Vertical community structure and resource utilization in neotropical forest cockroaches

ABSTRACT.

• 1 Patterns of vertical habitat use of ten species of cockroaches are examined. Three assemblages of cockroaches are recognized on the basis of morphology, foraging behaviour, foraging heights, and overlaps and breadths of vertical distributions.
• 2 Three apterous and brachypterous species occur near the ground and comprise one assemblage. They feed mainly on material in the leaf-litter.
• 3 Species that perch higher either migrate into the leaf-litter on a diel basis and feed on both leaf-litter and epiphyllic materials, or some are strictly arboreal and forage on algae, liverworts, lichens, spores, pollen and trichomes on the surfaces of leaves.
• 4 Trophic and behavioural correlations with perch height are described and the functions of perching are examined.
• 5 We conclude that studies of interactions among species are confounded by our lack of understanding of stage- and sex-specific interactions of coexisting species. A simplistic ‘species’approach to such interactions is inadequate because it does not recognize intraspecific variation.

     

Stochastic modeling of the transmission of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the region of Valencia,Spain

In this paper, we study the dynamics of the transmission of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the population using stochastic models. The stochastic models are developed introducing stochastic perturbations on the demographic parameter as well as on the transmission rate of the RSV. Numerical simulations of the deterministic and stochastic models are performed in order to understand the effect of fluctuating birth rate and transmission rate of the RSV on the population dynamics. The numerical solutions of stochastic models are calculated using Euler-Maruyama and Milstein schemes, and confidence intervals for stochastic solutions are given using Monte-Carlo method. Analysis of the numerical results reveals that perturbations on the transmission rate are more decisive in the dynamics of RSV than perturbations on demographic parameters. In addition, the stochastic models show the advantage of reproducing more effectively the noisy RSV hospitalization data. It is concluded that these stochastic models are a viable option to provide a realistic modeling of the RSV dynamics on the population.     

Three ascomycetes on leaves of evergreen Ilex trees from Japan: Rhytisma ilicis-integrae sp. nov., R. ilicis-latifoliae, and R. ilicis-pedunculosae sp. nov.

Three species belonging to the genus Rhytisma causing tar spot were collected on leaves in evergreen trees of Ilex species from Japan. Rhytisma ilicis-latifoliae, the known species, is found on Ilex latifolia, and R. ilicis-integrae sp. nov. and R. ilicis-pedunculosae sp. nov. are found on I. integra and I. pedunculosa, respectively. Ascomata are formed on the abaxial part of the stromata in all the Rhytisma species studied, and spermogonia are formed on the amphigenous parts in R. ilicis-latifoliae and on the adaxial part in R. ilicis-integrae and R. ilicis-pedunculosae. Shape and size of asci, ascospores, and spermatia are distinctly different among the three species. The morphology of germination tubes from ascospores and appressoria is unique for each Rhytisma species. Yellowish spots arise on the newly developing leaves in mid-May, then abundant spermatia are produced in spermogonia in the three Rhytisma species. In the next year, ascospores are produced in ascomata from early April to late May in R. ilicis-integrae and from early April to early June in R. ilicis-latifoliae and R. ilicis-pedunculosae, and they are considered to be the inocula of disease infection.     

Western Atlantic midwater hydrozoan and scyphozoan medusae: in situ studies using manned submersibles

Little is known about the biology and ecology of mesopelagic medusae. In part, this is because midwater trawls are used to collect fragile medusae and other gelatinous macroplankton. Additionally, nets cannot provide data on behavior and on biotic associations. Herein, in situ observations on northwestern Atlantic midwater medusae made using the Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles are reported. Included are depth and temperature ranges; notes on pigments; locomotory behavior; and notes on prey and predators.     

A contribution to the rust flora (Uredinales) of southern Africa,with an emphasis on Namibia

Five new rust species are described and hitherto unknown spore states for the following seven species are reported: Puccinia desertorum on Evolvulus alsinoides, Uromyces comptus on Merremia bipinnatipartita, Puccinia halsei on Acacia hereroensis, Ravenelia transvaalensis on Acacia mellifera, Puccinia abutili on Abutilon angulatum, on Abutilon cf. austroafricanum, and on Abutilon cf. rehmannii, Puccinia lycii on Lycium sp. and Puccinia turgida on Lycium europaeum and on Lycium cf. oxycarpum. We also examined Uredo combreticola on Combretum cf. engleri, on Combretum hereroense, and on Combretum zeyheri, Puccinia afra on Lycium sp., and Uredopeltis cf. chevalieri on Grewia flavescens. All mentioned rust fungi are described in detail and are shown by line drawings. Selected species are illustrated with SEM-photographs. Part 220 in the series “Studies in Heterobasidiomycetes” from the Botanical Institute, University of Tübingen     

Surface topography of the tegument of adult Schistosoma nasale Rao, 1933 from Sri Lanka

Scanning electron microscopical studies of adult male and female Schistosoma nasale are reported. The tubercles on the dorsal and dorso-lateral surfaces of unpaired male S. nasale are devoid of spines. In paired male worms the tubercles on the dorsal surface are large and also are devoid of spines, but some tubercles on the dorso-lateral surface possess spines. Pit-like openings are visible on the surface of the smooth tubercles. The oral and ventral suckers on the male worm are well developed and are invested with spines, as are the gynaecophoric canal and flap. Ciliated sensory receptors are distributed over the surface of the male worm. The oral and ventral suckers of the female worm are much smaller than those of the male: spines occur on both suckers. The surface of the female is non-tuberculate and is thrown into transverse folds. Pit-like openings are visible at higher magnifications. The anterior end of the female is heavily invested in ciliated receptors, whereas the posterior end is heavily spined. The surface topography of S. nasale is discussed in relation to other species of Schistosoma.     

Serpulids and other calcareous tube-dwelling encrusting polychaetes from the Early Cretaceous Agrio Formation (Neuquén Basin,Argentina)

Serpulids and other related tube-dwelling polychaetes are often ignored when found as fossil remains. They are, however, a widespread and important group today, and abundant literature has been published on them. Knowledge of fossil serpulids is centered on European material, and little has already been done on South American fossil calcareous tubes. In this paper, seven serpulid and sabellid morphotypes are described from the Early Cretaceous marine Agrio Formation of Argentina, revealing a diversity of worms recorded as encrusters on bivalves, ammonites and corals. Sabellids are represented by Glomerula cf. serpentina. Serpulids are represented by two subfamilies: “Serpulinae” includes Mucroserpula mucroserpula, Parsimonia antiquata, Placostegus cf. conchophilus, Propomatoceros semicostatus and P. sulcicarinatus; Spirorbinae is represented by heavily worn tiny coiled tubes assigned to ?Neomicrorbis. Serpulids and sabellids are one of the main components of the mollusk-encrusting fauna recorded in the Agrio Formation, along with small oysters but much more diverse. They are most commonly found as post-mortem encrusters, but some cases of unquestionable living interaction are also found, such as serpulid tubes embedded on coral branches. They are often overgrown by bryozoans, and sometimes by oysters; they frequently occur aggregated.     

Tropical aquatic fungi

This paper reports on the distribution of fungal communities in aquatic habitats in tropical regions and highlights differences in the taxa observed in freshwater and marine habitats. Ascomycetes are dominant on substrata in marine environments, with few basidiomycetes and discomycetes. Equally, few freshwater basidiomycetes and discomycetes have been reported from the tropics. In marine habitats, Dothideomycetes dominate on mangrove substrata, and halosphaeriaceous species are most numerous on submerged woody substrata in coastal waters, while yeasts are common in seawater and estuarine habitats. In freshwater, Ingoldian anamorphic fungi are most numerous on decaying leaves, while ascomycetes (Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes) are prevalent on submerged/exposed woody substrata. Unique fungi are found in tropical waters and differ from those in temperate locations.     

中国黄耆属糙叶组叶表皮毛状体微形态学特征

采用体视显微镜和扫描电子显微镜,对中国产黄耆属糙叶组34种植物的叶表皮毛状体的形态特征及其分布进行了观察,以探讨中国黄耆属糙叶组物种表皮毛微观形态的变异式样及其分类学意义,为糙叶组物种的分类鉴定提供依据。结果表明：除乳白花黄耆（A. galactites）仅在叶下表面被毛外,其余种类上下表皮均有毛,且毛的分布、形态、长度和臂比在不同种类间存在差异。叶表皮毛为伏贴或开展的中空管状毛,伏贴毛着生部位基部膨大,整体形态从中部向两端由粗逐渐变细,开展的毛大部分为细长的丝状或线状,光滑或具条纹状纹饰,上面分布有乳突。研究认为,叶表皮表面伏贴、短而平直、其上光滑具密集乳突、臂比值小、整体宽扁的毛是祖先特征;而叶表皮表面向上开展、长而密集、外形呈丝状或线形、其上具条纹状纹饰、乳突稀疏、臂比值大的毛是进化特征。     

Neotropical harvestmen (Arachnida,Opiliones) use sexually dimorphic glands to spread chemicals in the environment

Sexually dimorphic glands have convergently appeared in animals and are often responsible for the production of pheromones. In the suborder Laniatores of the order Opiliones (Arachnida), glands of such type are widespread, but there is not a single paper on how they are used. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and a behavioral approach, we describe glandular openings and how these glands are used, in the harvestmen Gryne perlata and Gryne coccinelloides (Cosmetidae). Males of these two species have glandular openings on the metatarsi of legs I and on the metatarsi IV. Males were shown rubbing the glands of the metatarsi I against their other legs, whereas glands on the metatarsi IV are gently touched on the substrate or rubbed either against other legs, or against the substrate. Not all behaviors were seen in both species.     

The Antennal Sensilla of Oxelytrum erythrurum (Blanchard) and Oxelytrum apicale (Brullé) (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

The typology and placement of antennal sensilla of the carrion beetles Oxelytrum erythrurum (Blanchard) and Oxelytrum apicalis (Brullé) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Two types of sensilla chaetica, two types of sensilla trichodea, four types of sensilla basiconica, one type of sensilla coeloconica, and an unidentified type of sensillum were found in both species. Sensilla chaetica type 1 are found on the antennomeres proximal to antennal club (A1?CA8); chaetica type 2 are found on the club (A9?CA11). Sensilla trichodea are found on A9?CA11; one type (T1) is found on the proximal portion of the club, the other type (T2) on the apical portion. Basiconica type 1 are found on the dorsal surface of A9?CA11; they are much denser on the apical portion of the antennal club than on the proximal. In O. erythrurum, a nocturnal species of the Chaco-Pampean plain, T2 two are found on A10 and A11. In Oxelytrum apicale, a mountain species, probably diurnal, only A11 bears T2, but they are denser than in the other species. It is suggested that O. apicale depends more on contact chemoreception than O. erythrurum. The ventral surface of the antennal clubs shows no remarkable difference between species.     

Statistical Analyses for Multistage Experiment Designs

Suppose that t experiments are conducted simultaneously on the same set of experimental units. For example, suppose that t mutually orthogonal latin square experiment designs are used for the t experiments on n² experimental units. Statistical literature is voluminous on construction of such designs, but contains relatively little and incomplete results on statistical analyses for such designs. Six statistical analyses are presented for a pair of orthogonal latin square experiment designs. Then, the methods are generalized for t mutually orthogonal experiment designs. The results are also extended to a set of t mutually balanced Youden experiment designs.     

On some rust fungi (Uredinales) collected in an Acacia koa–Metrosideros polymorpha woodland, Mauna Loa Road, Big Island, Hawaii

Nine species of rust fungi (Uredinales) were found during a 1-day field study in an Acacia koa–Metrosideros polymorpha woodland in Volcanoes National Park on Big Island, Hawaii. Two species, both found on Acacia koa, are native (endemic) rusts whereas 7 species are nonnative on nonnative hosts, highlighting the high proportion of introduced species in the Hawaiian flora even in more or less natural habitats. One species, Uromyces linearis on Panicum repens, constitutes the first record of this rust for the Hawaiian archipelago, bringing the total to 93 species on the islands, 70 (75.3%) of which are introduced. The species records are annotated with emphasis on the geographic origin of each taxon. In addition, the study has led to the molecular reevaluation of the genus Racospermyces, indicating that it is synonymous with Endoraecium, and six new combinations are proposed for the species previously placed in Racospermyces. The high number of introduced species in Hawaii coupled with the paucity of native species when compared to other global regions is discussed.     

Redescription of Neoamphorophora ledi (Wahlgren, 1938) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Japan

Apterous viviparous females of Neoamphorophora ledi (Wahlgren, 1938) living on Rhododendron degronianum Carr. (Ericaceae) on Honshu island, Japan, are redescribed and the hitherto unknown alate viviparous females are here described. Rhododendron degronianum is a new host plant species for this aphid. This species is recorded for aphid fauna of Eastern Palearctic for the first time. Keys to species of Neoamphorophora based on apterous and alate viviparous females are given. A key to aphid genera with swollen siphunculi living on species of Rhododendron worldwide based on apterous viviparous females is also provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubulideres seminoli</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zelinkaderes brightae</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Kinorhyncha,Cyclorhagida) from Florida

One new kinorhynch genus and species and one new species from the genus Zelinkaderes are described from sandy sediment off Fort Pierce, Florida. The new genus and species, Tubulideres seminoli gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of the first trunk segment consisting of a closed ring, the second segment of a bent tergal plate with a midventral articulation and the following nine segments consisting of a tergal and two sternal plates. Cuspidate spines are not present, but flexible tubules are located on several segments, and in particular concentrated on the ventral side of the second segment. Middorsal spines are present on all trunk segments and are alternatingly offset to a position slightly lateral to the middorsal line. Zelinkaderes brightae nov. sp. is characterized by its spine formula in having middorsal spines on trunk segments 4, 6 and 8–11, lateroventral acicular spines on segment 2, lateral accessory cuspidate spines on segments 2 and 8, ventrolateral cuspidate spines on segments 4–6 and 9, lateroventral acicular spines present on segments 8 and 9, and midterminal, lateral terminal and lateral terminal accessory spines on segment 11. The spine formula of Z. brightae nov. sp. places it in a position in between Z. submersus and a clade consisting of Z. klepali and Z. floridensis. The new findings on Z. brightae nov. sp. have led us to propose an emended diagnosis for the genus.     

Fungus gnats of the genera Anatella,Allodia and Cordyla in Japan (Diptera: Mycetophilidae)†

Six new mycetophilid species from three genera belonging to the tribe Exechiini are described: Anatella prominens on a fungus of the Polyporaceae, Allodia bipexa and Allodia conifera on fungi of the Russulaceae, Allodia quadrata on fungi of the Hygrophoraceae, Tricholomataceae, Rhodophyllaceae, Russulaceae and Fistulinaceae, Allodia laccariae on a fungus of the Tricholomataceae, and Cordyla bidenticulata on a fungus of the Boletaceae. Their characteristic male genitalia are illustrated. Cordyla flaviceps Staeger, Cordyla fusca Meigen and Cordyla pusilla Edwards are newly recorded from Japan.     

Pests controlling pests: does predator control lead to greater European rabbit abundance in Australasia?

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