Taxonomic and nomenclatural revision of Sládeček's list of ciliates (Protozoa: Ciliophora) as indicators of water quality

A taxonomic and nomenclatural revision of Sládeek's et al. (1981) and Wegl's (1983) lists of ciliates (Protozoa: Ciliophora) as indicators of water quality has been performed. The original reference, important synonyms, and modern taxonomic literature are provided for each of the 378 taxa recognized. The results of this revision are summarized in a table which shows the correct (modern) name, author, and date of publication of each species as well as its saprobity, its saprobic valency, its indicative weight, and its saprobic index.     

Two new biting midges from Pará, Brazil (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Two new species of Culicoides Latreille of the subgenus Haematomyidium Goeldi are described and illustrated based on female specimens from Pará, Brazil. The new species are compared with their similar congeners.     

Predation risk of typical ovoid and ‘winged’ morphs of Euplotes (Protozoa,Ciliophora)

Freshwater species of the genus Euplotes (Protozoa, Ciliophora) change their morphology in the presence of some of their predators. The ciliates develop extended lateral wings as well as dorsal and ventral projections which make engulfment by predators more difficult. In a series of laboratory experiments ingestion rates of four protozoan predators, the ciliates Lembadion bullinum, Dileptus anser, Stylonychia mytilus and Urostyla grandis, and one metazoan predator, the turbellarian Stenostomum sphagnetorum, on three species of Euplotes (E. octocarinatus, E. patella and E. aediculatus) were determined. It was calculated that the probability of rejection by a predator changed from 1:1 for ovoid morphs of Euplotes to about 2:1–20:1 for winged morphs of Euplotes, dependent on the prey and predator species that were combined. The nutritional condition of the prey also had some influence. In mixed-species cultures of prey and predators, transformed cells of E. octocarinatus survived for several months.     

Two new“Meganthropus” mandibles from Java

There are now eleven known mandibular pieces from the Lower and Middle Pleistocene of Java, all but one being from the Sangiran site. All of these have been assigned toHomo erectus by most authorities, while others have suggested as many as four different hominoid taxa. Two of the mandibles, Sangiran 33 (Mandible H) and“Meganthropus”D (no Sangiran number yet assigned), are described here for the first time. The two new mandibles come from the Upper Pucangan Formation and date approximately 1.2–1.4 Myr. They are morphologically compatible with other“Meganthropus” mandibles described from Java. Despite attempts by numerous authorities to place all the Sangiran hominid mandibles in the species,H. erectus, the range of variation in metric and nonmetric features of the“Meganthropus” hominids is clearly beyond the know variation found inH. erectus. “Meganthropus” could represent a speciation from the well-knownH. erectus.     

Two new Species of Lasiohelea from Sichuan,China(Diptera,Ceratopogonidae)

1. Lasiohelea aeschrodenta, sp. nov Female Head with eyes bare, AR 2.09;maxillary palp with a sensory pore on segment 3. Buccal armature has about 10 teeth which separated irregulary in the cibarium;clypeus with about 16 setae. Wing about 0.86 mm. long, with bare areas along veins. TR 1.74 in hind leg, with narrow scales on each tarsus. Spermatheca round and small, with abroad basical pore. Holotype:♀ Dukou, Sichuan, 1979 X. 10-11; Paratypes: 2♀♀Sichuan,Xichang, 1979 X. 5.     

Two new moth‐flies (Diptera,Psychodidae) from South America

Tonnoiriella mirabilis sp. n. and Caenobrunettia echinoflagellata gen. n. et. sp. n. from the neotropical region are described.     

Conjugation in the spirotrich ciliate Halteria grandinella (Müller, 1773) Dujardin, 1841 (Protozoa, Ciliophora) and its phylogenetic implications

The conjugation of Halteria grandinella was studied in protargol preparations. The isogamontic conjugants fuse partially with their ventral sides to a homopolar pair. The first maturation division generates dramatic transformations: (i) the partners obtain an interlocking arrangement; (ii) the number of bristle kineties decreases from seven to four in each partner; and (iii) the right conjugant loses its buccal membranelles, the left the whole adoral zone. The remaining collar membranelles arrange around the pair's anterior end and are shared by both partners; finally, the couple resembles a vegetative specimen in size and outline. The vegetative macronucleus fragments before pycnosis. The micronucleus performs three maturation divisions, but only one derivative each performs the second and third division. The synkaryon divides twice, producing a micronucleus, a macronucleus anlage, and two disintegrating derivatives. Scattered somatic kinetids occur during conjugation, but disappear without reorganization. An incomplete oral primordium originates in both partners. The conjugation of Halteria grandinella resembles in several respects that of hypotrich spirotrichs; however, the majority of morphological, ontogenetical, and ultrastructural features still indicates an affiliation with the oligotrich and choreotrich spirotrichs. Accordingly, the cladistic analysis still contradicts the genealogy based on the sequences of the small subunit rRNA gene.     

Two new species of Campomanesia (Myrtaceae) from Espírito Santo and Bahia, Brazil

Campomanesia macrobracteolata andC. anemonea, apparently closely related species from Espírito Santo and Bahia, Brazil, are described as new and are illustrated. Comparisons are made with two other similar species.     

Taxonomie und Ökologie einiger Ciliaten (Protozoa,Ciliophora) des Saprobiensystems. I: Genera Litonotus,Amphileptus, Opisthodon

The morphology, infraciliature, and ecology of 8 species of the ciliate family Amphileptidae were investigated. A new species, Litonotus trichocystiferus nov. spec., and some new combinations and synonyms are described., Improved diagnoses are given for the genera Litonotus, Amphileptus, and Opisthodon.

     

Bats (Chiroptera: Mammalia) from Yurubí National Park, Venezuela: taxonomic list and community study

Bats represent a key component in the dynamics of many terrestrial ecosystems, and one of the groups of mammals with the highest levels of diversification in the Neotropics. Here we describe the results of a study of the bat fauna from Yurubí National Park (mountain area in Northern Venezuela), that includes a taxonomic list and the characterization of some community attributes in forested areas. Data was collected from zoological collections and diversified sampling methods from February to July of 2009 in an altitudinal gradient (100-1 500m), with three principal ecological units: semideciduous, evergreen and cloud forests. We recorded 64 species grouped in five families (63% of the bats known from La Cordillera de la Costa), of which Phyllostomidae was the dominant taxa (42 species; 66% of total), followed by Vespertilionidae, Molossidae, Emballonuridae and Mormoopidae. The community with the highest taxonomic diversification was found in the lowest elevation range, while the lowest number of species was found at the highest range. Eleven trophic guilds were identified; the insectivorous guild was the richest, whereas the frugivorous was the most abundant. Our results allow us to indicate these forest ecosystems have an appropriate conservation status, taking into account the presence of a relatively high proportion of species from the subfamily Phyllostominae, as well as the presence of other species with conservation priorities. All these aspects, and the fact that this represents a reservoir of the biological diversity of the forest ecosystems of La Cordillera de la Costa, make this protected area of an essential conservation value, in a highly endangered bioregion by neighboring socio-economic growth.     

A new species of Cestrum (Solanaceae) from the Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela

A new species ofCestrum from the Cordillera de Mérida in Trujillo state is described and illustrated.Cestrum darcyanum, morphologically similar toC. microcalyx Francey, is distinguished by dendritic pubescence on its branchlets and leaves, larger corolla, stamens distended and geniculate above their point of adnation to the corolla, and larger calyx. A key is provided for species of VenezuelanCestrum possessing dendritic pubescence.     

Two new species of Hartigia Schidte from China(Hymenoptera:Cephidae)

Two new species of Hartigia Schidte, 1838 from China are described: H. maculothoracica sp. nov. from Xinjiang and H. fuscicosta sp. nov. from Jilin. A diagnosis of Hartigia and a key to Hartigia maculothoracica and its relatives are provided.     

Two new species of Tornidae (Caenogastropoda,Rissooidea) from Espírito Santo,Brazil

Two new species of shallow water Tornidae are found in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, formally described herein. They belong to a complex group of tiny gastropods, in such the taxonomy is very confused. Cyclostremiscus mohicanussp. n. is characterized by three well-developed spiral, equidistant carinas, working as base of three series of tall, aligned periostracal rods. Episcinia itanhunasp. n. has as single sculpture a series of pustules in periphery, but the periostracum bears three series of peripheral fringes with irregular rods. The new species are compared with the allies, showing a close relation with Caribbean fauna, but possessing worthy differences. These similarities have raised misidentifications.     

Two new records of ascomycetes from Japan,Pyrenopeziza protrusa and P. nervicola (Helotiales,Dermateaceae sensu lato)

Two Pyrenopeziza species, P. protrusa and P. nervicola known to have similar morphology, were newly reported from Japan. This study clarified that P. protrusa morphologically differs from P. nervicola in (1) more protruded outermost cells in ectal excipulum, (2) smaller ascospores, and (3) longer and thinner asci. Pyrenopeziza protrusa produces chlamydospore-like brown cells under culture while P. nervicola forms more complex, brown bulbils. These species formed distinct clades based on ITS-5.8S rDNA in the phylogenetic analysis. The two species did not share the same host.     

Two new species of Pselaphodes Westwood and new record of Taiwanophodes minor Hlaváč from South China (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae)

Two new species, Pselaphodes linae Yin & Li, sp. n. (Hainan, Fujian) and Pselaphodes shii Yin & Li, sp. n. (Hainan) are described from South China. Taiwanophodes minor Hlaváč is reported from outside Taiwan for the first time. Illustrations of major diagnostic features are provided for all treated taxa. The latest key to Chinese Pselaphodes is modified to include the new species.     

Two new species of Chrysomelobia Regenfuss, 1968 (Acariformes: Podapolipidae) from Paropsis charybdis Stål (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Two new species of Chrysomelobia Regenfuss, 1968, C. alleni n. sp. and C. intrusus n. sp., are described from Tasmanian specimens of the eucalyptus leaf beetle Paropsis charybdis Stål. This beetle is now known to host three species of Chrysomelobia, the other being Chrysomelobia pagurus Seeman, 2008, which is recorded from Tasmania for the first time. Thus, the three species of Paropsis Olivier known to have podapolipid mites each have three mite species from three separate lineages of Chrysomelobia. Collections of P. charybdis in New Zealand (n = 150), where it is an invasive pest species, failed to locate any infested beetles, suggesting that these populations were established by uninfested beetles. The prospect of using these mites as biocontrol agents is discussed.     

Spionidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Parque Nacional Morrocoy,Falcón,Venezuela

Five species of polychaetes (Spionidae) were found associated to Thalassia testudinum meadows in Parque Nacional Morrocoy, Venezuela. We included a guide for their identification and present range extensions for the Venezuelan coasts and Southern Caribbean Sea. The species are: Dipolydora socialis, Prionospio (Minuspio) cirrifera, P. (Prionospio) fallax, P. (P.) steenstrupi, and Spio pettiboneae.