Revision of the Ceratocapsine Renodaeus group: Marinonicoris,Pilophoropsis, Renodaeus,and Zanchisme,with descriptions of four new genera (Heteroptera,Miridae, Orthotylinae)

The Renodaeus group, a monophyletic assemblage of genera within the New World orthotyline tribe Ceratocapsini, comprising eight genera, including four new ones, is defined; and 48 species are treated, including 26 described as new and 12 transferred from Ceratocapsus Reuter as new combinations. Ceratocapsidea gen. n. is described to accommodate the new species Ceratocapsidea bahamaensis sp. n., from the Bahamas; Ceratocapsidea baranowskii sp. n., from Jamaica; Ceratocapsidea dominicanensis sp. n., from the Dominican Republic; Ceratocapsidea rileyi sp. n., from Texas; Ceratocapsidea taeniola sp. n., from Jamaica; Ceratocapsidea texensis sp. n., from Texas; Ceratocapsidea transversa sp. n., from Mexico (Neuvo León); and Ceratocapsidea variabilis sp. n., from Jamaica; and Ceratocapsus balli Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsus complicatus Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsidea consimilis Reuter, comb. n., Ceratocapsus fusiformis Van Duzee, comb. n. (as the type species of the genus), Ceratocapsus nigropiceus Reuter, comb. n., and Ceratocapsus rufistigmus Blatchley, comb. n. [and a neotype designated], Ceratocapsus clavicornis Knight, syn. n. and Ceratocapsus divaricatus Knight, syn. n. are treated as junior synonyms of Ceratocapsus fusiformis Van Duzee. The genus Marininocoris Carvalho and the only included species Marinonicoris myrmecoides Carvalho are redescribed. The genus Pilophoropsis Poppius is redescribed and revised, Renodaeus texanus Knight, comb. n. is transferred into it and the three new species Pilophoropsis bejeanae sp. n., from Sonora, Mexico; Pilophoropsis cunealis sp. n., from Oaxaca, Mexico; Pilophoropsis quercicola sp. n., from Arizona, USA, are described. Pilophoropsidea gen. n. is described to accommodate the 12 new species Pilophoropsidea brailovskyi sp. n., from Federal District, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea cuneata sp. n., from Chiapas, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea dimidiata sp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea fuscata sp. n., from Durango, Mexico and Arizona and New Mexico, USA; Pilophoropsidea keltoni sp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea maxima sp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea pueblaensis sp. n., from Puebla, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea schaffneri sp. n., from Neuvo León and San Luis Potosi, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea serrata sp. n., from Michoacan, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea touchetae sp. n., from Mexico (Puebla); Pilophoropsidea truncata sp. n., from Mexico (Guerrero); Pilophoropsidea tuberculata sp. n., from Mexico (Guerrero); and Ceratocapsus barberi Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsus camelus Knight, comb. n. (as the type species of the genus), and Ceratocapsus fascipennis Knight, comb. n. Pilophoropsita gen. n. is described to accommodate Pilophoropsidea schaffneri sp. n. from Costa Rica and Mexico (Jalisco, Nayarit, Oaxaca). The genus Renodaeus Distant is redescribed and the new species Renodaeus mimeticus sp. n. from Ecuador is described. The genus Zanchisme Kirkaldy is reviewed and the four known species are redescribed. Zanchismeopsidea gen. n. is described to accommodate Zanchismeopsidea diegoi sp. n. from Argentina (Santiago del Estero). Provided are habitus illustrations for certain adults (Pilophoropsidea camelus, Pilophoropsis brachyptera Poppius, Renodaeus mimeticus, and Zanchisme mexicanus Carvalho & Schaffner), male and female (when available) color digital images and figures of male genitalia of all species, electron photomicrographs of diagnostic characters for selected species, and keys to the genera and their included species. The taxa treated in this paper are arranged alphabetically by genus and species.     

Review of the millipede genus Eutrichodesmus Silvestri, 1910, in China,with descriptions of new cavernicolous species (Diplopoda,Polydesmida, Haplodesmidae)

The Eutrichodesmus fauna of mainland China, by far the largest genus in the Indo-Australian family Haplodesmidae, is reviewed and shown to encompass 23 species (of a total of 45), all keyed. The following nine new species, all presumed troglobites, are described: Eutrichodesmus triangularis sp. n., from Sichuan, Eutrichodesmus lipsae sp. n., from Guangxi, Eutrichodesmus tenuis sp. n., Eutrichodesmus trontelji sp. n., Eutrichodesmus latellai sp. n., Eutrichodesmus obliteratus sp. n. and Eutrichodesmus troglobius sp. n., all from Guizhou, Eutrichodesmus sketi sp. n., from Hunan, and Eutrichodesmus apicalis sp. n., from Hubei.     

Halechiniscidae (Heterotardigrada,Arthrotardigrada) of Oura Bay,Okinawajima, Ryukyu Islands,with descriptions of three new species

Marine tardigrades of the family Halechiniscidae (Heterotardigrada: Arthrotardigrada) are reported from Oura Bay, Okinawajima, one of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, including Dipodarctus sp., Florarctus wunai sp. n., Halechiniscus churakaagii sp. n., Halechiniscus yanakaagii sp. n. and Styraconyx sp. The attributes distinguishing Florarctus wunai sp. n. from its congeners is a combination of two characters, the smooth dorsal cuticle and two small projections of the caudal alae caestus. Halechiniscus churakaagii sp. n. is differentiated from its congeners by the combination of two characters, the robust cephalic cirrophores and the scapular processes with flat oval tips, while Halechiniscus yanakaagii sp. n. can be identified by the laterally protruded arched double processes with acute tips situated dorsally at the level of leg I. A list of marine tardigrades reported from the Ryukyu Islands is provided.     

A second species of Cheleion from Johor,Malaysia (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae,Stereomerini)

A new species of the genus Cheleion Vårdal & Forshage, 2010, Cheleion jendeki sp. n., from Johor, Malaysia is described, illustrated and compared with the type species of the genus, Cheleion malayanum Vårdal & Forshage, 2010. Photographs of the two species are presented. The adaptation to inquilinous lifestyle of Cheleion is compared with those in other beetle groups and briefly discussed.     

A taxonomic review on the species of Tetraserica Ahrens, 2004, of China (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Sericini)

A review on the Chinese species of Tetraserica Ahrens, 2004, is presented. The lectotype of Tetraserica tonkinensis (Moser, 1908), comb. n. is designated. Twenty-nine new Tetraserica species are described from China and adjacent regions: Tetraserica anhuaensis sp. n., Tetraserica changjiangensis sp. n., Tetraserica changshouensis sp. n., Tetraserica damaidiensis sp. n., Tetraserica daqingshanica sp. n., Tetraserica fikaceki sp. n., Tetraserica graciliforceps sp. n., Tetraserica jinghongensis sp. n., Tetraserica leishanica sp. n., Tetraserica liangheensis sp. n., Tetraserica linaoshanica sp. n., Tetraserica longipenis sp. n., Tetraserica longzhouensis sp. n., Tetraserica maoershanensis sp. n., Tetraserica mengeana sp. n., Tetraserica menglongensis sp. n., Tetraserica pingjiangensis sp. n., Tetraserica ruiliana sp. n., Tetraserica ruiliensis sp. n., Tetraserica sculptilis sp. n., Tetraserica shangsiensis sp. n., Tetraserica shunbiensis sp. n., Tetraserica sigulianshanica sp. n., Tetraserica tianchiensis sp. n., Tetraserica wandingensis sp. n., Tetraserica wangtongensis sp. n., Tetraserica xichouensis sp. n., Tetraserica yaoanica sp. n., Tetraserica yaoquensis sp. n. A key to the Chinese Tetraserica species is given, species distribution as well as the habitus and male genitalia of all species are illustrated.     

Rapid identification of Salmonella enterica serovars, Typhimurium, Choleraesuis, Infantis, Hadar, Enteritidis, Dublin and Gallinarum, by multiplex PCR

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica poses a threat to both human and animal health, with more than 2500 serovars having been reported to date. Salmonella serovars are identified by slide and tube agglutination tests using O and H antigen-specific anti-sera, although this procedure is both labor intensive and time consuming. Establishment of a method for rapid screening of the major Salmonella serovars is therefore required. We have established multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) assays for identification of seven serovars of Salmonella, i.e., Typhimurium, Choleraesuis, Infantis, Hadar, Enteritidis, Dublin and Gallinarum. Three serovar-specific genomic regions (SSGRs) of each serovar were selected using an approach in comparative genomics. The Salmonella-specific invA gene was used to confirm the genetic background of the organisms. The isolates tested were identified as a target serovar when the three selected SSGRs and invA were all positive for amplification. The specificity of each m-PCR assay was investigated using 118 serovars of Salmonella and 12 species of non-Salmonella strains. Although a small number of false-positive results were observed in the m-PCR assays used to identify Typhimurium, Choleraesuis, Enteritidis and Dublin for closely related serovars, false-negative results were not observed in any assays. These assays had sufficient specificity to identify the seven Salmonella serovars, and therefore, have the potential for use as rapid screening methods.     

Identification of Molecular Variants in Mitochondrial DNAs of Members of the Genera Beauveria, Verticillium, Paecilomyces, Tolypocladium, and Metarhizium

A set of five mitochondrial (mt) probes derived from a strain of Beauveria bassiana was used to evaluate the similarity of mtDNAs from 15 additional isolates of this fungus and five genera of other entomopathogenic fungi. The probes and genes encoded for (shown in parentheses) were pBbmtE2 (NADI, ATP6), pBbmtE3 (ATP6, small rRNA [srRNA]), pBbmtE4 (srRNA, CO3, NAD6), pBbSE1 (NAD6, tRNA^{Val, Ile, Ser, Trp, Pro}, large rRNA [lrRNA]), and pBbXS1 (lrRNA). The probes produced identical hybridization patterns in EcoRI-digested DNA from nearly all isolates of B. bassiana and Beauveria caledonica. Similar patterns were also observed with Beauveria densa. The isolates of B. caledonica and B. densa DNAs could be differentiated from each other and from B. bassiana on the basis of a HindIII digestion and probing with pBbmtE3. Probe pBbmtE2 produced either a 5.0-kb or a 4.1-kb band in all of the B. bassiana isolates. This observation was used to categorize the mtDNA of B. bassiana into two types, designated A and B. Hybridization of the five probes produced distinct banding patterns in Beauveria brongniartii, Tolypocladium cylindrosporum, Tolypocladium nivea, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii, and Paecilomyces farinosus. Hybridizations carried out with multiple probes simultaneously present produced unique patterns which characterized the B. bassiana group from all other fungi tested. These results are discussed in terms of how mtDNA polymorphisms in B. bassiana may relate to natural population structures, mt transmission in deuteromycetes, and the use of mtDNA polymorphisms in structural analysis of mtDNA.     

Three new species of Tasmaniosoma Verhoeff, 1936 (Diplopoda,Polydesmida, Dalodesmidae) from northeast Tasmania,Australia

The small-range millipedes Tasmaniosoma anubis sp. n., Tasmaniosoma interfluminum sp. n. and Tasmaniosoma nicolaus sp. n. are described, and the colour of live Tasmaniosoma barbatulum Mesibov, 2010 is documented.     

Occurrence,Diversity, and Host Association of Intestinal Campylobacter,Arcobacter, and Helicobacter in Reptiles

Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter species have been isolated from many vertebrate hosts, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Multiple studies have focused on the prevalence of these Epsilonproteobacteria genera in avian and mammalian species. However, little focus has been given to the presence within reptiles, and their potential zoonotic and pathogenic roles. In this study, occurrence, diversity, and host association of intestinal Epsilonproteobacteria were determined for a large variety of reptiles. From 2011 to 2013, 444 cloacal swabs and fecal samples originating from 417 predominantly captive-held reptiles were screened for Epsilonproteobacteria. Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter genus specific PCRs were performed directly on all samples. All samples were also cultured on selective media and screened for the presence of Epsilonproteobacteria. Using a tiered approach of AFLP, atpA, and 16S rRNA sequencing, 432 Epsilonproteobacteria isolates were characterized at the species level. Based on PCR, Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter were detected in 69.3% of the reptiles; 82.5% of the chelonians, 63.8% of the lizards, and 58.0% of the snakes were positive for one or more of these genera. Epsilonproteobacteria were isolated from 22.1% of the reptiles and were isolated most frequently from chelonians (37.0%), followed by lizards (19.6%) and snakes (3.0%). The most commonly isolated taxa were Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter skirrowii, reptile-associated Campylobacter fetus subsp. testudinum, and a putative novel Campylobacter taxon. Furthermore, a clade of seven related putative novel Helicobacter taxa was isolated from lizards and chelonians. This study shows that reptiles carry various intestinal Epsilonproteobacteria taxa, including several putative novel taxa.     

Annotated type catalogue of the Megaspiridae,Orthalicidae, and Simpulopsidae (Mollusca,Gastropoda, Orthalicoidea) in the Natural History Museum,London

The type status is described for 65 taxa of the Orthalicoidea, classified within the families Megaspiridae (14), Orthalicidae (30), and Simpulopsidae (20); one taxon is considered a nomen inquirendum. Lectotypes are designated for the following taxa: Helix brephoides d’Orbigny, 1835; Simpulopsis cumingi Pfeiffer, 1861; Bulimulus (Protoglyptus) dejectus Fulton, 1907; Bulimus iris Pfeiffer, 1853. The type status of Bulimus salteri Sowerby III, 1890, and Strophocheilus (Eurytus) subirroratus da Costa, 1898 is now changed to lectotype according Art. 74.6 ICZN. The taxa Bulimus loxostomus Pfeiffer, 1853, Bulimus marmatensis Pfeiffer, 1855, Bulimus meobambensis Pfeiffer, 1855, and Orthalicus powissianus var. niveus Preston 1909 are now figured for the first time. The following taxa are now considered junior subjective synonyms: Bulimus marmatensis Pfeiffer, 1855 = Helix (Cochlogena) citrinovitrea Moricand, 1836; Vermiculatus Breure, 1978 = Bocourtia Rochebrune, 1882. New combinations are: Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) Rochebrune, 1882; Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) aequatoria (Pfeiffer, 1853); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) anthisanensis (Pfeiffer, 1853); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) aquila (Reeve, 1848); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) badia (Sowerby I, 1835); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) bicolor (Sowerby I, 1835); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) caliginosa (Reeve, 1849); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) coagulata (Reeve, 1849); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) cotopaxiensis (Pfeiffer, 1853); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) filaris (Pfeiffer, 1853); Kara indentata (da Costa, 1901); Clathrorthalicus magnificus (Pfeiffer, 1848); Simpulopsis (Eudioptus) marmartensis (Pfeiffer, 1855); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) nucina (Reeve, 1850); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) ochracea (Morelet, 1863); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) peaki (Breure, 1978); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) petiti (Pfeiffer, 1846); Clathrorthalicus phoebus (Pfeiffer, 1863); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) polymorpha (d’Orbigny, 1835); Scholvienia porphyria (Pfeiffer, 1847); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) purpurata (Reeve, 1849); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) quechuarum Crawford, 1939; Quechua salteri (Sowerby III, 1890); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) subfasciata Pfeiffer, 1853; Clathrorthalicus victor (Pfeiffer, 1854). In an addedum a lectotype is being designated for Bulimulus (Drymaeus) interruptus var. pallidus Preston, 1909. An index is included to all taxa mentioned in this paper and the preceding ones in this series (Breure and Ablett 2011, 2012, 2014).     

Resolution of taxonomic problems in Australian Harpalini,Abacetini, Pterostichini,and Oodini (Coleoptera,Carabidae)

Taxonomic changes are made for several problematic Australian Carabidae in the tribes Harpalini, Abacetini, Pterostichini, and Oodini. Examination of types resulted in the synonymy of Veradia Castelnau, 1867 with Leconomerus Chaudoir, 1850; Nelidus Chaudoir, 1878, Feronista Moore, 1965, and Australomasoreus Baehr, 2007 with Cerabilia Castelnau, 1867; and newly combining Fouquetius variabilis Straneo, 1960 in the genus Pediomorphus Chaudoir, 1878; Australomasoreus monteithi Baehr, 2007 in the genus Cerabilia Castelnau, 1867; and Anatrichis lilliputana W.J. Macleay, 1888 in the genus Nanodiodes Bousquet, 1996. Cuneipectus Sloane, 1907 is placed in Pterostichini Bonelli, 1810, which is a senior synonym of Cuneipectini Sloane, 1907.     

Studies on Plagiochila in Asia,supplements to sections Abietinae,Annotinae, Ciliatae,Contiguae, Cucullatae,Poeltiae, Subtropicae and zonatae

Twenty-seven names are newly placed in synonymy, Plagiochila blepharophora (Nees) Lindenb. var. δ major Schiffn. (= P. sandei Dozy), P.boninensis Inoue (= P. fordiana Steph.), P. cadens Inoue (= P. sciophila Nees), P. cameronensis Inoue (= P. hampeana Gottsche), P. ceramica Inoue (= P. pulvinata Steph.), P. decidua Inoue & Grolle (= P. sciophila Nees), P. didyma Inoue (= P. parvifolia Lindenb.), P. euryphyllon Herzog (= P. sciophila Nees), P. flavovirens Steph. (= P. sciophila Nees), P. fraseri Steph. (= P. teysmannii Sande Lac), P. gedeana Schiffn. (= P. hampeana Gottsche), P. kaernbachii Steph. (= P. sandei Dozy), P. lagunensis Inoue (= P. junghuhniana Sande Lac), P. massalongoana Sande Lac. (= P. junghuhniana Sande Lac), P. minor Horik. (= P. fordiana Steph.), P. nilgherriensis Steph. (= P. semidecurrens (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Lindenb.), P. nubila Steph. (= P. sandei Dozy), P. nymanii Steph. (= P. sandei Dozy), P. orientalis Taylor (= P. sciophila Nees), P. seemannii Mitt. (= P. sandei Dozy), P. sepikensis Inoue (= P. inflata Steph.), P. spinosissima Steph. (= P. semidecurrens (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Lindenb.), P. subplanata Inoue (= P. sciophila Nees), P. trabeculata var. bifida S. Hatt. (= P. fordiana Steph.), P. trochantha Steph. (= P. sciophila Nees), P. tsutomui Inoue (= P. ungarangana Sande Lac), and P. wichurae Steph. (= P. renitens (Nees) Lindenb). Lectotypes are designated for P. junghuhniana, P. semidecurrens, and P. ungarangana. Plagiochila inflata Steph. is reinstated as a species of sect. Annotinae Carl.     

Review of subtribe Singilina Jeannel, 1949, of the Middle East and Central Asia (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini)

Species of the genus Singilis Rambur, 1837 (Phloeozeteus Peyron, 1856, syn. n., Agatus Motschulsky, 1845, syn. n.), occurring in the Middle East and Central Asia are reviewed, with 24 species now recognized in the region, including ten species described as new: Singilis makarovi sp. n. (Tajikistan), Singilis jedlickai sp. n. (Afghanistan), Singilis kolesnichenkoi sp. n. (Iran), Singilis kabakovi sp. n. (Afghanistan, Iran), Singilis timuri sp. n. (Uzbekistan), Singilis klimenkoi sp. n. (Iran), Singilis saeedi sp. n. (Iran), Singilis felixi sp. n. (UAE), Singilis kryzhanovskii sp. n. (Iran, Turkmenistan), and Singilis timidus sp. n. (Iran); Singilis libani (Sahlberg, 1913) is recognized as a valid species; and Singilis solskyi nom. n. is proposed as a replacement name for Agatus bicolor (Solsky, 1874, not Rambur 1837), now placed in Singilis as junior homonym. New synonymies include: Singilis cingulatus (Gebler, 1843) = Singilis jakeschi Jedlička, 1967, syn. n.; Singilis mesopotamicus Pic, 1901 = Singilis apicalis Jedlička, 1956, syn. n. A key to species is provided. Habitus and aedeagal illustrations are provided for all species. Distributional data include many new country records.     

Revision of the genus Heteranassa Smith, 1899 (Lepidoptera,Erebidae, Omopterini)

Heteranassa Smith (Erebidae, Omopterini), native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, includes two recognized species, namely Heteranassa mima (Harvey) and Heteranassa fraterna Smith. These are separated mainly by subtle differences in wing color and pattern, leading to speculation about the validity of the described species. This study examines variation in external and internal morphology across the geographic range of the genus, aiming to clarify species limits, describe morphology, and provide a comprehensive assessment of variation within the genus. Results indicate that Heteranassa fraterna syn. n., is a junior synonym of Heteranassa mima.     

Restriction Maps of Five Autographa californica MNPV Variants, Trichoplusia ni MNPV, and Galleria mellonella MNPV DNAs with Endonucleases SmaI, KpnI, BamHI, SacI, XhoI, and EcoRI

The restriction sites of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) E2 DNA were mapped for the endonucleases SmaI, KpnI, BamHI, SacI, XhoI, and EcoRI. The restriction maps of four other AcMNPV variants, Trichoplusia ni (TnMNPV), and Galleria mellonella (GmMNPV) genomes were determined and compared to the endonuclease cleavage maps of AcMNPV E2 DNA. The viral structural polypeptides of AcMNPV variants S3, E2, S1, M3, and R9 were the same when analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The major structural polypeptides of GmMNPV and TnMNPV had the same pattern in polyacrylamide gels as did AcMNPV structural polypeptides. GmMNPV and TnMNPV had several minor structural protein differences as compared with AcMNPV. AcMNPV variants, TnMNPV, and GmMNPV were distinct but with very similar genomes and protein structures.     

Trypanoside,anti-tuberculosis,leishmanicidal, and cytotoxic activities of tetrahydrobenzothienopyrimidines

The synthesis of 2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)hydrazone-derivatives (BTPs) and their in vitro evaluation against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Leishmania amazonensis axenic amastigotes, and six human cancer cell lines is described. The in vivo activity of the most active and least toxic compounds against T. cruzi and L. amazonensis was also studied. BTPs constitute a new family of drug leads with potential activity against infectious diseases. Due to their drug-like properties, this series of compounds can potentially serve as templates for future drug-optimization and drug-development efforts for use as therapeutic agents in developing countries.     

Checklist of the Braulidae,Camillidae, Diastatidae and Drosophilidae of Finland (Diptera,Ephydroidea)

A checklist of the Braulidae (1 species), Camillidae (3 spp.), Diastatidae (10 spp.) and Drosophilidae (67 spp.) of Finland is presented. Campichoetinae is included as a subfamily of Diastatidae.     

Checklist of the familes Chaoboridae,Dixidae, Thaumaleidae,Psychodidae and Ptychopteridae (Diptera) of Finland

A checklist of the families Chaoboridae, Dixidae, Thaumaleidae, Psychodidae and Ptychopteridae (Diptera) recorded from Finland is given. Four species, Dixella dyari Garret, 1924 (Dixidae), Threticus tridactilis (Kincaid, 1899), Panimerus albifacies (Tonnoir, 1919) and Panimerus przhiboroi Wagner, 2005 (Psychodidae) are reported for the first time from Finland.