On the Synonymy of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae, Oxytelinae)

Entomological Review - The type material of several synonyms of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) is revised. Both Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) striatipennis (Eppelsheim, 1894) and...     

Revision of the subgenus Ceratitis (Pardalaspis) Bezzi, 1918 (Diptera, Tephritidae, Ceratitini)

Abstract. The fruit fly genus Ceratitis (Diptera: Tephritidae) comprises several important pest species attacking a wide range of unrelated fruits. In this paper the subgenus Ceratitis ( Pardalaspis ) Bezzi is revised. Ten species are recognized of which five are described as new: C.(P.)hamata sp.n., C.(P.)munroi sp.n., C.(P.)serrata sp.n., C.(P.)semipunctata sp.n. and C.(P.)zairensis sp.n. A key to both sexes is provided. All species are restricted to the Afrotropical Region and distributional and known host plant data are given.     

Structure of the auditory system of the weta Hemideina crassidens (Blanchard, 1851) (Orthoptera,Ensifera, Gryllacridoidea,Stenopelmatidae)

Summary This study of the ultrastructure of the auditory sensilla of the New Zealand weta, Hemideina crassidens, is the first such study on a member of the orthopteran Superfamily Gryllacridoidea. Ultrastructure of the auditory sensilla is similar in all of the tibial mechanosensory organs, here called subgenual organ, intermediate organ and crista acoustica by analogy with comparable structures in Tettigoniidae.Distal to each sensory soma is a dendrite containing multiple ciliary rootlets that fuse into a single ciliary root. This splits into nine root processes that pass around the outside of the proximal basal body and then rejoin at the level of the distal basal body, distal to which the dendrite has a modified ciliary structure with a circlet of nine peripheral paired tubes and rods as it passes through the proximal extracellular space. It is then enclosed by a zone of scolopale cell cytoplasm before expanding into a dilatation within the distal extracellular space. In some sensilla this space is partially occluded by electron dense material which is part of the scolopale cell. Distal to the dilatation the cilium shrinks and ends surrounded by the scolopale cap.Accessory cells consist of glia enwrapping the sensory neuron in the region of its soma, the scolopale cell surrounding the ciliary portion of the dendrite, and the attachment cell surrounding the scolopale cell and scolopale cap and connected to them by desmosomes. The attachment cells are filled with microtubules in differing densities and orientations. Lamellae are present in the acellular matrix surrounding the attachment cells. Banded fibres, presumably of collagen, are also present in the matrix.     

Emotion (or Life,the Universe,Everything)

Emotions are fundamental to human life; they define its quality and motivate action. In the past, social scientists who have studied emotions have treated them as biological, cultural or social phenomena. These approaches have tended to fall on either side of the culturally recognised division between nature and culture, and so have failed to recognise that emotions bridge this division, that they are thought of as both biological and cultural, as consisting of both physical feeling and cultural meaning. In this article, an alternative approach is presented in which emotions are treated as ecological mechanisms that operate in the relationship between an individual human being and their environment. In this approach, which draws on models of emotion proposed by William James and Antonio Damasio, emotions connect individual human beings to their surroundings and play an important role in learning. A focus on the individual as the centre of analytical attention—often referred to as ‘methodological individualism’—is a logical consequence of the ecological approach to emotion, which also has significant implications for the relationships between ecological anthropology and other branches of the discipline, and between anthropology and other disciplines. In the face of an ecological understanding of emotion, all relations, including social relations, become ecological and social anthropology melts into and is subsumed by ecological anthropology. At the same time, anthropology tends to lose its distinctiveness from biology, psychology and other disciplines by focusing on a phenomenon that is of common interest to all the human sciences.     

The ultrastructure of the epicardium epithelium of the slug, Arion ater (Linnaeus, 1758), (Pulmonata, Stylommatophora)

In the present paper we investigated the fine structure of terrestial slug Arion ater (L.) Interacisternal microtubules were formed in Arion ater, however they do not correspond to interacisternal polycylinders because they differ in size and they are not continuous with the membrane cistern. From our study it may be concluded that these intracisternal microtubules suggest an accumulation of protein.     

On the Knowledge of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) and Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) marginalis (Reitter, 1894) (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae)

Entomological Review - The type and other extensive material of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) and some of its synonyms was examined. Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) marginalis...     

Description of the male of Sclerocypris tuberculata (Methuen, 1910) (Crustacea,Ostracoda, Megalocypridinae)

The male of Sclerocypris tuberculata (Methuen), thus far unknown, is here described. Relying on the morphology of the copulatory appendages and of the prehensile palps, it appears that this taxon belongs to a separate species group, together with S. zelaznyi and perhaps also S. sarsi. There are some interesting sexual dimorphic characters in the valve morphology: males have shorter valves with a dorsal margin which runs nearly parallel to the ventral one (more elongated valves with sloping dorsal margin in females) and there is lobe-like projection of the valve margin on the ventro-caudal corner of the LV in females which is lacking in the male. Furthermore, the female genital region has a very aberrant morphology, and all specimens from the present collection possess the tuberculated and noded valves.     

Vitellogenesis of the digenean Plagiorchis elegans (Rudolphi, 1802) (Plagiorchioidea,Plagiorchiidae)

The ultrastructural organization of vitellogenesis of Plagiorchis elegans (Rudolphi, 1802), experimentally obtained from the golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758), is described using transmission electron microscopy. This study is the first ultrastructural study of vitellogenesis in a member of the superfamily Plagiorchioidea. The four stages usually observed during vitellogenesis are described: stage I, cytoplasm of the vitellocytes mainly filled with ribosomes and few mitochondria; stage II, beginning of the synthetic activity; stage III, active synthesis of the shell globule clusters; stage IV, vitellocytes are filled with shell globule clusters and contain several lipid droplets, and glycogen granules are grouped around clusters and droplets. Vitellogenesis in P. elegans is compared with that of other Digenea. The differences among P. elegans and previously studied digeneans include, but are not limited to the occurrence of dense coiled endoplasmic reticulum saccules and the concentration of glycogen in the mesenchyme, which may be considered as a fifth stage of maturation of the vitelline glands. This peculiarity was not observed in all trematodes, which clearly indicates differences in the vitellogenesis in various digenean lineages at different stages of maturation of their vitelline cells.     

Phaneropsolus macacae (Premvati, 1958) Saoud, 1964 from the Taiwanese monkey,Macaca cyclopis (Swinhoe, 1862)

In November, 1968, a single specimen ofPhaneropsolus macacae (Premvati, 1958)Saoud, 1964 was collected from the small intestine of a female Taiwanese monkey,Macaca cyclopis (Swinhoe, 1862). The Taiwanese monkey was added as a new host for this trematode.     

Diurnal butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) of the Solovetskie Islands (Northwestern Russia, the White Sea)

The species composition and diversity of Lepidoptera Rhopalocera were studied on the Solovetskie Islands during five years (2001–2005). Twenty-nine species of five families were recorded. The most abundant species are Leptidea sinapis, Boloria aquilonaris, Heodes virgaureae, Plebejus argus, Arcia eumedon, and Cyaniris semiargus. The fauna of these islands is poorer than local faunas of the continental northern taiga, forest-tundra, and southern tundra of Europe. The species diversity of insular assemblages of diurnal lepidopterans is lower in comparison with analogous continental assemblages. They are characterized by the mixed species composition, when species with different ecological preference occur within the same habitat.     

Genetic variation in the soil phthiracarid mite, Steganacarus (S.) magnus (Nicolet, 1855) (Acarida, Oribatida) (Notulae Oribatologicae XL)

Genetic divergence and variability at 14 enzyme loci were examined in and between Italian populations of two edaphic Oribatid (Acarida, Oribatida) species, Steganacarus (Steganacarus) magnus (8 populations) and S. (S.) hirsutus (1 population). The seven populations belonging to S. (S.) magnus can be divided into two groups according to their phenotype, form anomala (A) (MON, ARG, AST, CDO) and form magna (M) (MAL, MAM, RIF) while another can be considered as hybrid between the two preceding groups (ZOC). Genetic identity (I) values between the S. (S.) magnus populations in spite of their morphological differences ranged from 0.977 to 1.000 showing the great genetic similarity of simple local populations while those of S. (S.) hirsutus indicated two distinct morphological species. The genetic distances between all the populations examined were very low despite the ecological differences and geographical distances between the collecting sites. Genetic variability estimates in all the populations of both species were very low when compared to those reported for most arthropods. Some explanatory considerations are suggested.     

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of the digenean Plagiorchis elegans (Rudolphi, 1802) (Plagiorchioidea,Plagiorchiidae)

The ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of the type genus of the Plagiorchiidae Plagiorchis elegans (Rudolphi, 1802), a parasite of the Golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus is described. This study is the first ultrastructural study of the spermatozoon of a Plagiorchis, the second of a plagiorchiid species and only the third in the Plagiorchioidea. Previously data on spermatozoon ultrastructure existed only for the plagiorchiid Enodiotrema reductum and the omphalometrid Rubenstrema exasperatum. The mature spermatozoon of P. elegans exhibited the general pattern described in most digenean species, namely two axonemes of the 9 + “1” Trepaxonemata pattern, nucleus, mitochondria, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, spine‐like bodies, and glycogen granules. However, the rather typical expansion of the plasma membrane is not found in P. elegans. Another peculiarity of the spermatozoon of P. elegans is the presence of a structure called thin cytoplasm termination. Spermatozoon ultrastructure of P. elegans is compared with that of E. reductum and R. exasperatum. Spermatozoon of P. elegans conforms to the general pattern described in E. reductum. Thus, this study further expands our knowledge on the spermatozoon ultrastructure among the members of the Plagiorchioidea, one of the most phylogenetically derived groups of the digenea. J. Morphol. 274:965–972, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A revision of the Zenometridae (new rank) (Echinodermata, Crinoidea, Comatulidina)

Three genera of unstalked crinoids, Zenometra , Sarametra and Psathyrometra , formerly included in the subfamily Zenometrinae of the family Antedonidae, are removed and placed in a distinct family, the Zenometridae. Diagnostic features include a cavernous centrodorsal cavity, a complete basal circlet with a large central lumen and cirrus sockets with a concave fulcral bowl around the lumen. Sarametra nicobarica is synonymized under S. triserialis , which is redescribed in detail. Psathyrometra is redefined and includes only the species P. fragilis , P. congesta and P. bigradata , which are redescribed. P. erythrizon is synonymized under P. fragilis . The four other species formerly included in Psathyrometra are removed to Athrypsometra gen. n., retained in the Antedonidae. The other genera formerly included in the Zenometrinae are considered incertae sedis in the family Antedonidae pending detailed re-examination. Cladistic analysis using the antedonids, Poliometra prolixa (a former zenometrine) and Florometra serratissima , and the thalassometrid, Oceanometra annandalei , as outgroups produces the following tree: ( O. annandalei (( F. serratissima / P. prolixa )((( P. fragilis / P. congesta ) P. bigradata ) ( S. triserialis / Z. columnaris )))).     

Exocrine glands in the antennae of the carabid beetle,Platynus assimilis (Paykull) 1790 (Coleoptera,Carabidae, Pterostichinae)

The antennae of males and females of the carabid beetle, Platynus, contain numerous type-III gland acini composed of two different gland cells and a canal cell. The findings show that antennal glands are not only found in highly specialized groups, but also in beetles thought to represent ancestral character states. However, in most cases the function of these glands is not well understood.     

On the systematic position of the weevil Polydrusus americanus (Gyllenhal, 1834) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

A North American species, Polydrusus americanus Gyll., is placed in the nominotypical subgenus of Polydrusus Germ, and is closely related to the Palaearctic species P. undatus F. and P. ruficornis Bonsd.     

Cnidae in the sea anemone Sagartiogeton viduatus (Muller, 1776) (Cnidaria,Anthozoa); A comparison to cnidae in the sea anemone Metridium senile (Linnaeus, 1761) (Cnidaria,Anthozoa)

The cnidom of the sea anemone Sagartiogeton viduatus (Muller, 1776) is described from interference‐contrast light micrographs (LMs) and scanning electron micrographs (SEMs). Special attention is given to nematocyst maturation, including the differentiation of the shaft into proximal and main regions as helical folding of the shaft wall proceeds. Comparisons are made with Metridium senile (Linnaeus, 1761), whose cnidom, with a few exceptions, is closely similar to that of S. viduatus. The two anemones possess b‐ and p‐mastigophores, p‐amastigophores, isorhizas and spirocysts. Although the majority of cnidae in S. viduatus is smaller than corresponding ones in M. senile, they are grouped into the same size classes as those of M. senile, namely small, medium and large. The main differences from M. senile cnidae are the followings: (1) Large acontia p‐amastigophores are the largest nematocysts in S. viduatus. (2) They are noticeably larger than the large acontia b‐mastigophores, and (3) they are separated from the p‐amastigophores of M. senile by the sinusoid pattern of their U‐shaped capsular matrix. (4) The large acontia b‐mastigophores are microbasic and not mesobasic as in M. Senile, and (5) they do not produce darts. (6) Another difference from M. senile is the absence of catch‐tentacle isorhizas.     

A revision of the phoretic deutonymphs (hypopi) of the genus Sennertia Oudemans, 1905 (Acari,Astigmata, Chaetodactylidae)

Summary The genus Sennertia Oudemans, 1905 (Acari, Chaetodactylidae) is revised. Up to now, 49 species have been described in this genus, almost all from their hypopial stage. Adults are known only for four species. The adults live in the nests of bees, mainly Xylocopidae, and their heteromorphic deutonymphs ( = hypopi) are phoretic on the bees. The parasitic role of these mites is not known but they probably feed on the bee larvae as do the members of the allied genus Chaetodactylus wich are parasitic in the nests of Megachilidae. The holotypes or lectotypes of 35 species have been examined and most of them are redescribed and redepicted. Four species have been placed in synonymy: S. moandensis Fain, 1971 with S. morstatti Vitzthum, 1914; S. xylocopae (Donnadieu, 1868) with S. cerambycina (Scopoli, 1763); S. sumatrensis Oudemans, 1924 with S. horrida (Vitzthum, 1912); S. donaldi Turk, 1948 with S. argentina Vitzthum, 1941. The genus Sennertia is redefined from the hypopial stage and four new subgenera (Afrosennertia, Asiosennertia, Amsennertia and Spinosennertia) and two new species S. (Asiosennertia) vitzthumi and S. (Asiosennertia delfinadoae) are described. A key to the species is given. ac]19810331     

Contribution to the knowledge of the Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus Kurnakov, 1962, species complex in Abkhazia (Coleoptera,Carabidae, Carabini)

This study is based on a comparative analysis of extensive material of Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus Kurnakov, 1962, its various forms and related taxa recently collected by the authors and some other collectors in Abkhazia. The status or specific affiliations of several subspecies are changed and a subspecies is described. Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus Kurnakov, 1972, stat. n. is treated as a separate species housing six hitherto established subspecies in addition to the nominal type: Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus mtsaranus Kurnakov, 1972, Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus duripshensis Kurnakov, 1972, Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus napraensis Belousov & Zamotajlov, 1993, Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus dsychvensis Kurnakov, 1972, Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus adzinbai Retezár, 2013, and Carabus (Archiplectes) besleticus resheviensis subsp. n. Carabus (Archiplectes) satyrus is treated as monotypical while the specific status of Carabus (Archiplectes) pseudopshuensis Zamotajlov, 1991, earlier proposed by Fominykh and Zamotajlov (2012), is confirmed based on the morphological and morphometric data.