings. These included subduction-related acid and alkaline springs in New Zealand; alkaline springs along a divergent plate boundary on Iceland; and alkaline springs in the Kenya Rift. These shallow (<1 cm) aquatic environments vary considerably (e.g., temperature: 21.3–99°C; pH: 2.1–9.65; 56.41–643 mg l⁻¹ SiO₂). Diatoms form an important component of geothermal floras at temperatures of <45°C. The floras from New Zealand are distinguished by the common occurrence of Pinnularia. Icelandic springs have a variety of Fragilariaceae. Navicula and Anomoeoneis are most common in the Kenyan springs. Statistical analyses suggest that the diatoms cluster into seven major groups. The most common taxa include: Achnanthidium exiguum v. heterovalvum (Kras.) Czarn., Anomoeoneis sphaerophora (Ehrenb.) Pfitz, Brachysira brebissonii f. thermalis Grun., Caloneis bacillum (Grun.) Cl., Craticula cuspidata (Kütz.) Mann, Diadesmis confervacea Kütz., Epithemia argus (Ehrenb.) Kütz., Frustulia rhomboides (Ehrenb.) DeT., Hantzschia amphioxys (Ehrenb.) Grun., Navicula tenelloides Hust., Nitzschia amphibia Grun., Nitzschia inconspicua Grun., Nitzschia invisitata Hust., Nitzschia frustulum (Kütz.) Grun., Nitzschia sigma (Kütz.) W, Smith., Pinnularia chapmaniana Fog., Pinnularia appendiculata (Ag.) Cl., Pinnularia molaris (Grun.) Cl., Pinnularia acoricola Hust., Rhopalodia gibberula (Ehrenb.) O. Müll., Staurosira construens v. venter (Ehrenb.) Ham., Staurosira elliptica (Schum.) Will. & Round, and Staurosirella pinnata (Ehrenb.) Will. & Round. Canonical correspondence analysis shows clear correlations between species, alkalinity, pH, and conductivity, with less strong correlations for silica and temperature. Other factors include substrate type, current velocity, and light conditions. The preservation potential of host deposits varies considerably, being lowest for springs on clastic deltas and highest where travertine or sinter is accumulating. Handling editor: J. Padisak     

The distribution and development of Late Oligocene and Early Miocene reticulate globigerines in Australia

Globigerinoides is represented by both hispid (Gds. primordius) and reticulate (Gds. quadrilobatus) forms at levels below the first appearance (FA) of Globoquadrina dehiscens dehiscens, that is within Zone N.4A, in northern Australia, and at levels approximating the FA of Gq. dehiscens dehiscens, that is at the base of Zone N.4B, in southern Australia. These levels are below the FA of Globigerina (Globoturborotalita) woodi woodi, an event which occurs above the FA of Gq. dehiscens dehiscens, within the upper part of Zone N.4B. The presence of Globigerinoides quadrilobatus in southern Australia coincides with an extra-tropical excursion of larger benthic foraminiferids together with the warm water planktic form Globorotalia (Fohsella) kugleri, and disappears with the warm water forms within the basal part of the range of Ga. (Go.) woodi woodi; Globigerinoides quadrilobatus reappears within Zone N.6, above the FA of Ga. (Go.) woodi connecta. In northern Australia Globigerinoides quadrilobatus is continuously present throughout the Early Miocene as are the larger benthic foraminiferids. During the Early Miocene, populations of Globigerinoides throughout Australia (and elsewhere) show wide phenotypic variation, a feature of both Ga. (Go.) woodi and Ga. (Ga.) praebulloides populations.Based on oxygen isotope data Globigerinoides quadrilobatus has been a warm, shallow water dweller throughout its history, an attribute supported by its co-occurrence with other warm water species. Ga. (Go.) woodi, when it occurs with Globigerinoides, dwelt at intermediate water depths, and so at lower temperatures; its published biogeography supports a warm temperate distribution. Present day distribution of the Ga. (Ga.) bulloides group also supports a temperate biogeographic range, although it is typical of upwelling zones in subtropical and tropical areas. Thus, during the Early Miocene the biogeographic distribution of the reticulate globigerines was closely related to temperature, with those with spiral apertures typical of subtropical to tropical conditions, and those without these apertures were typical of warm temperate areas.Modern species of Globigerinoides maintain a symbiotic relationship with algae, but this relationship is absent in present day representatives of both Ga. (Ga.) bulloides and Ga. (Globoturborotalita). Such a relationship likely existed throughout the history of Globigerinoides. The presence of symbionts in Ga. (Ga.) falconensis, a close warm water relative of Ga. (Ga.) bulloides, suggests that a similar relationship may have developed in warm water populations of Ga. (Ga.) praebulloides, the probable ancestral form. Following this reasoning, one of the published proposals that Ga. (Ga.) praebulloides gave rise to the Globigerinoides quadrilobatus group is supported. This contrasts with the views of other workers that Ga. (Go.) woodi was the ancestral form. However, the presence of reticulate Globigerinoides at levels prior to the FA of Ga. (Go.) woodi strongly supports the first proposal. However, there also seems to be a demonstrable evolutionary relationship between Ga. (Go.) woodi and Globigerinoides quadrilobatus suggesting that there may have been a genetic relationship between the two species. In order to overcome this duality of phylogeny I suggest that Ga. (Go.) woodi is a cool water ecomorph of Globigerinoides quadrilobatus. Support for this proposal comes from the sudden appearance of Ga. (Go.) woodi and its lack of other ancestral forms.     

Morphological evolution and phylogenetic relationships of the European ground voles (Arvicolidae, Rodentia)

Brunet-Lecomte, P. & Chaline, J. 1991 01 15: Morphological evolution and phylogcnctic relationships of the European ground voles (Arvicolidae. Rodentia). Lethaia. Vol. 24. pp. 45–53. Oslo. ISSN 0024–1164. A new morphological study of the first lower molar M₁ of European Quaternary ground voles (Arvicolidac. Rodcntia. Microtus (Terricola)) by means of multivariate analysis renews the systematics. phylogenetic relationships and their evolutionary group history. An Allophaiomyan origin of ground voles has been confirmed and the evolution of Mediterranean and middle Europcan groups has now been clarified. Primitive species of middle European groups display plesiomorphics. except for M. (T.) arvalidens, which shows certain apomorphies of the present species. The occurrence of M. (T.) multiplex in France at the end of the middle Pleistocene before the appearance of M. (T.) suhterraneus completely reverses previous ideas which considered that M. (T.) multiplex was a sibling species derived from M. (T.) subterraneus during the Würmian glaciation. The Atlantic species M. (T.) pyrenaicus is probably derived from the middle Pleistocene species M. (T.) mariaclaudiue whose exact origin is unknown. M. (T.) sauii, M. (T.) tarentina. M. (T.) melirensis and M. (T.) henseli belong to the same geographic group. Perhaps M. (T.) savii derived from M. (T.) tarentina or shares the same ancestor with M. (T.) tarentina. M. (T.) duodecimcostarus probably indirectly derived from an Iberian specics of Allophuiomys such as A. chalinei, while M. (T.) lusitanicus was separated from M. (T.) duodecimcostutus about 60,000 years ago. A sketch of the stratigraphical records and geographical distribution of the Terricola species in Western Europe showing their phylogenetic relationships and migrations during the middle and upper Pleistocene is included. Morphometry, variance analysis, phylogeneric relationships. Mammalia. Rodentia. Arvicolidae. Microtus, Terricola.     

Phylogenetic relationships between Bryum and supposedly closely related genera

Abstract

The phylogeny of the genus Bryum was studied using cladistic analyses under the maximum parsimony criterion of evolution of anatomical and morphological characters. Three analyses were made with 32 Bryum species plus 20 species from genera supposedly closely related to Bryum, and with Amblyodon dealbatus (Sw. ex Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp., Meesia uliginosa Hedw., and Leptostomum macrocarpum (Hedw.) Bach. Pyl., as outgroups. It is here suggested that under earlier systematic concepts the genus Bryum is paraphyletic. A clade with Bryum billarderi Schwägr., B. capillare Hedw., B. donianum Grev., B. russulum Broth. & Geh., Rhodobryum giganteum (Schwägr.) Paris, and R. keniae (Müll. Hal.) Broth. are circumscribed by spathulate stem leaves that are crowded in the stem apex, suggesting that the rosulate species of Bryum are more closely related to Rhodobryum than to the rest of Bryum. Stem leaf costae without stereids and spores that mature in the winter are synapomorphies for a clade with Anomobryum julaceum (P. Gaertn. et al.) Schimp. and Bryum argenteum (Hedw.). The tropical species B. cellulare Hook. and B. flaccum Wilson ex Mitt. appear in a clade with Plagiobryum zieri (Dicks. ex Hedw.) Lindb. and Synthetodontium pringlei Cardot. In one analysis, B. limbatum Müll. Hal., Epipterygium tozeri (Grev.) Lindb., Leptobryum pyriforme (Hedw.) Wilson, and Roellia roellii (Broth. ex Röll) H.A. Crum came out in a clade with Mniobryum atropurpureum (Wahlenb.) I. Hagen, Mnium hornum Hedw., Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb., P. longicollis (Hedw.) Lindb., and Pseudopohlia didymodontia (Mitt.) A.L.Andrews. It is here suggested that gametophytic features, such as the orientation and anatomy of the stem leaves and the appearance of vegetative propagules, are important for the internal relationships within the studied ingroup, whereas characters related to the sporophyte, especially those of the peristome, may obscure phylogenetic relationships. Most of the subgenera and the sections of Bryum, as defined by earlier authors, appear to be paraphyletic. However, due to the low stability of most clades it is suggested that analyses including anatomical, morphological, and molecular data are needed.     

Recent and Tertiary Seguenziidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from the New Zealand region

Abstract

The family Seguenziidae is represented in the New Zealand region by the following new species (fossil taxa asterisked): Seguenzia glabella*, S. prisca*, S. serrata*, S. conopia, S. fulgida, S. chelina, S. transenna, S. textilis, S. compta; Seguenziella (n.gen.) patula; Seguenziopsis (n.gen.) bicorona; Carenzia venusta, C. fastigiata; Thelyssina (n.gen.) sterrha; Ancistrobasis dilecta, A. regina; Fluxinella (n.gen.) lepida, F. lenticulosa, F. maxwelli*; Calliobasis (n.gen.) eos*, C. chlorosa, C. miranda.     

Comparative Studies of Net Photosynthesis and Transpiration of Some Citrus Species and Relatives

Comparisqns were made between ‘Campbell Valencia’ orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck), and ‘Gabon Cherry-orange’ (Citropsis gabunensis (Engl.) Swing.), ‘Frost Lisbon’ lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.) and ‘Eremolemon’ (Eremocitrus glauca (Lindl.) Swing. ×Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.) and between diploid and autotetraploid ‘Lisbon’ lemons with respect to the influences of temperature and humidity on net photosynthesis and transpiration. Net photosynthesis, leaf conductance to water vapor and water-use-efficiency of Citropsis gabunensis were lower than with Citrus sinensis.‘Eremolemon’ had higher net photosynthesis and higher water-use-efficiency than ‘Lisbon’ lemon, but only small differences were observed between the two species in leaf conductance to water vapor. Small, nonsignificant, differences were observed between diploid and tetraploid ‘Lisbon’ lemons in responses of net photosynthesis and leaf conductance to temperature and humidity. Temperatures above 30°C and increases in vapor pressure difference caused declines in net photosynthesis and increases in vapor pressure difference resulted in decreases in leaf conductance to water vapor by all of the species used in these studies.     

Diospyros foliosa: the correct name for D. elliptica, and new combinations in Fijian and Samoan Diospyros (Ebenaceae)

The correct name in Diospyros L. (Ebenaceae) for a species from Tonga first described as Maba elliptica J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. and incorrectly known as D. elliptica (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) P. S. Green is D. foliosa (A. Gray) Bakh. In addition to the nominate variety, six additional varieties are recognised from Fiji and Samoa. As these varieties lack names under D. foliosa, the following new combinations are proposed: D. foliosa var. elliptica (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Dorr, D. foliosa var. fijiensis (Bakh.) Dorr, D. foliosa var. fructuosa (A. C. Sm.) Dorr, D. foliosa var. iridea (Fosberg) Dorr, D. foliosa var. opaca (A. C. Sm.) Dorr, and D. foliosa var. savaiiensis (Christoph.) Dorr.     

Vittia salina L.Hedenäs & J.Muñoz,sp. nov., a new moss from Argentina

Abstract

A survey of the species of Campylopus Brid. reported from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is presented. Of the 34 species that have been reported from this Island 16 are accepted at present. Campylopus nilghiriensis (Mitt.) Jaeg. is identical partly with C. goughii (Mitt.) Jaeg., partly with C. zollingerianus (C. Müll.) Bosch &; Lac., C. pseudogracilis Card. &; Dix. with C. goughii (Mitt.) Jaeg., C. caudatus (C. Müll.) Mont., C. reduncus (Reinw. &; Hornsch.) Bosch &; Lac. and C. trachythecius (C. Müll.) Jaeg. with C. comosus (Reinw. &; Hornsch.) Bosch &; Lac., C. herzogii Broth., C. subtricolor Lor. and probably also C. nodijlorus (C. Müll.) Jaeg. with C. aureus Bosch &; Lac., C nietneri (C. Müll.) Jaeg. with C. involutusz (C. Müll.) Jaeg., C. subgracilis Ren. &; Card. ex Gangulee and C. latinervis (Mitt.) Jaeg. with C. gracilis (Mitt.) Jaeg., and C. laetus (Mitt.) Jaeg. with C. savannarum (C. Müll.) Mitt. C. pterotoneuron (C. Müll.) Jaeg. is reduced to a variety of C. umbellatus (Arn.) Par. The occurrence of C. exasperatus Brid. on Sri Lanka could not be confirmed. Campylopus flagelliferus (C. Müll.) Jaeg. is reported as new to Sri Lanka.     

African Hepatics XXIX. Some new or little-known species and extensions of range

Abstract

Calypogeia afrocaernlea E. W. Jones, sp. nov. is described (type, from Kilimanjaro, in BM). Critical notes are provided on Cylindrocolea chevalieri (Steph.) Schuster, Simia S. Arnell, Syzygiella ruwenzorensis Steph., and Taxilejeunea pulchriflora Pearson. The following are new combinations: Cheilolejeunea surrepens (Mitt.) (basionym Lejeunea surrepens), Stictolejeunea balfourii (Mitt.) (basionym Lejeunea balfouri). Calypogeia fusca (Lehm.) Steph. is recorded from Cameroun and Ruanda; C. longifolia Steph. from Sierra Leone.     

Root characteristics of representative Mediterranean plant species and their erosion-reducing potential during concentrated runoff

Gully erosion is an important soil degradation process in Mediterranean environments. Revegetation strategies for erosion control rely in most cases on the effects of the above-ground biomass on reducing water erosion rates, whereas the role of the below-ground biomass is often neglected. In a Mediterranean context, the above-ground biomass can temporally disappear because of fire or overgrazing and when concentrated flow erosion occurs, roots can play an important role in controlling soil erosion rates. Unfortunately, information on root characteristics of Mediterranean plants, growing on semi-natural lands, and their effects on the topsoil resistance to concentrated flow erosion is lacking. Therefore, typical Mediterranean grass, herb, reed, shrub and tree root systems of plants growing in habitats that are prone to concentrated flow erosion (i.e. in ephemeral channels, abandoned fields and steep badland slopes) are examined and their erosion-reducing potential was evaluated. Root density (RD), root length density (RLD) and root diameters are measured for 26 typical Mediterranean plant species. RD values and root diameter distribution within the upper 0.10–0.90 m of the soil profile are then transformed into relative soil detachment rates using an empirical relationship in order to predict the erosion-reducing effect of root systems during concentrated runoff. Comparing the erosion-reducing potential of different plant species allows ranking them according to their effectiveness in preventing or reducing soil erosion rates by concentrated flow. RD in the 0.10 m thick topsoil ranges between 0.13 kg m⁻³ for Bromus rubens (L.) and 19.77 kg m⁻³ for Lygeum spartum (L.), whereas RLD ranges between 0.01 km m⁻³ for Nerium oleander (L.) and 120.43 km m⁻³ for Avenula bromoides ((Gouan) H. Scholz.) Relative soil detachment rates, compared to bare soils, range between 0.3 × 10^-12 and 0.7 for the 0.10 m thick topsoil. The results show that grasses such as Helictotrichon filifolium ((Lag.) Henrard), Piptatherum miliaceum ((L.) Coss.), Juncus acutus (L.), Avenula bromoides ((Gouan) H. Scholz), Lygeum spartum (L.) and Brachypodium retusum ((Pers.) Beauv.) have the highest potential to reduce soil erosion rates by concentrated flow in the 0–0.1 m topsoil. But also shrubs such as Anthyllis cytisoides (L.) and Tamarix canariensis (Willd.), having high root densities in the topsoil, can reduce erosion rates drastically. Among the species growing in channels, Juncus acutus (L.) has the highest erosion reducing potential, whereas Phragmites australis (Cav.) is the least effective. On abandoned fields, Avenula bromoides ((Gouan) H. Scholz) and Plantago albicans (L.) are the most effective species in reducing concentrated flow erosion rates, while Thymelaea hirsuta (L. (Endl.)) and Bromus rubens (L.) perform the worst. On steep badland slopes, Helictotrichon filifolium ((Lag.) Henrard) and Anthyllis cytisoides (L.) perform the best in the analysis of erosion reducing potential, while Ononis tridentata (L.) is the least effective species. These findings have implications for ecological restoration and management of erosion-prone slopes.     

Occurrence of Plant Growth Inhibitors in Tropical and Subtropical Vegetation

Acetone, ethanol and water extracts of mature fruits of yaupon (llex vomitoria Ait.) inhibited germination of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora Swartz DC. var. glandulosa (Torr.) Cockerell and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Extracts of guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.) inhibited cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seed germination. Water soluble inhibitors were found in fruits, leaves, roots and bark of several tropical species representing 10 different families. Strong inhibition of cucumber seed germination and growth did not occur in sand when water extracts containing inhibitors were applied. Growth of corn, sorghum, cucumber and bean was reduced in soils collected beneath Malay apple (Eugenia malaccensis L.) trees. Plant growth-inhibitors occurred in all species studied in various plant parts, and some apparently affect the growth and ecology of other plant species.     

A new classification for the subgenera of the genus Acanthophthirius Perkins,with descriptions of twelve new taxa (Acarina,Trombidiformes, Myobiidae)

The myobiid genus Acanthophthirius Perkins, to date comprising four subgenera, is reviewed and divided into just two subgenera, the nominate subgenus and Myotimyobia Fain. The male genital shield and female opisthogastric sclerites, which are here considered to be part of female genitalia, are adopted as the criteria for dividing the subgenera. These structures are essentially the same in form and position in the subgenus Acanthopthirius in its revised sense, while they are both more heterogeneous in species of the redefined subgenus Myotimyobia. The subgenera Acanthophthirius Fain and Chiromyobia Fain are thought to represent species-groups in the nominate subgenus, named respectively the etheldredae and miniopteri groups. The following one new subspecies and 11 new species are described: A. (A.) womersleyi eptesicus, A. (A.) glauconycteris, A. (A.) mauritaniensis, A. (A.) philetoris, A. (A.) otonycteris, A. (A.) steatocaudatus, A. (A.) nyctophilis, A. (M.) vagus, A. (M.) longus A. (M.) baueris, A. (A.) hesperopteris (female only) and A. (M.) pixonixeos (female only). A. (M.) hanensis is synonymised with A. (M.) namurensis, and A. (M.) capacini is emended to A. (M.) capaccinii and relegated to a subspecies of A. (M.) myotis. All the known and new species are assigned to their respective subgenera and shown in a table. Incongruent host-relationships of some of the mites are clarified, although not completely solved, by the introduction of the new classification for the subgenera.     

Fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) diversity in cucurbit fields and surrounding forest areas of Himachal Pradesh,a north-western Himalayan state of India

During the course of studies, Bactrocera (Bactrocera) latifrons (Hendel), B. (B.) nigrofemoralis White and Tsuruta, Dacus (Callantra) longicornis Wiedemann, Dacus (Callantra) sphaeroidalis (Bezzi), Cyrtostola limbata (Hendel) and Pliomelaena udhampurensis Agarwal and Kapoor were recorded for the first time in Himachal Pradesh in a cucurbit ecosystem. Apart from these, other species viz. Bactrocera tau, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera zonata, Bactrocera scutellaris, Bactrocera diversa and Dioxyna sororcula (Wiedemann) were also identified. Distribution records of B. (B.) dorsalis (Hendel), B. (B.) zonata (Saunders), Bactrocera (Hemigymnodacus) diversa (Coquillett), B. (Zeugodacus) cucurbitae (Coquillett), B. (Z.) scutellaris (Bezzi) and B. (Z.) tau (Walker) has been described.     

Feeding habits of two sympatric loliginid squids,Uroteuthis (Photololigo) chinensis (Gray, 1849) and Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii (d’Orbigny, 1835), in the lower part of the South China Sea

The feeding habits of two sympatric squid species, Uroteuthis (Photololigo) chinensis and Uroteuthis (Photololigo) duvaucelii from the southwestern Gulf of Thailand were studied. They fed on low numbers of food types (AF) and had a low diet breadth; 1.18 and 0.01 for U. (P.) chinensis and 1.49 and 0.05 for U. (P.) duvaucelii, respectively. Three major prey types (fishes, crustaceans and molluscs) were always detected and cannibalism was observed. Fish was the greatest contributor to the diet of both species, contributing 89.5% for U. (P.) chinensis and 69.9% for U. (P.) duvaucelii. Fish size significantly affected fullness index (FL) and AF for U. (P.) chinensis (P?<?0.001) and U. (P.) duvaucelii (P?<?0.001). Depth affected the FL of U. (P.) chinensis (P?<?0.001) but not of U. (P.) duvaucelii (P?>?0.05). Maturity stages of both male and female U. (P.) chinensis influenced FL (male: P?<?0.001; female: P?<?0.05) and AF (male: P?<?0.05; female: P?<?0.01). The FL of squid from cast nets was higher than those from trawls. The multivariate results showed dietary grouping between size classes of both species.     

The microbial conversion of different agricultural residues and its biological efficiency

A number of agricultural residues such as Saccharum munja Roxb. (Sarkanda), Oryza sativa L. (Paddy straw, as the control), Vinna unguiculata (L.) Walp (Cowpeas), Abelmoschus esculentum (L.) Moench (Lady's finger), Zea mays L. (Maize) and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub. (Guar) were used for the cultivation of Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer. The biological efficiency of the fruit bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju from the above mentioned substrates were found to be 13.47, 11.20, 8.37, 8.31, 6.87, and 6.08 percent, respectively. S. munja and paddy straw were found to be the best substrates for the growth of P. sajor-caju followed by Z. mays, V. unguiculata, A. esculentum, and C. tetragonoloba.     

Chemistry,Anatomy and Morphology of Foliicolous Species of Fellhanera and Badimia (Lichenized Ascomycotina: Lecanorales)

A comparison of secondary chemistry and a variety of anatomical and morphological characters of Fellhanera and Badimia (Pilocarpaceae) has been conducted in an effort to clarify the systematic position of both genera. Based on our results we conclude that Fellhanera and Badimia are closely related and separated mainly by the slightly different paraphyses, amyloid reactions of their asci, apothecial size, and the presence or absence of campylidia. Fellhanera badimioides sp.n. is described, and the following systematic changes are proposed: Badimia cateilea (Vain.) comb.n. B. lecanorina (Zahlbr.) comb.n., B. tuckermanii (R.Sant.) comb.n. and Fellhanera stanhopeae (Müll. Arg.) comb.n.     

Subgeneric differentiation within Kurzia (Crustacea: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) and a new species from Central America

The genus Kurzia is divided into two subgenera: Kurzia s. str. and Rostrokurzia n. subg. Subgenus Kurzia includes Kurzia (K.) latissima Kurz, 1874, with a palearctic -, Kurzia (K.) polyspina n. sp. with a neotropic - , and Kurzia (K.) cf. media (Birge, 1879) with a nearctic distribution. Rostrokurzia includes Kurzia (R.) longirostris Daday, 1898 (pantropical distribution), and Kurzia (R.) brevilabris Rajapaksa & Fernando, 1986, from subtropical and tropical Asia. Kurzia latissima Kurz, 1874, from Central Europe is redescribed in detail.