Musculature of the Male Abdominal Segments and Terminalia in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musca autumnalis</Emphasis> De Geer, 1776 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrellia rapax</Emphasis> (Harris, 1780) (Diptera,Muscidae: Muscini)

The structure of the abdominal and pregenital segments and genitalia of males was studied in Pyrellia rapax (Harris, 1780) and Musca autumnalis De Geer, 1776 (Muscidae, Muscini). The musculature of these species is compared with that in Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 (Muscidae) and Scathophaga stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scathophagidae), previously investigated by O.G. Ovtshinnikova. Morphological analysis of sclerites and muscles of abdominal and pregenital segments and genitalia of males in Pyrellia rapax, Musca autumnalis, and M. domestica demonstrates processes of reduction in Musca as compared with P. rapax and S. stercoraria.     

Taxonomic composition and species diversity of insect assemblages in grass–shrub cover of peat bogs in Belarus

The species composition and diversity of insect assemblages in the grass–shrub cover has been studied. A total of 374 species from 10 orders have been revealed. Coleoptera, Diptera, Heteroptera, and Auchenorryncha prevailed. Each order was dominated by two to eight species. These species are Cixius similis Kirschbaum, 1868; Neophilaenus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758); Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Auchenorryncha); Lygus pratensis (Linnaeus, 1758); Kleidocerys resedae (Panzer, 1797); Stictopleurus crassicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Heteroptera); Lochmaea suturalis (Thomson, 1866); Cyphon padi (Linnaeus, 1758); Plateumaris discolor (Herbst, 1795) (Coleoptera); etc. The assemblages were characterized by low species diversity and distribution of species abundance. The most similar entomocomplexes were those in biotopes dominated by herbs, on the one hand, and dwarf shrubs, on the other. The regression analysis has shown a significant relation between the species richness and diversity of insects and the species composition of plants and their projective cover. The multivariate analysis with various methods (CCA and PCA) demonstrated the influence of these factors on the spatial distribution of certain species and their preferences to particular habitats.     

The Mercury Content and Antioxidant System in Insectivorous Animals (Insectivora,Mammalia) and Rodents (Rodentia,Mammalia) of Various Ecogenesis Conditions

This study is aimed at analyzing the total mercury in the tissues of mammals adapted to a semiaquatic or subterranean lifestyle and at analyzing the possible role of their antioxidant system in heavy metal detoxication. The water shrew Neomis fodiens Pennant, 1771, European mole Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758, muskrat Ondatra zibethicus Linnaeus, 1766, and water vole Arvicola terrestris Linnaeus, 1758 were the species under study. Our results indicate that mercury accumulation in the tissue depends on the age, tissue type, and diet of the species. The highest mercury content was recorded in water shrew tissues compared to other species. Age-dependent accumulation of the toxicant in the animals is reported. A correlation between mercury accumulation and catalase activity in the kidneys of the animals studied was found.     

Asparagus beetles of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crioceris duodecimpunctata</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758) group (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae) from Russia and Adjacent Countries

The distribution of Crioceris duodecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) and two related species with their subspecies is defined more precisely. Crioceris orientalis tshingisana Lopatin, 1966, stat. n. and C. hypopsila demokidovi Semenov, 1909, stat. n. are treated as subspecies for the first time. Lectotypes of C. hypopsila Jacobson, 1907, C. demokidovi Semenov, 1909, and C. duodecimpunctata hypolachna Jacobson, 1907 are designated. The male and female genitalia are described and illustrated for all the species considered. A new key to the species of Crioceris without a black sutural stripe is compiled.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Idaea pseudoaversata</Emphasis>, a new species of geometrids (Lepidoptera,Geometridae) from the Southeastern Asian part of Russia

A new species, Idaea pseudoaversata, is described from the Far East. According to the coloration and wing pattern, the new species is similar to I. straminata (Borkhausen, 1794). The species is closely related to I. aversata (Linnaeus, 1758), but differs in the presence of seven cornuti in the aedeagus. The type material of the new species is deposited in the Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk, Russia).     

Taxonomy of Soldier Flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve,India

The present communication deals with recording of nine species of soldier flies (Insecta: Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Sunderban Biosphere Reserve of India, of which, Tinda indica (Walker, 1851), Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758), Odontomyia kashmirensis Brunetti, 1920, Odontomyia viridana (Wiedemann, 1824), Prosopochrysa vitripennis (Doleschall, 1856) are being reported for the first time from this unique and globally acclaimed mangrove ecosystem. Odontomyia kashmirensis Brunetti, 1920 is reported for the first time from the state of West Bengal. A key to identify these species is provided with taxonomic notes.     

Distribution Peculiarities of the Sand (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Riparia riparia</Emphasis> Linnaeus 1758) Martin and the Pale Sand (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Riparia diluta</Emphasis> Sharpe et Wyatt 1893) Martin (Passeriformes,Hirundinidae) in the Sympatry Zone in Southern Central Siberia

The relationships between the sand martin (Riparia riparia Linnaeus 1758) and the pale sand martin (Riparia diluta Sharpe et Wyatt 1893) in sympatric conditions in southern Central Siberia are discussed. New data on the distribution patterns of these two closely related martin species in the study area, the location of the breeding colonies, and nesting in mixed-species colonies are presented. Information on the morphology and habitat preferences of R. riparia and R. diluta, including conesting species, is provided. In the sympatry zone in southern Central Siberia, the pale sand martin is shown to be more abundant, with mixed colonies of R. riparia and R. diluta also being found. Both species studied differ significantly in the morphometric characters. When looking for the location of a breeding colony, R. riparia and R. diluta display different habitat requirements.     

Three New Species of Dance Flies of the Subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Empis</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Polyblepharis</Emphasis>) (Diptera,Empididae) from Kazakhstan and Eastern Siberia

Three new species of dance flies (Diptera, Empididae) of the subgenus Polyblepharis Bezzi, 1909 of the genus Empis Linnaeus, 1758 are described and illustrated: E. (P.) bartakisp. n. (Kazakhstan), E. (P.) dulkeitisp. n. (Russia (Krasnoyarsk Territory)), and E. (P.) ozerovisp. n. (Kazakhstan).     

Karyotypic and morphological study of five species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wilhelmia</Emphasis> Enderlein (Diptera,Simuliidae)

Karyotypic features as well as larval and imaginal morphology have been studied in five species of the black fly genus Wilhelmia, viz. W. equina (Linnaeus, 1758), W. pseudequina (Seguy, 1921), W. lineata (Meigen, 1804), W. veltistshevi (Rubzov, 1940), and W. salopiensis (Edwards, 1927). Photomaps of polytene chromosomes are given for all species (those for W. pseudequina and W. veltistshevi, for the first time). Species-specific karyological and morphological characters have been revealed. According to principal karyological features, the species examined are divided into the equina and salopiensis groups. The validity of the species rank is confirmed for all species. Clear karyological and morphological distinctions between W. salopiensis and W. lineata give evidence that synonymization of W. salopiensis with W. lineata was erroneous.     

Lamellicorn Beetles (Coleoptera,Scarabaeoidea) of Manchuria (China): Fauna,Ecology, and Zoogeography

The species composition and taxonomic structure of lamellicorn beetles of Northeast China are considered. A total of 317 species from 86 genera, 42 tribes, 18 subfamilies, and 6 families are known to occur in the fauna of Manchuria. Seven species are recorded from China for the first time: Trox scaber (Linnaeus, 1767), Glyptotrox ineptus (Balthasar, 1931), Aegialia (Psammoporus) kamtschatica Motschulsky, 1860, Aphodius (Acrossus) superatratus Nomura et Nakane, 1951, Aphodius (Chilothorax) grafi Reitter, 1901, Maladera spissigrada (Brenske, 1897), and Valgus hemipterus hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758); in addition, 18 species are recorded as new to the fauna of Manchuria. Among 177, 219, 208 and 226 species recorded from the Manchurian part of Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning, 20, 29, 14 and 19 species are new to the region, respectively. The ecological and zoogeographical features of Scarabaeoidea in Manchuria are analyzed. Data on the trophic structure, phenology, and distribution of all the taxa are presented.     

Comparative Analysis of the Amino Acid Spectrum of Blood Plasma in Chiroptera (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vespertilio murinus</Emphasis> L., 1758 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myotis dasycneme</Emphasis> B., 1825) in the Fauna of the Ural Mountains

The article presents the results of a new comparative analysis of free amino acids in the blood plasma of representatives of insectivorous Chiroptera (Mammalia: Vespertilionidae) in the fauna of the Ural Mountains: the pond bat (Myotis dasycneme Boie, 1825) and the parti-colored bat (Vespertilio murinus Linnaeus, 1758). This is the first study to show the species variability of free amino acids in resident and migratory species of bats from different ecosystems of the Ural Region.     

Studies of the true bugs of Xinjiang,Northwestern China. III. Water bugs and semiaquatic bugs (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha,Gerromorpha)

In Xinjiang (Western China), the fauna of water bugs and semiaquatic bugs comprises 28 species of 7 families belonging to the infraorders Nepomorpha Popov, 1968 and Gerromorpha Popov, 1971. The present paper provides new data on the distribution of 19 species of 6 families (Nepidae, Corixidae, Naucoridae, Notonectidae, Hebridae, and Gerridae). Four species of the family Corixidae, Micronecta griseola Horváth, 1899, Hesperocorixa linnaei (Fieber, 1848), Paracorixa kiritshenkoi (Lundblad, 1933), and Sigara seistanensis (Distant, 1920), and one species of the family Hebridae, Hebrus pilipes Kanyukova, 1997, are recorded for the first time for China. The family Hebridae and three species of the family Corixidae, Cymatia rogenhoferi (Fieber, 1864), Corixa dentipes Thomson, 1869, and Paracorixa caspica (Horváth, 1878), are new to the fauna of Xinjiang. The record of Gerris odontogaster (Zetterstedt, 1828) whose distribution in Northwestern China had been considered doubtful was confirmed. A key to the species of the genus Micronecta from Middle Asia and Western China is given. Differences between the two closely related species Sigara seistanensis (Distant, 1920) and S. striata (Linnaeus, 1758) are discussed, and their distinctive features are listed.     

The Influence of Parasitoids (Hymenoptera,Eulophidae) on Survival of the Lime Leafminer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllonorycter issikii</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Gracillariidae) in Udmurtia

The species structure of parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) of the invasive lime leafminer Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata, 1963) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) was reexamined ten years after the latest survey. The work was carried out in 2015 in three previously selected test plots within the city of Izhevsk. Extremely high survival rates (61.7 to 89%) of the leafminer were observed while the parasitoid complex had a negligible impact on its mortality (0.6 to 1.6%). A slight structural transformation of the parasitoid complex was noted, namely a decrease in the number of dominants and a change of the dominant species. In addition, the species structure of the parasitoids collected in 22 populated localities in Udmurtia was studied in 2016. Five new parasitoids of the lime leafminer were found: Pnigalio pectinicornis (Linnaeus, 1758), Sympiesis acalle Walker, 1848, Chrysocharis amanus Walker, 1839, Ch. pentheus Walker, 1839, and Ch. polyzo Walker, 1839. Two species of parasitoids of Ph. issikii were recognized as new to Udmurtia: Pnigalio agraules (Walker, 1839) and Pediobius saulius (Walker, 1839).     

Food and feeding habits of black scorpionfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scorpaena porcus</Emphasis> (Osteichthyes: Scorpaenidae) from the northern coast of Tunisia (Central Mediterranean)

Food and feeding habits of black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758 were carried out from 715 specimens collected off Ras Jebel, city located in northern Tunisia. Diet was studied in relation to fish size, sexes and seasons. The relationship total length (TL) versus total body mass (TBM) showed a positive allometry, suggesting that S. porcus found favourable environmental parameters and available preys in its habitat. Vacuity index (VI) values were high for the total sample and also related to size classes, sexes, and seasons. Stomach contents of S. porcus revealed a very large diversity of preys; a total of 79 taxa were recorded, 3 osteichthyan, 69 crustacean, 2 annelid and 2 gastropod species, while angiosperma, alga, were rare. Crustaceans were the most abundantly found followed by osteichthyes. The troph value of S. porcus from the north-eastern coast of Tunisian reached 3.48 ± 0.58. S. porcus did not display significant changes in the diet related to sizes and/or seasons. S. porcus should be included among the carnivorous species which play a major role in regulation of marine food webs.     

New or Little-Known Beetle Species (Coleoptera) of the Families Histeridae and Scarabaeidae in the Faunas of Ciscaucasia,Western and Southeastern Kazakhstan

New data are presented on the distribution of Histeridae and Scarabaeidae in Russia and Kazakhstan. Three species, Pholioxenus schatzmayri J. Müller, 1910, Mendidaphodius linearis (Reiche et Saulcy, 1856), and Onthophagus ponticus Harold, 1883, are recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time, and one species, Atholus scutellaris (Erichson, 1834), is new to the fauna of Russia. The distribution ranges are refined for Microsaprinus therondianus (Dahlgren, 1973), Hypocacculus biskrensis (Marseul, 1876), Paravolvulus refector (Reitter, 1904), Hister megalonyx Reichardt, 1922, Bodilus longipennis (Rakovi?, 1984), Protaetia cyanescens jacobsoni (Kiseritzky, 1910), and Valgus hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758). All these species are distributed mainly in the four zoogeographical regions: Hesperian, European, Saharo-Gobian (Sethian), and Scythian.     

Diversity and eco-zoogeographic analysis of lamellicorn beetles (Coleoptera,Scarabaeoidea) of Yakutia,Russia

A comprehensive analysis of the diversity of Yakutian lamellicorn beetles is provided. A total of 54 species from 18 genera, 14 tribes, 14 subfamilies, and 5 families are revealed. The family Ochodaeidae Mulsant & Rey, 1871, the genus Codocera Eschscholtz, 1821, and six species, namely Codocera ferruginea (Eschscholtz, 1818), Aegialia friebi Balthasar, 1935, A. kamtschatica Motschulsky, 1860, Aphodius ater (De Geer, 1774), A. pusillus Herbst, 1789, and A. haemorrhoidalis (Linnaeus, 1758), are recorded in the fauna of Yakutia for the first time. The ecological and zoogeographic features of the Scarabaeoidea of the region are considered. Data on the trophic specialization, phenology and spatial distribution of the species are given.     

A key to Palaearctic dragonflies of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeschna</Emphasis> Fabricius, 1775 (Odonata,Aeschnidae)

Keys to 10 Palaearctic species of the dragonfly genus Aeschna are given. For adults of the two morphologically similar species Ae. juncea (Linnaeus, 1758) and Ae. subarctica Walker, 1908, new distinguishing characters are given. These are the shape of the genital plate and position of the anal appendages relative to the horizontal plane of the female body, and the shape of the processes of the anterior hooks of the male genitalia. Additionally, keys to the larvae based on characters of larvae reared in the laboratory are given. These keys allow species-level identification for early and middle larval instars.     

Two new gonad-infecting species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Philometra</Emphasis> Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachinus</Emphasis> spp. (Osteichthyes: Trachinidae) in the Gulf of Hammamet,Tunisia

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, two new gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845, P. draco n. sp. and P. radiata n. sp. (Nematoda: Philometridae), are described from the marine perciform fishes Trachinus draco (Linnaeus) and T. radiatus (Linnaeus) (both Trachinidae), respectively, in the Gulf of Hammamet, off the northeastern coast of Tunisia. Philometra draco n. sp. and P. radiata n. sp. can be separated from other gonad-infecting species of this genus by the structures associated to the gubernaculum (e.g. dorsal protuberance, smooth field separating the dorsolateral longitudinal parts), as well as by the length of the body, spicules and gubernaculum. Philometra radiata n. sp. can be distinguished from P. draco n. sp. in having the dorsal side of the gubernaculum distal end provided with a median longitudinal smooth field demarcated by two dorsolateral lamellate parts. These two new species are the first philometrid species described from fishes of the family Trachinidae.     

Mites (Acari) phoretic on ground beetles (Coleoptera,Carabidae) in a southern taiga forest in the environs of Vologda

Ground beetles were captured in a mixed southern taiga forest near the city of Vologda, Russia, from March to September 2014 using different collection techniques. Of the 250 specimens of ground beetles belonging to 22 species, 109 beetles representing 11 species yielded 326 specimens of mites of the cohorts Gamasina (4 species), Astigmatina (5), and Heterostigmatina (1). Two mite species, Antennoseius pseudospinosus Eidelberg, 1990, a common species in the steppes of southeastern Europe, and Halodarcia incideta Karg, 1969, a polyzonal European hydrophile, are recorded in the taiga zone for the first time. Dorsipes dorsipes Regenfuss, 1968, a specialized parasite of beetles of the genus Carabus Linnaeus, 1758, is new to the fauna of Eastern Europe. An adult mite of the genus Stylochirus G. Canestrini et R. Canestrini, 1882 was found for the first time in a natural hibernating chamber in close contact with an overwintering ground beetle, in particular, a male of S. fimetarius (Müller, 1859) on Carabus granulatus Linnaeus, 1785. The most common mite to occur on ground beetles was Antennoseius bullitus Karg, 1969, which was found on 7 carabid species with the mean occurrence of 41% and comprised 68% of the total mite sample. Joint phoresy of 2–3 mite species was recorded on 12 specimens of ground beetles; in 5 cases the co-occurring mites were Antennoseius bullitus and Stylochirus fimetarius. Three dominant mite species (85% of the total mite sample) were mainly collected off three dominant carabid species (70% of the beetle sample), but individual mite species preferred different hosts.     

Mitochondrial DNA divergence and phylogenetic relationships in mullets (Pisces: Mugilidae) of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Azov revealed by PCR-RFLP-analysis

Three Mugilid species: Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Liza haematocheila (Temminck et Schlegel, 1845; syn. Mugil soiuy, M. haematocheilus, L. soiuy, Chelon haematocheilus) from the Sea of Japan, as well as M. cephalus and Liza aurata (Risso, 1810) from the Sea of Azov were investigated on the basis of PCR-RFLP analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments, which included 12S/16S rRNA, and ND3/ND4L/ND4 genes. Among 61 individuals of three Mugilid species thirteen different haplotypes were detected. Eight and thirteen restriction endonucleases were found to be species-specific in 12S/16SrRNA and ND3/ND4L/ND4 respectively. This method may be useful for species identification. M. cephalus showed the largest genetic divergence while L. haematocheila and L. aurata were closely related and clustered together. The level of mtDNA differentiation between the two M. cephalus samples from the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Azov, i.e., nucleotide substitutions of approximately 3%, appeared to be relatively high.