The interaction between bird predation and plant cover in determining habitat occupancy of darkling beetles

Tenebrionid beetles in the Negev Desert exhibit size-related habitat segregation, with larger species found in denser cover. Size-dependent predation by birds has been suggested as the mechanism behind this habitat segregation. Two predictions of this hypothesis were tested: (1) plant cover reduces the predation efficiency of birds upon large tenebrionids, and (2) birds prefer larger species. Both predictions were supported: plant cover reduced predation rate by the most common spring and summer predatory birds: white storks ( Ciconia ciconia ) and stone curlews ( Burhinus oedicnemus ), in cage experiments. Results from preference experiments suggest that tenebrionid species can be divided according to their profitability as prey. Large species are the most profitable, medium-sized species are less profitable but still acceptable and small species are unprofitable and therefore ignored. Field observations demonstrated that the well-vegetated wadi habitats are dominated by large and small species whereas acceptable , medium-sized species are under-represented in this habitat. The results of the cage experiments indicate possible apparent competition between the large profitable and the medium acceptable tenebrionid species in the wadis. Aggregative response of predators in the profitable habitat is suggested as the mechanism leading to truncated distribution of prey species. Large profitable species are refuge-dependent, medium-sized acceptable species use enemy free space and small species are predator independent.     

Nestmate recognition and identification of cuticular hydrocarbons composition in the swarm founding paper wasp Ropalidia opifex

Eusocial polistine wasps comprise species in which new colonies are founded by single wasps or groups of foundresses (independent founding species) or by swarms of queens and workers (swarm founding species). The first ones have relatively small societies generally comprising only one egg-laying queen, while the second ones have larger colonies where several egg-laying queens are usually present. These differences in social organisation are expected to influence the acceptance threshold of conspecifics in the colony and the intra-colony communication modalities. In this paper, we showed by field experiments that Ropalidia opifex (a swarm founding species) presents a good discrimination between alien and nestmate conspecifics. Moreover by GC/MS, we identified 19 cuticular hydrocarbons in this species, and we demonstrated that cuticular signature in this species depends mainly on colony membership, not showing any correlation with fertility.     

The rarity and overexploitation paradox: stag beetle collections in Japan

For some wildlife commodities, rare species are especially sought after. The tendency for rare commodities to be of higher value can fuel their exploitation and as numbers dwindle, the demand can increase. Consequently, this can precipitate these rare species into an overexploitation vortex where they become increasingly rare, valued and exploited until eventual extinction. We focus here on the hobby of collecting stag beetles, to ascertain if the market value of these items is driven by rarity and if, consequently, these species are vulnerable to this overexploitation vortex. Stag beetle collections fuel a large and lucrative market in Japan, involving more than 700 species from all over the world, with over 15 million specimens imported a year. Some particularly valued species fetch more than US$5,000 a piece. We assessed the importance of species rarity as an acquisition criterion in this market using two methods: an Internet online questionnaire responded to by 509 participants and through examining the quantities imported in Japan and prices paid by collectors. We discovered that species rarity is one of the main choice criteria for acquisition by collectors: rare stag beetles are valued more than the common species and, consequently, stag beetles are vulnerable to the anthropogenic Allee effect in this market. Because of the sheer size of the market and the pervasive nature of this rarity paradox, the attraction to rarity equates to a potential extinction threat for many rare stag beetles species.     

青藏高原丽蝇科昆虫物种多样性初探

本文从种数、特有物种和区系构成等角度分析了青藏高原丽蝇科昆虫的物种多样性。青藏高原已知丽蝇5亚科35属120种,占中国已知种数的44.28%,其中特有种55种,占该地区总种数的45.83%;区系构成以特有种、古北界 东洋界共同种及典型的东洋界种和古北界种为主,但澳洲界、新北界、非洲界和新热带界共同种也占一定比例。文中讨论了该地区特有种丰富的原因及地质历史环境对其的影响,分析了区系构成中各种区系成分的比例及形成原因。     

The Exploitation and Utilization of Lycophyte and Fern Resources in Xishuangbanna,Yunnan

Xishuangbanna lies in the south of Yunnan. The composition and distributive regulation of lycophytes and ferns in Xishuangbanna are studied in this paper. As a result, 363 species of wild lycophytes and ferns which belong to 76 genera and 31 families are found in this area. The six species rich families are Polypodiaceae, Athyriaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Aspleniaceae, Pteridaceae and Selaginellaceae. The geographical distribution of the species shows that this flora mainly consists of Tropical Asia elements. Terrestrial species are the richest of this flora, followed by epiphytic and lithophytic species. The lycophytes and ferns resources of Xishuangbanna are abundant. However, the exploitation and utilization of this group of plants are ignored. This study investigated lycophytes and ferns resources of Xishuangbanna. Medicinal, edible and ornamental ferns in Xishuangbanna have been clearly researched and their utilization and protection have been discussed.     

Morphometric study of the genus Panstrongylus Berg, 1879 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

The subfamily Triatominae is actually represented by 137 species distributed among 6 tribes and 19 genera. Within this subfamily, the genus Panstrongylus, Berg 1879, is composed by 13 species widespread in sylvatic, peridomestic, and domestic habitats of Neotropical regions. These species are vectors of Chagas disease and consequently are found associated with its main hosts, such as birds and mammals. Interest in species of this genus has been increasing in the last few years. Reports of several authors indicate these Triatominae to invade and colonize houses, increasing their epidemiological significance. Morphometry was used in this study to investigate correlations among possible closely related species. We measured 224 specimens among 13 species through a set of metric variables of the head. The results indicated that the genus Panstrongylus seems to be homogeneous since 10 of the 14 species were shown to be closely related.     

TAXONOMY AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY OF THE MESOZOIC CYTHERURID OSTRACODA FROM WEST-CENTRAL ARGENTINA

Abstract:  The status of thirty four species of the cytheroidean ostracod family Cytheruridae from the Neuquén Basin, west-central Argentina is reviewed. These species belong to the following nine genera: Eucytherura Müller, ranging in this study from Pliensbachian to Valanginian and represented by fourteen species; Kangarina Coryell and Fields, Aalenian–Bajocian, with a single species; Acrocythere Neale, Hauterivian, one species; Paranotacythere Bassiouni, Berriasian, two species; Procytherura Whatley, Pliensbachian to Hauterivian, twelve species; Cytheropteron Sars, Aalenian–Bajocian, one species: Eocytheropteron Alexander, Hauterivian, one species; Paradoxorhyncha Chapman, Aalenian–Bajocian, one species; and Paracytheridea Müller, Berriasian, one species. Of the three subfamilies of the Cytheruridae, the Cytherurinae, with thirty species are by far the most numerous and abundant throughout the study. The other two subfamilies, the Cytheropterinae are represented by three species and the Paracytherideinae by a single species of the nominative genus. Several of the species are very widely distributed geographically and have, for example, also been recorded from Europe; others indicate close links with South Africa and Australia. The stratigraphical ranges of certain genera have been extended as a result of this study. For example, Kangarina has not previously been recorded below the Cretaceous. The Cytheruridae are clearly the most diverse cytheroidean ostracodes in the Mesozoic of the Neuquén Basin and are more diverse than all other groups of ostracodes combined. Four new species, Eucytherura tessae , Eucytherura yunga , Procytherura amygdala and Eocytheropteron immodicus are described. Eucytherura guillaumeae nom. nov. for Eucytherura tuberculata Brenner and Oertli and Eucytherura paranuda nom. nov. for Eucytherura nuda (Brand) are proposed.     

Pythium ornacarpum: a new species with ornamented oogonia isolated from soil in France

Pythium ornacarpum sp. nov. was isolated from a soil sample taken from Genlis in the Burgundy region of France. This species is unique because of its ornamented oogonia which are completely surrounded by antheridial filaments. The fungus is closely related to Pythium echinulatum Matthews. Morphological and reproductive aspects of this species as well as a study by PCR of the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of the nuclear ribosomal gene and its comparison with related species are described here. The nucleotide sequence of the ITS1 region flaking the 5.8S rRNA of this species and other related species are also given here.     

浙江省网蛾科昆虫简记

网蛾科Thyrididac昆虫是林区习见的一类害虫,本报道产于浙江的26种,其中笔采得15种,2种为中国新记录。8种为浙江省新记录,并首次报道了它们的发生期和11种网蛾的新寄主及寄生于6种网蛾的14种天敌昆虫。     

从高山到河谷:德钦藏药植物资源的多样性及利用研究

为探讨复杂生境条件下,藏药植物资源的多样性和利用现状,选取云南迪庆藏族自治州西北部澜沧江、金沙江河谷;梅里雪山、白马雪山山区和高寒山区展开了藏药植物资源调查.结果表明:该地区使用的藏药资源丰富,共调查到药用植物144种,隶属于63科,126属;资源利用方式以野生采集为主(64%),人工栽培为辅(25%已开展栽培,11%正试验栽培);部分资源存在资源枯竭问题(26%).统计分析表明:从河谷到山区、高寒山区,各海拔梯度的植物资源均有较多使用,但使用的资源类群不同;随海拔高度上升,植物资源易濒危,难栽培,栽培开展受恶劣环境的抑制,受资源枯竭推动,易形成先枯竭、后栽培的不合理开发模式;资源使用过度、植物种群恢复能力弱、采集伤害重是天然资源枯竭的相关因素.应针对上述问题,制定适合特殊生境条件下藏药资源特点的开发策略.     

Detection of Anaplasma bovis in an undescribed tick species collected from the eastern rock sengi Elephantulus myurus

Ticks are important vectors of numerous pathogens causing illness, fatalities, and economic loss worldwide. Infectious disease episodes are increasing, and novel tick-borne pathogens are described frequently. Identification of novel reservoir hosts and vectors of tick-borne pathogens is essential if control measures are to be successful. In South Africa, the eastern rock sengi, Elephantulus myurus , hosts a number of tick species of veterinary importance. Despite this, there remains a paucity of information regarding the tick fauna of this species, the pathogen associations of ticks that it hosts, and its role as a reservoir host of tick-borne pathogens. The current study documents the tick fauna of E. myurus and sympatric small mammal species in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The pathogen associations of ticks hosted by elephant shrews were also investigated by PCR screening of engorged nymphs for a broad range of bacterial and protozoan tick-borne infections, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and members of Apicomplexa and the order Rickettsiales. There were marked differences in tick species and abundance among host species. Elephantulus myurus was heavily, and predominantly, parasitized by an as-yet undescribed tick species that we identify as Rhipicephalus sp. near warburtoni. PCR and sequence analysis revealed the presence of Anaplasma bovis in this tick species, which may have consequences for livestock production and conservation efforts in the area where this tick species occurs.     

新米虾属的修订（甲壳亚门：十足目：匙指虾科）

本文回顾了新米虾Ｎｅｏｃａｒｉｄｉｎａ的研究历史及存在争议,根据形态,生活史,生态和地理分布四个主要性状的综合考虑,提出确认新米虾属Ｎｅｏｃａｒｉｄｉｎａ,修订了属征,并整理了该属现有种类,修订后的Ｎｅｏｃａｒｉｄｉｎａ共１９种类及亚种,分布于中国,日本,朝鲜及越南,文中记述６新种及新亚种,Ｎ．ｚｈａｎｇｊｉａｊｉｅｎｓｉｓｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．Ｎ．ｅｕｓｐｉｎｏｓａｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．ｎ。ｄｅｎｔｉｃｕｌａｔ     

Dinoflagellates (Dinophyta) of orders Dinophysiales and Prorocentrales of the Veracruz Reef System, Mexico

Dinoflagellates are a major taxonomic group in marine phytoplankton communities in terms of diversity and biomass. Some species are also important because they form blooms and/or produce toxins that may cause diverse problems. The composition of planktonic dinoflagellates of the orders Prorocentrales and Dinophysiales, in the Veracruz Reef System, were obtained during the period of October 2006 to January 2007. For this, samples were taken from the surface at 10 stations with net of 30 microm mesh, and were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Each species was described and illustrated, measured and their distribution and ecological data is also given. A total of nine species were found and identified, belonging to four genera: Dinophysis was represented by three species; Prorocentrum by three, Phalacroma by two, and only one species of Ornithocercus was detected. From the samples, four potentially toxin-producer species were found: Dinophysis caudata, D. rapa, Phalacroma rotundata and Prorocentrum micans. The number of species found in this study is low, especially considering the higher numbers observed in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, where some reports have recorded up to 53 species of the order Dinophysiales and 14 for Prorocentrales. Identification keys for orders, genera and species for the study area are provided with this study.     

REVISED CLASSIFICATION OF THE GENUS PACHYMENIA BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERS

Taxonomic discrimination in the genus Pachymenia (Rhodophyta) in New Zealand is based primarily on phenotypic characters of the thallus. The taxonomic problems raised by this classification method are due to highly variable thallus characters such as blade thickness, blade width, degree of thallus branching, and variation in anatomical characters. Delineation of species is further complicated by a lack of adequate knowledge about the responses of phenotype to environmental variation. There are currently three species recognized in this genus that are endemic to New Zealand: a prostrate species P. crassa , and two erect species, P. laciniata and P. lusoria. In this study, two approaches are used to investigate the current delineation of these species. Morphological and anatomical characters of field collected material and herbarium specimens from throughout the species' distributional ranges were quantified. Multivariate analyses were used to identify discrete phenotypic groups. Species relationships were further analyzed by quantifying the variation found within the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. The results obtained from both approaches will be discussed with regards to possible re-classification of species relationships within this genus. We suggest that the two erect species should be merged, and the currently recognized P. lusoria should be separated into at least two taxonomic groups.     

黄土高原石松类和蕨类植物的多样性与地理分布

物种编目是了解生物多样性的基础。本文收集已出版的专著和文献, 查阅标本馆的馆藏标本信息, 在此基础上, 对黄土高原的石松类和蕨类植物的多样性和地理分布数据进行统计和分析。科属排列采用Flora of China的分类系统, 科属界定依据分子系统学的最新研究成果。结果表明, 黄土高原共有石松类和蕨类植物18科42属165种2亚种5变种, 其中中国特有种35种, 占总种数的20.35%。种类数量最多的5个科依次为凤尾蕨科(29种, 含种下单位, 下同)、鳞毛蕨科(28种)、水龙骨科(19种)、蹄盖蕨科(16种)和铁角蕨科(16种); 种类数量最多的6个属依次为铁角蕨属(Asplenium, 16种)、鳞毛蕨属(Dryopteris, 15种)、耳蕨属(Polystichum, 12种)、岩蕨属(Woodsia, 11种)、卷柏属(Selaginella, 10种)和瓦韦属(Lepisorus, 10种)。黄土高原的石松类和蕨类植物中, 无珍稀濒危保护植物, 无中国特有属。依据生态类型可划分为4类, 即土生植物(112种)、石生植物(75种)、附生植物(18种)、水生植物(3种), 该区域石松类和蕨类植物土生或石生的种类占总种数的89.53%。在地理分布上, 黄土高原石松类和蕨类处于我国现生类群分布的边缘区域, 这与我国的石松类和蕨类分布规律基本一致。     

Arthropod symbiotes of Laonastes aenigmamus (Rodentia:Diatomyidae)

Arthropod symbiotes of the Laotian rock-rat, Laonastes aenigmamus (Rodentia:Diatomyidae), from Laos are examined. This host is a member of Diatomyidae previously thought to have gone extinct >10 million yr ago. Permanent symbiotes are represented by 2 species, a new species of sucking louse, Polyplax sp., near rhizomydis (Phthiraptera:Polyplacidae), and a new species of fur mite, Afrolistrophorus sp., near maculatus (Acariformes:Listrophoridae). The temporary parasites are represented by 18 species, i.e., 1 mesostigmatan species, i.e., a new species of Androlaelaps near casalis (Parasitiformes:Laelapidae); immature stages of 2 tick species, Ixodes granulatus and Haemaphysalis sp. (Parasitiformes:Ixodidae); and a rich fauna of chiggers (Acariformes:Trombiculidae) comprising 8 genera and 15 species. It is hypothesized that this host completely lost its initial fauna of ectosymbiotes and that ancestors of the recorded symbiotes switched to this host from rodents of the superfamily Muroidea.     

POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF LABIATAE IN A PHRYGANIC (EAST MEDITERRANEAN) ECOSYSTEM

This study was conducted in a phryganic (East Mediterranean) ecosystem at Daphni, near Athens, Greece. The Labiatae, represented by ten species belonging to nine genera, dominate in this ecosystem type. They flower from February to July. Both flowering time and nectar quantity are related to the species ability to tolerate intense water stress. Labiatae are visited by 201 insect species. Of these, 43 are exclusively supported by the family and 37 are monotropous. Solitary bees (mainly Anthophoridae, Megachilidae, Halictidae) constitute 47.3% of pollinators. The family is important in hosting specialized bees (15 species) in phrygana, particularly late in the flowering season. Labiatae species form two equally represented groups in this system; namely, the late winter-early spring (early) flowering, visited by relatively few pollinator species, and the late spring-summer (late) flowering species, visited by numerous pollinators. This temporal distinction is accompanied by different pollination profiles that include duration of anthesis, reward to pollinators, floral attractiveness, and flower character differentiation. All of these attributes are maximized in the early flowering period. This strategy suggests a mechanism for resource partitioning at a time when the pollinator resource is limited and competition for the services of pollinators is expected to be intense. Contrary to the current theory concerning cornucopian species, the copiously rewarding flowers of Labiatae in phrygana are not those abundantly serviced by pollinators.     

Parasitofauna study of the brown trout, Salmo trutta (Pisces, Teleostei) from Corsica (Mediterranean island) rivers

Corsica is a Mediterranean island characterised by a great number of rivers. Salmonides are the main fishes which populate these rivers. Very appreciated by fishermen, Salmonides are represented by three species in the insular hydrographical network, among which an autochthonous species, the brown trout (Salmo trutta). In the present work, we have analysed the parasitofauna of this species. According to our knowledge, this research has never been carried out in Corsica. In a first step, we drew up an inventory of the parasites found in this freshwater fish. In a second step, we studied the differences which appeared in the composition of parasite communities of this species.     

Generalizations and kinds in natural science: the case of species

Species in biology are traditionally perceived as kinds of organisms about which explanatory and predictive generalizations can be made, and biologists commonly use species in this manner. This perception of species is, however, in stark contrast with the currently accepted view that species are not kinds or classes at all, but individuals. In this paper I investigate the conditions under which the two views of species might be held simultaneously. Specifically, I ask whether upon acceptance of an ontology of species as diachronic segments of the tree of life (this is one version of the species as individuals ontology) species can perform the epistemic role of kinds of organisms to which explanatory and predictive generalizations apply. I show that, for species-level segments of the tree of life, several requirements have to be met before the performance of this epistemic role is possible, and I argue that these requirements can be met by defining species according to the Composite Species Concept proposed by Kornet and McAllister in the 1990s.