A new genus of scuttle-fly (Diptera: Phoridae) from England

A new genus is described for a new species, Obscuriphora sheppardi , collected in Warwickshire, England. The genus shows some resemblance to Plethysmochaeta Schmitz and Kuenburgia Schmitz. In the British fauna Obscuriphora is most likely to be confused with Conicera Meigen and Gymnoptera Lioy.     

中国蚤蝇属记述：双翅目：蚤蝇科

中国蚤蝇属记述（双翅目：蚤蝇科）刘广纯,周尧（西北农业大学昆虫博物馆,陕西省杨陵区７１２１００）关键词双翅目,蚤蝇科,蚤蝇属,新种,分类学,中国蚤蝇属（ＰｈｏｒａＬａｔｒｅｉｌｌｅ,１７９６）是蚤蝇科中较大的类群;其身体绒黑（♂）或暗黑（♀）,中足胫...     

A late-stage phyllosoma larva of the spiny lobster Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 (Crustacea: Palinuridae) identified by DNA analysis

A late-stage phyllosoma larva of the genus Panulirus was caughtin the central Atlantic in October 2000. Nucleotide sequenceanalysis of mitochondrial 16S rDNA identified this larva asPanulirus echinatus, which has been undescribed to date. Morphologicalexamination indicated that this eighth stage larva belongedto phyllosoma species group 2, distinguishable from the otherAtlantic species of the genus but closely related to an Indo-Pacificspecies, P. penicillatus, which is in accordance with the resultsof a molecular phylogenetic analysis.     

东洋区短胸叶蝉属研究（同翅目：叶蝉科）

本文对东洋区的短胸叶蝉属Kunasia Distant及其模式种白痕短胸叶蝉Kunasia nivosia Distant进行了再描记.另外,记述了采自马来西亚的1个新种脊唇短胸叶蝉K. carina, sp. nov.,新种模式标本保藏于英国自然历史博物馆.该属现被归于Stegelytrinae亚科.1. 白痕短胸叶蝉K. novisa Distant,中国新记录,泰国新记录(图1～9)Kunasia novisa Distant, 1907339, Fig. 216.体长(包括前翅)♂5.4 mm, ♀6.5 mm.分布 缅甸(德林达依,密达);中国(云南);泰国(昌迈).观察标本 1♂,中国云南,勐海～车里途中,1000 m,1957-Ⅳ-23,臧令超采; 1♀, Thailand, Phuping Palace, Chang Mai Province, 1984-Ⅳ-30, M. Hayashi采.2. 脊唇短胸叶蝉Kunasia carina, 新种 (图10～17)体长(包括前翅)♂6.6 mm.正模 ♂, Sarawak Gunong Mulu Nat. Park; Low secondary MV on river bank; Site 17. May, Nr. long Melinau, 50 m. 313441; J.D. Holloway, RGS Mulu exped., B.M., 1978-206.该新种与白痕短胸叶蝉K. nivosa Distant相似,但新种后唇基中央具长纵脊,尾节突起较粗壮,下生殖板略长,阳茎端部两分叉,易与前者相区别.     

New species of the genus Glaesotropis (Insecta: Coleoptera: Anthribidae) from Rovno amber

A new species of the fungus weevil genus Glaesotropis is described from the Late Eocene Rovno amber. G. diadiasashai sp. nov. differs from G. weitschati and G. minor described from Baltic amber in having a longer rostrum and in the structure of its antennae, with the third and fourth antennomeres being longer than the first and second ones. Additionally, the new species differs from G. weitschati in being smaller, in having unswollen frons, and weakly and smoothly concave elytral margin near hind coxae. The new species also differs from G. minor in having an uninterrupted posterior transverse carina on the pronotum, elytra less convex longitudinally, and a slightly broadened rostrum at the attachment of antennae.     

Description of a Polynoncus Burmeister larva, with implications for phylogeny of the Trogidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

Abstract. The larva of Polynoncus seymourensis Mutchler is described from the Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador. It is the first larva recorded of any species in the genus and has a suite of characters not found in the other trogid genera. Phylogenetic analysis of characters of larvae of all the genera supports the current phylogenetic system which was based on adults.     

The Pupa and Larva of Propsilocerus taihuensis (Wen,Zhou & Rong) (Diptera: Chironomidae), with Complete Keys to all Immatures of the Genus Propsilocerus

The pupa and larva of Propsilocerus taihuensis (Wen, Zhou & Rong, 1994) are described for the first time. Both are close to P. akamusi (Tokunaga). The phylogenetic argumentation of the genus outlined in Sæther and Wang (1996) is confirmed. Revised keys to larvae and pupae of the genus are given. The main morphological characters of the different species of the genus are compared in tables.     

A revision of the genus Telomerina Roháček (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae)

Abstract. The genus Telomerina Roháč;ek (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) is revised to include twelve species: five Palaearctic, five Nearctic, one Holarctic and one cosmopolitan. The five Neartic species, chillcotti, orpha, submerda, carta and pengellyi are described as new. The male of T.eburnea Roháček is described; T.gracilipennis (Spuler) is synonomized with T.flavipes (Meigen) and T.antonini Roháček is synonomized with T.levifrons (Spuler). The larva and pupa of T.flavipes are described. A phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus is presented along with a discussion of its zoogeography.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the fungus-growing ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Attini) based on morphological characters of the larvae

A phylogenetic hypothesis of the fungus-growing ants (subfamily Myrmicinae, tribe Attini) is proposed, based on a cladistic analysis utilizing forty-four morphological characters (109 states) of the prepupal worker larva. The fifty-one attine species analysed include representatives of eleven of the twelve currently recognized attine genera, excluding only the monotypic workerless parasite Pseudoatta ; the non-attines include two outgroups (species of the basal myrmicine genera Myrmica and Pogonomyrmex ), two myrmicine species presumed to be distantly related to the attines, and twelve species representing taxa that have been proposed by prior workers as possible sister groups of the Attini. There is strong character support for the monophyly of the Attini and for a sister-group relationship of the Attini and the Neotropical Blepharidatta brasiliensis. The Attini are divided into two distinct lineages, an 'apterostigmoid' clade (containing Apterostigma and Mycocepurus) and an 'attoid' clade (containing all other attine genera except Myrmicocrypta). The attine genus Myrmicocrypta appears to be paraphyletic with respect to these two groups; the species M.buenzlii in particular retains many attine plesiomorphies.
These results indicate that the fungus-growing behaviour had a single evolutionary origin in the ants. They also indicate that mycelium cultivation is plesiomorphic and that yeast cultivation is derived within the Attini, overturning the long-standing assumption that the yeast-growing Cyphomyrmex species are the most primitive Attini. Behavioural and ecological investigations into the origin and evolution of the fungus-growing behaviour might more profitably focus on species in the attine genus Myrmicocrypta , as well as those in the closely related non-attine genera Blepharidatta and Wasmannia.     

A new genus of trans-Tasman midge: Anzacladius gen. n. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae)

Based on larvae, pupae and adults of Australian and New Zealand Orthocladiinae (Chironomidae) midges, a genus new to science, Anzacladius , is described. Two species, A. numbat Cranston sp. n. and A. kangaroo Cranston sp. n., are described from temperate Australia (both western and south-eastern). A. kiwi Cranston sp. n. is described from both North and South Islands, New Zealand: association of the pharate pupa with its putative larva used sequence similarity of the CO1 ( cytochrome oxidase 1 ) gene. Pupal exuviae, the major stage for species recognition, show the genus occurs in running waters, especially in Australian acidic and sandy-bedded creeks, and Anzacladius species are found also in perched lakes of Queensland's Cooloolla region and Fraser Island. Previous morphological phylogenetic studies (under the code 'SO3') indicate a relationship to austral genera Botryocladius Cranston & Edward, Naonella Boothroyd and Echinocladius Cranston.     

The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: the genus Glossodoris Ehrenbergh (= Casella, H. & A. Adams)

The genus Glossodoris Ehrenberg is reviewed and 28 species are placed in the genus. Seventeen species are fully described and of these, seven are named as new species. Four others are considered new to science, but insufficient material is available to name them. Published information on a further 11 species is included as is a discussion on phylogenetic trends within the genus.     

Molecular phylogeny of the Australian frog genera Crinia, Geocrinia, and allied taxa (Anura: Myobatrachidae).

We present a mitochondrial gene tree for representative species of all the genera in the subfamily Myobatrachinae, with special emphasis on Crinia and Geocrinia. This group has been the subject of a number of long-standing taxonomic and phylogenetic debates. Our phylogeny is based on data from approximately 780 bp of 12S rRNA and 676 bp of ND2, and resolves a number of these problems. We confirm that the morphologically highly derived monotypic genera Metacrinia, Myobatrachus, and Arenophryne are closely related, and that Pseudophryne forms the sister group to these genera. Uperoleia and the recently described genus Spicospina are also part of this clade. Our data show that Assa and Geocrinia are reciprocally monophyletic and together they form a well-supported clade. Geocrinia is monophyletic and the phylogenetic relationships with the genus are fully resolved with two major species groups identified: G. leai, G. victoriana, and G. laevis; and G. rosea, G. alba, and G. vitellina (we were unable to sample G. lutea). We confirm that Taudactylus forms the sister group to the other myobatrachine genera, but our data are equivocal on the phylogenetic position of Paracrinia. The phylogenetic relationships among Crinia species are well resolved with strong support for a number of distinct monophyletic clades, but more data are required to resolve relationships among these major Crinia clades. Crinia tasmaniensis and Bryobatrachus nimbus form the sister clade to the rest of Crinia. Due to the lack of generic level synapomorphies for a Bryobatrachus that includes C. tasmaniensis, we synonymize Bryobatrachus with Crinia. Crinia georgiana does not form a clade distinct from other Crinia species and so our data do not support recognition of the genus Ranidella for other Crinia species. Crinia subinsignifera, C. pseudinsignifera, and C. insignifera are extremely closely related despite differences in male advertisement call. A preliminary investigation of phylogeographic substructure within C. signifera revealed significant divergence between samples from across the range of this species.     

Omomyid primates (Tarsiiformes) from the Early Middle Eocene at South Pass,Greater Green River Basin,Wyoming

Recent fieldwork in the Gardnerbuttean (earliest Bridgerian) sediments along the northeastern edge of the Green River Basin at South Pass, Wyoming, has yielded a large and diverse sample of omomyid (tarsiiform) primates. This assemblage includes two species each of Artimonius gen. nov., Washakius, and Omomys, one species of Anaptomorphus, Trogolemur and Uintanius, and a new, primitive species of the rare omomyine genus,Utahia. Utahia is known elsewhere only from its type locality in the Uinta Basin and its phylogenetic position is poorly understood. Utahia carina sp. nov. allows for re-evaluation of the affinities of this genus relative to other omomyines. In most characters, such as a lesser degree of molar trigonid compression, more widely open talonid notches, and a lack of molar talonid crenulation, the new species is more primitive than U. kayi. The dental anatomy of U. carina also indicates that Utahia is morphologically intermediate between washakiins and omomyins, although the balance of anatomical features places Utahia as the sister taxon to a broadly defined "Ourayini" clade. Morphological similarity between U. carina, Loveina zephyri, and primitive Washakius suggests that while the omomyin and washakiin clades may have diverged by the middle Wasatchian, substantial morphological distinctions are first evidenced only in the early Bridgerian. This may be due either to a lack of appropriate faunal samples from older sediments, or, more likely, because ecological circumstances in the early Bridgerian favored omomyine diversification and subsequent replacement of previously occurring taxa. This hypothesis is further supported by the stratigraphic co-occurrence of U. carina, W. izetti, and a primitive variant of W. insignis at South Pass, a marginal area. Basin margins have been hypothesized to provide heterogeneous habitats conducive to the production of evolutionary innovation. Basin margin samples have also been cited as evidence that anaptomorphines were relegated to upland refugia as omomyine taxa began to appear in the later part of the early Eocene. Another possible explanation for the unusual co-occurrence of species at South Pass relates to fluctuating lake levels in the Green River Basin, which intermittently would have made lowland environments inhospitable for arboreal fauna. This would have created a situation whereby species which would normally be allopatric become sympatric at South Pass.     

When genes meet nomenclature: tortoise phylogeny and the shifting generic concepts of Testudo and Geochelone

We used a five-gene data set (mtDNA: 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, cyt-b; nDNA: Cmos, Rag2) comprising approximately two-thirds of all extant testudinid species and, for the first time, including all five Testudo species to investigate the question of whether all western Palaearctic testudinids are monophyletic. Further, we examined whether the recently suggested allocation of the African Geochelone pardalis in the otherwise exclusively South African genus Psammobates and of the Malagasy G. yniphora in the monotypic genus Angonoka is justified in the face of considerable morphological evidence against such placements. Our phylogenetic analyses do not support the paraphyly and generic break-up of Testudo, as suggested by previous papers using a smaller taxon sampling and mtDNA data only. We propose a continued usage of the generic name Testudo for all five western Palaearctic tortoise species. Within Testudo, two monophyletic subclades are present, one containing T. hermanni+T. horsfieldii, and the other comprising (T. kleinmanni+T. marginata)+T. graeca. Nomenclaturally, we demonstrate that Eurotestudo Lapparent de Broin et al., 2006, which was recently erected with the type species T. hermanni, is an objective junior synonym of Chersine Merrem, 1820 and Medaestia Wussow, 1916. Recognition of a monotypic genus Angonoka for G. yniphora is unwarranted according to both our re-analysis of sequence data and morphological data. Acknowledging the strong morphological similarity between G. yniphora and G. radiata, we suggest placing both species into the genus Astrochelys. Although sequence data for only one of the three Psammobates species was available for analysis, there is currently no cause to challenge the monophyly of this genus as established on the basis of morphological evidence. Thus, we hypothesize that G. pardalis is sister to a monophyletic Psammobates. In light of the clear morphological gap between G. pardalis and Psammobates species, the recognition of a distinct genus Stigmochelys for the former seems justified.     

A new weevil genus of the tribe Metrioxenini (Coleoptera: Belidae) in Eocene Baltic amber

A new genus, Succinometrioxena n. gen., and a new species, S. poinari n. sp. (Metrioxenini: Oxycoryninae), are described from Baltic amber. This new genus resembles the recent genus Wallacexena Legalov, 2009 but differs from it by the frons with horn-like tubercles on either side, the absence of a middle pronotal carina, teeth on the side of the pronotum, the anterior margin of the pronotum lacking teeth and two long carinae on the elytra. From the fossil genus Paltorhynchus Scudder, 1893 the present fossil differs by possessing a frons with horn-like tubercles on either side, the absence of a middle pronotal carina, teeth on the sides of the pronotum, two long carinae on the elytra and short temples. From the fossil genus Archimetrioxena Voss, 1953, the new genus differs by the frons with horn-like tubercles on either side, the absence of the two truncated elytral carinae, the sides of the pronotum with teeth, short temples and a larger body size.     

Phylogeny of the genus Aleochara inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase sequences (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

The phylogeny of the genus Aleochara was previously poorly understood due to difficulties with phylogenetic reconstruction by morphological characters. We present here a phylogeny based on the sequences of a 2022-bp fragment of the COI/II genes; 50 Aleochara and 10 outgroup species were included in the analysis. We used parsimony, minimum-evolution, and maximum-likelihood analyses to infer the phylogeny of the group. Our data do not support the commonly assumed sister group relationship between Aleocharini and Hoplandriini. Aleochara is resolved as a monophylum, although A. clavicornis might not belong to the genus. Within Aleochara, there are two large monophyletic clades. Many of the existing subgenera are shown to be para- or polyphyletic; others are likely to be monophyletic. Tinotus morion, previously assigned to the Hoplandriini, is strongly supported as belonging to Aleochara. According to our data, the mesosternal carina that has been used as an important character for classification has arisen and been reduced independently in several clades within Aleochara.