Serodiagnostic antibody responses to Psoroptes sp. infestations in bighorn sheep

The antibody responses of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) infected with Psoroptes sp. mites were investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay on western blots of P. cuniculi antigens. Serum from 20 Psoroptes sp.-infested bighorn sheep (O. canadensis mexicana, O. canadensis nelsoni, O. canadensis canadensis) from New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Idaho reacted strongly with mite antigens ranging from 12 to 34 kd. Serum from 35 Psoroptes sp.-free bighorn sheep of unknown tick infestation status and from three Psoroptes sp.-free bighorn sheep infested with Dermacentor hunteri ticks did not react with these antigens. Psoroptes sp.-specific antibody responses were present throughout a 16 mo period in one infected bighorn sheep, but were not detectable 8 mo following successful treatment. These results demonstrate that specific serodiagnosis of Psoroptes sp. infestation is feasible in bighorn sheep and suggest that antibody responses are indicative of current or recent infestation.     

Strigeoid trematodes of Malaysia with descriptions of a new genus and three new species.

Six species of strigeoid trematodes are reported from Malaysia. One new genus and 3 new species are described: Apatemon (Apatemon( jamesi sp. n (Strigeidae); cercaria Cotylurus sullivani sp. n. (Strigeidae); Neodiplostomum (Neodiplostomum) sp. (Diplostomatidae); Fibricola ramachandrani (Diplostomatidae); Pseudoscolopacitrema otteri gen. n. et sp. n. (Diplostomatidae); and cercaria Cyathocotyle malayi sp. n. (Cyathocotylidae). The life cycles of A. jamesi and C. malayi have also been investigated.     

A revision of the Oriental stonefly genus Phanoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae)

The genus Phanoperla (=Dyaperla Banks, 1939) (Plecoptera: Perlidae: Perlini) is revised and generic diagnoses are provided for adults and larvae. Diagnostic and constitutive characters of the tribe Neoperlini are discussed, and Chinoperla Zwick, 1980, is shown to be the closest relative of Phanoperla. Many past misidentifications of Phanoperla species have been corrected by the use of characters recently recognized as important, namely the structure of the internal genitalia of male and female specimens and particularly the complex pattern of spines on the male penial sac made visible by eversion of this structure, and details of sculpturing of the egg chorion.
The following species of Phanoperla are recognized: amorpha sp.n.; anomala (Banks, 1939); bakeri (Banks, 1924); ceylonica Kawai, 1975; comuta sp.n.; flaveola (Klapálek, 1921), comb.n. ( =clarissa (Banks, 1913), syn.n.), (=Neoperla hageni Banks, 1920, syn.n.), (= N.consimilis Banks, 1924, syn.n.); guttata sp.n.; himalayana Zwick, 1977 (= siwalika Harper, 1977); limosa (Hagen, 1858); maculata sp.n.; maindroni (Navas, 1926), comb.n.; malayana sp.n.; minutissima (Enderlein, 1909); nana sp.n.; nervosa Banks, 1939; nuwara Kawai, 1975; omega sp.n.; pallipennis (Banks, 1938); parva sp.n.; pumilio (Klapálek, 1921), comb.n.; peniculus Kawai, 1969a; schmidi sp.n.; sertispina Jewett, 1975; srilanka sp.n.; sumatrae sp.n.; testacea (Hagen, 1858); wedda sp.n. P.claggi (Banks, 1938) is a nomen nudum.
All species are (re-)described and figured; all primary types have been examined. A key to species is provided. Most species can be assigned to one of seven species groups which are defined.
Phanoperla is endemic to the Oriental Region. Species groups are generally widespread, but individual species are in most cases known only from restricted areas.     

New feather mites of the family Pterolichidae (Acari: Pterolichoidea) from parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) in Australia

Abstract Seven new feather mite species of the family Pterolichidae are described from various Australian parrots: Apexolichus lathami sp. n. from the swift parrot, Lathamus discolor (Shaw); Titanolichus platycerci sp. n. and Rhytidelasma punctata sp. n. from the pale-headed rosella, Platycercus adscitus (Latham); R. striata sp. n. from the Australian king-parrot, Alisterus scapularis (Lichtenstein); Lorilichus stenolobus sp. n. and Lorilichus curvilobus sp. n. from the rainbow lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus (Linnaeus); Psittophagus galahi sp. n. from the galah, Eolophus roseicapillus (Vieillot). We give a brief overview of taxonomic studies of pterolichid mites living on Psittaciformes, and discuss the main diagnostic characters of different generic groups of these mites.     

A world revision of Strobilomyia gen.n.: the anthomyiid seed pests of conifers (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Abstract. The world species of anthomyiid cone and seed pests are revised. A new genus, Strobilomyia gen.n., is erected for the eighteen species, including seven new to science, presently recognized. Author's views on homologies in the male and female terminalia of Anthomyiidae and other Diptera Cyclorrhapha are amplified as background for the terminology employed. The monophyly and systematic position of Strobilomyia are discussed with reassessions of related genera: Lasiomma Stein, Chirosia Rondani, Egle Robineau-Desvoidy and Acklandia Hennig. Zoogeographic aspects, especially vicariance across the Beringia, are analysed from a partial hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships among the species of Strobilomyia in conjunction with paleo-environmental data. New generic synonyms are: Macrophorbia Malloch, Crinurina Karl, Si-nohylemya Hsue (all =Lasiomma); Acrostilpna Ringdahl, Shakshainia Suwa, Meliniella Suwa (all =Chirosia). The species recognized in Strobilomyia (with geographic range and host trees in parentheses) are: anthracina (Czerny) (Palearctic, Picea); neanthracina sp.n. (Nearctic, Picea and ITsuga); appalachensis sp.n. (E. Nearctic); melania (Ackland) (Europe, Larix); sibirica sp.n. (N.E. Europe, Siberia, Larix); viaria (Huckett) (E. Palearctic, Nearctic, Larix); infrequens (Ackland) (Palearctic, Larix); luteoforceps (Fan & Fang) (E. Palearctic, Larix); baicalensis (Elberg) (E. Palearctic, Larix); laricicola (Karl) (Palearctic, Larix); laricis sp.n. (Nearctic, Larix); macalpinei sp.n. (W. Canada, Larix); carbonaria (Ringdahl) (C. Europe, E. Nearctic, Abies); svenssoni sp.n. (N. Europe, Mongolia); suwai sp.n. (Japan); todocola (Suwa) (Japan, Abies); abietis (Huckett) (Nearctic, Abies); and oriens (Suwa) (E. Palearctic, Abies).     

Free-living marine Rhabdocoela (Platyhelminthes) from the N. American Pacific coast. With remarks on species from other areas

From the N. American Pacific coast the following taxa are described: Coronopharynx pusillus Luther, Pogaina bicornk sp.n., P. paranygulgus sp.n. (Provorticidae); Brinkmanniella palmata sp.n., Tvaerminnea karlingi pucifica subsp.n. (Promesostomidae); Trigonostomum setigerum O. Schmidt, Messoplana pacifica sp.n., Ceratopera axi (Riedl), C. ehlersi sp.n., C. pilifera sp.n. (Trigonostomidae); Polycystis ali Schockaert, P. hamata sp.n. (Polycystididae). From other areas: Brinkmanniella palmata from the Skagerrak, Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea; Ceratopera axi from the Falkland Islands; Polycystis ali from Galapagos Islands; Ceratopera bermudensis sp.n. from Bermuda. Polycystis ali is considered to be a polytypic species with the forms 'Somali', 'California' and 'Galapagos'. Brinkmanniella augusti Marcus and B. falklandica Westblad are considered to be species incertae sedis. Problems in penetrating the world-wide marine turbellarian fauna are discussed.     

Revision of the 'nudidrosophila' and 'ateledrosophila' species groups of Hawaiian Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae), with descriptions of twenty-two new species

Abstract.  The 'nudidrosophila' and 'ateledrosophila' species groups, formerly described as genera, are a relatively small and understudied part of the enormous Hawaiian Drosophila radiation. Only nine species were described previously. Here we revise the two groups, provide a key to males and females, and describe fully all species. The 'ateledrosophila' group now contains three species, D. diamphidia Hardy, D. papala sp.n. , and D. preapicula Hardy. The 28 species of the 'nudidrosophila' group are separated into five subgroups: 'hirtitibia' ( D. hirtitibia Hardy, D. konaensis sp.n. , D. mawaena sp.n. , and D. papaalai sp.n. ); 'kahania' ( D. kahania sp.n. and D. longipalpus sp.n. ); 'nudidrosophila' ( D. aenicta Hardy, D. amita Hardy, D. canavalia sp.n. , D. eximia Hardy, D. gemmula Hardy, D. kualapa sp.n. , D. lepidobregma Hardy, D. mahui sp.n. , D. malele sp.n. , D. panoanoa sp.n. , and D. poonia sp.n. ); 'okala' ( D. akoko sp.n. , D. kuhao sp.n. , D. makawao sp.n. , D. okala sp.n. , and D. panina sp.n. ); and 'velata' ( D. halapepe sp.n. , D. kauaiensis sp.n. , D. lauoho sp.n. , D. milolii sp.n. , D. pohaka sp.n. , and D. velata Hardy).     

New Carboniferous brachiopod genera from Huai Bun Nak,North-east Thailand

Five new genera and species are described from brown silty mudstone near Huai Bun Nak, north-east Thailand. New taxa areProrugaria thailandica n. gen., n. sp. (Family Rugosochonetidae);Tuberculatella tubertella n.gen., n.sp. (Family Overtoniidae);Minispina alata n.gen., n.sp. (Family Marginiferidae);Aspinosella sinauris n.gen., n.sp. (Family Retariidae) andMucrospiriferinella undulosa n.gen., n.sp. (Family Xestotrematidae). The age is considered to be younger Carboniferous.     

Characterization of Pasteurella multocida associated with pneumonia in bighorn sheep

Pasteurella multocida is a highly diverse group of bacteria recognized as important pathogens. Although P. multocida is not ordinarily associated with disease in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis), numerous isolates were cultured in high numbers from free-ranging bighorn sheep in the Hells Canyon area of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon (USA) during the winter of 1995-96. Animals captured in Hells Canyon and held in captivity, and their offspring, also harbored P. multocida. Biochemical utilization tests on 90 isolates identified three subspecies: P. multocida multocida a (n = 54); P. multocida multocida b (n = 13); and P. multocida gallicida (n = 15); and a non-speciated biotype, U6 (n = 8). Genomic DNA digestion with restriction endonuclease Hha I separated the isolates into 62 unique restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles. Capsular type A was predominant (72% of isolates). Only one isolate type, which may have been transmitted from a feral goat, was capsular type D, possessed the structural gene, toxA, for dermonecrotoxin detected by polymerase chain reaction, and produced toxin as determined by monoclonal antibody immunoblot. In conclusion, bighorn sheep in this study carried diverse types of generally non-toxigenic P. multocida associated with epizootic pneumonia.     

On the Identity and Nomenclature of Paracanthonchus caecus (Bastian, 1865), with a Redefinition of the Genus Paracanthonchus Micoletzky (Nematoda, Cyatholaimidae)

A historical review of the systematics of Paracanthonchus caecus (Bastian, 1865) and a comparison of specimens from different localities show that this "species" in fact comprises four distinct species. Paracanthonchus caecus Micoletzky, 1924 nec P. caecus (Bastian, 1865) is designated as the valid type species of the genus Paracanthonchus. P. heterodontus (Schulz, 1932) and P. thaumasius (Schulz, 1932) are re-established. P. caecm sensu Gerlach 1965 is considered as a distinct species: P. gerlachi sp.n. P. canadensis sp.n. is described and is very close to P. caecus Micoletzky, 1924. The subspecies P. caecus opthalmophorus (Steiner, 1921), different from the typical caecus by the presence of ocelli, is considered as a different species; we therefore propose P.ophthalmophorus (Steiner, 1921) stat.n. The genus Paracanthonchus is redefined.     

New species of mites of the genus Ptilonyssus (Gamasina: Rhinonyssidae) isolated from Passeriformes (Aves: Passeriformes) from Russia and neighboring countries

Eight new species of the genus Ptilonyssus (Berl. et Troues.) (Gamasina: Rhinonyssidae) from nasal cavities of the passeriformes from territory of the former USSR are described: P. ammomani sp. n. from Ammomanus deserti (Alaudidae) collected in Turkmenistan; P. spini sp. n. from Spinus spinus (Fringillidae) of Kaliningrad district (Russia); P. ripariae sp. n. from Riparia riparia (Hirundinidae) and P. acanthopneustes sp. n. from Phylloscopus borealis (Sylviidae) collected in Tjumen district (Russia); P. pyrrhulinus sp. n. from Pyrrhula pyrrhula (Fringillidae) and P. anthi sp. n. from Anthus trivialis (Motacillidae) of Rjazan district; P. sylviicola sp. n. from Sylviae communis (Sylviidae) collected in Tatarstan; P. cyanosylviae sp. n. from Cyanosylvia svecica (Turdidae) collected from Novosibirsk district.     

Description of new species of the genus Ctenochira Förster, 1855 (hymenoptera,ichneumonidae: Tryphoninae) from the Eurasian Subarctic subzone and Siberia,with remarks on the Ichneumonid fauna of the Chukchi Peninsula

13 new species of Ctenochira (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Tryphoninae) from the Eurasian Subarctic subzone and Siberia are described: C. albosignata sp. n., C. anabar sp. n., C. epipleuralis sp. n., C. gracilicornis sp. n., C. hyperborea sp. n., C. kerzhneri sp. n., C. laticauda sp. n., C. minuta sp. n., C. nigronitens sp. n., C. pallistigma sp. n., C. tixi sp. n., C. trochanterata sp. n., and C. uzon sp. n. A key to the Subarctic and northern Siberian species is given. Quantitative occurrence of different ichneumonid subfamilies in the Subarctic subzone is considered based on analysis of 827 specimens of ichneumonids collected in yellow plates in the Chukchi Autonomous Area in July 2012. Idiobiont (polyphagous) subfamilies (36.5%): Cryptinae, 294 spms. (35.5%); Pimplinae, 8 (1%). Koinobiont parasitoids, 10 subfamilies (63.5%): parasitoids of Symphyta, 313 spms. (37.9%): Tryphoninae, 225 (27.2%); Adelognathinae, 14 (1.7%); Ctenopelmatinae, 59 (7.2%); Campopleginae (Olesicampe; Lathrostizus), 15 (1.8%); parasitoids of Diptera, 169 spms. (20.5%): Diplazontinae, 8 (1%); Orthocentrinae s. l., 161 (19.5%); parasitoids of Lepidoptera, 29 spms. (3.5%): Campopleginae (part), 18 (2.2%) (Campoletis; Hyposoter; Tranosema; Diadegma; etc.); Ichneumoninae, 2 (0.2%); Banchinae, 3 (0.4%) (Glypta; Lissonota); Metopiinae, 6 (0.7%) (Exochus); parasitoids of Coleoptera (0.3%): Tersilochinae, 3 spms. (Barycnemis); hyperparasitoids (1.3%): Mesochorinae, 11 spms.     

Taxonomic revision and molecular phylogeny of the fig wasp genus AnidarnesBouček, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Sycophaginae)

Besides the pollinators (Agaonidae), several chalcidoid lineages of nonpollinating fig wasps are strictly dependent on Ficus (Moraceae) for reproduction. Overall, nonpollinating fig wasps have not received much consideration. Reliable phylogenetic and taxonomic frameworks are lacking for most groups, which hampers progress in our understanding of the evolution and functioning of fig wasp communities. Here we focus on Anidarnes Bou?ek (Sycophaginae), a member of the Neotropical fig wasp community. We present a detailed morphological analysis as well as the first molecular phylogeny of the genus inferred from two nuclear and two mitochondrial genes (Cytb, COI, EF‐1α and 28S rRNA, 3937 bp). Twelve species are recognised, illustrated and a key to their identification is provided. Of those, only three were previously described and are redescribed here: A. bicolor (Ashmead); A. globiceps (Mayr) and A. brevicauda Bou?ek. In addition, nine new species are described: Anidarnes brevior sp.n . Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. dissidens sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil); A. gracilis sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. isophlebiae sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. jimeneziae sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Costa Rica); A. longiscutellum sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil); A. martinae sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (U.S.A., Florida); A. nigrus sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Colombia) and A. rugosus sp.n. Farache & Rasplus (Brazil). Finally, phylogenetic relationships inferred using parsimony, bayesian and maximum likelihood methods are discussed in the light of our morphological observations and the host fig tree taxonomy.     

A new citrus-feeding psyllid from the Comoro Islands, with a review of the Diaphorina amoena species group (Homoptera)

ABSTRACT. Analysis of host plant data for the seventy-one species of Diaphorina shows the genus to be unusually polyphagous, the species developing on eighteen families of dicotyledonous angiosperms. Apart from the common Asian citrus pest, Diaphorina citri , a second citrus-feeding species is described and discussed. This species belongs to the amoena species-group which is defined and a key to nine of the ten included species is given. Seven new species are described: flavipennis sp.n. and nigripennis sp.n. from East Africa on Strychnos usambarensis; huila sp.n. from Angola on Ptaeroxylon obliquum; turned sp.n., from South Africa (host unknown); orantimina sp.n. from Madagascar (host unknown); auberti sp.n. from Comoro Islands on citrus trees; and bispinulata sp.n. from Madagascar (host unknown).     

New and previously described species of Dactylogyridae (Monogenoidea) from the gills of Panamanian freshwater fishes (Teleostei)

During an investigation of the diversity of metazoan parasites of 7 freshwater fish species from 3 localities in central Panama, the following gill dactylogyrid (Monogenoidea) species were found: Aphanoblastella chagresii n. sp. from Pimelodella chagresi (Heptapteridae); Aphanoblastella travassosi (Price, 1938) Kritsky, Mendoza-Franco, and Scholz, 2000 from Rhamdia quelen (Heptapteridae); Diaphorocleidus petrosusi n. sp. from Brycon petrosus (Characidae); Gussevia asota Kritsky, Thatcher, and Boeger, 1989, from Astronotus ocellatus (Cichlidae); Sciadicleithrum panamensis n. sp. from Aequidens coeruleopunctatus (Cichlidae); Urocleidoides flegomai n. sp. from Piabucina panamensis (Lebiasinidae); and Urocleidoides similuncus n. sp. from Poecilia gillii (Poeciliidae). Consideration of the comparative morphology and distribution of these parasites along with the evolutionary history of the host fishes suggests that diversification may be associated with geotectonic events that provided isolation of the Central American fauna with the uplift of the Panamanian Isthmus during early Pliocene (3 mya).     

Six new species of Agrilus Curtis, 1825 (Coleoptera,Buprestidae, Agrilinae) from the Oriental Region related to the emerald ash borer, A. planipennis Fairmaire, 1888 and synonymy of Sarawakita Obenberger, 1924

Six new species of Agrilus Curtis, 1825 with affinities to the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888, are described from the Oriental Region: Agrilus crepuscularis sp. n. (Malaysia); Agrilus pseudolubopetri sp. n. (Laos); Agrilus sapphirinus sp. n.(Laos); Agrilus seramensis sp. n.(Indonesia); Agrilus spineus sp. n. (Malaysia); and Agrilus tomentipennis sp. n. (Laos). The genus Sarawakita Obenberger, 1924 syn. nov. is considered a junior synonym of Agrilus.     

A new trichosomoidid from the skin of Sebastes spp. (Pisces) from British Columbia, Canada

A new species of trichosomoidid nematode, Huffinanela canadensis n. sp., is described from the skin of rockfish (Sebastes spp.) from the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Vancouver Island (Clayoquot Sound region), British Columbia, Canada, on the basis of the morphology of the adult worms and their eggs in the host's tissue and the biological characters. The species is characterized mainly by the shape and structure of the fully developed eggs (absence of surface envelope, surface with transverse ridges), by their small size (48-63 x 24-27 microm), and by the site of infection (skin). Besides Huffmanela huffmani, this is the second Huffmanela species in which adult worms are known in addition to the eggs from the host's tissues (most Huffmanela spp. have been described only from their conspicuous eggs occurring in various tissues of fishes). Adults of H. canadensis differ morphologically from those of H. huffmani, mainly in the structure of the male caudal end and in the distinctly elevated anterior vulvar lip of the female.     

A new Huffmanela species (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) parasitizing atherinid fishes in north Patagonian Gulfs, Argentina

Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. (Nematode: Trichosomoididae) is described from the skin of fins and gills of the silversides Odontesthes smitti Lahille, 1949, and Odontesthes nigricans Richardson, 1848 (Pisces: Atheriniformes), from southwestern Atlantic coast, on the basis of the morphology of adults and eggs found in the host tissues. Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. can be distinguished from Huffmanela carcharini, H. banningi, H. japonica, H. mexicana, H. paronai, H. schouteni, H. shikokuensis, H. branchialis, H. filamentosa, H. ossicola, and H. lata by the size and shape of the eggs. The adult stage of H. moraveci n. sp. can be differentiated from H. hufmani and H. canadensis by the position of the nerve ring and by the total esophagus length/body length ratio. Huffmanela moraveci n. sp. also differs from H. huffmani by the presence of bacillary bands and by the body length. This is the first report of a species of Huffmanela in South America, the first report of a species of Huffmanela with Odontesthes spp. as host, and the third known adult form in the genus.     

World species of the genus Platyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)

The genus Platyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Scelioninae) is a widespread group in the Old World, found from West Africa to northern Queensland, Australia. The species concepts are revised and a key to world species is presented. The genus is comprised of 6 species, including 2 known species which are redescribed: Platyscelioafricanus Risbec (Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, Zimbabwe); and Platysceliopulchricornis Kieffer (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam). Five species-group names are considered to be junior synonyms of Platysceliopulchricornis: Platyscelioabnormis Crawford syn. n., Platysceliodunensis Mukerjee syn. n., Platysceliomirabilis Dodd syn. n., Platysceliopunctatus Kieffer syn. n., and Platysceliowilcoxi Fullaway. The following species are hypothesized and described as new taxa: Platyscelioarcuatus Taekul & Johnson, sp. n. (Western Australia); Platysceliomysterium Taekul & Johnson, sp. n. (Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa); Platysceliomzantsi Taekul & Johnson, sp. n. (South Africa); and Platysceliostriga Taekul & Johnson, sp. n. (Western Australia).