Abrocomaphthirus hoplai, a new genus and species of sucking louse from Chile and its relevance to zoogeography

Both sexes of Abrocomaphthirus hoplai, new genus and new species (Anoplura: Polyplacidae), are described and illustrated. The endemic Chilean chinchilla rat Abrocoma bennetti Waterhouse (Rodentia: Abrocomidae) is the type host. The definition of the family Polyplacidae is amended to accommodate the new genus. Polyplax longa (Werneck), also referred to in the literature as Neohaematopinus longus Werneck, is reassigned to Abrocomaphthirus. The host of A. longus comb.n., is Abrocoma cinerea Thomas, another chinchilla rat, which inhabits parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The erection of Abrocomaphthirus as a distinct genus has important zoogeographical and evolutionary implications. The tenuous anomaly of P. longa being the sole native representative of the genus Polyplax in South America, possibly with African affinities, is now refuted. Instead, partial colonization of the neotropics by native species of both Polyplax and Neohaematopinus appears to have been relatively recent and from North America. The phylogenetic affinities of Abrocomaphthirus are unknown, but it appears to be closely related to other, more ancient, native South American polyplacid louse genera, such as Cuyana, Eulinognathus, Galeophthirus, and Lagidiophthirus. Arguments are presented in support of an ancestral zoogeographical link to Africa for these louse genera.     

Copidosoma truncatellum (Dalman) and C.floridanum (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), two frequently misidentified polyembryonic parasitoids of caterpillars (Lepidoptera)

Abstract In this paper it is shown that Copidosoma floridanum , a polyembryonic parasitoid of the caterpillars of Plusiinae, has almost invariably been misidentified as Copidosoma truncatellum. Both species, and also a third (chilensis) which has been synonymized incorrectly with truncatellum , are diagnosed and characters to separate them reliably are presented.     

Trichodectes canis (De Geer, 1778) (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera), a new ectoparasite of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in the Czech Republic

The raccoon (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is described as a host of the dog biting louse, Trichodectes canis (De Geer, 1778). The present note reports the occurrence of this species of louse on two raccoon dogs from Moravia and Bohemia. The specimens of T. canis collected on this host differed from T. canis originating from the domestic dog by body size only.     

Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial genes supports species groups for Columbicola (Insecta: Phthiraptera)

The dove louse genus Columbicola has become a model system for studying the interface between microevolutionary processes and macroevolutionary patterns. This genus of parasitic louse (Phthiraptera) contains 80 described species placed into 24 species groups. Samples of Columbicola representing 49 species from 78 species of hosts were obtained and sequenced for mitochondrial (COI and 12S) and nuclear (EF-1alpha) genes. We included multiple representatives from most host species for a total of 154 individual Columbicola, the largest molecular phylogenetic study of a genus of parasitic louse to date. These sequences revealed considerable divergence within several widespread species of lice, and in some cases these species were paraphyletic. These divergences correlated with host association, indicating the potential for cryptic species in several of these widespread louse species. Both parsimony and Bayesian maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of these sequences support monophyly for nearly all the non-monotypic species groups included in this study. These trees also revealed considerable structure with respect to biogeographic region and host clade association. These patterns indicated that switching of parasites between host clades is limited by biogeographic proximity.     

Hoplopleura janzeni n. sp. (Phthiraptera: Anoplura), a new sucking louse from a Central American swimming mouse.

Both sexes of a new species of sucking louse Hoplopleura janzeni (Phthiraptera: Hoplopleuridae) are described and illustrated from the Central American ichthyomyine swimming mouse Rheomys raptor (Rodentia: Muridae) collected in Costa Rica. The morphology of the new species is compared with that of Hoplopleura exima Johnson, the only other species of sucking louse known to parasitize an ichthyomyine rodent. Hoplopleura janzeni is unique in having posteriorly directed spurs on the first antennal segment, the fore- and midcoxae, and the hind femora of both sexes.     

Similascarophis n. gen. n. spp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitizing marine fishes off the Chilean coast

Similascarophis (Cystidicolidae) n. gen. is proposed. In the mouth of specimens of this genus, submedial labia are absent and pseudolabia do not have any part projecting toward the central oral opening. These nematodes were obtained from the alimentary tract of 7 marine fish species along the coast of Chile: Bovichthys chilensis Regan, Eleginops maclovinus (Cuvier), Pinguipes chilensis (Valenciennes), Cilus gilberti (Abbott), Cheilodactylus variegatus Valenciennes, Girella laevifrons (Tschudi), and Graus nigra Philippi. Morphology and morphometry are compared between 2 new Similascarophis species: Similascarophis maulensis n. sp. and S. chilensis n. sp., which differ in the presence of sublabia and in the length of the glandular esophagus and left spicule. We also recorded Similascarophis sp. in 2 other host species, which showed some distinct proportional measurements, although these differences were not sufficiently clear to identify them as a new species.     

Hybridization and introgression in Carpobrotus spp. (Aizoaceae) in California. II. Allozyme evidence

Morphological evidence has indicated that hybridization and introgression are occurring between Carpobrotus edulis L., a nonindigenous, invasive species in California (Bolus), and its putative native congener, C. chilensis. The identification of allozyme markers has enabled us to quantify hybridization and the extent of introgression between these species. Samples from 20 individuals of each of five morphological types (both parent species and three hybrid phenotypes) were collected from 39 populations along the coast of California from the Mexico to Oregon borders. Ten enzyme systems revealed a total of 17 resolvable loci, eight of which were polymorphic for the genus. Five of the polymorphic loci easily differentiate C. edulis and C. chilensis. Allele frequencies among the morphologically defined types are consistent with estimations of allele frequency changes due to first- and second-generation backcrossing. In comparison to long-lived, herbaceous perennials and widespread species, C. edulis and intermediate types have more variation in their populations (P = 41.73, Ap = 2.11, Ho = 0.246, and P = 38.13, Ap = 2.06, Ho = 0.216, respectively) than C. chilensis (P = 11.76, Ap = 2.00, Ho = 0.082). Indirect estimates of gene flow indicate four of the five morphological types are outcrossing. Gene flow between previously allopatric species may have broad implications if it results in an increase in fitness; further experimentation is needed to determine the ultimate ecological consequences of this phenomenon and its possible threat to limited, remaining natural habitat in California.     

Genetic variation and phylogeographic analyses of two species of Carpobrotus and their hybrids in California

Despite the commonality and study of hybridization in plants, there are few studies between invasive and noninvasive species that examine the genetic variability and gene flow of cytoplasmic DNA. We describe the phylogeographical structure of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation within and among several interspecific populations of the putative native, Carpobrotus chilensis and the introduced, Carpobrotus edulis (Aizoaceae). These species co-occur throughout much of coastal California and form several 'geographical hybrid populations'. Two hundred and thirty-seven individuals were analysed for variation in an approximate 7.0 kb region of the chloroplast genome using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism) data. Phylogenetic analyses and cpDNA population differentiation were conducted for all morphotypes. Historic geographical dispersion and the coefficient of ancestry of the haplotypes were determined using nested clade analyses. Two haplotypic groupings (I and II) were represented in C. chilensis and C. edulis, respectively. The variation in cpDNA data is in agreement with the previously reported allozyme and morphological data; this supports relatively limited variation and high population differentiation among C. chilensis and hybrids and more wide-ranging variation in C. edulis and C. edulis populations backcrossed with C. chilensis. C. chilensis disproportionately contributes to the creation of hybrids with the direction of gene flow from C. chilensis into C. edulis. The cpDNA data support C. chilensis as the maternal contributor to the hybrid populations.     

Review of the South American-Antarctic triplefin fish genus Helcogrammoides (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae)

The genus Helcogrammoides comprises three species of small, cryptic shorefishes, H. antarcticus, H. chilensis, and H. cunninghami. All three species inhabit shallow water along exposed rocky coasts. Specimens reported herein extend the known distributions of H. chilensis and H. cunninghami to the vicinity of Lima, Peru, approximately 1600 km north of their previously reported northernmost records in Chile. Helcogrammoides chilensis and H. cunninghami occur sympatrically over most of their ranges in Peru and Chile and are frequently taken together in the same field collections. Lectotypes are designated for H. chilensis and H. cunninghami. Diagnoses and an identification key are provided for the species.     

Molecular phylogeny and novel host associations of avian chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from South Africa

Compared with Europe and the Americas, the ectoparasites of African birds are poorly understood, despite the avian fauna being relatively well known. Notably, previous studies documenting the host associations and genetic diversity of parasitic chewing lice of southern African birds have been limited in geographic and taxonomic scope. Recent field expeditions exploring the avian diversity in South Africa facilitated an opportunity to obtain louse specimens from a taxonomically diverse host assemblage. This study is the first to investigate avian louse host associations and diversity across a large portion of South Africa encompassing several distinct habitat types, while incorporating molecular genetic data (from portions of the mitochondrial COI and nuclear EF‐1α genes) for ectoparasite phylogenetic analyses. From 1105 South African bird individuals and 170 species examined for lice, a total of 105 new louse–host associations were observed. Morphological and genetic examination of lice with these new host associations reveals a maximum of 66 louse species new to science. Results of this study support the observation that examining museum specimens is a useful way to investigate louse diversity and host associations.     

Neoheterobothrium chilensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae), a parasite of the bigeye flounder Hippoglossina macrops (Paralichthyidae: Pleuronectiformes) from northern Chile

Neoheterobothrium chilensis n. sp. (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae) from the gills of the bigeye flounder Hippoglossina macrops (Paralichthyidae: Pleuronectiformes) from northern Chile (30 degrees 11'S, 71 degrees 51'W) is described and compared with the known species in the genus. Diagnostic characters include the position of the seminal receptacle, the number of hooks in the male copulatory organ, the number of testes, and the relative size of the clamp peduncles.     

Hybridization and introgression in Carpobrotus spp. (Aizoaceae) in California. I. Morphological evidence

Individuals of the invasive non-native plant species Carpobrotus edulis, its native or naturalized congener C. chilensis, and putative hybrids are found throughout coastal California. This study characterized morphological variation within the genus and assessed the extent of hybridization and direction of introgression between C. edulis and C. chilensis. Twelve randomly selected Carpobrotus individuals from each of 49 sample locations were classified as "C. edulis," "C. chilensis," or one of three intermediate morphotype classes, and compared for clonal, vegetative, and fruit characters. Univariate comparisons showed that C. edulis individuals had deeper mats with more cover within the mat boundary, longer, wider, more serrate leaves, and wider fruits with more carpels than intermediate and C. chilensis morphotype classes. Carpobrotus edulis and intermediates had more lateral branches than did C. chilensis, suggesting that hybrids tend to vary toward C. edulis. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) identified the following characters as discriminating significantly among Carpobrotus groups: leaf length, leaf width, leaf length/width, number of lateral branches, number of carpels, and fruit diameter. Using these characters, DFA correctly classified 98% of apparently pure C. edulis and C. chilensis, but only 76% of all Carpobrotus individuals when putative hybrids were included. Principal components analysis showed that C. edulis and C. chilensis cluster into distinct morphotypes, but that hybrids overlap with both groups, particularly with C. edulis. The genus Carpobrotus in California resembles a large hybrid swarm, with putative hybrids forming a large portion of the overall population and tending to vary toward C. edulis.     

A revised diagnosis of the feather mite genus Magimelia Gaud, 1961 (Pterolichoidea: Pterolichidae: Magimeliinae) and the description of three new species

Three new mite species of the genus Magimelia (Astigmata: Pterolichidae) are described from the plumage of various lapwings (Charadriidae: Vanellinae): M. breviloba n. sp. from Vanellus miles miles; M. thailandica n. sp. from V. indicus (type-host), V. duvaucelii and V. tricolor; and M. chilensis n. sp. from V. chilensis. An extended host range for M. dolichosikya Gaud, 1961 is given. A revised diagnosis of the genus and a key to known species are presented.     

A revision of the neotropical genus Vilga Stål (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

Abstract. Thirteen species of the genus Vilga Stål are recognized and described or redescribed and a key for their identification is given. Lectotypes are designated for Centrocoris westwoodi Kolenati, Vilga dissimilis Distant, Vilga spinosula Montandon, Vilga mexicana Distant, Vilga penningtoni Bergroth and Vilga dallasi Distant. The new combination Vilga chilensis (Stein) is established for Arenocoris chilensis Stein. The new synonymy Vilga dissimilis Distant (= Vilga spinosula Montandon) is established. The new species Vilga brasiliensis (from Brazil), V.grisea (Brazil), V.grisescens (Brazil), V.obliqua (Brazil), V.peruviana (Peru) and V.sanctipauli (Brazil) are described. The genus Vilga is divided into six subgenera, the five new subgeneric names being Vilgula (type-species: Vilga dissimilis Distant), Trichovilga (type-species: Vilga mexicana Distant), Platyvilga (type-species: Arenocoris chilensis Stein), Laevivilga (type-species: Vilga divaricata Distant) and Echinovilga (type-species: Vilga dallasi Distant).     

Low genetic variation of foliar traits among Prosopis chilensis (Leguminosae) provenances

Journal of Plant Research - Prosopis chilensis (Molina) Stuntz (Leguminosae) is a valuable native species in Argentina that has been proposed to be used in reforestation, afforestation and...     

Unexpected distribution patterns of Carduiceps feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) on sandpipers (Aves: Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae)

The louse genus Carduiceps Clay & Meinertzhagen, 1939 is widely distributed on sandpipers and stints (Calidrinae). The current taxonomy includes three species on the Calidrinae (Carduiceps meinertzhageni, Carduiceps scalaris, Carduiceps zonarius) and four species on noncalidrine hosts. We estimated a phylogeny of four of the seven species of Carduiceps (the three mentioned above and Carduiceps fulvofasciatus) from 13 of the 29 hosts based on three mitochondrial loci, and evaluated the relative importance of flyway differentiation (same host species has different lice along different flyways) and flyway homogenization (different host species have the same lice along the same flyway). We found no evidence for either process. Instead, the present, morphology‐based, taxonomy of the genus corresponds exactly to the gene‐based phylogeny, with all four included species monophyletic. Carduiceps zonarius is found both to inhabit a wider range of hosts than wing lice of the genus Lunaceps occurring on the same group of birds, and to occur on Calidris sandpipers of all sizes, both of which are unexpected for a body louse. The previously proposed family Esthiopteridae is found to be monophyletic with good support. The concatenated dataset suggests that the pigeon louse genus Columbicola may be closely related to the auk and diver louse genus Craspedonirmus. These two genera share some morphological characters with Carduiceps, but no support was obtained for grouping these three genera together. Based on mitochondrial data alone, the relationships among genera within this proposed family cannot be properly assessed, but some previously suggested relationships within this proposed family are confirmed.     

Strain selection and genetic variation in Gracilaria chilensis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

Strain selection processes in seaweed often have assumed that sterile clones could be maintained for long periods in a diversity of environments without major genetic changes. However, clonal species such as Gracilaria chilensis exhibit intra-clonal variation in performance and ongoing studies suggest such changes may be due to rapid changes in DNA composition associated with growth, via mitotic recombinations. Therefore performance of a given ramet in this type of seaweed should be understood as the dynamic outcome of rapid reactions between the environment and the changing genotype of the selected strain. To evaluate this idea, we measured changes in genetic variability, as detected by DNA-fragment polymorphism using RAPDs-PCR, exhibited by clones of G. chilensis after two transfers to different environmental conditions (from field to controlled laboratory conditions and from the laboratory to large-scale tank culture). The transfer to laboratory conditions reduced the frequency of low similarity values and increased the frequency of intermediate similarity values in DNA banding patterns, suggesting the branchlets produced under controlled laboratory conditions have less genetic variability (evaluated as total DNA polymorphism) than plants recently collected in the field. Tank incubation reduced the total range of similarity and significantly increased the frequency of high similarity values. Results thus suggest the dynamic of genetic changes in vegetative clones of Gracilaria chilensis that is fast and strongly affected by the external environment. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.