A revision of the continental species of Copa Simon, 1885 (Araneae,Corinnidae) in the Afrotropical Region

The cryptic ground-dwelling castianeirine genus Copa Simon, 1885 (Araneae: Corinnidae) is revised in the continental Afrotropical Region. The type species of the genus, Copa flavoplumosa Simon, 1885, is redescribed and considered a senior synonym of Copa benina Strand, 1916 syn. n. and Copa benina nigra Lessert, 1933 syn. n. It is widespread throughout the Afrotropical Region but has not been introduced to any of the associated regional islands. A new species, Copa kei sp. n., is described from South Africa. Copa agelenina Simon, 1910, originally described from a subadult female from southern Botswana, is considered a nomen dubium. Copa flavoplumosa is a characteristic species of leaf litter spider assemblages and is particularly prevalent in savanna habitats on the continent, but also occurs in various forest types, grasslands, fynbos and semi-arid Nama Karoo habitats. In contrast, Copa kei sp. n. has only been recorded from Afromontane and coastal forests in south-eastern South Africa.     

A new species group in the genus Dichaetophora Duda (Diptera: Drosophilidae) based on a phylogenetic analysis, with descriptions of four new species from China

A new species group, the sinensis group, is established within the genus Dichaetophora, based on a phylogenetic analysis of 37 adult morphological characters from 26 drosophilid species, including ten known species of Dichaetophora; four newly described species (Di. abnormis, Di. hainanensis, Di. bicornis, and Di. sinensis spp. nov. from China); and some representatives of related genera (Drosophila, Hirtodrosophila, and Scaptomyza).     

Taxonomic revision of Prosopocoilus gracilis(Saunders,1854) and its allied species from China(Coleoptera:Lucanidae)

Prosopocoilns gracilis(Saunders,1854) and its seven allied species from China are revised.Lectotype,paralectotypes of P.gracilis(Saunders,1854) and P.denticulatus(Boileau,1901) are designated.The doubtful species,P.piceipennis(Westwood,1855) is evidently confirmed as a valid species with verification of its type depository.Two highly similar species,P.crenulidens(Fairmaire,1895) and P.denticulatus(Boileau,1901) are compared in detail for correcting longstanding wrong diagnoses of them.P.similis Schenk,2009 is illustrated with male genitalia firstly.Two recently-published species,P.andreasi Schenk,2009 and P.katsurai Fujita,2010 are treated as new junior synonyms.All the five valid species in this paper are redescribed,with illustrations of adult(including type)habitus,male and female genitalia if they are available.A key to large males is provided for identifying them briefly.     

Beetles that live with ants (Carabidae,Pseudomorphini, Pseudomorpha Kirby, 1825): A revision of the santarita species group

The Western Hemisphere genus Pseudomorpha Kirby 1825 was last revised by Notman in 1925 based on only a few known species (22) and paltry few specimens (73); other authors have added an additional six species represented by 53 additional specimens since 1925. Baehr (1997) assigned three species from Australia to this genus, albeit in a new subgenus, Austropseudomorpha Baehr 1997. A recent study of collections from throughout the Americas (1757 specimens) has revealed numerous new species that can be arrayed across 19 species groups based on a suite of attributes, some used by Notman and others newly discovered. A taxonomic revision of the species contained in one of these species groups, santarita, is provided herein, as well as a distributional synopsis of the remaining 18 species groups. New species described herein are as follows, each with its type locality: Pseudomorpha huachineras p. n., Arroyo El Cocono, Sierra Huachinera, Sonora, México; P. patagonia sp. n., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; P.penablanca sp. n., Peña Blanca Lake, Arizona; P. pima sp. n., Madera Canyon (lower), Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; P. santacruz sp. n., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; and P. santarita sp. n., Santa Rita Ranch, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona.     

Bewsiella Domrow (Acarina: Mesostigmata): a revision and the description of new species

The genus Bewsiella is considered to comprise a considerable number of species, despite having been regarded as monotypic. The structure of the male spermadactyl is proposed as a key character for separating congeneric species. This character seems likely to bear phylogenetic information on both the mites themselves and their hosts. Since the male of Bewsiella fledermaus Domrow, the type-species, has not been found, it is impossible to define the morphology of this species based on both sexes. Consequently, all mites that share many characters with the female of B. fledermaus are placed in a B. fledermaus species group. B. aelleni (Till) is considered as a valid species and both sexes and the protonymph are redescribed and illustrated. B. nycteris n. sp., B. emballonuris n. sp., B. cloeotis n. sp., B. haradai n. sp. and B. coelopos n. sp. are described and illustrated. The genus Bewsiella was originally allocated to the family Laelapidae and later transferred to the family Macronyssidae. Recently, the genus was returned to the Laelapidae, and some evidence supporting this action was obtained during the present study, but further studies are required for confirmation.     

Luthrobium (Tetartopeus): natural history, phylogeny and revision of the nearctic species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

Abstract. The eleven species of Lathrobium subgenus Tetartopeus from the Nearctic Region are revised. Thirteen specific names are placed in synonymy, Lconvolutum sp.n. is described, and Deratopeus Casey is synonymized with Tetartopeus . A cladistic analysis suggests that Tetartopeus is monophyletic, and that five monophyletic species-groups are represented in the Nearctic Region.     

A new species ofFontanesia (Oleaceae) from China and taxonomic revision of the genus

Fontanesia longicarpa K.-J. Kim is newly described from China. This distinctive species is known only from the Zhejiang province and differs from other species in the genus by the size and shape of its fruit. As currently circumscribed, the genus now consists of three taxa;F. longicarpa, F. philliraeoides Labill. var.philliraeoides andF. philliraeoides var.fortunei (Carr.) Koehne. A revisionary study of the genus is provided, including a key and pertinent synonymy.     

A revision of the Solatium sessile species group (section Geminata pro parte: Solanaceae)

KNAPP, S., 1991. A revision of the Solatium sessile species (sectio Geminata pro parte : Solanaceae ). The taxonomy of the Solanum sessile species group (a part of the large and unwieldy section Geminata) is reviewed, based on detailed field and herbarium studies. Members of the group are found from Mexico to Bolivia in a variety of habitats. Ten species are recognized: S. obovalifolium, S. sessile, S. monadelphum, S. turgidum, S. triste, S. chlamydogynum, S. rovirosanum, S. palmillae, S. oppositifolium and conferliseriatum.     

New species of Nepalomyia henanensis species group from China(Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Peloropeodinae)

Three new species of Nepalomyia henanensis species group are described from China, N. damingshanus sp. nov., N. dongae sp. nov., and N. shennongjiaensis sp. nov. A key to known species of this species group is presented.     

A revision of chiggers in the vulgaris group (Trombiculidae: Neotrombicula)

A revision of chigger mites species, being closely related to Neotrombicula vulgaris (Schluger, 1955), is given. 2 new species are described: N. aideriensis sp. n. from Western Kopetdagh and N. macrovulgaris sp. n. from Western Caucasus. N. aideriensis sp. n. differs from all other species of the vulgaris group by presence of single barb on the lateral seta of palpal tibia in most specimens. This species differs also from N. vulgaris by lesser width of scutum, shorter setae of scutum and idiosoma and by longer legs. N. macrovulgaris sp. n. differs from all other species of the vulgaris group by longer legs, more numerous idiosomal setae and by larger scutum. N. vulgaris is recorded for the first time in Bulgaria, Turkmenistan (western Kopet-Dag) and Krasnodar Territory, N. baschkirica Kudryashova, 1998--in Chuvashia, Kirov Province, Komi Republic and Tyumen' Province, N. kharadovi Kudryashova, 1998--in Russia (Altai Territory) and in Karaganda Province (Kazakhstan). The latter species is reported from several new hosts. Variation of morphometric parameters in the vulgaris group are investigated by the methods of multivariate analysis, the pattern of correlations between them is shown. A complex of diagnostic features in the group is revised. Discriminant functions produced by the computer program DIADIS (A. L. Lobanov, ZI RAS) allows to determine confidently representatives of the vulgaris group. Ecogeographical component of intraspecific variability and character variance at the specific level is revealed in vulgaris group. N. macrovulgaris characterized by the largest scutum, numerous setae and long legs was found in the most rigorous, cold and damp climate (alpine zone of western Caucasus). On the other hand, N. kharadovi, which have the most fine scutum and shortest setae, inhabits rather dry and warm Middle Asia and neighbouring territories. The sample of N. vulgaris collected in the steppe part of Stavropol' Territory differed from the material collected in mountain forests of Western Caucasus by low values of the most part of measurements. N. kharadovi samples from plains of Middle Asia differed from samples of this species collected in western Pamirs, central Kazakhstan and Altay Territory by more fine scutum and shorter setae.     

Studies of Central American pines: a revision of the 'pseudostrobus' group (Pinaceae)

Variation in the pseudostrobus group of species in Pinus was examined using a series of numerical techniques involving principal components and canonical discriminant analyses. As a result, the group is divided into three species: P. maximinoi, P. douglasiana and P. pseudostrobus. The latter, which is very variable, is further divided into two subspecies and one variety. The formal taxonomy of the group is revised and information on the distribution, ecology and relationships of the taxa recognized is given. Because of the very great economic importance of these pines within and outside their natural distribution areas and the considerable nomenclatural confusion which exists, a full treatment of synonymy and relevant literature is provided.     

A new species of Drosophila obscura species group (Diptera:Drosophilidae) from China

A new species of the Drosophila obscura species group is described here, namely Drosophila glabra sp. nov. It was recently found from the Maoershan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China. The characteristics of the new species are based not only on morphological characters but also on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COII(cytochrome c oxidase subunit II) gene.     

A phylogeny of the Tylototriton asperrimus group (Caudata: Salamandridae) based on a mitochondrial study: suggestions for a taxonomic revision

A phylogenetic hypothesis for the Asian newts of the Tylototriton asperrimus group was generated using data from two mitochondrial fragments including COI and the ND1-ND2 regions. Four distinct clades (A, B, C, D) were resolved with high nodal support within this monophyletic group. Clade A included T. asperrimus, T. hainanensis, T. notialis, "T. vietnamensis", and two unnamed salamander populations from Vietnam. Clade A, constituted the sister group of clades B + C. Newly identified clade C likely represents a new cryptic species. Clade C was the sister group of T. wenxianensis. The true T. vietnamensis exclusively constituted clade D. Our results bring into question some previous taxonomic decisions, and a revision is required. This study illustrates the necessity to include samples from type localities in taxonomic studies, and highlights the importance of fine-grained geographical sampling.     

Description of male Takydromus sylvaticus (Squamata: Lacertidae) from China, with notes on sexual dimorphism and a revision of the morphological diagnosis of the species

The Chungan ground lizard, Takydromus sylvaticus, long known only from five females collected in Fujian Province of China, was recently found in Anhui Province of the country. The newly collected specimens included the first male specimens (n=7), in which the tail bases were stouter than in conspecific females. Ventral scales in these males were invariably keeled, whereas in females those forming the four median rows were smooth. Females had more dorsal scales (47-48) than males (42-43) in the median longitudinal row between axilla and groin. Takydromus sylvaticus differed from the closely related T. dorsalis in having more dorsal scales in the median longitudinal row between axilla and groin (42-48 versus 32-40, respectively), more rows of large dorsal scales between the hind legs (10 versus 7-8, respectively), shorter hind legs, two distinct white longitudinal stripes on each side of the body, and no black stripe in the preocular and postocular regions. The number of transverse rows of ventral scales between collar and femoral pores in T. sylvaticus (26-28) was larger, but with a slight overlap, than that in T. dorsalis (22-26). Ecological observations on T. sylvaticus were also documented.     

Palearctic elements in the old world tropics: a taxonomic revision of the ant genus Temnothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) for the Afrotropical biogeographical region

Four new Afrotropical species of the ant genus Temnothorax are described and illustrated, all from Kenya. Based upon high resemblance to taxa known from the North African and Iberian territories of the Mediterranean region, these new tropical elements are placed into known Palaearctic species complexes. Specifically, Temnothorax brevidentis sp. n., Temnothorax mpala sp. n. and Temnothorax rufus sp. n. are placed in the laurae species group, and Temnothorax solidinodus sp. n. is placed in the angustulus species group. Two already known Temnothorax species from the region, Temnothorax cenatus (Bolton, 1982) and Temnothorax megalops (Hamann & Klemm, 1967), are also placed into the laurae species group based on the high number of shared morphological characters. Diagnoses for the African representatives of laurae and angustulus species groups of the Afrotropical biogeographical region are provided. A key to workers of the six Temnothorax species known to occur in the Afrotropical biogeographical region is provided, as well as diagnoses of morphologically similar myrmicine genera.