Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) spheniscus n. sp. [Acarina: Ixodoidea: Argasidae: Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) capensis group], a tick parasite of the Humboldt penguin in Peru

Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) spheniscus n. sp., described from wild-caught and laboratory-reared females, males, nymphs, and larvae parasitizing the Humboldt Penguin, Spheniscus humboldti Meyen, is the fifth species of the Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) capensis group to be recognized in the Neotropical Region. A related Peruvian species, Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) amblus Chamberlin, also parasitizes S. humboldti but is recorded from a wider range of marine birds breeding on the Pacific coast and offshore islands, where the birds congregate to feed on the rich fish fauna usually produced by the Humboldt current. Differential criteria are provided for the new species, O. (A.) amblus, and Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) yunkeri Keirans, Clifford, and Hoogstraal of the Galapagos. These 3 members of the O. (A.) capensis group parasitize marine birds associated with the Humboldt current in western South America and the Galapagos. Persons visiting Humboldt Penguin breeding sites in caves and on barren coastal ledges are eagerly attacked by nymphal and adult O. (A.) spheniscus and suffer afterward from pruritus and slowly-healing blisters. The O. (A.) spheniscus life cycle required 128 to 193 days in the laboratory and, as typical of bird-parasitizing members of the subgenus Alectorobius, the first nymphal instar did not feed.     

Brazilian distribution of Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae), a common parasite of sloths (Mammalia: Xenarthra)

Amblyomma varium, commonly known in Brazil as the "carrapato-gigante-da-pregui a" (sloth's giant tick) is found from southern Central America to Argentina. The present study adds information on the geographical distribution of A. varium, as well as on their hosts, based on material deposited in the main Brazilian collections and on the available literature. Eighty-two vials, containing 191 adult specimens, deposited in five Acari collections between 1930 and 2001, were examined. These vials included data on the host and collection localities. The biology of A. varium is unknown. However it is known that, during the adult stage, the tick presents a high host specificity and is found almost exclusively on the sloths Bradypus tridactylus, B. variegatus, B.torquatus (Bradypodidae), Choloepus hoffmanni and C. didactylus (Megalonychidae). Based on the material examined, the states of Rond nia, Amazonas, Bahia and Alagoas are newly assigned to geographic distribution of A. varium in Brazil.     

Optimal sampling and spatial distribution of Ixodes pacificus, Dermacentor occidentalis and Dermacentor variabilis ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

A common method for sampling tick populations is flagging, which is a method of dragging a white cloth over a plant substrate for a fixed distance along a transect. Flagging over rough physical surfaces or using long subtransect lengths could lead to the underestimation of tick densities. Using estimates of the drop-off rates of adult Ixodes pacificus in flag sampling, optimal sampling schemes (the length and number of subtransects) were examined using the relationships between the tick drop-off rates (c), the tick density and distribution patterns and the roughness of the sampled plant substrate. It was found that the optimal number of subtransects and Lmax, the longest subtransect length which did not significantly underestimate the tick density from c, were affected by the tick density, substrate roughness and tick distribution pattern. This study also showed that the density and distribution of I. pacificus and Dermacentor occidentalis varied greatly over time in the populations sampled, while the Dermacentor variabilis densities were low and showed no significant changes over time. Both I. pacificus and D. occidentalis had clumped distributions along trails and these clumps were aggregated. However, the clump sizes (or individual clump areas) changed significantly over time because of density fluctuation or the movement of ticks. Finally, a positive association between the number of I. pacificus and D. occidentalis adults was observed from 2 m subtransect flag collections in March 1995; no relationship was found in 1994. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Observations on the subgenus Argas (Ixodoidea: Argasidae: Argas). 19. Description of the larva of the Palearctic cormorant parasite A. (A.) macrostigmatus

Larvae of 19 of the 21 species of the Argas subgenus Argas are already described. One of the two exceptions is A. (A.) macrostigmatus; we describe the larva of this species from wet nests of the crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax aristotelis, from Corsica, France. As in the adult and nymphal stages, this larva has an uncovered Haller's organ, a character shared in Palearctic members of this large genus only with A. (A.) polonicus, a Central European parasite of rock pigeons. Available larval samples of both species are indistinguishable. However, adult and nymphal A. (A.) macrostigmatus are unique for their exceptionally large spiracular plates. These are the only Argas (Argas) species which differ distinctly as adults and nymphs but hardly or not at all as larvae. Argas (A.) macrostigmatus was previously known only from a nest of the crested cormorant in the Black Sea. Ukrainian SSR.     

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting the Arabian Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the Sinai,Egypt with a note on the acaricidal efficacy of Ivermectin

In this study, tick burdens on camels (Camelus dromedarius) were determined in the vicinity of the St. Catherine monastery, Sinai, Egypt. In total 2,545 ticks (1,491 adults and 1,054 nymphs) were collected and identified. Mean tick burdens were relatively heavy and the range in number of ticks per camel was very broad (6–173). Hyalomma dromedarii was the predominant tick species and accounted for 95.6% of the adult ticks. Other ticks found were H. marginatum subspp. and H. anatolicum excavatum. All nymphs collected were Hyalomma spp.In addition, the effect of ivermectin (Ivomec MSD AGVET) on tick burdens, when given subcutaneously at 0.2 mg/kg¹, was evaluated in nine camels in the date-palm plantation of Kibbutz Yahel in the Arava valley, Israel. Initial tick burdens on these camels (half-body tick counts) ranged from 20–105 ticks per camel. Seven camels from the same herd with half-body tick counts ranging from 40–107 ticks per camel were not treated and served as a control group. Ivermectin was not effective against Hyalomma tick infestation in camels under these conditions.     

Observations on the subgenus Argas (Ixodoidea: argasidae: Argas). 17. Argas (A.) polonicus sp. n. parasitizing domestic pigeons in Krakow, Poland.

Argas (A.) polonicus sp. n. is described from males, females, nymphs, and larvae from the steeple tower of St. Mary's Church, Karkow, Poland, where it feeds on domestic rock pigeons, Columba livia Gmelin. This species is related to the widely distributed Eurasian A. (A.) vulgaris Filippova and to certain other species of the eastern area of the Palearctic Faunal Region; it differs distinctly from A. (A.) reflexus (Fabricius) of western Europe. Comparative study under the light microscope. and especially under the scanning electron microscope, reveals numerous structural differences in adult and immature stages of these species, chiefly in the Haller's organ roof of each stage, adult body shape and integumental formations, dental formulae, and setal lengths and numbers on the larval dorsum.     

Diversity and genetic differentiation among populations of Indian and Kenyan tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) revealed by AFLP markers

AFLP markers were successfully employed to detect diversity and genetic differentiation among Indian and Kenyan populations of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze). Shannon's index of diversity was used to partition the total phenotypic variation into between and within population components. On average, most of the diversity was detected within populations, with 79% of the variation being within and 21% being between populations of Indian and Kenyan tea. A dendrogram constructed on the basis of band sharing distinctly separated the three populations of tea into China type (sinensis), Assam type (assamica) and Cambod type (assamica ssp. lasiocalyx) in a manner consistent with the present taxonomy of tea, the known pedigree of some of the genotypes and their geographical origin. Principal coordinate (PCO) analysis grouped Assam genotypes both from India and Kenya supporting the suggestion that the Kenyan clones have been derived from collections made in this region. The China types were more dispersed on the PCO plot which is a reflection of wider genetic variation. As would be expected, clones collected from the same region exhibited less overall genetic variation. AFLP analysis discriminated all of the tested genotypes from India and Kenya, even those which cannot be distinguished on the basis of morphological and phenotypic traits. Received: 2 May 1996 / Accepted: 14 June 1996     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coccinia</Emphasis> (Cucurbitaceae) gains two new species from East Africa,three new synonyms,and one new combination

We describe and illustrate Coccinia pwaniensis Holstein from eastern Tanzania and southeast Kenya, and C. samburuensis Holstein from the Samburu area in Kenya. The new species were already recognised by Charles Jeffrey in 1967 and are now known from eight and four collections, respectively. Ongoing monographic work also revealed three new synonyms and the need for a new combination, Coccinia heterophylla (Hook. f.) Holstein.     

Towards the selection of cattle for tick resistance in Africa

Half-body tick collections and visual assessment of tick burdens were performed monthly over six months on 100 bulls at the Kenya National Boran Stud, Mutara Ranch, Kenya.Boophilus decoloratus predominated among several tick species infesting the animals. Burdens ofB. decoloratus and total tick burdens were highly correlated. Rankings of relative tick resistance among bulls were consistent from month to month. Rankings based on visual assessment were very close to those based on actual tick burdens. Animals with thin skins appeared to carry fewer ticks, but tick burden bore no relationship to coat colour. The results suggest that simple visual inspection of total tick burdens may be a suitable basis for the selection of tick resistance in cattle.     

Subsocial behaviour in Oniticellus cinctus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae): effect of the brood on parental care and oviposition

ABSTRACT. In Oniticellus cinctus (F.) the nest chambers each contain about twenty brood balls. Females enlarge the brood balls during the egg and larval stages and remain in the chamber for the whole period of brood development (1 month); they then make a new nest after 1 week. The presence of the brood releases parental care and ensures that the mother remains in the nest: she repairs defects in the brood balls and the nest, and expels other O. cinctus females. A new ball is formed around a naked O. cinctus larva, but larvae of other species are killed. In addition, the brood inhibits oviposition: removal (or addition) of brood balls stimulates (or inhibits) egg laying. In inhibited ovarioles, existing follicles are resorbed and production of new ones ceases. Control of clutch size by the brood is an adaptation to the nest structure and life history of O. cinctus. It may have an important role in the reproductive strategy of other insects with parental care.     

Taxonomische Studien in der Gattung Xerula R. Mre. (IV)

The taxonomically important characteristics of Xerula melanotricha Dörfelt are constant in fruit bodies, also in such which have been formed in culture. Studies on the development of the fruit bodies in culture showed that the macrosetae are formed already in the primordium. At first they are hyaline and colourless. A dark fluid (guttation) is secreted by the macrosetae. This is a specific characteristic of Xerula melanotricha. The fluid has an influence on the colours of the fruit bodies. The American specimens of “Collybia longipes” are revised by Mitchel & Smith (1978). These autors consider all the American collections to be a special variety, “Oudemansiella longipes (St. Amans) Moser var. americana Mitchel et Smith”. Investigations of the holotypus and of other collections suggested that this variety is a well characterized, seperate species. This taxon is an endemit of the Southern Rocky Mountains. In this paper it is described as Xerula americana Dörfelt sp. nov.     

Population genetic structure of the tree-hole tick Ixodes arboricola (Acari: Ixodidae) at different spatial scales

The endophilic tick Ixodes arboricola infests cavity-nesting birds, and its dispersal strongly depends on the movements of its host. Population genetic structure of I. arboricola was studied with seven polymorphic microsatellite markers. We collected 268 ticks from 76 nest boxes in four woodlots near Antwerp, Belgium. These nest boxes are mainly used by the principal hosts of I. arboricola, the great tit Parus major and the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus. As these birds typically return to the same cavity for roosting or breeding, ticks within nest boxes were expected to be highly related, and tick populations were expected to be spatially structured among woodlots and among nest boxes within woodlots. In line with the expectations, genetic population structure was found among woodlots and among nest boxes within woodlots. Surprisingly, there was considerable genetic variation among ticks within nest boxes. This could be explained by continuous gene flow from ticks from nearby tree holes, yet this remains to be tested. A pairwise relatedness analysis conducted for all pairs of ticks within nest boxes showed that relatedness among larvae was much higher than among later instars, which suggests that larvae are the most important instar for tick dispersal. Overall, tick populations at the studied spatial scale are not as differentiated as predicted, which may influence the scale at which host–parasite evolution occurs.     

Inermicapsifer beveridgei n. sp. (Cestoidea: Anoplocephalidae) from Procavia capensis (Hyracoidea) in Israel, with notes on two species of Hymenolepis

Inermicapsifer beveridgei n. sp. from Procavia capensis differs from all other species in the genus in having 150-174 testes per segment. The closest species is I. hyracis (Rudolphi, 1810) Janicki, 1919, with 75-120 testes. Hymenolepis vogeae Singh, 1956 and H. horrida (Linstow, 1901) Lühe, 1910, are briefly discussed.     

Chrysoperla lucasina (Lacroix): a distinct species of green lacewing, confirmed by acoustical analysis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The existence of cryptic, sibling species, distinguished principally by vibrational courtship songs, has been confirmed for the carnea -group of Chrysoperla green lacewings in Europe and western Asia. One member of this species-group, C.lucasina (Lacroix), is characterized by several morphological traits as well, but its taxonomic validity has been considered uncertain due to the subtle and variable nature of those traits. Here, we describe the calling and courtship songs of C.lucasina , which uniquely distinguish that taxon from all other members of the carnea -group in Europe. The male of C.lucasina produces two slightly but consistently different types of songs, one while calling and the other while dueting with a female. The female produces just one type of song, identical to the male's calling song, which is used for both calling and dueting. Measured features of the songs of C.lucasina are nearly invariant over a broad geographical area, from the Canary Islands to Cyprus and from northern Africa to the U.K. Similarly, at least one morphological feature, the presence of a dark stripe on the pleuron of the second abdominal segment, characterizes all adult individuals identified acoustically as C.lucasina . Furthermore, larval head markings vary little among different populations of the song species. We conclude that C.lucasina is a valid biological species, which can also be recognized in museum collections by a suite of morphological attributes. We also briefly compare the songs and adult morphology of C.lucasina with five other currently unnamed song species of the carnea -group whose geographic ranges overlap extensively with it.     

Changes in the age structure of populations of ixodid ticks (Ixodes persulcatus: Ixodinae) in the territory of St. Petersburg and its environs

The age structure of the natural populations of adult Ixodes persulcatus ticks in St. Petersburg and its environs was assessed on the basis of fat reserves in tick midgut and fat body.     

Neotypification of Amellus villosus,the identity of a bradbury collection,and typification of some other goldenasters (Compositae: Astereae)

Nomenclatural problems involving closely related North American goldenasters are resolved. No original type material (a collection by John Bradbury) is known forAmellus villosus Pursh, which is the basionym for the taxon referred to asChrysopsis villosa and more recently asHeterotheca villosa. The species is the first-described taxon inHeterotheca sect.Phyllotheca. A collection by Bradbury (LIV) was found to belong inH. camporum and does not match Pursh's protologue. A neotype (PH) was selected from collections by Thomas Nuttall. A problem in the typification of the second oldest taxon in sect.Phyllotheca was encountered. The specimen filed at K as the type ofDiplopappus hispidus Hook. was not the specimen cited in the protologue. A lectotype has been designated from collections by Richardson at BM. Other taxa placed in synonymy are also typified.     

Biosystematics of the Psyttalia concolor Species Complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae): The Identity of Populations Attacking Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Coffee in Kenya

The identity of a species of Psyttalia, a parasitoid of tephritid fruit flies in Kenya, was investigated. Individuals reared from coffee infested with Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Medfly) and two other tephritid species in Kenya were compared with individuals of Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) from a laboratory culture in Italy used in augmentative biological control of olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin). Reciprocal crosses showed full compatibility, with production of viable female offspring. A preliminary morphometric analysis demonstrated that most individuals originating from Italy could be separated from most of those from Kenya based largely on differences in overall size.     

Redescription and Lectotype Designation of Tylenchorhynchus cylindricus Cobb, 1913

Tylenchorhynchus cylindricus is redescribed and illustrated from N. A. Cobb''s original specimens collected in 1910. In 1955 M. W. Allen established a neotype from specimens collected near Cathedral City, California. Recently Cobb''s original sketches, line drawings, and balsam slides were rediscovered and examined. The specimens collected by Cobb were compared with the neotype established by Allen and with other collections of nominal T. cylindricus. Differences in morphology of the Cathedral City (Allen) and Los Patos (Cobb) populations were observed. Collections of males and females from Cathedral City, California; Mosida, Utah; and Kings County, California; were similar to each other except for some variation in female tail shape. Females in Cobb''s collection and in a collection from a beach near Ensenada, Mexico, were similar to each other but differed morphologically from other collections. We consider all collections to represent a range of variation within the species. A lectotype and an allolectotype were selected to establish the taxonomic base for the genus. A ruling has been requested from the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature on the disposition of the neotype.