Hippotraginae (Bovidae,Artiodactyla, Mammalia) from the Late Miocene of Tuva

Fossil remains of Late Miocene (Baode, NMU10-NMU11) horse antelopes from Tuva (Russia) are described, including Tragoreas sp., Protoryx tuvaensis sp. nov. from the Taralyk Cher locality and Quirliqnoria sp. from the Kholu locality. A new species, Protoryx tuvaensis Dmitrieva et Serdyuk, is described. These taxa compose a Late Miocene antelope assemblage of a new eastern geographical point (Russia, Tuva, Baode, NMU10-MN11).     

Oxytropis sobolevskajae sp. nov. (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae,Galegeae) from Tuva Republic (south Siberia,Russia)

Oxytropis sobolevskajae Pjak, a new species endemic to Tuva Republic (south Siberia, Russia), is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to O. sect. Xerobia Bunge subsect. Ampulla Vass. and is confined to the central Tuva depression. This species is probably most closely related to O. leptophylla (Pall.) DC., from which it is easily distinguished by the number of leaflet pairs, the length and type of inflorescence, and the length of the keel cusp.     

Su alcune Laboulbeniali (Ascomycetes) nuove per l'Italia

Abstract

Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) new for Italy. In the present paper are quoted 19 species of Laboulbeniales not jet reported for Italian flora: Asaphomyces cholevae Th., Corethromyces henroti Balazuc, C. pallidus (Th.), C. stilici Th., Euzodiomyces lathrobii Th., Helodiomyces elegans Picard, Laboulbenia acupalpi Speg., L. inflata Th., L. philonthi Th., L. picardi Maire, Misgomyces dyschirii Th., M. lavagnei Picard, Monoicomyces californicus (Th.), Peyritschiella protea Th., Rhachomyces lasiophorus (Th.), R. furcatus (Th.), R. philonthinus Th., R. pilosellus (Robin). Also the genera Asaphomyces Th., Euzodiomyces Th., Helodiomyces Picard and Peyritschiella Th. are new for Italy. All the quoted species are parasites of Insects of the order of the Coleoptera.     

The Psyllids (Homoptera: Psylloida) of Alaska

A key is provided for the identification of the thirty-eight psyllid species recorded from Alaska. Additional notes on host plant and distribution are given for each species. The species are: Aphalara manitobaensis Cald.,A.nigra Cald., Craspedolepta alaskensis (Ash.), C.nebulosa (Zett.) ssp. kincaidi (Ash.), C. schwarzi (Ash.), C.subpunctata (Förster), Psylla alaskensis Ash., P.betulaenanae Oss., P.breviata Patch, P.fibulata Crawf., P.floccosa Patch, P.galeaformis Patch, P.haliaeeti sp.nov., P.hamata Tuthill, P.highwoodensis sp.nov., P.jenseni sp.nov., P.kananaskensis Hod., P.ledi Flor., P.longiforceps sp.nov., P.minor Crawf., P.macleani sp.nov., P.myrtilli Wag. ssp. canadensis Hod., P.palmeni Löw, P.phlebophyllae sp.nov., P.rara Tuthill, P.rufipennis sp.nov., P.sinuata Crawf., P.striata Patch, P.stricklandi Crawf., P.toolikensis sp.nov., P.zaecevi Sulc, Trioza albifrons Crawf., Trioza artica sp.nov., T.atkasookensis sp.nov., T.incerta Tuthill, T.salicivora Reut. (=T.maura auctt. N.Amer.), T.stylifera Patch, Trioza sp.nov. (undescribed). All the newly described species were collected on Salix. The Alaskan fauna is made up of four major components: 1, true Arctic species; 2, Arctic/subarctic species; 3, subarctic/alpine species; 4, northern forest zone species. Eight of the Alaskan psyllids exhibit an holarctic distribution and there is a strong faunal affinity with similar areas in northern Scandinavia: the same four genera recur throughout the northern holarctic. There is strong circumstantial evidence that certain psyllid species are parthogenetic over part of their range, particularly in arctic/alpine situations.     

The Steninae and Megalopininae of Chile (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae) 93rd contribution to the knowledge of Steninae

The author gives a revision of the Chilian Megalopininae and Steninae. Results : one species is revalidated (chilensis L.Bck.), a second synonymized (solieri Coiff.& Saiz = gayi Sol.), a third is described as new (saizi n.sp.). Of two species (gayi Sol., anthrax Fairm. & Germ.) lectotypes are designated, two other species already described are new for Chili (Megalopinus plaumanni L.Bck., Stenus endosquameus Puthz). The Chilian fauna of Megalopininae and Steninae is a very rare one concerning number of species as well as number of monophyletic groups. There are no relations to other extratropic groups.     

The first record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chleuastochoerus</Emphasis> (Suidae,Artiodactyla) in Russia

A new species, Chleuastochoerus tuvensis, from the Late Miocene Taralyk-Cher locality in Tuva is described. Phylogenetic relationships and lifestyle of Chleuastochoerus, a unique member of the family Suidae, are discussed.     

A new subgenus and three new species of the Oribatid mite families hermanniellidae,Oribatellidae, and Scheloribatidae (Acariformes,Oribatida) from the Caucasus

A new subgenus, Sacculoribatella subgen. n., of Oribatella and 3 new species the families Hermanniellidae (Hermanniella aliverdievae sp. n.), Oribatellidae (Oribatella caspica sp. n.), and Scheloribatidae (Pachygena makarovae sp. n.) are described from the Caucasus.     

The ovipositor morphology in the members of the family Scathophagidae (Diptera) with reference to their biology

Relation of the ovipositor structure and the egg-laying habit with the larval biology in the family Scathophagidae was investigated. The ovipositor was examined and illustrated for 29 species including Phrosia albilabris (F.), Cordilura umbrosa (Lw.), Spathephilus breviventris (Lw.), Scathophaga stercoraria (L.), Chaetosa punctipes (Mg.), Pogonota barbata (Ztt.), Cochliarium cuneiventris (Ztt.), and Delina nigrita (Fll.). Species with different bionomics and different larval feeding tissues, i.e., different substrates for oviposition, were distinguished. Comparative morphological analysis of the author’s and literature data on 29 species belonging to 15 genera has shown the constancy of the ovipositor structure within the genera examined. Two principal types of the ovipositor structure were distinguished: (a) the elongate ovipositor with the distal position of the terminal part of the abdomen (the proctiger), this type is characteristic of phytophagous species (the delinine type); and (b) the shortened ovipositor with the proctiger shifted dorsally (the scathophagine type), this type is typical of predatory and saprophagous species. The delinine type of the ovipositor is adapted to inserting eggs into hard plant tissues. Changes in the feeding habits of the larvae were found to be associated with changes in the ovipositor structure. The dependence of the ovipositor structure on the egg-laying habit and on the larval biology enables hypothesizing biological features of those species for which the relevant data are not available yet. The morphogenesis of the ovipositor is speculated based on the data on its structure.     

Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chelonus</Emphasis> Jurine (Hymenoptera,Braconidae, Cheloninae) in the fauna of Russia and adjacent territories. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ch. olgae</Emphasis> Kok. species-group

The Ch. olgae species-group is established in the genus Chelonus characterized by the metasomal carapace narrowing towards the apex (much more strongly than towards the base) and not or weakly incurved. This group is analogous to the M. retusus group of the closely related genus Microchelonus, although some differences in the carapace structure emphasize parallel development of these morphological features in the two genera. New species are described as follows: Ch. borisi sp. n. (Russia: Leningrad Prov.), Ch. cardui sp. n. (Russia: Voronezh Prov.; Moldova), Ch. kokoujevi sp. n. (Russia: Belgorod and Chelyabinsk provinces), Ch. speijeri sp. n. (Spain), Ch. ubsunuricus sp. n. (Russia: Tuva), and Ch. yurii sp. n. (Kazakhstan). Chelonus subannulatus Abdinbekova, 1971 is synonymised with Ch. submuticus Wesmael, 1835(syn. n.).     

New species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dolichopus</Emphasis> (Diptera,Dolichopodidae) from the mountains of the Altai and Tuva

Two new species from the mountains of Altai and Tuva, Dolichopus fursovi Negrobov et Barkalov sp. n. similar to D. grunini Smirnov and D. selivanovae Negrobov et Barkalov, sp. n. similar to D. reichardti Stackelberg, are described.     

Genetic transformation of perennial tropical fruits

Summary Genetic transformation provides the means for modifying single horticultural traits in perennial plant cultivars without altering their phenotype. This capability is particularly valuable for perennial plants and tree species in which development of new cultivars is often hampered by their long generation time, high levels of heterozygosity, nucellar embryony, etc. Most of these conditions apply to many tropical and subtropical fruit crops. Targeting specific gene traits is predicated upon the ability to regenerate elite selections of what are generally trees from cell and tissue cultures. The integrity of the clone would thereby remain unchanged except for the altered trait. This review provides an overview of the genetic transformation of perennial tropical and subtropical fruit crops, i.e., citrus (Citrus spp.), banana and plantain (Musa groups AAA, AAB, ABB, etc.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), pineapple (Ananas comosus L.), avocado (Persea americana Mill.), passion fruit (Passiflora edulis L.), longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.), and litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.).     

New data on morphology and ecology of Limoniid fly larvae of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metalimnobia</Emphasis> (Diptera,Limoniidae) developed in fungal substrates

New data on larval biology are given for four species, Metalimnobia bifasciata (Schr.), M. dualis Sav., M. lanceolata Sav., and M. quadrimaculata (L.). The morphology of the larvae of M. dualis Sav. and the larvae and pupae of M. lanceolata Sav. is examined for the first time. The morphological characteristics of the larvae and pupae of M. bifasciata (Schr.) and M. quadrimaculata (L.) are specified. Keys to species, based on the larval and pupal characters, are compiled.     

Antigenic relationships between petunia peroxidase a and specific peroxidase isoenzymes in other Solanaceae

Summary A highly specific rabbit antiserum raised against peroxidase (PRXa) from petunia (Petunia hybrida) was used to investigate the antigenic relatedness of peroxidases in the Solanaceae. After SDS-PAGE of crude leaf extracts from a large number of species of this family, immunoblotting revealed that cross-reacting protein bands were present in all species tested. In order to determine whether these protein bands represent peroxidases, the peroxidase isoenzymes in thorn apple (Datura stramonium L.), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were further analyzed. Immunoblots obtained after native PAGE revealed that the antiserum only recognized fast-moving peroxidase isoenzymes that are localized in the apoplast. Despite their serological relatedness, these peroxidases differed with respect to heat stability and apparent molecular weight. Differences in avidity for the petunia PRXa antiserum were suggested by immunoprecipitation with antibodies bound to protein A-Sepharose. The antiserum did not react with peroxidases from horseradish (Armoracea rusticana Gaertn., Mey and Scherb), turnip (Brassica napus L.), African marigold (Tagetes cresta L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and oats (Avena sativa L.). Apparently, the Solanaceae contain orthologous genes encoding the fast-moving anionic peroxidases homologous to petunia PRXa.     

Alien flora of India: taxonomic composition, invasion status and biogeographic affiliations

The wide knowledge gaps in invasion biology research that exist in the developing world are crucial impediments to the scientific management and global policymaking on biological invasions. In an effort to fill such knowledge gaps, we present here an inventory of the alien flora of India, based on systematic reviews and rigorous analyses of research studies (ca. 190) published over the last 120 years (1890–2010 AD), and updated with field records of the last two decades. Currently, the inventory comprises of 1,599 species, belonging to 842 genera in 161 families, and constitutes 8.5% of the total Indian vascular flora. The three most species-rich families are Asteraceae (134 spp.), Papilionaceae (114 spp.) and Poaceae (106 spp.), and the three largest genera are Eucalyptus (25 spp.), Ipomoea (22 spp.), and Senna (21 spp.). The majority of these species (812) have no report of escaping from cultivation. Of the remaining subset of 787 species, which have either escaped from intentional cultivation, or spread after unintentional introduction, casuals are represented by 57 spp., casual/naturalised by 114 spp., naturalised by 257 spp., naturalised/invasive by 134 spp., and invasive by 225 spp. Biogeographically, more than one-third (35%) of the alien flora in India has its native ranges in South America, followed by Asia (21%), Africa (20%), Europe (11%), Australia (8%), North America (4%); and cryptogenic (1%). The inventory is expected to serve as the scientific baseline on plant invasions in India, with implications for conservation of global biodiversity.     

The relative toxicity and persistence of insecticides applied as water-dispersible powders against stored-product beetles

Twelve insecticides, formulated as water-dispersible powders, were applied to strips of filter paper and their toxicities to eight species of stored-product beetles were determined. The insecticides were DDT, methoxychlor, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, synergized pyrethrins, malathion, fenthion, Chlorthion, diazinon, trichlorphon and carbaryl. The insects were adults of Sitophilus granarius (L.), S. zeamais Mots., Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Stegobium paniceum (L.), Lasioderma serricorne (F.), and Ptinus tectus Boield. Tables of LD 50 values are presented in terms of deposits of active ingredient between the limits investigated, namely 0.625 and 80 mg./sq.ft., for 2-day and 3-day periods of continuous exposure at 25d? C. and 70% R.H. The data give a broad view of the susceptibility of each insect species to the different insecticides, the effectiveness of each insecticide against the range of insect species, and the speed of action of the insecticides. Trichlorphon had a very low toxicity to all species except O. surinamensis and was omitted from further testing. Deposits of the remaining eleven water-dispersible powders on filter paper were stored and tested at intervals up to 16 months. This yielded information on the persistence of the formulations after application to a chemically inert substrate. Five of the insecticides-malathion, fenthion, Chlorthion, diazinon and carbaryl were then investigated for their persistence on cement, tile, whitewash on tile, wood, and sacking. This test revealed loss of effectiveness of some of the organophosphorus insecticides because of volatility or of alkalinity of the substrate, although some of the results obtained with tiles were difficult to explain. Factors such as surface activity, porosity and real surface area may have played a role, as well as the physical state of the insecticide in the formulation.     

Insect invasions of agroecosystems in the western Canadian prairies: case histories,patterns, and implications for ecosystem function

Agroecosystems in the western Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have been invaded by several alien herbivorous insects from several orders and families. These species have caused very substantial reductions in yield and quality of the dominant crops grown in this region, including cereals (primarily wheat, Triticum aestivum L., barley, Hordeum vulgare L., and oats Avena sativa L.), oilseeds (primarily canola, Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L., and mustard, Sinapis alba L. and Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.), and pulses (primarily field pea, Pisum sativum L., lentil, Lens culinaris Medik., and chickpea, Cicer arietinum L.). In this study, we used literature searches to identify the major species of insect pests of field crops in western Canada and determine those species indigenous to the region versus species that have invaded from other continents. We summarize invasion patterns of the alien species, and some estimated economic costs of the invasions. We document the invasion and dispersal patterns of the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), for the first time in all three provinces. We also report the co-occurrence of its exotic parasitoid, Tetrastichus julis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), and implications for classical biological control. We present results of field studies describing the dispersal patterns of a second recent invader, the pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The implications of invasions in this region are discussed in terms of economic and ecological effects, and challenges posed for pest mitigation.     

Heteroceran moths (Lepidoptera,Heterocera) of the Don River delta

A list of the Heterocera (Lepidoptera) found in the Don River delta is given. The investigated fauna is several times less species-rich than the faunas of the neighboring territories but includes some species not found in other parts of Rostov Province. These are Epischnia prodromella (Hb.), Euzophera alpherakyella Ragonot, Ancylosis samaritanella (Zeller, 1867), Ancylolomia tentaculella (Hb.), Nymphula nitidulata (Hufn.), Megaspilates mundataria (Stoll), and Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esp.). Population densities of some species, e.g., Loxostege deliblatica Szent-Ivány & Uhrik-Meszáros, 1942, Atychia appendiculata (Esper, 1779), Eublemma minutata (Fabricius, 1794), Oxytripia orbiculosa (Esper, 1799), in the Don Delta are the greatest within Rostov Province. The data obtained emphasize the importance of this natural refuge of the regional insect fauna.     

Stomatal control of photosynthesis in detached leaves of woody and herbaceous plants

Photosynthesis and transpiration were assayed in leaves and needles of some woody species (Pinus sibirica Du Tour, P. sylvestris L., Larix sibirica Ledeb., Betula pendula Roth., Quercus robur L.), annual herbaceous plants (Amaranthus cruentus L. cv. Tampala, Celosia argentea L. f. cristata (L.), Gomphrena dispersa Standl., Solanum tuberosum L., Helianthus annuus L., H. tuberosus L.), and perennial herbs (Inula helenium L., Poligonum weyrichii F. Schmidt, Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl.). A high-precision portable gas-analyzing system GFS-3000 with a climate-controlled chamber was used for measurements on leaves both before and after leaf detachment from the shoot under conditions optimal for photosynthesis: photosynthetically active radiation of 2000 μE/(m² s), 22–25°C, and a relative humidity of 65–70%. The steady-state gas exchange in illuminated leaves of all plant species examined was characterized by a directly proportional relationship between photosynthesis and transpiration (R ₂ = 0.87). This means that the temporal course of H₂O and CO₂ gas exchange in detached leaves suffices to characterize the status of stomatal control of photosynthesis. The general trend in the effect of leaf detachment, observed in herbaceous and woody plants, is that the stomatal control of photosynthesis was retained within first 3–5 min after leaf excision. By contrast, the increase in transpiration after leaf detachment was species-specific. Because of this circumstance, the measurements of transpiration by rapid weighing method may result in overestimation of transpiration rates by 10–15% for some plant species, compared to steady-state rates of gas exchange in undetached leaves.     

The Aslauga purpurascens complex of entomophagous butterflies (Lycaenidae)

The Aslauga purpurascens complex is revised and six species are recognized: purpurascens Holland, marshalli Butler (=purpurascens marginaria Talbot syn.n.), latifurca sp.n., orientalis sp.n., atrophifurca sp.n. and australis spn. All species are described and illustrated and keys provided for their identification. Characters used in previous studies and in the present study are discussed and the literature is reviewed. The biology of the species is discussed with special reference to the appetitive sexual behaviour of adult males and to possible hostspecificity in larval predation of membracids and coccids. The significance of the geographical distribution of the species is examined.