Baccharis paucicostata sp. nov. (subgen. Baccharis; Compositae–Astereae) from Argentina

Baccharis paucicostata Joch. Müll. & Giuliano from the Andes of Argentina is here described as a new species and illustrated. Characters for delimitation from similar species and known data on distribution and habitat are provided.     

New data on the distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cylindera</Emphasis> (s. str.) <Emphasis Type="Italic">dokhtourowi</Emphasis> (V.E. Jakovlev, 1884) (Coleoptera,Carabidae: Cicindelinae)

The data on the distribution of Cylindera (s. str.) dokhtourowi (V.E. Jakovlev, 1884) are discussed. Records of this species from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are not supported by the material available, while its distribution in China (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province) is confirmed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alcicornis haroldi</Emphasis> n. sp. (Digenea: Bucephalidae) from the yellowspotted trevally <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carangoides fulvoguttatus</Emphasis> (Forsskål) (Carangidae) from off New Caledonia

Alcicornis haroldi n. sp. is described from Carangoides fulvoguttatus from off New Caledonia, South Pacific. It differs from all other Alcicornis spp. in its large protuberant pharynx, and from the most similar species, A. baylisi Nagaty, 1937, in its broader rhynchus, indistinct withdrawn tentacles and vitelline distribution.     

Coriaria duthiei sp. nov. (Coriariaceae) from the Indo–Pak region

A new species of Coriaria L. (Coriariaceae), C. duthiei D. K. Singh & Pusalkar is described and illustrated from the Indo–Pak region. A key to the species of the genus and their distribution is provided.     

Taxonomìc analysis of Senecio pauciflorus and S. indecorus (Asteraceae)

Senecio pauciflorus and S. indecorus (= Packera pauciflora and P. indecora ) are autogamous, high polyploid species with similar geographic ranges in North America. Their east-west distribution pattern including a disjunction in California is unusual within the aureoid Senecio complex and may provide insights into the origins of the aureoid complex. Taxonomic treatment of the two taxa has varied in the past due to the similarity and variability of the taxa. Results of morphological analyses of 192 herbarium specimens show that the taxa are best treated as two distinct species and that infraspecifìc variation is not related to geographical distribution. Separation of taxa remains difficult. California specimens are the most difficult to classify and may represent the ancestral group. Based on morphology and chromosome number it is suggested that the 5. pauciflorus-S. indecorus group may have originated from the arctic-alpine aureoid group including S. cymbalaria .     

The genus Rhanteriopsis (Asteraceae–Inuleae)

The genus Rhanteriopsis Rauschert, belonging to the f/iula–group of the Asteraceae–Inuleae, is monographed in a study based on herbarium material. Rhanteriopsis has a disjunct distribution with a westerly occurrence in Lebanon and Syria and an easterly distribution in Iran and Iraq along the Iranian border. Eour species are recognized: R. hombvcina (Boiss. & Hausskn.) Rauschert, R. lanuginosa (DC.) Rauschert, R. microcephala (Boiss.) Rauschert and R. puberula (Boiss. & Hausskn.) Rauschert. The morphology and phytogeography of the genus are discussed, a cladogram is proposed and a taxonomic treatment is provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anamastigona radmani</Emphasis> sp. n. (Diplopoda,Anthroleucosomatidae) from Croatia

A new diplopod species, Anamastigona radmani sp. n., from Croatia, is described, illustrated, and diagnosed. Its relationships with congeners and their geographic distribution are briefly discussed.     

Onosma bulgarica sp. nov. (Boraginaceae–Lithospermeae) found on serpentine in Bulgaria

A new species, Onosma bulgarica (Boraginaceae–Lithospermeae), found in the eastern Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria is described. It is a typical serpentinitophyte with local distribution and is thus a further addition to the remarkable serpentine flora. The new species belongs to the asterotrichos Onosma species and shows similarities with other endemics distributed on the Balkan Peninsula. Onosma bulgarica is clearly morphologically delimited by its suffruticose dense caespitose habit, very narrow basal and cauline leaves, bracts of lower flowers shorter than calyx and pedicel, corolla pale yellow and glabrous and short anthers. The differences between the new species and related taxa are discussed.     

Symbiotic association between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanderia secunda</Emphasis> (Cnidaria,Hydrozoa, Solanderiidae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medioantenna variopinta</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Annelida,Polychaeta, Polynoidae) from North Sulawesi (Indonesia)

A mimic scale-worm was found associated with the athecate hydroid Solanderia secunda, commonly found on reefs of the NW coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The species resembled Medioantenna clavata Imajima 1997, which was originally described without any reference to a symbiotic mode of life and later reported to be living on a solanderiid hydroid both in Japanese waters. A detailed morphological analysis led us to consider the Indonesian specimens as a new species, namely Medioantenna variopinta sp. nov., which is congeneric with the Japanese species. The new species differs from the type material of M. clavata as it has elytra with one prominent finger-like papilla and all neurochaetae with unidentate tip, instead of an elytral lump and both unidentate and bidentate neurochaetae on segment two. In turn, the Japanese worms associated with Solanderia are here referred to our new species. Two morphological features in M. variopinta sp. nov. are rather unusual among scale-worms. One of them is its extremely high level of bilateral asymmetry and antero-posterior variability in elytral distribution and the other one is its elongated, upwardly directed nephridial papillae. The morphology and geographical distribution of the host together with the known characteristics of the symbiotic association have also been highlighted.     

Distribution and sampling of Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lep., Pyralidae) larvae on Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir) H.B. and K.

Abstract:   The spatio-temporal distribution of the pod borer Maruca vitrata was assessed on Lonchocarpus sericeus over a period of 6 months, in order to develop sampling plans and facilitate sampling on this host plant. Lonchocarpus sericeus , one of the preferred alternative host plants of M. vitrata is widely spread in Benin and should therefore be included in the ecological management of the insect. Some experiments were conducted at an ecological site in south Benin, where L. sericeus can be found. The analysis of 17 weekly samples showed that tree canopy did not have a significant effect (P=0.3471) on larval distribution. Significant differences (P=0.0001) were obtained between the sizes of flowers (10, 20, 30 and 40 racemes). Geographical quadrants consisting of the upper east branches, lower east branches, upper west branches and lower west branches did not differ significantly (P=0.8713). The time of infestation of L. sericeus by M. vitrata was investigated by taking samples every 2 days. Data analysis of these samples revealed that L. sericeus was infested at the open flower stage. Temporal distribution of larvae showed the greatest abundance of larvae occurred in June. The index of aggregation was 1.37 with the T aylor law and 1.26 with the Iwao procedure. These values showed that the larval dispersion pattern is negative binomial. On this basis, sequential sampling plans were developed and these could permit an accurate estimate of tree data for sampling .     

The distribution and origins of Faúopia × bohemica (Polygonaceae) in Europe

Faúopia × bohemica is a good example of a hybrid occurring when two introduced species come in contact in their adventive range. Although only recognised in the early 1980's, herbarium material and the current distribution pattern suggest that it has long been an unrecognised part of the Japanese Knotweed s.l. population. The identification, distribution, cytological background, history and some of the ecological determinants of the spread in Europe are provided along with a substantial citation of field observations and herbarium specimens used to produce the distribution map. This is the first attempt to map its European distribution, and must be regarded as provisional since comprehensive recording of its distribution is limited to a handful of countries. The unexpected discovery for the first time of this taxon in the Mediterranean is also reported. It is to be hoped that this paper will provide the impetus for a more comprehensive study of this invidious and under-recorded taxon.     

Populational fluctuation and spatial distribution of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera; Tenebrionidae) in a poultry house, Cascavel, Parana state, Brazil.

Knowledge of the population fluctuation and spatial distribution of pests is fundamental for establishing an appropriate control method. The population fluctuation and spatial distribution of the Alphitobius diaperinus in a poultry house in Cascavel, in the state of Parana, Brazil, was studied between October, 2001 and October 2002. Larvae and adults of the lesser mealworm were sampled weekly using Arends tube traps (n = 22) for six consecutive flock grow-outs. The temperature of the litter and of the poultry house was measured at the same locations of the tube traps. Beetle numbers increased continuously throughout all the sampling dates (average 5,137 in the first week and 18,494 insects on the sixth week). Significantly greater numbers of larvae were collected than adults (1 to 20 times in 95% of the sampling points). There was no correlation between temperature and the number of larvae and adults collected, therefore no fluctuation was observed during the sampling period. The population growth was correlated to litter re-use. The highest temperatures were observed in deep litter. The spatial distribution of larvae and adults in the poultry house was heterogeneous during the whole period of evaluation. Results suggest that monitoring in poultry houses is necessary prior to adopting and evaluating control measures due to the great variability of the insect distribution in the poultry house.     

The paternal‐sex‐ratio (PSR) chromosome in natural populations of Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)

Selfish genetic elements may be important in promoting evolutionary change. Paternal sex ratio (PSR) is a selfish B chromosome that causes all‐male families in the haplodiploid parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis, by inducing paternal genome loss in fertilized eggs. The natural distribution and frequency of this chromosome in North American populations of N. vitripennis was investigated using a combination of phenotypic and molecular assays. Sampling throughout North America failed to recover PSR except from populations in the Great Basin area of western North America. Extensive sampling of Great Basin populations revealed PSR in frequencies ranging from 0 to 6% at different collection sites, and extended its distribution to Idaho and Wyoming. Intensive sampling in upstate New York did not detect the chromosome. Frequencies of the maternal‐sex ratio distorter (MSR), son killer (SK) and virgin females ranged from 0 to 12%. Paternal sex ratio may be restricted to the Great Basin because its spread is hampered by geographical barriers, or because populations in other areas are not conducive to PSR maintenance. However, it cannot be ruled out that PSR occurs in other regions at very low frequencies. The apparent limited distribution and low frequency of PSR suggest that it will have relatively little impact on genome evolution in Nasonia.     

A Theoretical Approach to Analyze the Parametric Influence on Spatial Patterns of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera frugiperda</Emphasis> (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Populations

Studies of the influence of biological parameters on the spatial distribution of lepidopteran insects can provide useful information for managing agricultural pests, since the larvae of many species cause serious impacts on crops. Computational models to simulate the spatial dynamics of insect populations are increasingly used, because of their efficiency in representing insect movement. In this study, we used a cellular automata model to explore different patterns of population distribution of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), when the values of two biological parameters that are able to influence the spatial pattern (larval viability and adult longevity) are varied. We mapped the spatial patterns observed as the parameters varied. Additionally, by using population data for S. frugiperda obtained in different hosts under laboratory conditions, we were able to describe the expected spatial patterns occurring in corn, cotton, millet, and soybean crops based on the parameters varied. The results are discussed from the perspective of insect ecology and pest management. We concluded that computational approaches can be important tools to study the relationship between the biological parameters and spatial distributions of lepidopteran insect pests.     

Novitates Gabonensis 79: Hymenostegia elegans and H. robusta spp. nov. (Leguminosae–Caesalpinioideae) from Gabon

We have observed among the holdings of Hymenostegia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in several major herbaria that many of the specimens determined as H. klainei Pierre ex Pellegr. are not identified correctly and instead represent undescribed taxa. We speculate that the misidentifications may be a direct consequence of the sole use of leaf characters to distinguish species in the dichotomous keys of two major regional treatments of the genus. Two such previously unrecognised taxa, both new species from Gabon, Hymenostegia elegans Wieringa and Mackinder and Hymenostegia robusta Wieringa and Mackinder are described here accompanied by a distribution map, illustrations and conservation assessments. Both species have a limited distribution area and are assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Endangered’, respectively. This publication brings the total number of species in Hymenostegia s.s. to nine.