The phylogeny of the genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928, with redescriptions of three species (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

The genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928 is reviewed. 26 species are considered valid. A key for their identification is given, as well as a map showing the geographic distribution. The known range of the genus covers a large area from the central Amazon region to the mountains of Guatemala. The species of Ischioscia have a typical “philosciid” habitus (“runner” type); they can be distinguished from other Neotropical species with similar habitus by the following apomorphies: (1) male pereiopod 1 carpus enlarged to a plate-like extension, (2) scale field on male pereiopod 1 covering entire frontal side of the carpus, (3) male pereiopod 7 ischium with a ventral scale field, (4) dactylus in both sexes with a long inner claw. The groundpattern of Ischioscia is reconstructed, and an analysis of the phylogenetic relations within the genus is made on the basis of morphological data. The species are very similar to each other, most differences are found in the male structures of sexually dimorphic features. Ischioscia sturmi (Vandel, 1972), I. amazonica Lemos de Castro, 1955 and I. bolivari Vandel, 1968 are redescribed in detail.     

Three new species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Hatschekiidae) parasitic on boxfishes (Pisces: Tetraodontiformes: Aracanidae and Ostraciidae) in Japanese waters

Three new species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 are described from the gill filaments of three species of boxfishes captured off southern Japan: H. pseudostracii n. sp. on Kentrocapros aculeatus (Houttuyn) (Aracanidae); H. bibullae n. sp. on Lactoria diaphana (Bloch & Schneider) (Ostraciidae); and H. kuroshioensis n. sp. on Tetrosomus concatenates (Bloch) (Ostraciidae). Of the 93 currently valid species in the genus, these new species differ from the 87 species which lack four stout processes on the posterior margin of the intercoxal sclerites of legs 1 and 2. Those processes are present on the remaining six species and the three new species. Of these nine species, H. pseudostracii n. sp. is distinguished by having a T-shaped chitinous frame on the cephalothorax, the leg 1 exopod twice as long as the endopod and a small parabasal papilla. H. bibullae n. sp. can be differentiated by a combination of morphological features as follows: a well-developed, thumb-shaped parabasal papilla, the leg 1 exopod twice as long as the endopod and a trunk lacking posterior lobes. H. kuroshioensis n. sp. can be recognised by bearing a T-shaped chitinous frame on the cephalothorax, the leg 1 exopod is three times as long as the endopod and the trunk lacks posterior lobes.     

A revision of the genus Dolichos (Fabaceae,Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae), including Lesotho and Swaziland

A revision of the genus Dolichos in South Africa (Lesotho and Swaziland included) is presented. This legume genus, belonging to the bean tribe Phaseoleae, mainly has an African distribution, extending into Asia. In South Africa it is represented by nine species, two (D. sericeus and D. trilobus) of which extend into Tropical Africa. Dolichos is closely related to the genus Macrotyloma from which it can be distinguished by the short standard appendages, reticulate pollen and the generally purple flowers (standard appendages long, pollen tuberculate or spinulose and flowers yellow or orange in Macrotyloma). It also has affinities with the genera Dipogon and Lablab. The correct nomenclature, as well as complete synonymy, typification and distribution maps of all the species are provided.     

Ochoterenella esslingeri n. sp. (Nematoda: Onchocercidae: Waltonellinae) from Bokermannohyla luctuosa (Anura: Hylidae) in Minas Gerais,Brazil, with notes on Paraochoterenella Purnomo & Bangs, 1999

The waltonelline Ochoterenella esslingeri n. sp., a filarial parasite of the anuran Bokermannohyla luctuosa in Minas Gerais, Brazil is described. Several characters distinguish this new species from the 15 species presently included in the genus: the cuticular ornamentation of the female that is restricted to the posterior region of the body, the irregular arrangement of the small, rounded bosses, the postoesophageal vulva, the short glandular oesophagus, the size and shape of the microfilariae, the long left spicule and high spicular ratio. Irregularly arranged, tiny, rounded bosses are common in the monotypic genus Paraochoterenella from an Indonesian ranid, which is not well defined but likely valid. In the Neotropical Realm, the type hosts of the species of Ochoterenella are Hylidae (O. esslingeri n. sp.), Leptodactylidae (two species) and the remaining 13 species were described from the giant toad Rhinella marina (Bufonidae).     

A neotype designation for the bone-skipper Centrophlebomyia anthropophaga (Diptera,Piophilidae, Thyreophorina), with a review of the?Palaearctic?species?of Centrophlebomyia

The European bone-skippers (Diptera: Piophilidae: Thyreophorina), long considered extinct, have recently been the object of much interest by dipterists after their unexpected rediscovery. Considerable faunistic work has been done on these flies in recent years. However, some nomenclatural and taxonomic issues still require attention. A neotype is designated for Thyreophora anthropophaga Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (now in the genus Centrophlebomyia Hendel, 1903) to fix the identity of this nominal species. Centrophlebomyia anthropophaga is recognized as a valid species. It is described and illustrated in detail, and information on its preimaginal instars is provided for the first time. Four Palaearctic species of Centrophlebomyia are recognized and reviewed and a key is provided for their identification. Centrophlebomyia orientalis Hendel, 1907 from northern India, is removed from synonymy with Centrophlebomyia anthropophaga and recognized as a valid species of Centrophlebomyia, stat. r. The nominal genus Protothyreophora Ozerov, 1984 is considered a junior synonym of Centrophlebomyia, syn. n.     

Review of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dotocryptus</Emphasis> Brèthes (Hymenoptera,Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with a New Species from Colombia

The taxonomic limits of the Neotropical genus Dotocryptus Brèthes are reviewed. The genus is characterized mainly by the very long ovipositor, at least 2.2× as long as hind tibia; apex of ovipositor distinctly depressed, ventral valve expanded, and overlapping dorsal valve as a sheath; and mandible long with ventral tooth longer than dorsal one. A new species, Dotocryptus arcadius sp. nov., from Colombia is described and illustrated. The new species can be diagnosed mainly by the head and mesosoma with multiple whitish marks; epicnemial carina reaching 0.2–0.3 of distance to subalar ridge; legs marked with dark brown, orange, and whitish; and metasoma polished and glabrate. This is the northernmost record of the genus, previously known from Ecuador to southern Chile. An updated identification key to the species of the genus is provided, as well as diagnoses and new records for the previously known species.     

A new species of the genus Karnyothrips (Thysanoptera,?Phlaeothripidae) from China

Karnyothrips cyathomorphus sp. n. (Phlaeothripidae: Phlaeothripinae) is described as a new apterous species in the genus Karnyothrips Watson 1923, and it represents the fourth species of the genus to be recorded from China. A key to the Chinese species is given.     

Development of Genomic Tools for the Identification of Certain Pseudomonas up to Species Level

Pseudomonas is a highly versatile bacterium at the species level with great ecological significance. These genetically and metabolically diverse species have undergone repeated taxonomic revisions. We propose a strategy to identify Pseudomonas up to species level, based on the unique features of their 16S rDNA (rrs) gene sequence, such as the frame work of sequences, sequence motifs and restriction endonuclease (RE) digestion patterns. A species specific phylogenetic framework composed of 31 different rrs sequences, allowed us to segregate 1,367 out of 2,985 rrs sequences of this genus, which have been classified at present only up to genus (Pseudomonas) level, as follows: P. aeruginosa (219 sequences), P. fluorescens (463 sequences), P. putida (347 sequences), P. stutzeri (197 sequences), and P. syringae (141 sequences). These segregations were validated by unique 30–50 nucleotide long motifs and RE digestion patterns in their rrs. A single gene thus provides multiple makers for identification and surveillance of Pseudomonas.     

A new Laelius species (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) from China with a key to the species in Eastern Palaearctic region

A new species of Laelius (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) from China is described and illustrated. Biometric measurement data are also included. Laelius jilinensis Lim and S. Lee sp. nov. is characterized by ‘having mandible with four teeth, the propodeal disc with five discal carinae and the pronotum slightly wider than long’ from other congeneric species. A key to the species of the genus Laelius from the Eastern Palaearctic region is also provided.     

A new genus and species of Coenosiini from Costa Rica (Diptera,Muscidae, Coenosiinae)

Palpilongus gen. n. is herein described for one species – Palpilongus bifurcus sp. n., from Costa Rica, based on male and females. The striking morphological characters of the species – palpus very long, about as long as prementum; upper calypter truncate and very short and setae of male sternite 5 bifurcated, confirm that this new species is also a new genus in the tribe Coenosiini. Male and female terminalia were dissected and illustrated.     

Synopsis of the Argentinian scarab genus Pseudogeniates Ohaus (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae)

The scarab beetle genus Pseudogeniates Ohaus (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) is endemic to Argentina. The genus includes three species: Pseudogeniates cordobaensis Soula, Pseudogeniates intermedius Ohaus, and Pseudogeniates richterianus Ohaus. We characterize the genus, provide a key to species, redescribe and diagnose each species, provide spatial and temporal distributions, and discuss distributions of the species in relation to eco-regions and areas of endemism in Argentina.     

Chloroplast genome sequences of Artemisia maritima and Artemisia absinthium: Comparative analyses,mutational hotspots in genus Artemisia and phylogeny in family Asteraceae

Artemisia L. is a complex genus of medicinal importance. Publicly available chloroplast genomes of few Artemisia species are insufficient to resolve taxonomic discrepancies at species level. We report chloroplast genome sequences of two further Artemisia species: A. maritima (151,061 bp) and A. absinthium (151,193 bp). Both genomes possess typical quadripartite structure comprising of a large single copy, a small single copy and a pair of long inverted repeats. The two genomes exhibited high similarities in genome sizes, gene synteny, GC content, synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions, codon usage, amino acids frequencies, RNA editing sites, microsatellites, and oligonucleotide repeats. Transition to transversion ratio was <1. Maximum likelihood tree showed Artemisia a monophyletic genus, sister to genus Chrysanthemum. We also identified 20 highly polymorphic regions including rpoC2-rps2, trnR-UCU-trnG-UCC, rps18-rpl20, and trnL-UAG-rpl32 that could be used to develop authentic and cost-effective markers to resolve taxonomic discrepancies and infer phylogenetic relationships among Artemisia species.     

Two new ectoparasitic species of Aulacothrips Hood, 1952 (Thysanoptera: Heterothripidae) associated with ant-tended treehoppers (Hemiptera)

Aulacothrips Hood, 1952 is a remarkable South American genus of ectoparasitic thrips which feed on gregarious ant-tended hemipterans (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Here we describe two new species of this genus infesting membracid treehoppers in Colombia and Brazilian Amazon, and provide a key to the five Aulacothrips spp. now recognised. Aulacothrips levinotus n. sp. is unique in having pronotum with only two pairs of major setae; and Aulacothrips tenuis n. sp. has unusually long abdominal tergite IX. These findings will be helpful for understanding the species diversification in this genus, bringing a new perspective on the diversity of Aulacothrips spp. and their myrmecophilous hemipteran hosts.     

Three New Species of Nothacrobeles (Nemata: Cephalobidae) from the Mojave Desert, California

Three new species of Nothacrobeles are described from localities in the Mojave Desert, southern California. Nothacrobeles triniglarus n. sp. is characterized by the presence of a long post-vulval sac and three tubular adoral projections. Both N. spatulatus n. sp. and N. nanocorpus n. sp. are smaller than any other known species within the genus. Nothacrobeles spatulatus n. sp. has labial probolae that are short and spatulate without a basal ridge, whereas those of N. nanocorpus n. sp. are flattened and plate-like. Furthermore, N. nanocorpus n. sp. is unique by its extremely short esophageal corpus (less than 25 µm long in adult females) and the small size of its guard processes. An emended diagnosis of the genus is given to accommodate distinctive characteristics of these new species. A table comparing the 11 valid species of Nothacrobeles is presented.