The distribution of purse-web Atypus spiders (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) in central Europe is constrained by microclimatic continentality and soil compactness

Aim  Three species of primitive spiders of the genus Atypus occur in European xerothermic habitats, where they live in burrows. The aim of this study is to explain their distribution by investigating environmental variables at sites where they occur in central Europe.
Location  Over 50 sites in central Europe, Czech Republic.
Methods  Data on climatic, edaphic and vegetational parameters were collected from more than 50 sites. Phytocenological data were processed using Ellenberg's indicator values.
Results  Atypus muralis was found to occur almost exclusively in dry grassland (Festucion valesiacae), exposed to a continental microclimate. Atypus affinis usually occurred in dry sparse forests (Genisto germanicae–Quercion) that provide an Atlantic microclimate. Atypus piceus occurred in dry grassland (Bromion erecti) or forest fringes (Geranion sanguinei) characterized by an intermediate microclimate. Atypus piceus and A. muralis were restricted to agglutinate calcareous soils.
Main conclusions  Our results show that Atypus species colonized sites with different continentality in central Europe. These differences correspond to differences among their probable glacial refugia. Atypus muralis and A. piceus occur in habitats with a markedly continental climate, and are restricted to calcareous agglutinate soils that more efficiently buffer temperature and humidity extremes. Habitats of A. muralis and A. piceus are threatened by overgrowth of vegetation after a recent decline in grazing and by the decalcification of the landscape. However, habitats of A. affinis are stable in the present central European climate.     

Two Trichosporon species isolated from Central-European mygalomorph spiders (Araneae: Mygalomorphae)

Trichosporon (Dikarya: Basidiomycota) is a genus of anamorphic yeasts typically associated with soil and water, although many species are causative agents of diseases in animals and man. Here we provide the first compelling evidence that spiders can be occasionally colonized by at least two Trichosporon species. Trichosporon dulcitum (Berkhout) Weijman 1979 was isolated from the exoskeleton of purse-web spider Atypus piceus, while Trichosporon porosum (Stautz) Middelhoven, Scorzetti & Fell 2001 was isolated from the exoskeleton of purse-web spider Atypus affinis. Both of the species were identified based on DNA sequence analysis of the host specimens displaying macroscopic signs of the superficial white mycosis on their exoskeleton. Only two specimens with macroscopic signs of superficial yeast growth were identified among the 125 individuals of A. affinis, A. piceus and Atypus muralis examined that were collected at various sites throughout the Czech Republic. The consistent burrow microclimate, uninterrupted occupancy of the single burrow for several subsequent years, and presence of prey remnants in the burrow below the purse-web may play a role in the course of infection of the mygalomorphs examined. The phylogenetic relationships of Trichosporon species are analyzed, concluding that association with invertebrates clusters predominantly among four groups of closely related species in independent Trichosporon clades.     

Unusual karyotype diversity in the European spiders of the genus Atypus (Araneae: Atypidae)

Compared with araneomorph spiders, karyotypes of the spider infraorder Mygalomorphae are nearly unknown. In this study we investigated karyotypes of European species of the genus Atypus (Atypidae). The male karyotype of A. muralis and A. piceus comprises 41 chromosomes, whereas female complements contain 42 chromosomes. On the other hand, both sexes of A. affinis possess 14 chromosomes only. It is the lowest diploid number found in mygalomorph spiders so far. Furthermore, obtained data suggest X0 sex chromosome system in A. piceus, A. muralis and neo-XY system in A. affinis. Karyotypes of all three Atypus species are composed of biarmed chromosomes only. Thus they differ significantly from the karyotype of A. karschi, the only other species of this genus studied so far. Its karyotype was reported to be composed of acrocentric chromosomes and possesses X(1)X(2)0 sex chromosome system. All this shows that unlike in most genera of araneomorph spiders, mygalomorphs of the genus Atypus exhibit unusual diversity in the number, morphology of chromosomes, and the sex chromosome system. Considering high number of chromosomes being plesiomorphic character in spiders, then karyotypes of A. muralis and A. piceus represent ancestral situation and that of A. affinis being derived by multiple fusions. Karyotype differences in Atypus correspond with morphological differences, namely the number of segments of the posterior lateral spinnerets. Thus in contrast to published hypothesis, the 3-segmented posterior lateral spinnerets of A. affinis should present a derived state.     

Review of the New Caledonian species of Acritoptila Wells, 1982 (Trichoptera,Insecta), with descriptions of 3 new species

We review the New Caledonian representatives of the Australasian endemic hydroptiline genus Acritoptila, based on examination of a considerable collection of material in the Swedish Museum of Natural History and of types of previously established species. A key for identification of males is given and includes 3 species newly described here: A. parallela sp. n., A. forficata sp. n. and A. macrospina sp. n. For all New Caledonian species, male genitalia are illustrated, and for 5 associated females, distinctive features are illustrated and described.     

Review of the Chinese species of the genus Varma Distant (Hemiptera,Fulgoromorpha, Tropiduchidae), with description of two new species

Two new species of Varma Distant, 1906, V. falcata Chang & Chen, sp. n. (China: Guizhou) and V. lobata Chang & Chen, sp. n. (China: Guizhou) are described and illustrated. The female genitalia of four speices including two known species are described and illustrated for the first time. The diagnostic characters of this genus are redefined. A checklist to the species of Varma in China is given. The Keys on male and female genitalia to the Chinese species of Varma are provided.     

Review of dicrotendipes kieffer from china (Diptera, chironomidae)

The genus Dicrotendipes Kieffer from China, including 8 species, is reviewed. Two new species, Dicrotendipes nudussp. n. and Dicrotendipes saetanumerosussp. n. are described and the male imagines are illustrated; the record of Dicrotendipes fusconotatus (Kieffer) is the first for China. A key to the males of Dicrotendipes in China is given.     

Notes on the Nazeris fauna of Yunnan Province, China (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae)

Two new species of the genus Nazeris Fauvel collected from Nabanhe Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, are described under the names of Nazeris nabanhensissp. n. and Nazeris caoisp. n. The male sexual characters are described and illustrated. A key to the Nazeris species of Yunnan is provided. A map of the collecting sites is given.     

A revision of the genus Plesiopanurgus Cameron,with notes on some Arabian and African Panurginae (Hymenoptera:Apoidea)

The panurgine genus Plesiopanurgus is redescribed and illustrated, and its relationships are discussed. A second species is described from a unique male from E. Turkey. The generic placement of some Arabian Panurginae is considered, and the genera occurring in southern Africa are listed.     

隆脊飞虱属分类并记一新种(同翅目,蜡蝉总科,飞虱科)

记述采于中国海南省的飞虱科隆脊飞虱属一新种:海南隆脊飞虱Carinodelphax hainanensis sp.nov,并对该属的属征进行了修订,编制了目前已知2种的检索表,模式标本保存于西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆.     

A revision of the Encarsia longifasciata species group (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract.  The Encarsia longifasciata group is established and revised, and its relationship to other species groups of Encarsia is discussed with reference to biological, morphological and molecular evidence. Principal component analysis on all available specimens provided supporting evidence for the existence of five species, two of which are described herein as new: E. dewa Pedata & Polaszek, sp.n and E. prinslooi Pedata & Polaszek, sp.n. All species are either diagnosed or described, and illustrated, and information is given on their distribution and host range. Additional information on the biology and larval stages, and scanning electron micrographs of morphological details, are provided for E. arabica Hayat. A preliminary phylogenetic study using 28S D2 rDNA sequence data for E. arabica was inconclusive, but suggested possible affinities between the longifasciata and parvella species groups. An illustrated dichotomous key to all species of the E. longifasciata group is given.     

A new rheophytic species of Pavetta (Rubiaceae) from Assam,northeast India

A new species, Pavetta puffii, is described and illustrated from Assam, northeast India. The taxonomic relationships of the new species with the hitherto known species of genus Pavetta are examined and discussed.     

A revision of the Afrotropical taxa of the genus Amerila Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

This paper comprises a complete revision of the Afrotropical species of the genus Amerila ( Rhodogastria auct.), based on adult morphology. Examination of type material for most described taxa has resulted in numerous taxonomic changes. From a total of forty-seven previously described African taxa, thirty-five species including five newly described species and two new subspecies are recognized. For ten taxa, lectotypes have been selected, and for one species a neotype had to be designated. For each species, in addition to synonymy, a brief diagnosis based on external characters and genitalia is given, and the known distribution summarized. All species are illustrated by photographs and illustrations of male genitalia (except A.rufifemur , the male of which is unknown), and a key for determination of males by external characters is provided.     

A new species of Acantholimon Boiss. sect Staticopsis (Plumbaginaceae) from North Anatolia, Turkey

A new species, Acantholimon yildizelicum (Plumbaginaceae) is described and illustrated. The species is found in Astragalus sp. and Festuca sp. steppe in Çamlibel Mountain around Yidizeli (B6 Sivas) in North Anatolia, Turkey. Diagnostic morphological characteristics from the closely related species are discussed and conservation statuses of the species is given. A revised key to Acantholimon species with scapes lacking or inflorescence borne at level of leaves and bracts pubescent is also given for the species found in Turkey.     

New Podonominae from Japan,Boreochlus longicoxalsetosus sp. n. (Diptera: Chironomidae) with a Key to Species of the Genus

During the survey of chiromonid midges from Kyushu, the authors found a new species of Podonominae (Chironomidae), Boreochlus longicoxalsetosus. The male imago of this new species is described and illustrated. This constitutes the third record of the subfamily Podonominae, and the second species of the genus from Japan. The new species has very long notable setae lying on the dorsomedial surface distal to the volsella, which are never seen in the other Boreochlus species. A key to species of the genus in the world is given.     

Bird versus bat pollination in the genus Marcgravia and the description of a new species

A short account on the history of observations into the pollination ecology in Marcgravia ( Marcgraviaceae ) is given. The different pollination syndromes encountered in the genus are discussed. The circumstances of the discovery of a new species in southern Ecuador are presented. This new species, Marcgravia helverseniana , is described and is illustrated here for the first time.     

Male flowers of Halophila engelmanni: Description and flowering ecology

The male flowers of Halophila engelmanni Ascherson are described and illustrated from near the northern end of the species range. Flowering is discussed with emphasis on environmental factor influencing flower initiation.     

中国毛角隐翅虫属一新种(鞘翅目,隐翅虫科,毛角隐翅虫亚科)(英文)

记述了中国毛角隐翅虫属TrichophyaMannerheim1新种,片口毛角隐翅虫Trichophya piankousp.nov.;首次提供了细点毛角隐翅虫Trichophya teniusZheng的雄性特征。片口毛角隐翅虫,新种Trichophya piankousp.nov.(图1~7)新种与四川峨眉山和卧龙自然保护区的细点毛角隐翅虫Trichophya teniusZheng很相似,区别为:体较短,体色黑褐,前胸和鞘翅的细粒更明显,雄性外生殖器形状不同。正模♂,四川北川县片口自然保护区,2005-09-24,王翠翠采。副模:13♂♂,16♀♀,采集记录同正模。词源:种名出自模式产地(片口自然保护区)的中文名称,"片口"。细点毛角隐翅虫Trichophya tenuuisZheng,雄性(图8~13)本种的雄性与雌性相似,但前跗第1~4节中等膨大,第8腹板后缘宽深弓形凹缘,与之有别。检视标本:2♀♀(模式标本),四川峨眉山和汶川县卧龙自然保护区。2♂♂,四川峨眉山,1983-07-25~26,卢英采;2♂♂,1♀,四川汶川县卧龙自然保护区,王萍采。     

New species, new records and new morphological characters of the genus Tillicera Spinola from China (Coleoptera, Cleridae, Clerinae)

Two new species of the genus Tillicera Spinola, 1841 from China are described and illustrated: Tillicera sensibilissp. n. from Yunnan (also from Myanmar, Thailand and Laos) and Tillicera weniisp. n. from Taiwan. Tillicera bibalteata Gorham, 1892, Tillicera hirsuta (Pic, 1926) and Tillicera michaeli Gerstmeier & Bernhard, 2010 are newly recorded from China. Tillicera auratofasciata (Pic, 1927) is newly recorded in some provinces of China. A key to species of the genus from China is provided. Relationships between species are discussed with emphasis on characters of male phallus, female internal reproductive organs and pit-like sensilla in male terminal antennomere, which is discovered in Tillicera for the first time. The present generic definition of Tillicera is discussed as well. Photos of terminalia of the previously known species are also provided for comparison.     

中国斑摇蚊属一新种及二新记录种记述（双翅目：摇蚊科）

本文记录斑摇蚊属Stictochironomus 1新种：俊才斑摇蚊Stictochironomus juncaii,sp．nov．和2中国新记录种：多齿斑摇蚊S.multannulatus（Tokunaga）和皮可齿斑摇蚊Spictulus（Meigen）。编制了中国斑摇蚊属已知雄成虫的检索表。模式标本保存于南开大学生命科学学院。