From Asia to Europe: The first record of the blue tiger Tirumala limniace (Cramer, [1775]) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae) in the European continent

The introduction of species by human action is one of the main causes of rarefaction and extinctions of species. This fact is especially relevant in insular ecosystems. Here, we reported for the first time the arrival of Tirumala limniace (Cramer, [1775]) from the Asian to European continent. A single specimen was recorded in the Balearic Islands, which a large list of introductions around their history. Some reasons could explain the occurrence of this species into the islands, but the most likely are the cargo and nursery trade as well as the release of specimens for weddings and other social events as well as escaped from a private butterfly’s garden. This record highlights the importance of implementing early detection of introduced species in insular ecosystems.     

The species of Papilionidae and Pieridae (Lepidoptera) described by Cramer and Stoll and their putative type material in the Natural History Museum in London

A history is presented of specimens of Papilionidae and Pieridae in the Natural History Museum, London that are thought to include types of species described by Cramer and Stoll in ' De Uitlandsche Kapellen '. Background details on the publication and associated persons are also provided. The authenticity of the specimens is discussed together with a list of all the material available. Details of homonymy and synonymy are presented as discussed. Lectotypes are designated for Papilio alcmeone Cramer, 1777 , and Papilio antonoe Cramer, 1777 .  © 2005 The Natural History Museum, London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 145 , 283–337.     

Paleoecology,biostratigraphy and biogeography of late Silurian to early Devonian acritarchs and prasinophycean phycomata in well A161, Western Libya,North Africa

Diverse and well preserved acritarch and prasinophycean phycomata assemblages were recovered from the late Silurian to Lower Devonian strata of well A161 in western Libya, and four distinct acritarch biozones are recognized, based on the stratigraphic distribution of 156 species. The palynoflora is independently dated by means of chitinozoans, and allows discussion of the evolution of acritarchs and prasinophyte phycomata across the Ludlow–Přı́dolı́ boundary in relation to probable major climatic change, as well as in the early and middle Přı́dolı́, and the lower Lochkovian. Correlations are proposed with the British Isles, Baltica, and Algerian Sahara. Sedimentation occurred in shallow high-energy conditions throughout, but with periodic rise of sea level. The changes in marine to terrestrial palynomorph ratios through the section document the relationship between marine palynomorph assemblages and sea surface conditions in these marginal marine environments. The major drift of Gondwana towards low latitudes during the Ludlow–Přı́dolı́ transition seems to have been the driving force behind homogenization of assemblages on the two sides of the Rheic ocean, and explains the similarities between phytoplanktonic assemblages of the north Gondwanan margin and the South of Baltica. The data suggest that the Rheic ocean was almost closed by the late Silurian, and had become restricted to a moderately deep sea. In the Lochkovian the microflora are strongly facies-dependent and delineate more restricted provinces such as the Ibarmaghian domain in the sense of Plusquellec (1987) including the Maghreb and Ibero–Armorican areas.Nine new species are described: Arkonia nova, Arkonia paulumstriata, ?Cymatiosphaera florida, Cymatiosphaera nimia, Dactylofusa hispidusa, Disparifusa quasibernesgae, Evittia areolata, Multiplicisphaeridium verticisum, and ?Villosacapsula steemansii. In addition, three new combinations are suggested: Visbysphaera bonita (Cramer) comb. nov., Visbysphaera jardinei (Cramer) comb. nov. and Visbysphaera albanega (Cramer et al.) comb. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyblaea puera</Emphasis> (Cramer, 1777) [Lepidoptera : Hyblaeidae] Infestation on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avicennia alba</Emphasis> Blume in Sunderban Biosphere Reserve,West Bengal,India

A survey on lepidopteran pests of mangrove was conducted in different Islands of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve within the district of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India, over a period of 4 years (2012–2016). During the survey, a severe lepidopteran infestation was observed on the Avicennia alba Blume, which is one of the major mangrove species of Sunderbans. The life history of the lepidopteran species was studied in field as well as in laboratory conditions. The adults were identified as Hyblaea puera (Cramer, 1777) (Lepidoptera : Hyblaeidae) which is being reported for the first time from the Indian part of Sunderbans. The study revealed that the Hyblaea puera (Cramer, 1777) completed its life cycle in 21–25 days in both laboratory and field conditions. The biology and ecology of the said species and the nature of damage caused to the mangroves by these moths are discussed.     

A new Heraclides swallowtail (Lepidoptera,Papilionidae) from North America is recognized by the pattern on its neck

Heraclides rumiko Shiraiwa & Grishin, sp. n. is described from southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America (type locality: USA, Texas, Duval County). It is closely allied to Heraclides cresphontes (Cramer, 1777) and the two species are sympatric in central Texas. The new species is diagnosed by male genitalia and exhibits a nearly 3% difference from Heraclides cresphontes in the COI DNA barcode sequence of mitochondrial DNA. The two Heraclides species can usually be told apart by the shape and size of yellow spots on the neck, by the wing shape, and the details of wing patterns. “Western Giant Swallowtail” is proposed as the English name for Heraclides rumiko. To stabilize nomenclature, neotype for Papilio cresphontes Cramer, 1777, an eastern United States species, is designated from Brooklyn, New York, USA; and lectotype for Papilio thoas Linnaeus, 1771 is designated from Suriname. We sequenced DNA barcodes and ID tags of nearly 400 Papilionini specimens completing coverage of all Heraclides species. Comparative analyses of DNA barcodes, genitalia, and facies suggest that Heraclides oviedo (Gundlach, 1866), reinstated status, is a species-level taxon rather than a subspecies of Heraclides thoas (Linnaeus, 1771); and Heraclides pallas (G. Gray, [1853]), reinstated status, with its subspecies Heraclides Papilio bajaensis (J. Brown & Faulkner, 1992), comb. n., and Heraclides anchicayaensis Constantino, Le Crom & Salazar, 2002, stat. n., are not conspecific with Heraclides astyalus (Godart, 1819).     

The Identity of Specimens of the Anastrepha fraterculus Complex (Diptera, Tephritidae) with Atypical Aculeus Tip

Several specimens collected in Paraguay along with Anastrepha fraterculus (sensu lato) have an aculeus tip similar to species from the fraterculus complex, but the teeth of the aculeus of these specimens are poorly defined. As Anastrepha species identification is based mostly on subtle differences in the aculeus tip, we studied these specimens with atypical aculeus tips (with poorly defined teeth) that slightly differs from the aculeus tip of species of the fraterculus complex (with well-developed blunt teeth), to determine if this is due to intraspecific variation or if it can characterize a full species. The Paraguayan specimens were separated in six groups under stereomicroscope according to variation in their aculeus tip. Specimens within each group were studied by means of morphometrics (traditional and geometric) and gene sequence analysis (COI and ITS1). Morphometric analyses were significant, but no clear groups were formed by the discriminant analyses of the aculeus and wing, and the COI and ITS1 sequence analysis clustered specimens with all six aculeus variations. Therefore, the subtle morphological differences observed in the aculeus tip of Paraguayan specimens are intraspecific variations and the Paraguayan specimens were more genetically closely related to Anastrepha sp. 3 from the fraterculus complex.     

The identity of Tetracyclus constrictus (Bacillariophyceae) and a description of Tetracyclusbradburyii, a new miocene species

The siliceous valves from species of Tetracyclus (Bacillariophyceae) have variable but characteristic shapes. In this paper, species characterised by having valves with a central constriction are discussed. This distinctive shape occurs during only a period of its lifecycle. Tetracyclus constrictus and Tetracyclus celatom have been applied to fossil specimens occurring in deposits from the west coast of the USA and the east coast of Russia. Do these names apply to two closely related species or are they one and the same taxon? Two further species, Tetracyclus javanicus and Tetracyclus peragalli, have been involved in the identity of T. constrictus–T. celatom. T. constrictus M. Peragallo is the correct name and author for specimens of the extinct Miocene, circum-Pacific (or northern) fossil species with valves panduriform with rounded poles; T. javanicus refers to a species found living on Java only; fossil specimens usually referred to T. javanicus (Java) belong to a new taxon, Tetracyclus bradburyii (USA); T. peragalli is an extinct Miocene fossil, with a northern hemisphere distribution; small (≤10 μm) circular/elliptical fossil specimens, found alongside other specimens, are difficult (if not impossible) to determine to species level.     

Stratigraphic distribution of selected acritarchs in the Ordovician subsurface,Canning Basin,Western Australia

Palynological investigation of 80 core samples from four boreholes, drilled through the Lower to Middle Ordovician marine sections of the central-northeastern Canning Basin, northwestern Australia, reveals diverse acritarch associations including a number of stratigraphically significant species. The stratigraphic succession studied, embracing the Willara Formation and conformably overlying Goldwyer Formation, has been independently dated as early Arenig to Llanvirn by conodont faunas (Oepikodus communis through Phragmodus-Plectodina zonal interval). Nine morphologically distinctive acritarch species have relatively narrow vertical ranges within the study interval and likely constitute serviceable palynostratigraphic indices for the Ordovician in and possibly beyond the Western Australian study area. Three new species, Comasphaeridium setaricum, Polyancistrodorus kunzeanensis, and Stelomorpha calix, are established; and one new combination, Baltisphaeridium variocavatum (Playford and Martin, 1984), is proposed. Other stratigraphically significant species include Petaloferidium comptum Playford and Martin, 1984 and Peteinosphaeridium sp. cf. P. exornatum Tongiorgi et al., 1995; together with Dorsennidium symmetricum (Lu, 1987) Sarjeant and Stancliffe, 1994, Peteinosphaeridium coronula Yin et al., 1998, and Striatotheca rarirrugulata (Cramer et al., 1974) Eisenack et al., 1976, which are found for the first time in Australia. The vertical distribution, and hence the stratigraphic utility, of each of the above species is documented through the studied sections.     

Amended identification of Oxydia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) on Brazilian peppertree

A colony of moths recently studied and published for control of Schinus terebinthifolia is found not to be Oxydia vesulia (Cramer) but instead a possibly undescribed species. Three species were originally collected. The unknown species is diagnosed by morphology and COI and compared to congeners.     

Is Neoseiulus wearnei the Neoseiulus californicus of Australia?

Species of the family Phytoseiidae are known as predatory mites, some of them being used in crops to control mite pests, all around the world. Neoseiulus (=Cydnodromus) californicus is among the most commonly used Phytoseiidae species in biological control programs, especially in vineyards, orchards and vegetable fields. This species is distributed world-wide but has never been reported from Australia. On the other hand, specimens morphologically close to N. californicus have been assigned to a species called Neoseiulus wearnei, only reported from Australia. Investigations based on morphological and molecular comparisons were carried out to investigate whether these two taxa are conspecific. Morphological analyses showed no significant difference between specimens identified as N. wearnei and N. californicus. Similarly, genetic distances between these taxa were null, showing that all these specimens belong to the same species. Although it is not yet possible to conclude that all the specimens identified as N. wearnei are N. californicus, we can conclude that N. californicus is present in Australia. The information about the biology of N. californicus can thus now be applied to the Australian population of this species for biological control purposes.     

Acacia gum exudates from species of the series gummiferae

An analytical study of the gum exudates from the African species Acacia ehrenbergiana (three specimens), A.xanthophloea (two specimens), A.hockii and A.sieberana var.villosa, and of the Australian species A.calcigera, has been made. There are now 19 species within the series Gummiferae Benth. for which gum parameters are available; of these, only A. ehrenbergiana gum displays a slightly negative optical rotation. The data for the three gum specimens from A. ehrenbergiana give a further example of the extent to which the gum from different trees of one particular species can vary in composition. The data for A.sieberana var. villosa gum are compared with the values established previously for subsp. sieberana; the differences between varieties of one species are similar in extent to those established for some subspecies. Although A. xanthophloea, A. hockii, A. ehrenbergiana, A. seyal and A. karroo are regarded as being very closely related botanically, the values for some of their analytical parameters differ considerably and strongly support the view that it is correct to retain them as distinct species.     

On the spines of the Stethacanthidae (Chondrichthyes), with a description of a new genus from the Mississippian Bear Gulch limestone

Several specimens of an elasmobranch from the upper Mississippian Bear Gulch limestone of Montana are described. The first dorsal spine and fin closely resemble Stethacanthus erectus and to a lesser extent Stethacanthus altonensis. The new genus and species Orestiacanthus fergusi is proposed for the specimens, and it is suggested that recent attempts to synonymize the species of Stethacanthus on the basis of spines are unjustified. The specimens also share the enlarged cranial denticles, general form of the palatoquadrate, cladodont teeth and pectoral fin with S. altonensis. They differ from S. altonensis in proportions of jaws, numbers of tooth families, numbers of prearticular basals and axial radials, morphology of the second dorsal fin, and in the presence of generalized squamation in some specimens (but not the female). The pelvic fins differ greatly in having a prominent metapterygium.     

Three molecular markers suggest different relationships among three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drepanocladus</Emphasis> species (Bryophyta: Amblystegiaceae)

Relationships among numerous specimens of Drepanocladus angustifolius (35 specimens), Drepanocladus lycopodioides (71 specimens), and Drepanocladus turgescens (102 specimens) are analysed based on the nuclear internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS) and a portion of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd), and the plastid rpl16 G2 intron. Molecular data suggest that neither species is monophyletic as well as significant incongruence among molecular markers. No statistical support for recombination (ITS, gpd) was found. For some D. lycopodioides and D. turgescens specimens, the molecular information even suggests that they belong to the wrong one of these two species. All such specimens were collected in south Swedish areas where the two species are frequently found growing together and where sporophytes are often common. The occurrence of all such specimens only in these geographical areas is statistically unlikely and suggests that hybridisation occasionally occurs here. While molecular information suggests that the species are not monophyletic, geographical signals could be found for both D. angustifolius and D. turgescens.     

Foliar cuticular alkanes of Camarea (Malpighiaceae) and their taxonomic significance

Camarea is a South-American endemic genus comprising eight species. In the present work n-alkanes from foliar cuticular waxes of 23 specimens, representing seven species of Camarea were analyzed, aiming at establishing interspecific affinities and evaluating the usefulness of n-alkane distribution as species characteristic. The sampling included also specimens of Peixotoa reticulata and Janusia guaranitica (both Malpighiaceae). The results were used to obtain a phenogram indicating chemical affinities between species. The results are in agreement with morphological similarities among some Camarea species. Intraspecific variability was small, suggesting that n-alkane distribution may be useful for species characterization and establishment of links among Camarea species. The results support the recognition of Camarea triphylla as a synonym of Camarea axillaris and are not coherent with a hybrid condition of a population exhibiting morphological characteristics combining Camarea affinis and Camarea hirsuta, suggesting instead that the individuals analyzed belong either to Camarea hirsuta or a close species. Distribution of n-alkanes is inadequate to distinguish among Malpighiaceae genera: P. reticulata has n-alkane distribution similar to several Camarea species.     

Discovery of an alien species of mayfly in South America (Ephemeroptera)

Despite its wide, almost worldwide distribution, the mayfly genus Cloeon Leach, 1815 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is restricted in the Western hemisphere to North America, where a single species is reported. In the Neotropics, except for some species wrongly attributed to the genus in the past, there are no records of Cloeon. Recently, however, specimens of true Cloeon were collected along the coast of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil. In order to verify the hypothesis that this species was recently introduced to Brazil, our aim was to identify the species based on morphological and molecular characters and to confirm the presence of true representatives of the genus in the Neotropics. Our results revealed that the specimens found in Brazil belong to the Afrotropical species C. smaeleni Lestage, 1924. The identity of the species, its distribution, along with its previous absence in regularly sampled sites, is a clear sign that the specimens of C. smaeleni found in Espírito Santo are introduced, well established, and that the colonization took place very recently.     

Species limits and phylogeography of Newportia (Scolopendromorpha) and implications for widespread morphospecies

The genus Newportia Gervais, 1847, includes some 60 nominal species distributed in the Caribbean islands and from Mexico to central South America. Modern keys to species and subspecies are available, greatly facilitating identification, but some species are based on few specimens and have incomplete documentation of taxonomically-informative characters. In order to explore genetic variability and evolutionary relationships within geographically-widespread morphospecies, specimens of Newportia (Newportia) stolli (Pocock, 1896) and Newportia (Newportia) divergens Chamberlin, 1922, two nominal species distinguished principally by differences in suture patterns on T1, were sequenced for mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes from populations in southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Brazil. Newportia (Newportia) stolli is paraphyletic with respect to Newportia (Newportia) divergens within a clade from Guatemala, Honduras, and Chiapas (Mexico), most trees being consistent with a single loss of a connection between the anterior transverse suture on T1, whereas specimens of “Newportia (Newportia) stolli” from Brazil are not closely allied to those from the Mesomerican type area. The widespread morphospecies Newportia (Newportia) monticola Pocock, 1890, was sequenced for the same loci from populations in Costa Rica, Colombia and Brazil, finding that specimens from these areas do not unite as a monophyletic group. Samples of Newportia (Newportia) oreina Chamberlin, 1915, from different regions of Mexico form geographic clusters that resolve as each other’s closest relatives. These results suggest that some widespread species of Newportia may be taxa of convenience more so than natural groupings. In several cases geographic proximity fits the phylogeny better than taxonomy, suggesting that non-monophyletic species do not result from use of inappropriate molecular markers. Molecular identification is possible for specimens missing taxonomically informative morphological characters, notably damaged specimens that lack the ultimate leg pair, a protocol that may also apply to other taxonomically difficult genera that are prone to damage (such as Cryptops).