Revision of fleas of the genus Plocopsylla belonging to the ‘angusticeps–lewisi’ complex in the Andean biogeographic region,with the description of a new species

In Argentina, the Andean biogeographic region accommodates the most diverse population of fleas in the country. The Craneopsyllinae (Siphonaptera: Stephanocircidae) represent one of the most commonly found subfamilies in this region and show some endemism and high diversity. Plocopsylla is the most diverse genus of Craneopsyllinae; it includes 10 species mainly distributed in the Patagonian subregion, which parasitize sigmodontine rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae). We describe and illustrate the morphology of the aedeagus in species of Plocopsylla that belong to the ‘angusticeps–lewisi’ complex. This character is of diagnostic value in differentiating among species. A new species of this complex, Plocopsylla (Plocopsylla) linardii sp. n., is described and identified by the shape and chaetotaxy of the distal arm of sternite IX, as well as by the shape of the median dorsal lobe of the aedeagus. New host associations for this complex and range extensions for most of its species are reported. Plocopsylla (P.) silewi is recorded for the first time in Argentina. The southern limits of the distributions of Plocopsylla (P.) lewisi and Plocopsylla (P.) wilesi are extended to Santa Cruz Province. The angusticeps–lewisi complex is found for the first time in San Juan Province. The information may be useful in epidemiological studies of flea‐borne diseases.     

Metallopolia, a new subgenus of Polia (Noctuidae,Noctuinae, Hadenini), with the description of two new species and a new subspecies

A new subgenus of Polia, Metallopolia subgen. n., two new species (Polia (Metallopolia) dysgnorima sp. n. and P. (M.) metagnorima sp. n.) from China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu), and a new subspecies, P. (M.) subviolacea kanchenjunga ssp. n. from Nepal and SE Tibet (Sikkim) are described. Habitus, antennae, male and female genitalia of all Metallopolia species are characterised, depicted and compared with the related species.     

Sinharaja gen. n., a new Uropodina mite genus from Sri Lanka with description of two new species (Acari: Mesostigmata: Uropodidae)

A new Uropodina genus (Sinharaja gen. n.) is described on the basis of two new species (S. ceylonensis sp. n. and S. sinhala sp. n.) from Sri Lanka. The new genus differs by the strongly sclerotised dorsal lines, pentagonal pygidial shield, the shape and length of dorsal setae and the shape of first and fourth hypstomal setae, internal malae and epistome from the other known Uropodina genera.     

Ctenopllhaimus (Ethioctrvophthalmus) kemmelberg n. sp. (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae), a new flea from Tanzania and description of unknown small structures in the mecopteroids

We recently described two new taxa of Siphonaptera (Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) teucqoe teucqaoe et C. (E.) teucqae shumeensis Laudisoit & Beaucournu, 2007) from Lushoto plague focus (West Usambara mountains, Tanzania). A new taxa is here being studied, Ctenophthalmus kemmelberg, an original flea, not only for its genitalia, but also for original structures appearing, and that have not been described yet, at our knowledge, in any Mecopteroid. These are visible in females only. We suggest the name "Teucq's organs" for those remarkable structures.     

A new subgenus and three new species of the Oribatid mite families hermanniellidae,Oribatellidae, and Scheloribatidae (Acariformes,Oribatida) from the Caucasus

A new subgenus, Sacculoribatella subgen. n., of Oribatella and 3 new species the families Hermanniellidae (Hermanniella aliverdievae sp. n.), Oribatellidae (Oribatella caspica sp. n.), and Scheloribatidae (Pachygena makarovae sp. n.) are described from the Caucasus.     

Eight new Tricoma species (Nematoda,Desmoscolecidae) from a deep-sea transect off Calvi (Corsica,Mediterranean)

Eight new species of the genus Tricoma are described from the Mediterranean: Tricoma (Tricoma) apophysis sp.n., Tricoma (T.) latispicula sp.n., Tricoma (T.) corsicana sp.n., Tricoma (T.) pygmaea sp.n., Tricoma (T.) vincxae sp.n., Tricoma (T.) duopapillata sp.n., Tricoma (T.) setosa sp.n. and Tricoma (Quadricoma) tripapillata sp.n.. All are noteworthy for being small.     

Two new genera and species of Braconinae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Braconidae)from Brunei

Fuvihracon gen.n. (typc-species: Fuvibracon gauldi sp.n.) and Spurhulibrucon (type-species: Sparhulibracon dayi sp.n.), both lrom Brunei, are described and illustrated. The relationships of the two new genera and of the Carnpyloneurus Szépligeti and Chelonogaslra Ashmead generie groups are discussed.     

New species and new data on Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma) from Eastern Asia and Pacific islands

Four new genera and eleven new species of Zygentoma thysanurans (families Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae) are described and some faunistic novelties reported from Oriental and Australian Regions, viz.: Protrinemura leclerci n. sp., from northern Thailand, Protrinemurella allacrotelsoides n. gen. n. sp., from southern Thailand, and Protrinemuroides celebensis n. gen. n. sp., from the Celebes islands (Protrinemuridae), Lepidospora (L.) digitata n. sp., from northern Thailand, L. (L.) deharvengi n. sp., from the Celebes, and Pseudobrinckina anempodiata n. gen. n. sp., from northern Thailand (Nicoletiidae: Coletiniinae), Gastrotheus (G.) papuanus n. sp., from Papua-New Guinea (Nicoletiidae: Atelurinae), and Metrinura celebensis n. sp., from the Celebes, Trinemurodes anomalocoxa n. sp., from southern Thailand, T. bedosae n. sp., from northern Thailand, and Allotrinemurodes thai n.gen. n. sp., from northern Thailand (Nicoletiidae: Subnicoletiinae). Bharatatelura malabarica Mendes is reported for the first time off the Indian sub-continent (in Suva). Proatelura jacobsoni Silvestri is recorded in Macao (southern China) and in the Moluccas islands and notes are presented on its male sex. Gastrotheus (Lasiotheus) nanus (Escherich) is found for the very first time in Macao, in Cook islands and in Niue. Identification keys are provided to Protrinemuridae genera and to species of Trinemurodes, and modifications are suggested to previously presented keys to Nicoletiidae genera and to Lepidospora and Metrinura species.     

Rotifera from Western Australian wetlands with descriptions of two new species

The rotifer fauna of 100 fresh and saline wetlands of southwest Western Australia is documented. A systematic list of 83 recorded taxa is given, with eleven new records for the continent and two new species (Brachionus pinneenaus n. sp. and Lecane boorali n. sp.) described and figured. Species assemblages are distinct from those of eastern Australia, with predominant taxa halophilous or indicative of ephemeral waters. Evolutionary and biogeographical relationships of the Western Australian rotifers are considered.     

Three new genera of Braconini from Australasia and Malaysia (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Braconidae)

Ancilibracon gen.n. (type species: Ancilinracon townesi sp.n.). Ancilibracon bakeri sp.n., Gelasinibracon gen.n. (type species: Gelasinibracon sedlaceki sp.n.), Gelasinibracon simplicicaudatus sp.n., Esengoides gen.n. (type species: Esengoides crentdatus sp.n.) and Esengoides fulvus sp.n. are each described and illustrated. Ancilibracon towensi is from Malaysia. A. bakeri is from Borneo, both Gelasinibracon species are from Guinéa, E. crenulatus is from the solomon Islands and E. fulvus is from Australia. These three new genera belong to the Plesiobrscon Cameron group of the Braconina. Their relationship are discussed.     

A new flea species of the genus Allopsylla Beaucournu et Fain, 1982 (Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) from Central African Republic,found on a little known molossid bat

A pair of Allopsylla lobayensis Beaucournu & Barrière, new species were collected the first of November 1999 in Ngotto forest, in the south-western part of the Lobaye basin, Central African Republic (CAR). The host specimen, a little known molossid bat (Myopterus whitleyi), constitutes the first record of this species in CAR. The new flea species appears taxonomically close to A. hetera Beaucournu & Fain, 1982, one of the two other Allopsylla species, previously know from other faunal regions (A. alloides in Nigeria and A. hetera in Democratic Republic of the Congo). The parasitism of three distinctly different hosts by the three known Allopsylla species raises questions regarding the host-parasite specificity of this group.     

New genus and new subgenus of subfamily Doryctinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Old World fauna

New genus Doryctoproctus n. gen. (type species D. africanus n. sp.) from South Africa, and new subgenus of the genus Pedinotus Szépligeti (Eopedinotus n. subgen. (type species Pedinotus (Eopedinotus) inopinatus n. sp.) from Philippines are described. The genus Pedinotus is recorded in Old World for the first time.     

Two new nearctic species of small orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) with notes on ecology

Two new species of chironomid midges (Rheosmittia arcuata n.sp. and Mesocricotopus loticus n.sp.) are recognized. They may easily be missed in collections due to their small size, and difficulty in collecting from the larval microhabitat (sand substrates for R. arcuata n.sp., low order streams with depositional substrates including gravel, sand, and silt for M. loticus n.sp.). Some morphological features are given to distinguish the new species from similar congeneric forms. The distribution and some ecological information for each species are also briefly discussed.     

The taxonomic accounts of the genus Symmorphus Wesmael (Hymenoptera,Vespidae, Eumeninae) from China,with descriptions of three new species

In this study, we recognize and review a total of 19 species of the genus Symmorphus Wesmael from China. We also provide a key to these species. Three new species are described and illustrated, namely Symmorphus (Symmorphus) tianchiensis Li & Chen, sp. n., S. (S.) cavatus Li & Chen, sp. n., and S. (S.) nigriclypeus Li & Chen, sp. n. The following four species are newly recorded from China: Symmorphus (S.) fuscipes (Herrich-Schaeffer), S. (S.) lucens (Kostylev), S. (S.) sublaevis Kostylev, and S. (S.) violaceipennis Giordani Soika. In addition, we map the species geographical distributions in China of these 19 species. Type specimens of these three new species are deposited in Chongqing Normal University and Yunnan Agricultural University.     

Five new species and a new subgenus of the mite genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Premicrodispus</Emphasis> (Acari,Heterostigmata, Microdispidae) from Turkmenistan

A new monotypic subgenus, Premicrodispulus subgen. n., with the type species Premicrodispus reductus sp. n., and four new species of the nominative subgenus of the mite genus Premicrodispus, P. (Premicrodispus) paradoxus sp. n., P. (P.) heterocaudatus sp. n., P. (P.) obtusisetosus sp. n., and P. (P.) incisus sp. n., collected in soils of Turkmenistan are described. The subgenus Premicrodispulus subgen. n. differs from the nominative subgenus in the presence of 3 setae on genu I (seta l″ absent) and 1 seta on genu II (setae d and l″ absent). Premicrodispus (Premicrodispus) paradoxus sp. n. differs from all the species of the genus in the presence of solenidion on tarsus III. P. (P.) heterocaudatus sp. n. is most similar to P. longisetosus (Mahunka, 1970), but differs in the setae ps3 distinctly longer than ps ₁ (in P. longisetosus, ps ₃ and ps ₁ are similar in length). P. (P.) obtusisetosus sp. n. is most similar to P. montanus Khaustov, 2006, but differs in obtuse setae c ₁, e, and f (in P. montanus, these setae are pointed); P. (P.) incisus sp. n. is most closely related to P. longisetosus (Mahunka, 1970), but differs in the presence of distinct excavations on the posterior margin of tergites C and D (in P. longisetosus, excavations are absent).     

A review of Rheocricotopus (Psilocricotopus) chalybeatus species group from China,with the description of three new species (Diptera,Chironomidae)

The Rheocricotopus (Psilocricotopus) chalybeatus species group from China is reviewed. Three new species, R. (P.) brochus sp. n., R. (P.) rotundus sp. n. and R. (P.) serratus sp. n. are described as adult males. R. (P.) imperfectus Makarchenko & Makarchenko, 2005, R. (P.) robacki (Beck & Beck, 1964) and R. (P.) valgus Chaudhuri & Sinharay, 1983 are recorded from China for the first time and annotated. The diagnosis for the species group is emended and a key to adult males of the species group in China is presented.     

Two new species of Leptus Latreille, 1796 (Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae) from the Canary Islands,parasitising Curculionidae (Insecta: Coleoptera), with new metrical data for some Leptus spp.

Systematic Parasitology - Leptus (Leptus) grancanaricus n. sp. and L. (L.) machadoi n. sp. are described from Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura (Canary Islands). They were collected from new hosts for...     

A cladistic analysis of Erythracarinae (Acarina: Prostigmata: Anystidae), with the description of a new genus

A cladistic analysis of sixty erythracarine species is presented and used to justify recent nomenclatorial changes to the classification of erythracarine genera. Erythracarinae is redescribed, and a new diagnosis for the subfamily and a key to the included genera are presented. Neotarsolarcus is recognized as a junior synonym of Tarsolarkus, which is recorded for the first time from North America. A new genus, Pedidromus, with six new species (P. agitatus sp.n. P. curiosus sp.n., P. durongensis sp.n., P. peliculus sp.n., P. pilotrix sp.n., P. velox sp.n.) is described.     

Fissiphalliidae, a new family of South American laniatorean harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones)

Fissiphalliidae, a new family of the Opiliones suborder Laniatores, is described in the superfamily Gonyleptoidea, based on a new genus (Fissiphallius n. gen.) und 3 new species (F. sturmi n. sp., F. spinulatus n. sp., F. sympatricus n. sp.) from Colombia. Most emphasized are the male genitalic characters, unique in Opiliones: A honzontally split truncus which results in a long movable (glans) and an immovable finger (distal part of the truncus). Both hide the extremely long stylus with the seminal opening at its end. In an expanded state, the movable finger is bent dorsally by an erectile vesicle. It is shown that male genitalic characters in Opiliones display clear functional and constructional traits on the family level. Those characters, if used appropriately, will demonstrate that several families in gonyleptoid Laniatores are polyphyletic and should be divided into several taxa of the family level.