Observations on the life history of Chaerilus philippinus Lourenço & Ythier, 2008 (Scorpiones, Chaerilidae) from the Philippines

Biological observations on Chaerilus philippinus were based on specimens from the region of Appari, North of Luzon in the Philippines. The total duration of embryonic development was estimated as being between 110 to 136 days, while the moults between successive juvenile instars and adulthood took place at ages that averaged 7, 39, 73, 190 and 327 days. These developmental periods are shorter and different from those previously observed among species of non-buthid scorpions. They prove to be rather similar to those observed in buthid scorpions, however. Morphometric growth values of the different instars are similar or smaller than those of other species of scorpions that have been studied. Aspects of maternal care and social behaviour are also commented.     

Revision of the Afrotropical Phaeogenini (Ichneumonidae,Ichneumoninae), with description of a new genus and?twelve new species

We revise the 10 genera and 23 species of the tribe Phaeogenini (Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae) known to occur in the Afrotropical region. We describe the following 13 new taxa: Kibalus Rousse, van Noort & Diller, gen. n.; K. toro Rousse, van Noort & Diller, sp. n.; K. mubfs Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; Arearia oxymoron Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; Chauvinia nyanga Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; Dicaelotus asantesana Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; D. hoerikwaggoensis Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; D. tablemountainensis Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; Heterischnus mfongosi Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; H. mkomazi Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; Lusius flummox Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; Tycherus amatola Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.; and T. nardousberg Rousse & van Noort, sp. n. New distribution records: Heterischnus africanus (Heinrich, 1936) from South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda; H. krausi Schönitzer, 1999 from Rwanda; Lusius tenuissimus (Heinrich, 1938) from Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. A doubtful record of Aethecerus foveolatus Gregor, 1940 from Sao Tome is additionaly reported in the appendix. We provide illustrated diagnoses and identification notes. Online interactive dichotomous and matrix Lucid keys to genera and species are available at http://www.waspweb.org.     

Oribatid mites (Acari,Oribatida) from the Oumé region (Côte d’Ivoire): list of taxa,new findings,description of a new species

The present study is based on oribatid mite material (Acari, Oribatida) collected from the Oumé region (Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa) in 2007. A list of identified taxa, including 67 species from 50 genera and 31 families, is presented; all species, genera and families are registered in this country for the first time; Kalloia simpliseta, Scheloribates latoincisus and Pergalumna paraelongata are recorded in the Ethiopian region for the first time. One new species of the genus Arcoppia (Oppiidae) is described; A. goulikaoensis Ermilov sp. n. differs from A. robusta Mahunka, 1988 by the well-developed bothridial heads (versus not developed), barbed branches on the bothridial setae (versus smooth) and smooth notogaster surface (versus lineolate).     

Humiculous scorpions: On the genera Ananteris Thorell, 1891 and Microananteris Lourenço, 2004 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), with the description of a new species from French Guiana

A new species of humicolous buthid scorpion is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected in a rainforest in French Guiana. The collection was performed by extraction with the use of Winkler methods. New considerations about the ecology and biogeography of micro-scorpions of the 'Ananteris group' (sensu subfamily Ananterinae Pocock, 1900), are proposed in relation to their possible evolution from endogeous to epygean environments.     

The genus Vietbocap Lourenço & Pham, 2010 (Scorpiones: Pseudochactidae); proposition of a new subfamily and description of a new species from Laos

A new species of scorpion belonging to the family Pseudochactidae and the genus Vietbocap is described from the Tham Nam Lot cave, located in the Laotian part of the Khammouan-Ke Bang karst in Southeast Asia. Like the previously described species of the genus, Vietbocap lao sp. n. is a true troglobiont, but presents an even greater degree of adaptation to cave life, with a total lack of pigmentation and a very weak sclerotization of the tegument. This is the third troglobitic element known for the family Pseudochactidae. It represents the fifth known species of pseudochactid, four of which are from the Khammouan-Ke Bang karst system. Taking into account some marked differences between Vietbocap and the other two pseudochactid genera, a new subfamily, Vietbocapinae subfam. n., is proposed to accommodate this genus.     

The second confirmed record of the scorpion genus Chactas Gervais, 1844 (Scorpiones,Chactidae) from Ecuador with description of a new species from the Amazonian Province of Sucumbíos

A new species, Chactas moreti sp. n., is described from Ecuadorian Amazonia. It can be distinguished from Chactas mahnerti Lourenço, 1995, the other known species of this genus from Ecuador by its smaller body size, distinct morphometric values, overall darker blackish-brown coloration, totally smooth vesicle, and a concave anterior margin of carapace. This is the second confirmed record of the genus Chactas Gervais from Ecuador. The geographical pattern of distribution of the genus is also discussed.     

First record of the ant subfamily Aenictinae (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) from Saudi Arabia,with?the description of a new species

The ant subfamily Aenictinae is recorded for the first time from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and for the second time from the Arabian Peninsula. A new species Aenictus arabicus sp. n., is described from the worker caste. Aenictus arabicus belongs to the Aenictus wroughtonii-group and appears to be most closely related to Aenictus rhodiensis Menozzi, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by the following characters: overall smaller size; cephalic index (head width/head length) small; occipital corners in lateral view rounded; antennal scape when laid back surpassing approximately two-thirds of head length; funicular segments 2–8 each at least 2× as long as broad; subpetiolar process well developed; petiole and postpetiole distinctly imbricate; gaster and clypeus entirely yellow, teeth of mandibles reddish- brown. Aenictus arabicus was collected from leaf litter, next to a tree of Psidium guajava L. The new species also is similar to Aenictus sagei and Aenictus wroughtonii. Affinities and a key to related species of the species group are given.     

Notes on Galápagos grenadiers (Pisces, Gadiformes, Macrouridae), with the description of a new species of Coryphaenoides

Two unusual specimens of the grenadier genus Coryphaenoides were collected by the deep-submersible vehicle Johnson Sea-Link off the Galápagos. Unlike any other member of the genus, the snout in these specimens was rounded, non-protruding, naked anteriorly and ventrally, with no tubercular scales marking the terminal and lateral angles. They are herein described as Coryphaenoides gypsochilus. Additional specimens of grenadiers were procured by the Johnson Sea-Link, including the second and third specimens of Nezumia ventralis and the first record of Caelorinchus canus from these waters. Three species and one subspecies of Galápagos grenadiers are endemic.     

Revision of the Agrilus beatissimus species–group (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) with description of five new species from Southeast Asia

The newly defined Agrilus beatissimus species–group comprising seven species from Southeast Asia is revised. The key to species is provided and complemented with illustrations of habitus, genitalia and type specimens. The following five new species are described: Agrilus bilyanus sp. nov. (Thailand); A. campana sp. nov. (Laos); A. galazopos sp. nov. (Laos); A. plurifrons sp. nov. (Laos, Myanmar) and A. undatus sp. nov. (Laos). Comprehensive commented references, data on type specimens and new faunal records are cited. The distribution is updated for A. beatissimusDescarpentries and Villiers 1963 and A. dunoyeriBaudon 1968.     

A second species of Vietbocap Lourenço & Pham, 2010 (Scorpiones: Pseudochactidae) from Vietnam

A second species of scorpion belonging to the family Pseudochactidae and to the genus Vietbocap is described from two specimens collected in the Thien Duong cave, which belongs to the Vom cave system, in the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Like the previously described species of Vietbocap, the new species is also a true troglobitic element, the second known for the family Pseudochactidae. This represents the fourth known record of a pseudochactid, and the second from Vietnam.     

A synoptic review of the genus Thaumaspis Bolívar (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae) with the description of a new genus and four new species

Two new species of the new genus Athaumaspis gen. n., Athaumaspis minutus sp. n. and Athaumaspis tibetanus sp. n. from Vietnam and China are described. The subgenus Pseudothaumaspis of Thaumaspis is elevated to generic status and another two new species Pseudothaumaspis bispinosus sp. n. and Pseudothaumaspis furcocercus sp. n. are described, the remaining species of Thaumaspis are reviewed and keyed with the four new species.     

Description of a new subgenus and a new species of Thamnocephalus (Crustacea: Branchiopoda,Anostraca) from the Salinas Grandes Basin,Córdoba Province,Argentina

At present, the American genus Thamnocephalus has three species, recorded from several states of U.S.A., México and Venezuela: Thamnocephalus platyurus Packard, T. mexicanus Linder and T. venezuelensis Belk & Pereira. The new species Thamnocephalus salinarum, from a turbid saline temporary pond inside the Salinas Grandes of Córdoba, Argentina is described here. The new species differs from all other congeners by the presence in the male, of an unbranched frontal appendage and a pair of soft cordiform parapenial lobes; also, by the sexually dimorphic caudal fin-like lobe. This new species may represent a new genus, however since only five specimens were collected it was not possible to observe if the penial ornamentation conforms to the Thamnocephalus type. Therefore, a conservative position is taken until new material allows proper analysis, by keeping the new species in the genus Thamnocephalus under the new subgenus Simplicephalus.     

A new species of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae) from Michoacán, Mexico

A new species, Cuscuta cotijana, is described and illustrated from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in northwestern Michoacán, Mexico. The species is most closely related to Cuscuta jalapensis, C. mitriformis, C. rugosiceps and C. lindsayi, from which it differs by the large spur-like projections on the outer calyx lobes and the ovoid to conical capsule with a small intrastylar aperture.     

Vochysia palmirana (Vochysiaceae), a new species from Goiás and Tocantins,Brazil

Vochysia palmirana is described and illustrated as a new species. It is a member of sect.Vochysiella subsect.Decorticantes. It grows in sandy Cerrados of the Central Brazilian Plateau and is similar toV. sessilifolia. A key to the species ofVochysia sect.Vochysiella subsect.Decorticantes is provided.     

A review of the Nearctic genus Zealeuctra Ricker (Plecoptera,Leuctridae), with the description of a new species from the Cumberland Plateau region of?eastern?North America

The stonefly genus Zealeuctra (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) is endemic to the central and eastern Nearctic regions and is presently comprised of 10 species. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine and redescribe two important diagnostic features typically used to identify and define the adult male stage: the large, anteriorly-recurved epiproct and the medial cleft of the ninth abdominal tergite. SEM was also employed to depict the posteromedial portion of female 7^th sternum. A new species, Z. ukayodi sp. n., is described from the Cumberland Plateau region of northeastern Alabama and Tennessee. The new species appears superficially similar to Z. talladega Grubbs, but is easily differentiated by characteristics of the male medial cleft. An updated taxonomic key to the males of Zealeuctra is provided.     

Galeottiella hintoniorum,a new epiphytic species of Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae) from Nuevo León,Mexico

A new species of Spiranthinae from Mexico,Galeottiella hintoniorum, is described and illustrated. It is placed in the genusGaleottiella because of its lip and column structure and its herbaceous, cauline bracts and becauseGaleottiella is the oldest genus in the subtribe that can accommodate it. This new species is distinguished from other members of the genus by its epiphytic habit, small stature, and few-flowered inflorescences.     

Senecio chipauquilensis (Asteraceae, Senecioneae), a new species from the Meseta de Somuncurá (Patagonia), Argentina

A new species,Senecio chipauquilensis, from the Meseta de Somuncurá in the province of Rio Negro (Argentina), is described and illustrated. The new species resemblesSenecio subpanduratus, but it is clearly different by its sessile basal leaves, strongly auriculate and amplexicaul cauline leaves, and less number of phyllaries in the head, dorsally 1–2 veined.