Paridris Kieffer of the New World (Hymenoptera,Platygastroidea, Platygastridae)

Paridris in the New World is revised (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae). Fifteen species are described, of which 13 are new. Paridris aenea (Ashmead)(Mexico (Tamaulipas) and West Indies south to Bolivia and southern Brazil (Rio de Janeiro state)), Paridris armata Talamas, sp. n. (Venezuela), Paridris convexa Talamas, sp. n. (Costa Rica, Panama), Paridris dnophos Talamas, sp. n. (Mexico (Vera Cruz) south to Bolivia and central Brazil (Goiás)), Paridris gongylos Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (United States: Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina), Paridris gorn Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (United States: Ohio south to Alabama, Georgia), Paridris invicta Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Brazil: São Paulo), Paridris isabelicae Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Cuba, Dominican Republic), Paridris lemete Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Puerto Rico), Paridris minor Talamas, sp. n. (Cuba), Paridris nayakorum Talamas, sp. n. (Costa Rica), Paridris pallipes (Ashmead)(southeastern Canada, United States south to Costa Rica, also Brazil (São Paulo), Paridris psydrax Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay, United States, Venezuela), Paridris saurotos Talamas, sp. n. (Jamaica), Paridris soucouyant Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela). Paridris brevipennis Fouts, Paridris laeviceps (Ashmead), and Paridris nigricornis (Fouts) are treated as junior synonyms of Paridris pallipes; Paridris opaca is transferred to Probaryconus. Lectotypes are designated for Idris aenea Ashmead and Caloteleia aenea Ashmead.     

A Human Deciduous Tooth and New 40Ar/39Ar Dating Results from the Middle Pleistocene Archaeological Site of Isernia La Pineta,Southern Italy

Isernia La Pineta (south-central Italy, Molise) is one of the most important archaeological localities of the Middle Pleistocene in Western Europe. It is an extensive open-air site with abundant lithic industry and faunal remains distributed across four stratified archaeosurfaces that have been found in two sectors of the excavation (3c, 3a, 3s10 in sect. I; 3a in sect. II). The prehistoric attendance was close to a wet environment, with a series of small waterfalls and lakes associated to calcareous tufa deposits. An isolated human deciduous incisor (labelled IS42) was discovered in 2014 within the archaeological level 3 coll (overlying layer 3a) that, according to new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar measurements, is dated to about 583–561 ka, i.e. to the end of marine isotope stage (MIS) 15. Thus, the tooth is currently the oldest human fossil specimen in Italy; it is an important addition to the scanty European fossil record of the Middle Pleistocene, being associated with a lithic assemblage of local raw materials (flint and limestone) characterized by the absence of handaxes and reduction strategies primarily aimed at the production of small/medium-sized flakes. The faunal assemblage is dominated by ungulates often bearing cut marks. Combining chronology with the archaeological evidence, Isernia La Pineta exhibits a delay in the appearance of handaxes with respect to other European Palaeolithic sites of the Middle Pleistocene. Interestingly, this observation matches the persistence of archaic morphological features shown by the human calvarium from the Middle Pleistocene site of Ceprano, not far from Isernia (south-central Italy, Latium). In this perspective, our analysis is aimed to evaluate morphological features occurring in IS42.     

Oxydromus Grube, 1855 reinstated over Ophiodromus Sars, 1862 (Polychaeta,Hesionidae)

The hesionid polychaete genera Oxydromus Grube, 1855 and Ophiodromus Sars, 1862 have been regarded as synonyms with the former considered as invalid since it was thought to be a junior homonym of Oxydromus Schlegel, 1854. However, Schlegel’s name is an incorrect subsequent spelling for Ocydromus Wagler, 1830 (Aves, Gruiformes, Rallidae) and is not an available name. Consequently, Oxydromus Grube, 1855 must be reinstated for this hesionid polychaete genus. A check-list of valid species of Oxydromus including 30 new combinations is provided.     

Description of third instar larvae of Ceratitis fasciventris,C. anonae,C. rosa (FAR complex) and C. capitata (Diptera,Tephritidae)

Third instar larvae of members of the Ceratitis FAR complex, including Ceratitisfasciventris (Bezzi), Ceratitisanonae Graham, and Ceratitisrosa Karsch are described and compared with those of Ceratitiscapitata (Wiedemann). Diagnostic characters, such as presence vs. absence of a secondary tooth on the mandibles, previously used to separate Ceratitiscapitata from Ceratitisrosa, are shown to vary in each species. Significant variation in diagnostic morphological characters among populations of Ceratitisrosa from east and south Africa is documented; however, the differences are not simply congruent with the R1 and R2 designations based on other studies. Quantitative measures of numerous morphological characters are consistently smaller in the larvae of Ceratitisfasciventris and distinguish them from other species of the FAR complex. Larvae of Ceratitiscapitata can be distinguished from those of the FAR complex by characters such as absence of accessory plates of the oral ridges, the shape of the anterior spiracle, and the pattern of dorsal spinules. Previous studies indicated that absence of accessory lobes separate the genus Ceratitis from Bactrocera, but this is shown to be incorrect, as accessory lobes are in fact present in several species of Ceratitis.     

Description of Bakernema dauniense n. sp. (Nematoda: Criconematidae) from Italy

Bakernema dauniense n. sp., a bisexual species from the rhizosphere of Pinus halepensis Mill. in Italy, is described and illustrated. Primary differentiating characteristics of the female are body annules bearing short, membranous projections 1.4-2.2 μm long, an anterior vulval lip slightly overlapping the posterior, and a linearly arcuate vagina. The juvenile differs markedly from adults by having annules with a beaded margin, which lack membranous projections. Generic and specific relationships of B. dauniense n. sp. are discussed. This occurrence is the first for a species of Bakernema in Europe.     

Effect of Planting Site Preparation, Hydrated Lime,and DBCP (1, 2-dibromo-3-chloropropane) on Populations of Macroposthonia xenoplax and Peach Tree Short Life in Georgia

Annual postplanting applications of 40.7 kg/ha DBCP (1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane) controlled Macroposthonia xenoplax (Raski, 1952) deGrisse and Loof, 1965 in peach tree short life sites, reduced bacterial canker incidence from 74% to 6%, and inreased the average life of the trees from 3.9 to 6.8 yr for a 7-yr test period. Hydrated lime at 5.5 kg per planting site reduced bacterial canker incidence from 81% 57 % and increased the tree longevity from 2.6 to 6.0 yr. Populations M. xenoplax were inversely correlated with tree longevity.     

Cochylis Treitschke in China: one new species and five new records (Lepidoptera,Tortricidae, Cochylini)

Six species of Cochylis Treitschke, 1829 are recorded for China. Among them, Cochylis triangulasp. n. is described as new; Cochylis atricapitana (Stephens, 1852), Cochylis discerta Razowski, 1970, Cochylis dubitana (Hübner, [1799]), Cochylis faustana (Kennel, 1919) and Cochylis posterana hyrcana (Toll, 1948) are recorded for the first time for China. The female of Cochylis discerta Razowski, 1970 is described for the first time. Adults and genitaliaare illustrated, a key is given for the identification of Chinese species based on male genitalia.     

Review of the Palaearctic Acomopterella Zaitzev (Diptera,Sciaroidea, Mycetophilidae)

The distribution of Acomopterella species in the Palaearctic region has been re-examined in this study, using recently collected material. The European species was found to be distributed in the eastern Palaearctic as well. A second Palaearctic species from Honshu (Japan) is herein described. The morphology of adult specimens was studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The shape of functional specialized setae on mid tibiae in Acomopterella and seven further fungus gnat genera is described and the suitability of this character for systematic studies is discussed. Details of a “hind tibial organ” are described.The position of Acomopterella in the tribe Gnoristini is briefly discussed. Acomopterella is found to be more closely related to Speolepta Edwards, 1925, than to any other recent genus.     

Emblica officinalis Extract Induces Autophagy and Inhibits Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Proliferation,Angiogenesis, Growth of Mouse Xenograft Tumors

Patients with ovarian cancer (OC) may be treated with surgery, chemotherapyand/or radiation therapy, although none of these strategies are very effective.Several plant-based natural products/dietary supplements, including extractsfrom Emblicaofficinalis (Amla), havedemonstrated potent anti-neoplastic properties. In this study we determined thatAmla extract (AE) has anti-proliferative effects on OC cells under bothin vitro and in vivo conditions. We alsodetermined the anti-proliferative effects one of the components of AE,quercetin, on OC cells under in vitro conditions. AE did notinduce apoptotic cell death, but did significantly increase the expression ofthe autophagic proteins beclin1 and LC3B-II under in vitroconditions. Quercetin also increased the expression of the autophagic proteinsbeclin1 and LC3B-II under in vitro conditions. AE alsosignificantly reduced the expression of several angiogenic genes, includinghypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in OVCAR3 cells. AE acted synergisticallywith cisplatin to reduce cell proliferation and increase expression of theautophagic proteins beclin1 and LC3B-II under in vitroconditions. AE also had anti-proliferative effects and induced the expression ofthe autophagic proteins beclin1 and LC3B-II in mouse xenograft tumors.Additionally, AE reduced endothelial cell antigen – CD31 positive blood vesselsand HIF-1α expression in mouse xenograft tumors. Together, these studiesindicate that AE inhibits OC cell growth both in vitro andin vivo possibly via inhibition of angiogenesis andactivation of autophagy in OC. Thus AE may prove useful as an alternative oradjunct therapeutic approach in helping to fight OC.     

Pseudascarophis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in the Bermuda chub Kyphosus sectatrix (Perciformes: Kyphosidae) from southeastern Brazil

A new species of Pseudascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) found in the stomach of Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus) (Kyphosidae), off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described. The new species can be differentiated from the other congeners by the presence of lateral alae, distinct but inconspicuous cephalic papillae at the anterior end, three pairs of precloacal and one pair of adcloacal papillae in males, egg morphology and morphometry of glandular oesophagus and spicules. Pseudascarophis tropica is transferred to Ascarophis as Ascarophis tropica (Solov''eva) comb. n. due to its ambiguous diagnosis.     

Relative DNA Content and Chromosomal Relationships of some Meloidogyne, Heterodera, and Meloidodera spp. (Nematoda: Heteroderidae)

The relative DNA content of hypodermal nuclei of preparasitic, 2nd-stage larvae was determined cytophotometrically in 19 populations belonging to 13 species of Meloidogyne, Heterodera and Meloidodera. In Meloidogyne hapla, M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica, total DNA content per nucleus is proportional to their chromosome number, indicating that chromosomal forms with high chromosome numbers are truly polyploid. M. graminicola, M. grarninis and M. ottersoni have a DNA content per chromosome significantly lower than that of the other Meloidogyne species. Within Heterodera, species with high chromosome numbers have proportionally higher DNA content, indicating again polyploidy. DNA content per chromosome in Meloidogyne is one third that of Heterodera and one haft that of Meloidodera floridensis. The karyotypic relationships of the three genera are still not clearly understood.     

Hymenopteran parasitoids of the ant-eating spider Zodarion styliferum (Simon) (Araneae,Zodariidae)

Calymmochilus dispar Bouček & Andriescu (Hymenoptera, Eupelmidae) and Gelis apterus (Pontoppidan) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) are newly recorded as parasitoids of the ant-eating spider Zodarion styliferum (Simon) (Araneae, Zodariidae). The larvae of both parasitoid species fed on juvenile spiders. The final instar larva and pupa of Calymmochilus dispar and the male of Gelis apterus are described for the first time. Both species represent new distribution records for Portugal. The biology and host associations of the parasitoids are discussed.     

The melectine bee genera Brachymelecta and Sinomelecta (Hymenoptera,Apidae)

The enigmatic, cleptoparasitic bee genera Brachymelecta Linsley and Sinomelecta Baker (Apinae: Melectini) are redescribed, each represented by a single species which has not been reencountered since capture of the type series ca. 1878 and 1900, respectively. Both genera are the only melectines to possess two submarginal cells in the forewing but are otherwise wholly dissimilar. Brachymelecta mucida (Cresson), a species known only from the male holotype collected in “Nevada”, is newly described and figured, including the first account of the hidden sterna and genitalia. Sinomelecta oreina Baker is similarly described and figured based on the holotype male and paratype female, apparently collected from the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Both genera are valid and from the available data do not appear to represent merely autapomorphic forms of Melecta Latreille. Indeed, the terminalia of Sinomelecta oreina are in some respects more similar to those of species of Thyreus Panzer.     

Diversity and distribution of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a military area in the state of Amazonas, Brazil

This study reports the distribution, ecotopes and fauna diversity ofsandflies captured in five training bases on a military reserve in Manaus, stateof Amazonas (AM). A total of 10,762 specimens were collected, which weredistributed among 58 species, with the highest number recorded at BaseInstruction 1 (BI1). A higher rate of species richness was found at the BaseInstruction Boina Rajada and low levels of diversity associated with a highabundance index with the clear dominance of Lutzomyiaumbratilis, Lutzomyia ruii and Lutzomyiaanduzei were found at BI1. The abundance of Lu.umbratilis raises the possibility of outbreaks of Americancutaneous leishmaniasis by the main vector of the disease in AM.     

Revision of the European species of Omphale Haliday (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae)

The European species of Omphale Haliday (Eulophidae: Entedoninae) are revised. The revision includes 37 species, of which eleven are newly described and the remaining 26 species are redescribed. The species are classified into six species groups, with six unplaced species. All species are fully diagnosed and thoroughly illustrated. Identification keys are provided for females and males. Two new morphological features to aid classification and identification are introduced: male genitalia and wing interference patterns (WIPs). The former has been used successfully in the classification of New World Omphale and the latter is used for the first time in a taxonomic revision. Male genitalia in Omphale have considerable interspecific variation, an unusual trait among chalcidoid Hymenoptera, and are demonstrated to be useful for classification of species and species-groups, and they also possess the only autapomorphy for Omphale. WIPs are useful to help separate some species, but cannot be used to define either the genus or species groups. Distributional data are compiled for each species and suggest a pan-european distribution for most species. Gall-midges are the known hosts for 14 species, and the absence of host overlap between species suggests that host specialization is a driving force for speciation. Several Omphale species are known only from females, or have a strong female biased sex ratio, suggesting thelytokous development. Apart from the 37 species included in this revision, the status for nine additional species (names) in species group aetius remain unsolved. For nomenclatorial stability, a neotype is designated for Eulophus lugens Nees (= Omphale lugens (Nees)). Elachestus obscurus Förster and Derostenus sulciscuta Thomson are transferred from Holcopelte to Omphale comb. n. Derostenus radialis Thomson and Achrysocharella americana Girault are synonymized with Omphale theana (Walker), and Omphale teresis Askew is synonymized with Omphale phruron (Walker), syn. n. The status of genus Pholema Graham is revised as it is removed from synonymy with Omphale and instead synonymized with Neochrysocharis Kurdjumov, syn. n., and the type species for Pholema, Pholema microstoma Graham, is transferred to Neochrysocharis, comb. n. Eugerium orbatum Szelényi, previously transferred to Omphale, is synonymized with Asecodes congruens (Nees), syn. n.     

Two new species and new records of the genus Spinolyprops Pic, 1917 from the Oriental Region (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Lupropini) *

Two new species of the genus Spinolyprops Pic, 1917 (Tenebrionidae, subfamily Lagriinae Latreille, 1825) are described from Thailand and China (Spinolyprops cribricollissp. n., Spinolyprops thailandicussp. n.). The species characters within the genus are discussed, photographs of all seven Oriental species are added, a species key for the Oriental species is compiled, and a map with the distributional patterns is provided.