A new species of Spauligodon (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea: Pharyngodonidae) in Latastia longicaudata (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Kenya

A new species of Spauligodon , Spauligodon latasticola n. sp., from the intestines of Latastia longicaudata (Lacertidae) from Kenya is described and illustrated. Spauligodon latasticola represents the 47th species assigned to the genus and the 8th species from the Ethiopian region. The new species differs from all but 2 other species assigned to Spauligodon by the presence of a conically tapering tail in the female. The new species is separated from the 2 similar species, Spauligodon garciaprietoi and Spauligodon goldbergi, by the position of the vulva, which is anterior to the esophageal bulb in the new species, at the level of the esophageal bulb in S. goldbergi, and posterior to the esophageal bulb in S. garciaprietoi.     

A new species of Acanthostigma (Tubeufiaceae, Dothideomycetes) from the southern hemisphere

A new species belonging to the Dothideomycete genus Acanthostigma is described from bark of two Nothofagus species from Argentina. Its identity as a new species is based on both morphology and molecular sequence data. Acanthostigma patagonica differs from other species in the genus by having larger ascomata and setae and wider, asymmetrical ascospores. An amended key to Acanthostigma species is provided along with a discussion of other species previously described from South America.     

A new species of Bricelochlorops Paganelli and the first record of Urubambina rufa (Duda) (Diptera: Chloropidae) from Brazil

The subfamily Chloropinae comprises about 442 described species, with only one species recorded from the Brazilian Amazon. The genus Bricelochlorops Paganelli was represented by a unique species from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The species Urubambina rufa (Duda) is the only species of the genus Urubambina Paganelli and has been recorded only from Peru. A new species of Bricelochlorops, B. celutae sp. nov., is described here and Urubambina rufa is recorded for the first time in Brazil. Both species were collected in the state of Acre. A key to species of Bricelochlorops is provided.     

Tropical fungus-feeding Thysanoptera of the genus Macrophthalmo thrips

The genus Macrophthalmothrips is redefined from a study of all the described species. One new species is described from Jamaica, five species are placed in synonymy, and a key is provided to the thirteen species now recognised. Variation in colour and antennal structure is discussed, and notes are given on the biology and distribution of the species.     

中国热带黏菌的已知种类

我国广东、广西、云南和台湾4省区的南部及海南、香港和澳门全境均在北回归线以南,属于地理上的热带。为了全面系统地开展我国热带地区黏菌资源的多样性和分类学研究,文中通过标本采集、鉴定和复核以及文献考证研究了已知的发生于中国热带地区的黏菌种类,对一些物种分类地位和名称变化进行了更新,同时记述了每个物种的生境和在我国热带地区的分布。结果表明:中国热带地区现知黏菌6目13科35属160种,其中,广东南部为23种,广西南部为61种,海南为33种,云南南部为67种,台湾南部为26种,香港为66种,澳门为10种。从黏菌的目级水平来看,中国热带地区现知黏菌鹅绒菌目1种,刺轴菌目5种,无丝菌目22种,团毛菌目32种,绒泡菌目73种,发网菌目27种。     

Phenetic and phylogenetic analysis of Reinhardtia (Palmae)

Principal component analysis and cluster analysis of morphometric data divide specimens of Reinhardtia into six groups, corresponding to the six species recognized in the most recent revisions. Discriminant analysis classifies specimens into these six species with 100% success. Five species occur in lowland to montane moist forests in Central America, from Mexico to Panama, and just reach Colombia; one species occurs in montane moist forests in Hispaniola. Three species have large stems and are rare, patchily distributed, and seldom collected. The other three species have small stems, are common and frequently collected, but also patchily distributed. One species of small plants, R. gracilis, exhibits considerable variability. Within this species, seven distinct groups can be recognized, although sample size is limited. Among species, there is a phyletic decrease in size of plants, from the basal species with large stems to derived species with small stems. For leaves and inflorescences there is also an associated decrease in size, but one species does not follow this trend. In this species, R. latisecta, there is evidence of a large ontogenetic change in leaf development. Phyletic decrease in size corresponds to a latitudinal and elevational gradient suggesting speciation has taken place from north to south and from high to low elevation. However, this pattern is obscured disjunct distributions in some species.     

Exploring taxonomic filtering in urban environments

Question: Several mechanisms have been proposed that control the spatio‐temporal pattern of species coexistence. Among others, the species pool hypothesis states that the large‐scale species pool is an important factor in controlling small‐scale species richness through filtering of species that can persist within a species assemblage on the basis of their tolerance of the abiotic environment. Because of the process of environmental filtering, co‐occurring species that experience similar environmental conditions are likely to be more taxonomically similar than ecologically distant species. This is because, due to the conservatism of many species traits during evolutionary diversification, the ability of species to colonize the same ecological space is thought to depend at least partially on their taxonomic similarity. The question for this study is: Under the assumption of trait conservatism, does environmental filtering lead to nonrandom species assemblages with respect to their taxonomic structure? Methods: The significance of taxonomic filtering in regulating species coexistence is tested using data from 15 local species assemblages from the urban flora of Rome (Italy). To find out whether the taxonomic structure of the selected’ local’ species assemblages was significantly different from random, we used a Monte Carlo simulation in which for each local species assemblage, the actual taxonomic diversity was compared to the taxonomic diversity of 1000 virtual species lists of the same size extracted at random from a larger ‘regional’ species pool. Results: We found that in most cases the local species assemblages have a higher degree of taxonomic similarity than would be expected by chance showing a phenomenon of ‘species condensation’ in a small number of higher‐level taxa. Conclusions: Our observations support the species pool hypothesis and imply that environmental filtering is an important mechanism in shaping the taxonomic structure of species assemblages. Therefore, the incorporation of taxonomic diversity into landscape and community ecology may be beneficial for a better understanding of the processes that regulate species coexistence.     

What is Meant by “95% of Species”? An Argument for the Inclusion of Rapid Tolerance Testing

It is increasingly common for water quality guidelines and risk assessments to consider the proportion of species at risk from a particular toxicant, based on the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) for that toxicant. There is a premise that the sensitivity data from species included in the SSD are sufficient to predict the effect on species for which there are no data. We discuss and review assumptions that follow this premise and find that for most toxicant SSDs include too few species, and that component species are biased toward particular taxonomic groups, common species and species from North America and western Europe. Consequently, protecting a given percentage, for example, 95%, of species in an SSD will likely protect more or less than 95% of species in nature, by an unknown amount. For the assumptions of SSDs to be better met, there is a need for tolerance data on more species, from more taxonomic and other groups, including rare species and those from widespread localities. In order to achieve this, we argue for the inclusion of rapid tests, which we define as toxicity tests designed to require less effort to conduct, relative to traditional tests, so sensitivity can be quickly and approximately determine in many species. Their use will allow for more species, more representative of natural communities, to be tested and therefore allow the construction of less biased SSDs and thus more accurate guidelines and assessments of risk.     

Aeolid opisthobranch molluscs (Glaucidae) from the Indian Ocean and the south-west Pacific

Eight aeolid opisthobranch molluscs of the subfamilies Facelininae, Favorininae, and Herviellinae are reported from Tanzanian waters, and two species from Northwestern India. New records from Queensland, Australia greatly extend the range of two species reported from Tanzania. Phidiana militaris (Alder & Hancock) and P. indica (Bergh) are shown to be distinct and a species from New Zealand, originally identified as P. militaris , is shown to be new. P. bourailli (Risbec), previously reported only from New Caledonia, is described from Tanzania, as is a new species of Phidiana. Favorinus japonicus Baba is reported from Tanzania, the first published record outside Japan, a new species of Godiva is described from Tanzania and Queensland, and three new species of Sakuraeolis are described, one from India and two from Tanzania. A new species of Herviella is described from Tanzania.     

假丝酵母一新种——北京假丝酵母

本文研究了一株从水果表皮分离到的假丝酵母,它与至今已发表的所有已知假丝酵母均不相同,定名为北京假丝酵母(Candida beijingensis)。     

Assisted colonization as a climate change adaptation tool

Assisted colonization is a form of conservation translocation which introduces species at risk from extinction to new habitats, beyond their current range, in anticipation of more suitable conditions. Identifying which species, communities and ecosystems may benefit most from assisted colonization in coming decades is a key goal for conservation. Climate change is expected to lead to the loss or movement of suitable habitat for a range of species and anticipating which can be effectively conserved through assisted colonization is critical. Here, we identify a series of scenarios that may predispose terrestrial species to the need for assisted colonization in order to reduce extinction risk resulting from anthropogenic climate change and assemble a list of traits commonly associated with at‐risk species. These traits may help to provide broad‐scale guidance on how to select species to target for assisted colonization as a conservation management response to climate change. We also identify six key themes associated with successful conservation translocations including recipient site selection and preparation, a clear understanding of species biology and ecology, and taking lessons from invasive species research.     

Planthoppers of Delaware (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea), excluding Delphacidae, with species Incidence from adjacent States

The number of species of planthoppers (excluding Delphacidae) known from Delaware is updated from 7 (in 4 families) to 62 species (in 9 families). Specimen abundance is tallied by county and seasonally by two week intervals. The Chao1 abundance estimator suggests that the true fauna may be 74 species, although species incidence tallied from adjacent states (MD, NJ, PA and DC) suggests that a total fauna of approximately 100 species may be possible. An artificial key is presented to genus and select species with photos of most included taxa.     

中国果实蝇属一新记录种及云南镞果实蝇亚属记述

Nine species in the subgenus Zeugodacus Hendel were known to occur in Yunnan. We add seven more species to the fauna of Yunnan. Among them, one species, Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) vultus Hardy, 1973, is reported from China for the first time. This species is redescribed in detail and its male genitalia are illustrated and described for the first time. A key to the species of the subgenus Zeugodacus from Yunnan is provided.     

New records and new synonyms of antlions (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae) from China

The antlions from the subfamilies Nemoleontinae and Myrmecaelurinae deposited in the Entomological Museum of the China Agricultural University (CAU) belong to 16 species, among which 11 are recorded for China for the first time. Four species with mostly Oriental distribution are recorded for the first time from the northern localities in Palaearctic China. The Dzungarian faunistic center of antlions with two species recently described from Turan is distinguished. Some species characteristic of Mongolia were found in adjacent China. Occurrence in China of three species, collected by Russian expeditions 100 years ago, is confirmed. Five species described by Yang from China have been synonymized with widely distributed species.     

Helminths in Mesaspis monticola (Squamata: Anguidae) from Costa Rica, with the description of a new species of Entomelas (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) and a new species of Skrjabinodon (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae)

Entomelas duellmani n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabdiasidae) from the lungs and Skrjabinodon cortagoensis n. sp. (Oxyurida: Pharyngodonidae) from the intestines of Mesaspis monticola (Sauria: Anguidae) are described and illustrated. E. duellmani is the sixth species assigned to the genus and is the third species described from the Western Hemisphere. It is easily separated from other neotropical species in the genus by pre-equatorial position of its vulva. Skrjabinodon cartagoensis is the 24th species assigned to the genus and differs from other neotropical species in the genus by female tail morphology.     

Individual odour similarities across species parallel phylogenetic relationships in the S. ehrenbergi superspecies of mole-rats

Research using habituation techniques has shown that rodents from the same kin group, population, or species share similarities in their individual odours that covary with shared genetic similarities between them, that is, the closer their genetic relatedness, the more similar their odours. We assessed similarities in individual odours across four sibling species of subterranean mole-rats from the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel. Mole-rats were habituated to the urine odour of a same-sex individual from one species then tested with urine odours of individuals from two different species of the superspecies. Subjects treated urine odours of individuals from more closely genetically related species as similar compared with the odours of individuals from a less closely related species, showing that the covariance between odours and genes extends across species. These similarities in odour also paralleled genetic similarities determined by molecular analysis: odours of descendent species were perceived as similar to those of their closest ancestral species, suggesting that some qualities of the odour of the ancestral species persist in the descendent species. It is generally assumed that during speciation incipient species develop species-specific markers, including, for example, odour markers, to facilitate discrimination of conspecifics from close ancestral heterospecifics. Our findings indicate that similarities in odours across species are more salient than species-specific odour markers. Such findings may also have important implications for mechanisms of species recognition. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.     

Description and phylogenetic relationships of Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae) from a shrew Suncus varilla minor in Malawi

Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. is described based on specimens obtained from a lesser dwarf shrew Suncus varilla minor collected in the Nyika National Park, Malawi. The new species is one of the smallest hymenolepidids known from African shrews and is morphologically closest to two other miniature hymenolepidids from African shrews, Staphylocystis loossi and S. khalili. The new species differs from both of them by a much smaller strobila size and fewer proglottids. The rostellar hooks in the new species are more numerous and smaller in size than in S. loossi. The rostellar hooks in R. gnoskei n. sp. are almost three times shorter than hooks in S. khalili. The hook shape in both S. loossi and S. khalili is substantially different from that in the new species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that the new species is close to Rodentolepis fraterna, a parasite of rodents. The new species clearly differs from R. fraterna by the much shorter strobila, larger hooks, relatively longer cirrus sac, rate of proglottid development, the number of eggs per proglottid and parasitism in shrews. Although the new species fits the current diagnosis of Rodentolepis, its generic allocation is provisional and will likely be revised in the future because the type species of Rodentolepis, R. straminea, belongs to a different well supported clade. Thus, a new genus needs to be established for the lineage that includes R. fraterna and R. gnoskei n. sp. However, this systematic rearrangement is not recommended until Staphylocystis pistillum, the type species of Staphylocystis, is included in future phylogenetic analyses. Rodentolepis gnoskei n. sp. is the first tapeworm species reported from shrews in Malawi and the first species of cestode reported from S. varilla minor and any member of Suncus in Africa.     

Are species lists derived from modeled species range maps appropriate for macroecological studies? A case study on data from BIEN

Because survey-based species lists for fine-scale areas are generally lacking, ecologists have been using species lists derived from modeled range maps in macroecological studies. Here I evaluate whether it is appropriate to use species lists derived from modeled range maps in macroecological studies. I compared species lists derived from about 90,000 range maps in the Botanical Information and Ecology Network (BIEN) for over 180 geographic regions (12 broad regions covering the whole of the New World; 172 smaller regions, i.e. Taxonomic Databases Working Group units) with those representing complete or nearly complete species lists obtained from the literature for the regions. I determined the completeness of native species composition and proportion of false presences and exotic (non-native) species in species lists derived from range maps in BIEN. I determined whether errors in species lists derived from modeled range maps affect macroecological inferences by comparing the relationships of α- and β-diversity with geographic and climatic variables between different datasets (i.e. species lists derived from range maps versus complete or nearly complete species lists derived from the literature). The completeness for native species lists derived from range maps was 60–74%, depending on spatial scale. On average, 65% of the species in a species list derived from BIEN for a geographic area are false presences or non-native species to the area. The relationships of α- and β-diversity derived from the BIEN dataset with geographic and climatic variables differ significantly from those derived from complete species lists. This study shows that the results of a macroecological study based on species lists derived from modeled range maps may be substantially incorrect due to high percentages of missing native species, and high numbers of non-native species and false presences. Thus, it may not be appropriate to use species lists derived from modeled range maps in the macroecological studies that require complete or nearly complete species lists.     

Basic features of the nemoral curculionid-beetle fauna (Coleoptera,Curculionoidea) from eastern Europe and western Siberia

There are 132 curculionids associated with deciduous trees in eastern Europe and western Siberia. The weevils and bark beetles make up the basis of the fauna, forming almost 80%. The fauna of oak is the richest (64 species). The species composition on the ash-tree (50% are monophages) is highly original. Impoverishment of the species composition from the west to the east is revealed. The fauna declines by 18% from 45 to 55° E. The species composition reduces two times beyond the Urals. The faunal boundaries are revealed from west to east and from east to west. The most significant boundary (47% of the fauna do not pass it) for distribution of species to the east is situated between 40 and 45° E. Two significant faunal boundaries are revealed from south to north. The fauna of curculionids of deciduous trees is formed by four groups of species. The southern European species (54%) and western palaearctic species (40%) dominate. The species composition of the studied territory is similar to the fauna of Middle Europe. Formation of the modern fauna of curculionids of deciduous trees in eastern Europe probably occurred in the Holocene. The western Palaearctic and Transpalaearctic species could have occupied the considered territory since the Late Pleistocene. Southern European species appeared in the considered territory after the Valdai glaciation during the warming in the Atlantic period of the Holocene. Penetration of East Palaearctic species began rather recently (last few decades), probably due to climate warming and economic activities.