Macrosiphum on ferns: taxonomy,biology and evolution,including the description of three new species (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The phytophagous insect fauna of ferns has often been described as depauperate, and some have pointed to the paucity of evidence for adaptive radiation of insect groups feeding specifically on ferns. This paper examines the world's species of fern‐specific Macrosiphum aphids and attempts to determine whether fern‐feeding is a monophyletically derived trait in Macrosiphum. All sixteen species reported to feed on ferns, including three new species, were included in a cladistic analysis, along with fifteen other Macrosiphum species selected to represent the diversity of the genus, Papulaphis sleesmani (Pepper), because of its similarity to fern‐feeding Macrosiphum, and Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), which was used as outgroup. The results gave good support for the monophyly of fifteen of the sixteen fern‐feeders, and also supported a clade consisting of these fifteen fern‐feeders plus Macrosiphum equiseti (Holman), an Equisetum‐specific aphid. One species, Macrosiphum lapponicum Shaposhnikov, from northern Russia, was concluded to be unrelated to other fern‐feeding Macrosiphum. Whether this species truly feeds on a fern requires confirmation. Taxonomic and biological notes are provided for all fern‐feeding Macrosiphum of the world. These include one new combination, Macrosiphum cyatheae (Holman) comb.n., and three new species: Macrosiphum longirostratum sp.n. on Woodsia mollis and Woodsia sp. from Mexico (Michoacán), Macrosiphum miho sp.n. on ‘Aspidium’ sp. from the U.S.A. (Illinois) and Macrosiphum rebecae sp.n. on Adiantum sp. from Mexico (Michoacán). Keys to apterous and alate viviparae of Macrosiphum living on ferns are given.     

Multistate characters and diet shifts: evolution of Erotylidae (Coleoptera)

The dominance of angiosperms has played a direct role in the diversification of insects, especially Coleoptera. The shift to angiosperm feeding from other diets is likely to have increased the rate of speciation in Phytophaga. However, Phytophaga is only one of many hyperdiverse lineages of beetles and studies of host-shift proliferation have been somewhat limited to groups that primitively feed on plants. We have studied the diet-diverse beetle family Erotylidae (Cucujoidea) to determine if diet is correlated with high diversification rates and morphological evolution by first reconstructing ancestral diets and then testing for associations between diet and species number and diet and ovipositor type. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of morphological data that was previously published in Leschen (2003, Pages 1-108 in Fauna of New Zealand, 47; 53 terminal taxa and 1 outgroup, 120 adult characters and 1 diet character) yielded results that are similar to the parsimony analyses of Leschen (2003). Ancestral state reconstructions based on Bayesian and parsimony inference were largely congruent and both reconstructed microfungal feeding (the diet of the outgroup Biphyllidae) at the root of the Erotylidae tree. Shifts among microfungal, saprophagous, and phytophagous diets were most frequent. The largest numbers of species are contained in lineages that are macrofungal feeders (subfamily Erotylinae) and phytophagous (derived Languriinae), although the Bayesian posterior predictive tests of character state correlation were unable to detect any significant associations. Ovipositor morphology correlated with diet (i.e., acute forms were associated with phytophagy and unspecialized forms were associated with a mixture of diets). Although there is a general trend to increased species number associated with the shift from microfungal feeding to phytophagy (based on character mapping and mainly restricted to shifts in Languriinae), there is a large radiation of taxa feeding on macrofungi. Cycad feeding is scattered in more deeply diverged taxa and may have preceded the evolution of angiosperm feeding in some groups. Preliminary analysis of diet mapped onto higher beetle phylogenies suggests that about half of the major Coleoptera lineages may have had fungus-feeding ancestors. We discuss the roles of stochastic models and prior distributions of the reconstruction of ancestral character states in the context of the current data.     

New gastropods from East Pacific hydrothermal vents

The following new prosobranch species are described: Cyuthermia (gen.n.) naticoides, Lucunoidc (gen.n.) exquisitus (Neomphalidae); Peltospira Iamellifera, Pachydermia (gen.n.) laevis, Depressigyra (gen. n.) g1obulus. D. plunispira, Solutigyra (gen. n.) reticulata, Lirapex (gen. n.) humata, L. granularis (Peltospiridae); Bathymargarites (gen.n.) symplector (Trochidae) and Provanna mucleani (Littorinoidea). Shells and soft parts of the species are described and figured. One species each of Sinezona (Scissurellidae), Moel1rriopsis (Seguenzoidea) and Phymorrhynchus (Turridae) is recorded from East Pacific hydrothermal vents, but not identified to species. Information about feeding biology and type of larval development is given for most of these species. The systematic position of the new species of Neomphalidae and Peltospiridae is considered uncertain, but further anatomical investigations are in progress. The gastropod fauna of East Pacific sulphide-rich environments is summarized and composition, endemism, age. dispersal, predation, adaptations and feeding biology are discussed.     

A new Chorizococcus species (Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae) from Taiwan with transferring of Chorizococcus mirzayansi Moghaddam to genus Spilococcus Ferris

A new mealybug species, Chorizococcus zoysiaesp. n., feeding on Zoysia tenuifolia (Poaceae), is described from Taiwan. Adult female, third-instar female, second-instar female and first-instar nymph were described and illustrated in this article. Keys are provides to (a) separate this new species from similar species of Chorizococcus and those of same genus on zoysia grasses and (b) to identify instars of the new species. In addition, Chorizococcus mirzayansi Moghaddam is transferred to the genus Spilococcus as Spilococcus mirzayansi (Moghaddam), comb. n.     

Neural sites and pathways regulating food intake in birds: a comparative analysis to mammalian systems

The paper reviews hypotheses explaining the regulation of food intake in mammals that have addressed specific anatomical structures in the brain. An hypothesis, poikilostasis, is introduced to describe multiple, homeostatic states whereby the regulation of metabolism and feeding occur in birds. Examples are given for both wild and domestic avian species, illustrating dynamic shifts in homeostasis responsible for the changes in body weights that are seen during the course of an annual cycle or by a particular strain of bird. The following neural structures are reviewed as each has been shown to affect food intake in birds or in mammals: ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (n.), lateral hypothalamic area, paraventricular hypothalamic n., n. tractus solitarius and area postrema, amygdala, parabrachial n., arcuate n. and bed n. of the stria terminalis. Two neural pathways are described which have been proposed to regulate feeding. The trigeminal sensorimotor pathway is the most complete neural pathway characterized for this behavior and encompasses the mechanics of pecking, grasping and mandibulating food particles from the tip of the bill to the back of the buccal cavity. A second pathway, the visceral forebrain system (VFS), affects feeding by regulating metabolism and the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Wild, migratory birds are shown to exhibit marked changes in body weight which are hypothesized to occur due to shifts in balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Domestic avian species, selected for a rapid growth rate, are shown to display a dominance of the parasympathetic nervous system. The VFS is the neural system proposed to effect poikilostasis by altering the steady state of the autonomic nervous system in aves and perhaps is applicable to other classes of vertebrates as well.     

New species of the genus Typhlodromus from Sudan (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The genus Typhlodromus in Sudan includes five species. Of these, three new species are described and illustrated in this work. Individuals of T. sudanicus Elbadry and T. medanicus Elbadry have been found to play an important role in feeding on phytophagous mites and white fly nymphs infesting cotton crop.
Typhlodromus niloticus sp. n. and T. balanites sp. n. from fruit trees feed on tetranychid and eriophyid mites. T. sennarensis sp. n. has been collected from wild plants.
A key is provided for the identification of members of the genus Typhlodromus in Sudan.     

Food, feeding ecology and ecological segregation of seabirds at South Georgia

At the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia 25 of the 29 breeding species are seabirds. Fifteen of these have recently been studied in some detail. By examining the timing of their breeding seasons and their diet and feeding ecology (especially feeding techniques and potential foraging ranges), the nature of their ecological isolating mechanisms, and in particular the way in which they partition the resources of the marine environment, are reviewed.
Although breeding season adaptations occur (winter breeding in Wandering Albatross and King Penguin; out of phase breeding in two species-pairs of small petrels) these are less important than dillerences in food and feeding ecology. There is a fundamental distinction between the niche of pursuit-diving species (mainly penguins) and the remainder which are basically surface-feeders. The two abundant krill-eating penguins show clear differences in feeding zones. Three albatrosses and a petrel feed mainly on squid and there are differences in both the species and size of the prey of each. The remaining seabirds chiefly take krill (although the giant petrels are extensive scavengers and some smaller petrels specialize on copepods) and utilize different feeding methods and areas to do so.
Various adaptations related to inshore and offshore feeding zones are discussed. Although most species possess a combination of ecological isolating mechanisms additional evidence for the particular importance of dietary differences is presented.     

The classification, evolution and biology of the Costa Rican species of Cryptophion (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

The six known Costa Rican species of the campoplegine ichneumonid genus Cryptophion Viereck are described and keyed. The distribution of species throughout Costa Rica is detailed based on data gathered by an intensive Malaise trap survey of the ichneumonids of the country. Five new species are recognized: C. espinozai. C. guillermoi, C. manueli. C. moragai and C. tickelli , and a sixth, C. inaequalipes (Cresson) redescribed. The monophyly of the genus is demonstrated and the phylogeny of the Costa Rican species reconstructed. Host relationships have been established for all species in Costa Rica; they develop as koinobiont endoparasitoids of first to third instar larvae of Sphingidae or Saturniidae. Analysis of the host relationships from a phylogenetic perspective suggested that the genus first evolved using macroglossine sphingid larvae feeding on rubiaceous understorey plants as hosts, and subsequently diversified to utilize sphingine sphingids and ceratocampine saturniids feeding on a variety of food-plants. Most species appear to be monophagous and oligophagy is apparently a derived feature of one sister-species pair, C. espinozai and C. manueli . In Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica, only a small proportion of the species of Saturniidae and Sphingidae present are used as hosts by Cryptophion species. No one host species is parasitized by more than one Cryptophion species. No species of Cryptophion is known to parasitize more than one host species feeding on any one plant species. The monophagous species C. inaequalipes is only known to develop in its sphingid host when that host is feeding on one of its two alternative food-plants.     

Diet and food preferences of the endangered Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus: a basis for their conservation

The Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus population in the Pyrenees is managed using feeding stations to increase breeding success and reduce mortality in the pre-adult population. Nevertheless, very little quantitative and qualitative information has been published on such basic aspects of the species' ecology as feeding habits and dietary preferences. This study investigated both aspects through direct and unbiased observation of breeding Bearded Vultures during the chick-rearing period. Bearded Vulture diet comprises mammals (93%), birds (6%) and reptiles (1%), with medium-sized ungulates (mainly sheep/goats) the most important species in the diet (61%, n  = 677). Prey items were not selected in proportion to their availability, with the remains of larger species (cows and horses) being avoided, probably due to the variable cost/benefit ratios in handling efficiency, ingestion process and transport. There is no relationship between the proportion of sheep limbs in the diet and the proximity of feeding stations, suggesting that these sites are probably less important for breeding adults than for the pre-adult population. On the other hand, diet specificity seems related to productivity, with territories with greater trophic breadth being those with higher fecundity. Bearded Vultures prefer to eat limbs, although meat remains (provided principally by small mammals) can play an important role in guaranteeing breeding success during the first few weeks after hatching. The management of carrion provided by animals that die naturally in extensive livestock practices and the remains of wild ungulates which have died naturally or by human hunting, are important conservation tools for the Bearded Vulture and other carrion-eating species.     

潜蝇姬小蜂属寄生蜂对潜叶蝇的控害特性及应用

潜蝇姬小蜂属Diglyphus寄生蜂是潜叶蝇类害虫的重要天敌。本文对其种类、 分布、 田间发生和优势度、 优势种的控害特性和生态适应性, 以及优势种的人工繁殖和田间应用等进行总结和展望, 以期为更好地应用该属寄生蜂防控我国潜叶蝇的研究和应用提供指导。迄今已鉴定该属寄生蜂36种, 全为抑性外寄生蜂, 其中针对豌豆潜蝇姬小蜂D. isaea、 贝氏潜蝇姬小蜂D. begini和中带潜蝇姬小蜂D. intermedius的研究较多。雌蜂不仅可通过繁殖型的寄生方式而且还可通过非繁殖型方式（取食寄主和产卵器插入直接杀死）致死寄主。雌蜂偏好寄生大个体寄主和取食相对较小个体的寄主, 且雌蜂对寄主幼虫的偏好具有“寄主大小依赖型性别分配”现象（host-size-dependent sex allocation）。从温度适应范围和控害潜力首推为豌豆潜蝇姬小蜂。优势种的规模饲养技术已经被研发并得到了较广泛的田间应用。未来研究可主要集中于： （1）加强优势种尤其是温度适应范围广或较为耐热的种群或地理品系的研究, 以增加对三叶草斑潜蝇Liriomyza trifolii和美洲斑潜蝇L. sativae的控效; （2）加强雌蜂寄主取食行为特性及其生理机制的研究, 以更高效利用; （3）因地制宜研发规模化饲养技术和释放技术; （4）加强潜蝇姬小蜂同其他潜叶蝇寄生蜂的协同控害及竞争共存机制的研究, 已提升对潜叶蝇的生防控制效果。     

Comparative analysis of diurnal variations of the lipid composition in perch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Perca fluviatilis</Emphasis> L.) and tyulka (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupeonella cultriventris</Emphasis> Nordmann) from the Rybinsk Reservoir pelagial

Diurnal variations of the total content and fractional composition of lipids in the organisms of underyearlings of indigenous (perch) and nonindigenous (tyulka) species have been analyzed. These fish species form the basis of feeding aggregations of young fish in the Rybinsk Reservoir pelagial. Stable interspecific differences in mean daily and hourly values of the content of total lipids and in the level of three fractions-phospholipids (PLs), cholesterol (CS), and triacylglycerols (TAGs)—have been determined. It is shown that the level of adipose reserves and the content of TAG in the tyulka are higher than in perch, while the contents of PL and CS are lower. Diurnal variations of the level of each of the three fractions in both fish species are similar, but the ranges of variations are wider in tyulka than in perch. Possible mechanisms for the regulation of lipid metabolism (including the participation of neuroendocrinal centers) and their similarity in young fish of different species upon adaptation to short-term changes in the environment have been discussed. It is suggested that the modern state of the zooplankton community in the Rybinsk Reservoir pelagial negatively affects the feeding of perch underyearlings and parameters of lipid metabolism in their organisms.     

Revision of the Southeast Asian millipede genus Orthomorpha Bollman, 1893, with the proposal of a new genus (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae)

The large genus Orthomorpha is rediagnosed and is shown to currently comprise 51 identifiable species ranging from northern Myanmar and Thailand in the Northwest to Lombok Island, Indonesia in the Southeast. Of them, 20 species have been revised and/or abundantly illustrated, based on a restudy of mostly type material; further 12 species are described as new: Orthomorpha atypicasp. n., Orthomorpha communissp. n., Orthomorpha isarankuraisp. n., Orthomorpha picturatasp. n., Orthomorpha similanensissp. n., Orthomorpha suberectasp. n., Orthomorpha tuberculiferasp. n.,Orthomorpha subtuberculiferasp. n. and Orthomorpha latitergasp. n., all from Thailand, as well as Orthomorpha elevatasp. n.,Orthomorpha spiniformissp. n. and Orthomorpha subelevatasp. n., from northern Malaysia. The type-species Orthomorpha beaumontii (Le Guillou, 1841) is redescribed in due detail from male material as well, actually being a senior subjective synonym of Orthomorpha spinala (Attems, 1932), syn. n. Two additional new synonymies are proposed: Orthomorpha rotundicollis (Attems, 1937) = Orthomorpha tuberculata (Attems, 1937), syn. n., and Orthomorpha butteli Carl, 1922 = Orthomorpha consocius Chamberlin, 1945, syn. n., the valid names to the left. All species have been keyed and all new and some especially widespread species have been mapped. Further six species, including two revised from type material, are still to be considered dubious, mostly because their paraterga appear to be too narrow to represent Orthomorpha species. A new genus, Orthomorphoidesgen. n., diagnosed versus Orthomorpha through only moderately well developed paraterga, coupled with a poorly bi- or trifid gonopod tip, with at least some of its apical prongs being short spines, is erected for two species: Orthomorpha setosus (Attems, 1937), the type-species, which is also revised from type material, and Orthomorpha exaratus (Attems, 1953), both comb. n. ex Orthomorpha.     

亚洲玉米螟与欧洲玉米螟混生区的研究

生殖隔离试验、形态鉴定、网室内性信息素活性反应和食性试验的结果表明 :张家口苍耳中的玉米螟与新疆伊宁的欧洲玉米螟同种 ,而为害玉米的优势种与广东阳山的亚洲玉米螟同种。张家口为害玉米的种群中 ,有部分雄蛾对欧洲玉米螟性信息素及苍耳中的雌处女蛾具有反应。苍耳和玉米中的种群在玉米、谷子、高梁、苍耳、草和大马蓼等 6种寄主上均可产卵和取食为害 ,并能正常完成生活史。研究结果证实张家口为亚洲玉米螟和欧洲玉米螟混生区 ,而且在玉米中很可能有少量欧洲玉米螟与亚洲玉米螟混生。     

A revision of the Oriental stonefly genus Phanoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae)

The genus Phanoperla (=Dyaperla Banks, 1939) (Plecoptera: Perlidae: Perlini) is revised and generic diagnoses are provided for adults and larvae. Diagnostic and constitutive characters of the tribe Neoperlini are discussed, and Chinoperla Zwick, 1980, is shown to be the closest relative of Phanoperla. Many past misidentifications of Phanoperla species have been corrected by the use of characters recently recognized as important, namely the structure of the internal genitalia of male and female specimens and particularly the complex pattern of spines on the male penial sac made visible by eversion of this structure, and details of sculpturing of the egg chorion.
The following species of Phanoperla are recognized: amorpha sp.n.; anomala (Banks, 1939); bakeri (Banks, 1924); ceylonica Kawai, 1975; comuta sp.n.; flaveola (Klapálek, 1921), comb.n. ( =clarissa (Banks, 1913), syn.n.), (=Neoperla hageni Banks, 1920, syn.n.), (= N.consimilis Banks, 1924, syn.n.); guttata sp.n.; himalayana Zwick, 1977 (= siwalika Harper, 1977); limosa (Hagen, 1858); maculata sp.n.; maindroni (Navas, 1926), comb.n.; malayana sp.n.; minutissima (Enderlein, 1909); nana sp.n.; nervosa Banks, 1939; nuwara Kawai, 1975; omega sp.n.; pallipennis (Banks, 1938); parva sp.n.; pumilio (Klapálek, 1921), comb.n.; peniculus Kawai, 1969a; schmidi sp.n.; sertispina Jewett, 1975; srilanka sp.n.; sumatrae sp.n.; testacea (Hagen, 1858); wedda sp.n. P.claggi (Banks, 1938) is a nomen nudum.
All species are (re-)described and figured; all primary types have been examined. A key to species is provided. Most species can be assigned to one of seven species groups which are defined.
Phanoperla is endemic to the Oriental Region. Species groups are generally widespread, but individual species are in most cases known only from restricted areas.     

Comparisons of salivary proteins from five aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) species

Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) saliva, when injected into host plants during feeding, causes physiological changes in hosts that facilitate aphid feeding and cause injury to plants. Comparing salivary constituents among aphid species could help identify which salivary products are universally important for general aphid feeding processes, which products are involved with specific host associations, or which products elicit visible injury to hosts. We compared the salivary proteins from five aphid species, namely, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), D. tritici (Gillette), D. mexicana (Baker), Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), and Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). A 132-kDa protein band was detected from the saliva of all five species using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Alkaline phosphatase activity was detected from the saliva of all five species and may have a universal role in the feeding process of aphids. The Diuraphis species cause similar visible injury to grass hosts, and nine electrophoretic bands were unique to the saliva of these three species. S. graminum shares mutual hosts with the Diuraphis species, but visible injury to hosts caused by S. graminum feeding differs from that of Diuraphis feeding. Only two mutual electrophoretic bands were visualized in the saliva of Diuraphis and S. graminum. Ten unique products were detected from the saliva of A. pisum, which feeds on dicotyledonous hosts. Our comparisons of aphid salivary proteins revealed similarities among species which cause similar injury on mutual hosts, fewer similarities among species that cause different injury on mutual hosts, and little similarity among species which feed on unrelated hosts.     

Plant damage to vegetable crops by zoophytophagous mirid predators

The use of plant-feeding predators for biological pest control has traditionally been neglected, mainly due to the risk of them feeding on crop plants and causing economically significant damage. Yet, these predators offer advantages for biological pest control. They are mostly generalist predators that have an impact on several crop pests. They may also be able to establish on crops early in the growing season, when pests colonize them, and can remain on the target crop when prey is scarce. Therefore, management programs must seek to minimize risks while maximizing benefits. In vegetable crops, most of the literature on zoophytophagous predators has focused on four species: Dicyphus tamaninii, Dicyphus hesperus, Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera, Miridae). The capacity of these species to produce crop damage in tomatoes varies. This damage has been related to relative predator-to-prey abundance, with damage increasing at high predator abundances and low prey densities. In this review, we analyze the use of these species in biological control programs and the associated benefits and risks. The differences in the damage caused by the four predatory species examined could not be attributed to either stylet morphology or saliva composition. However, feeding on specific plant structures where they may find the resources required for their development is what probably determines feeding damage. Understanding when and why these predators increase their feeding on plants or on certain plant parts is of crucial importance for integrating them in biological control programs.     

Environmental change and the phenology of European aphids

Aphids, because of their short generation time and low developmental threshold temperatures, are an insect group expected to respond particularly strongly to environmental changes. Forty years of standardized, daily data on the abundance of flying aphids have been brought together from countries throughout Europe, through the EU Thematic Network 'EXAMINE'. Relationships between phenology, represented by date of first appearance in a year in a suction trap, of 29 aphid species and environmental data have been quantified using the residual maximum likelihood (REML) methodology. These relationships have been used with climate change scenario data to suggest plausible changes in aphid phenology. In general, the date of first record of aphid species in suction traps is expected to advance, the rate of advance varying with location and species, but averaging 8 days over the next 50 years. Strong relationships between aphid phenology and environmental variables have been found for many species, but they are notably weaker in species living all year on trees. Canonical variate analysis and principal coordinate analysis were used to determine ordinations of the 29 species on the basis of the presence/absence of explanatory variables in the REML models. There was strong discrimination between species with different life cycle strategies and between species feeding on herbs and trees, suggesting the possible value of trait-based groupings in predicting responses to environmental changes.     

Seasonal dynamics of growth and feeding of big-headed sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Batrachocottus baicalensis</Emphasis> (Cottidae) in the Cape Berezovyi area (southern Baikal)

The seasonal features of the growth and feeding of one of the mass fish species of the littoral zone of Lake Baikal, big-headed sculpin Batrachocottus baicalensis, are investigated in the study area near the Cape Berezovyi (southern Baikal). It is found that the greatest increase of the linear parameters of the individuals of all age classes occurs in autumn, in the middle of the feeding period. Twenty-nine food objects, i.e., invertebrates and fishes, have been noted in the feeding spectrum of big-headed sculpin. It is found that the amphipods comprise the basic food year round. The transition of big-headed sculpin to predominant consumption of fish food is noted in the reproduction periods of other sculpins in the shallows. In general, the seasonal changing in species composition and food object ratio in the food are due to the fish life cycles, migrations of amphipods of different species, and, to a lesser extent, changing numbers of different groups of zoobenthos.