Revision of the subgenus Udamochiras of Melaloncha bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Metopininae)

The genus Melaloncha Brues is defined and groundplan character states established based on outgroup comparison with Phalacrotophora Enderlein and Melittophora Brues. Major groupings within Melaloncha are recognized, and two subgenera are established: Udamochiras Enderlein (type species M. colossia (Enderlein)) and Melaloncha s.s. (type species M. pulchella Brues). Subgenus Udamochiras is revised and 42 species are recognized, including the following 33 new to science: M. anaticula , M. angustifrons , M. apicula , M. aprica , M. basella , M. biseta , M. brevicarina , M. carinata , M. compressicauda , M. exigua , M. falcata , M. flavilata , M. hamata , M. hansoni , M. horologia , M. individa , M. lobata , M. maculifrons , M. parkeri , M. paxilla , M. premordica , M. rhampha , M. rhypopoda , M. rostrata , M. sinuosa , M. spatula , M. spicula , M. triangularis , M. trua , M. valeria , M. vargasi , M. villosa , M. woodi . Melaloncha simillima Borgmeier is removed from synonymy with M. piliapex Borgmeier and reinstated as a separate species; lectotypes are designated for both.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 1−42     

Revision of the genus Fascicularia Mez (Bromeliaceae)

The genus Fascicularia Mez is revised as part of a study of the Bromeliaceae for the Flora de Chile. Morphological and anatomical investigation of herbarium and living material from cultivation as well as DNA-studies (RAPDs) in cultivated material has led us to conclude that Fascicularia bicolor (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez, the only one species in the genus, comprises two subspecies which are distinguished by their leaf anatomy and morphology.     

Morphoanatomy and stigma receptivity in Tillandsia L. (Bromeliaceae) occurring in Bahia,Brazil

Species of Tillandsia L. are widely distributed in Brazilian ecosystems, and in the state of Bahia they can be found in the Atlantic Forest, Caatinga and Cerrado biomes. Studying the reproductive aspects of these species can support their management and conservation. In particular, stigma morphology is a conserved trait of Bromeliaceae and stigma receptivity can influence the success of pollination. The objective of this study was to characterize the morphoanatomy and classify the stigma types of Tillandsia species by means of light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as to evaluate the stigma receptivity by different methods and at three floral development stages. A total of 21 Tillandsia species found in Bahia were evaluated. The stigma receptivity was assessed with hydrogen peroxide (3%) and a solution of α-naphthyl acetate. Four stigma types were observed: conduplicate-spiral for the species of the Tillandsia subgen. Tillandsia, simple-erect for species of T. subgen. Diaphoranthema, and simple-truncate for the species of T. subgen. Phytarrhiza. The species of the T. subgen. Anoplophytum had three morphological types, conduplicate-spiral, conduplicate-patent and simple-erect. All the species had trifid stigmas, monostratified epidermis, numerous idioblasts containing raphides in the fundamental parenchyma and an individual vascular bundle for each carpel. In all the species studied by the two methods of stigma receptivity the highest enzyme activity was observed during anthesis. The morphoanatomy of the stigma and style provides important information for the taxonomy of Tillandsia and the data on stigma receptivity can support studies of the reproduction and conservation of these species.     

Florivory by the Crab Armases angustipes (Grapsidae) Influences Hummingbird Visits to Aechmea pectinata (Bromeliaceae)1

Armases angustipes (Grapsidae) crabs were recorded on 31.5 percent of Aechmea pectinata inflorescences, a common ornithofilous bromeliad in rain forests of southeastern Brazil. Crabs foraged mainly in the morning and used newly opened flowers, usually damaging the corolla, consuming the stamens and stigma, and interfering with hummingbird visits. This florivory may reduce the reproductive success of A. pectinata, both directly through consumption of flowers and indirectly by reducing pollinator visits.     

Xiphidorus amazonensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from the Brazilian Amazon Basin

Xiphidorus amazonensis n. sp. was found in the rhizospheres of Jatropha curcas, Musa sp., Anona muricata, Cassia tora, Panicum laxum, Paspalum fasciculatum, Aeschynomene sensitiva, Saccharum officinarum, Manihot esculenta, Abelmoschus esculentus, Tamarindus indica, Mangifera indica, Vigna unguiculata, Zea mays, Commelina sp., Cyperus rotundus, Fimbristylis miliacea, Citrus sinensis, and Eichhornia crassipes on the Amazon River island of Xiborena, approximately 40 km southeast of Manaus, capital of the State of Amazonas. The type habitat is flooded annually for about 6 months by the Amazon River. Xiphidorus amazonensis n. sp. differs from the closely related species Xiphidorus yepesara Monteiro, 1976 by the larger size, by a, b, and c values, and by the rounded tail terminus. It also resembles Xiphidorus tucumanensis Chaves and Coomans, 1984, but can be distinguished by its larger size, larger a, b, and c values, more conical female tail, bilobed amphidial pouch, and the presence of a spermatheca full of sperm.     

Reproductive biology of Aechmea bracteata (Sw.) Griseb. (Bromelioideae: Bromeliaceae)

• Individuals of Aechmea bracteata show inflorescences with red scape bracts and odourless, yellow, tubular diurnal flowers, with closely arranged sexual organs, producing a large amount of fruits.
• In order to investigate the reproductive system of this species, a suite of characters was assessed: phenology, floral morphology and biology, nectar production dynamics, and fruit and seed production and germination, as a result of controlled pollination crosses. The study was conducted during two flowering seasons in wild populations in Yucatán, Mexico.
• Results suggest an annual flowering pattern with one flowering peak; flowers were diurnal, showing partial dichogamy (protandry)‐herkogamy, anthers and stigma become mature before floral aperture, which could lead to self‐pollination, nectar is produced during anthesis, varying in volume and total sugar concentration during the day; fruits and seeds were produced in all experimental crosses (cross‐pollination, obligated cross‐pollination, assisted and unassisted selfing, geitonogamy and apomixis), as well as high percentage seed germination.
• Several species of Aechmea are reportedly self‐compatible and autogamous, as suggested by results of selfing and non‐assisted selfing crosses, but these results are negated by the presence of apomixis, indicating that the species is apomictic. This is the first report of this breeding system for subgenus Aechmea and the sixth for Bromeliaceae. Polyembryony is here suggested for the first time in this genus and family based on the fact that more seeds were recorded that expected based on ovule numbers. Finally, when performing experimental crosses, estimating reproductive success based on number of seeds is a better approach than number of fruits, due to the effect of pseudogamy.

     

Revision for the swordtail cricket genus Homoeoxipha (Grylloidea: Trigonidiidae: Trigonidiinae) from China

Species of Homoeoxipha are very small and always live on leaves of shrubs and grasses. This genus contains ten species worldwide and is distributed across five zoological regions, from Africa to New Guinea. Homoeoxipha lycoides is the type species of this genus and possesses the characteristic coloration for the genus. These coloration features resulted in some synonyms and disputes over species, because most Homoeoxipha species are ornamented with a similar coloration pattern. We compared and documented the differences between H. lycoides and its relatives in China. A new important character, the epiphallic transversal suture, is used to distinguish them. Based on this work, all of the Chinese species, H. lycoides, H. obliterata and H. nigripes, and one new species, H. eurylobus, with similar coloration to H. lycoides, are described and illustrated.     

Pollen morphology of Alcantarea giant bromeliads (Bromeliaceae,Tillandsioideae)

Here we describe the pollen morphology of 19 species of Alcantarea, none of them fully described before, to contribute to the infra-generic delimitation of the genus. Pollen grains are heteropolar, amb ellipsoidal (although spheroidal pollen occurs in Alcantarea aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana, A. nahoumii, A. roberto-kauskyi and A. trepida), monosulcate, sulcus with margin, reticulate ornamentation of the exine on the central area of pollen grain (except in A. imperialis, which display foveolate ornamentation) and apex of equatorial axe with different ornamentation from the central area of pollen grain (microreticulate calota or psilate-perforate calota). The genus is considered stenopalynous due to the similarity in the pollen morphology. The new pollen characters obtained here are useful in understanding the infra-generic palynotaxonomy of the genus confirming the relationship between species that have been grouped together based on vegetative evidence and/or relationships suggested by analyses based on DNA sequences or microsatellite evidence, e.g. between A. aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii and A. nahoumii; between A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana and A. trepida; between A. hatschbachii and A. duarteana, between A. roberto-kautsky and A. trepida. Our results improve the morphological characterisation of the genus and may contribute to phylogenetic analyses as well as the biosystematics approach to solve species complexes.     

Aechmea xinguana sp. nov. (Bromeliaceae) from the Xingu region in the Brazilian Amazonia

Aechmea xinguana, a new species of Bromeliaceae from the Brazilian Amazonia, is described and illustrated. It is related to Aechmea mertensii, but differs by inflorescences with larger and more lax panicles, and by floral bracts that are red, larger than the flowers, with a linear shape and spinose margins.     

Revision of Trigonostomum Schmidt, 1852 (Platyhelminthes, Typhloplanoida, Trigonostomidae) with the description of seven new species

A morphological and taxonomic account of the genus Trigonostomum is provided. All known species are discussed and briefly re-described where necessary. Seven new species are described: T. franki from Curaçao, Florida (USA), the East African Coast and New Caledonia, T. nataschae from the French sub-Antarctic island Kerguelen, T. spinigerum from New Caledonia and T. watsoni from the Australian East Coast and New Caledonia. T. tori and T. galapagoensis , both formerly enclosed in T. setigerum , are considered new species, while T. australis also belongs to the same species group. Proxenetes denhartogi is transferred to Trigonostomum . Based on a comparison of old and new material, T. marki is synonymized with T. penicillatum , while T. prytherchi and T. divae are regarded as junior synonyms of T. lilliei ; T. intermedium and T. quadrifolium are considered synonyms of T. coronatum . Three species are considered species inquirendae : T. brunchorsti , T. piriforme and Marinellia lingulifera . Similarities and differences of the 17 valid species are discussed and summarized in an identification key.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 141 , 271–296.     

Two new species from Gabon show the need to reduce Commitheca to the synonymy of Pauridiantha (Rubiaceae, Pauridiantheae)

Two new Pauridiantha species (Pauridiantheae, Rubiaceae) from Gabon are described and illustrated. Pauridiantha pleiantha is characterized by a combination of entirely glabrous stems, stipules with a narrow base, and large inflorescences. Pauridiantha smetsiana is characterized by entirely glabrous stems, narrow, early deciduous stipules, leaves red-tinged when dry, and small inflorescences. The two new species, especially P. smetsiana , close the morphological gap between Commitheca and Pauridiantha in combining typical Commitheca characters, such as glabrous stems and a narrow stipular base, with Pauridiantha characters, such as eucamptodromous venation. A detailed morphological comparison (including ovary structure, seed morphology, exotesta anatomy, and pollen morphology) between the two genera is given; in conclusion, Commitheca is relegated to the synonymy of Pauridiantha . The necessary new specific combinations are provided.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 105–117.     

Morphological phylogenetics of Puya subgenus Puya (Bromeliaceae)

Puya , a large genus mostly from South America, has been taxonomically divided into two subgenera: Puyopsis and Puya. The latter includes only eight species distributed mainly in Chile, extending to Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. The species of subgenus Puya are recognized by the presence of a sterile apex of the inflorescence branches, whereas those of subgenus Puyopsis have fertile flowers all along the branches. The objectives of this article were to determine whether this diagnostic character was synapomorphic for subgenus Puya , and to explore the relationships between its species. Parsimony analyses were performed for 43 taxa and 93 morphological characters, 87 of which were discrete and six continuous. In the analysis that included all characters, a single most parsimonious tree was found that supported subgenus Puya by two synapomorphic character states, including the diagnostic character of a sterile inflorescence branch apex and a blooming pattern in which flowers open gradually from base to apex. The trees were better supported when the continuous characters were included. Further studies are suggested to resolve the infrageneric classification of Puya and the relationships of the species belonging to subgenus Puya .  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 93–110.     

Revision and cladistic analysis of Isoctenus and description of a new neotropical genus (Araneae,Ctenidae, Cteninae)

A cladistic analysis was applied to test the monophyly of the genus Isoctenus. The data matrix comprised 28 taxa scored for 53 morphological and two behavioural characters. The analysis resulted in two equally parsimonious trees of 89 steps. The strict consensus was used to discuss the relationships of Isoctenus and related Cteninae genera. Ctenopsis Schmidt is synonymized with Isoctenus. Isoctenus foliifer Bertkau, I. strandi Mello‐Leitão, I. eupalaestrus Mello‐Leitão, I. janeirus (Walckenaer), I. coxalis (Pickard‐Cambridge), I. corymbus Polotow, Brescovit & Pellegatti‐Franco and I. malabaris Polotow, Brescovit & Ott are maintained in Isoctenus. Four species currently included in Ctenus are transferred to Isoctenus: I. griseolus (Mello‐Leitão) comb. nov., I. taperae (Mello‐Leitão) comb. nov., I. herteli (Mello‐Leitão) comb. nov. and I. minusculus (Keyserling) comb. nov. The following specific names are synonymized: Ctenus sanguineus Walckenaer, C. semiornatus Mello‐Leitão and Ctenopsis stellata Schmidt with Isoctenus janeirus (Walckenaer), Ctenus mourei Mello‐Leitão with Isoctenus herteli (Mello‐Leitão) and Ctenus pauper Mello‐Leitão with Isoctenus strandi Mello‐Leitão. Isoctenus sigma Schenkel, described from French Guiana, is transferred to Ctenus. Four species are newly described: Isoctenus areia sp. nov. from Paraíba, Brazil, I. charada sp. nov. and I. segredo sp. nov. from Paraná, Brazil, and I. ordinario sp. nov. from south and south‐eastern Brazil and north‐eastern Argentina. Isoctenus latevittatus Caporiacco is considered species inquirenda. Parabatinga gen. nov. is proposed to include Ctenus brevipes Keyserling. The following synonymies are established: Ctenus taeniatus Keyserling, C. tatarandensis Tullgren, C. anisitsi Strand, C. atrivulvus Strand, C. mentor Strand, C. brevipes brevilabris Strand, Isoctenus masculus Mello‐Leitão and Ctenus birabeni Mello‐Leitão with Parabatinga brevipes (Keyserling) comb. nov. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 583–614.     

Clonality strongly affects the spatial genetic structure of the nurse species Aechmea nudicaulis (L.) Griseb. (Bromeliaceae)

Aechmea nudicaulis is a clonal bromeliad common to the Brazilian Atlantic forest complex and is found abundantly in the sandy coastal plain vegetation (restinga) on the north coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. This restinga site is structured in vegetation islands, and the species plays a key role as a nurse plant, much favoured by its clonality. We studied the clonal structure and consequences of clonality on the population spatial genetic structure (SGS) of this species using six nuclear microsatellites. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed to study the effects of sexual and clonal reproduction on the dispersal of A. nudicaulis. Analyses were performed at the genet (i.e. excluding clonal repeats) and ramet levels. Genotypic richness was moderate (R = 0.32), mostly as a result of the dominance of a few clones. The spatial distribution of genets was moderately intermingled, the mean clone size was 4.9 clonal fragments per genet and the maximum clonal spread was 25 m. Expected heterozygosities were high and comparable with those found in other clonal plants. SGS analyses at the genet level revealed significantly restricted gene dispersal (Sp = 0.074), a strong SGS compared with other herbaceous species. The clonal subrange extended across 23 m where clonality had a significant effect on SGS. The restricted dispersal and SGS pattern in A. nudicaulis, coupled with high levels of genetic diversity, indicated a recruitment at windows of opportunity (RWO) strategy. Moreover, the spatial distribution of genetic variation and the habitat occupation pattern in A. nudicaulis were dependent not only on the intrinsic biological traits of the species (such as spacer size and mating system), but also on biotic interactions with neighbouring species that determined suitable habitats for germination and the establishment of new genets. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 178 , 329–342.