The Comb-footed spider genera Theridion, Achaearanea and Anelosimus of Israel (Araneae: Theridiidae)

Israeli thendiid spiders of the genera Theridion, Achaearanea and Anelosimus have been revised. A relative richness in species is presented providing thereby updated information on the little known Mediterranean spider fauna. All type and non-type material previously described from the Middle East, deposited in several European collections has been re-examined, along with species from adjacent regions considered pertinent to the study undertaken. Altogether 21 species are recognized. Systematic, ecologic and all available zoogeographic information on taxa treated are discussed along with recent, pertaining literature. The presence of seven species formerly reported from Israel has been confirmed and the occurrence of another four species unknown hitherto from this region, has been proved. Some of these have never been adequately described or illustrated.
Ten new species are described: Theridion ochreolus, T. agaricographus, T hierwhonticus, T. jordanensis, T. negebensis, T. gekkonicus, T. dafnensis, T. vallisalinarum, T. pustiliferus and Anelosimus giladensis. The male of Theridion melanostictum is described for the first time. Keys, illustrations of diagnostic characters and records of distribution are provided for each species, all readily applicable also in adjacent countries. These may provide clues for better understanding of zoogeographic patterns of the Palearctic fauna, including those of the Old World Desert belt extending south and east of the Mediterranean region.     

中国湖南省球蛛属两新种记述

记述了采自湖南省壶瓶山国家自然保护区内的球蛛属2新种:壶峰球蛛Theridion hufengensis sp.nov.和灌木球蛛Theridion fruticum sp.nov..壶峰球蛛与琼海球蛛Theridion qionghaiensis Zhu,1998的主要区别是:1)背部斑纹不同;2)外雌器交媾腔不同,本种有中隔,交媾孔开口于两侧,后者开口于一处;3)交媾管走向不同,本种由内向外延伸,后者由外侧向内侧弯曲.灌木球蛛与克拉球蛛Theridion karamyensis Zhu,1998的区别是:1)本种正中条斑外有白色细边和灰黑波纹;2)交媾管与纳精囊相接处无扭曲;3)交媾腔有中隔,被分成2个圆形腔,而后者无中隔.模式标本保存在湖南师范大学生命科学学院.文中量度单位为mm.     

The Spider Genera Singa and Hypsosinga (Araneae, Araneidae) in Israel

Israeli spiders of the orb-weaver genera Singa and Hypsosinga (Araneidae) have been revised. New and updated information on the little known Mediterranean spider fauna, pertaining to European species as well, is presented. Some of the species have never been adequately described or illustrated. All the species previously described from the Middle East and adjacent countries were re-examined. Aranea neta is newly placed in Singa and the following new synonyms are defined: Lithyphantes sepfemguffafus Simon, 1873, along with Araneus decorus (Simon, 1891) and Lithyphantes pollocki Denis, 1956 = Singa neta (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872); Singa afjinis O. P.-Cambridge, 1876 along with Singa attica Simon, 1884 = Hypsosinga albovittata (Westring, 1851). The presence of three species formerly reported from Israel, including one erroneously determined, has been confirmed, and the occurrence of another three species previously unknown from this country has been proved. All are newly described. Keys, detailed illustrations of diagnostic characters and records of -distribution are provided for each species.     

Advances in the Taxonomy of Spiders in Miocene Amber from the Dominican Republic (Arthropoda: Araneae)

Trachelas poinari sp. nov. (Corinnidae), Miagrammopes sp. indet. (Uloboridae) and the first indisputable fossil Lycosidae (gen. et sp. indet.) are newly identified and described in Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic. The following are junior synonyms: Nops segmentatus Wunderlich, 1988 of N. lobatus Wunderlich, 1988 (Caponiidae); Azilia muellenmeisteri Wunderlich, 1988 of A. hispaniolensis Wunderlich, 1988 (Tetragnathidae); and Lyssomanes galianoae Reiskind, 1989 of L. pristinus Wunderlich, 1986 (Salticidae). The specimens described as Nops sp. (Caponiidae), Selenops beynai Schawaller, 1984, S. sp. 1, and S. sp. 2 (Selenopidae) by Wunderlich (1988) are unrecognizable as distinct species. The following new combinations are presented: gen. indet. clypeatus (Wunderlich, 1988) (= Anelosimus clypeatus ) (Theridiidae); Meioneta bigibber (Wunderlich, 1988) (= Agyneta bigibber ), M. fastigata (Wunderlich, 1988) (= Agyneta fastigata ), M. separata (Wunderlich, 1988) (= Agyneta separata ) (Linyphiidae); Enacrosoma verrucosa (Wunderlich, 1988) (= Cyclosa verrucosa ) (Araneidae); Pseudosparianthis pfeiferi (Wunderlich, 1988) (= Tentabunda pfeiferi ) (Sparassidae). Theridion wunderlichi nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for T. ovale Wunderlich, 1988 (nom. preocc.). The previously unknown male of Styposis pholcoides Wunderlich, 1988 (Theridiidae) is described. Additional features of Argyrodes crassipatellaris Wunderlich, 1988 (Theridiidae) are described; this species is transferred from the trigonum to the cancellatus species group. Nine specimens belonging to six previously described species, and six juvenile Selenops sp. (including one exuvium) are newly identified. These are the first fossil records of Trachelas, Enacrosoma and Pseudosparianthis, giving them stratigraphic ranges of 15–20 my; the genera Anelosimus, Cyclosa and Agyneta are unknown in the fossil record.     

湖北九宫山自然保护区蜘蛛群落的初步调查

1999年7－8月对湖北省九宫山自然保护区蜘蛛资源进行了调查,共采集到蜘蛛15科14属68种。结果表明：群落优势种为肩斑银鳞蛛、斜纹猫蛛和银锥腹蛛。群落多样性指数（H‘）为3．2367,均匀性指数（E）为0．7671,优势集中性指数（C）为0．0720。4种蜘蛛为湖北省分布新记录。     

Additional records of the Ring-necked Parakeet,Psittacula krameri,from Egypt and the Middle East

Abstract

Additional new records and references from the literature are given for the Ring-nek-ked Parakeet, Psittacula krameri, in Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Syria. The species only succeeds in surviving in areas where there is little pressure from hunting, for example the city area of Cairo and several localities in Israel.     

Aphelinidae parasitoids [Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea] of whiteflies [Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae] in Israel,with description of three new species

Fifteen aphelinidae species, belonging to the generaEncarsia Foerter andEretmocerus Haldeman, are recorded as new whiteflies parasitoids from Israel. Three new species are described and recorded for the first time from Israel. A key to the Israeli species is given.     

The agelenid funnel-weaver family and the spider genus Cedicus in Israel (Araneae, Agelenidae and Cybaeidae)

The funnel-weaver spiders of the family Agelenidae in Israel are revised along with spiders of the excluded genus Cedicus , here placed in the Cybaeidae. Although the webs are conspicuous and abundant only very few members of these families have been reported thus far from the East Mediterranean fauna. Altogether 19 species of agelenids are described with detailed diagnostic illustrations, including eight new records and six species new to science. With the biological and zoogeographical information revised and all type and non-type material pertinent to the fauna reexamined, the occurrence of Lycosoides and Maimuna in the Middle East has been verified while Textrix is absent. Agelena is represented only by a single species. Two Mediterranean species are newly placed in Benoitia , and a new genus Agelescape has been erected to accommodate three species. Tegenaria proves to be the largest indigenous genus and includes some of the long-legged spiders in Israel. The relationships of Cedicus and its two species in Israel are addressed. The new species described are: Agelescape gideoni, Maimuna carmelica, M. meronis, Tegenaria mediterranea, T. epacris, T. angustipalpis and Cedicus israeliensis .     

Revision of the Widow-spider genus Latrodectus (Araneae:Theridiidae) in Israel

The six species of Widow-spiders ( Latrodectus ) found in Israel are revised. Three of them are reported for the first time from this region. The Mediterranean L.tredecimguttatus is maintained as a distinct species differing from the American L.mactans , while evidence on the occurrence in Israel of a distinct population, close to the American L.hesperus is provided. Five sympatric species of Latrodectus are found in the more arid zones of Israel and one allopatric population of the cosmotropical L.geometricus occurs in the Mediterranean Coastal Plain. A conspectus on the systematics alongside distribution and ecological records of each species is given. The biological and morphological distinctive characters separating the species are then assessed in an extended discussion. Illustrations and a key to the species are provided.     

New species of mole crickets of the Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa group (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) from Israel, based on morphology, song recordings, chromosomes and cuticular hydrocarbons, with comments on the distribution of the group in Europe and the Mediterranean region

Two sibling species of mole crickets of the Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa group inhabit Israel. Both are described as new species based on differences in their morphology, acoustic behaviour, chromosome number, cuticular hydrocarbon pattern and habitats. The species with males having 2n = 23 chromosomes, described in the past as the 'Dead Sea race', is designated as G. marismortui sp.n. It is an endangered species. In morphology and chromosome number it is similar to G. cossyrensis Bacetti & Capra from Italy, but differs in the composition of cuticular hydrocarbons. Gryllotalpa marismortui occurs in a limited geographical area along the shore of the Dead Sea. Another species, with 2n = 19 chromosomes, is described as G. tali sp.n. and is found throughout Israel. The calling songs of the males of the new species differ markedly. Females of the respective chromosomal numbers discriminate in favour of the homospecific call. Their habitats are strikingly different: G. marismortui lives in hypersaline soil along the Dead Sea shore (total chloride 187.25 meq %), G. tali inhabits freshwater soil (9.31 meq %). The distribution of the twelve known sibling species and one chromosomal race (not yet described) of the G. gryllotalpa group from Europe and the eastern Mediterranean is summarized. The zoogeography and phylogeny of the group are discussed.     

A key to species of the genus Gastroserica Brenske of the China (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Sericini), with the description of two new species and two new records for China

Based on a revision of the material housed in Chinese collections and a key to species of Gastroserica of China is provided. Two new species are described, habitus photographs, and illustrations of the genitalia are given: Gastroserica nigrofasciatasp. n. (from China: Guangxi and Guizhou Prov.), Gastroserica yunnanensissp. n. (from China: Yunnan Prov.). Besides, illustrations of the genitalia of species mentioned in the key are provided. Additional distribution records of the Gastroserica species including an updated distribution map are given.     

The cyclopid (Crustacea,Copepoda) fauna of the inland waters of Israel

Four species of the genusMesocyclops (Cyclopoida: Cyclopidae) are reported from Israel:Mesocyclops kieferi Van de Velde, 1984,Mesocyclops aequatorialis similis Van de Velde, 1984,Mesocyclops ogunnus Onabamiro, 1957 andMesocyclops arcanus n.sp. The new species, close toM. kieferi, is described and some remarks are given for the other species.     

中国球蛛科三新种(蛛形纲,蜘蛛目)

记述了球蛛科Theridiidae 3新种,肋脊球蛛Therid-ion carinatumsp.noV.,双凹球蛛Theridion bidepressum sp.noV.和蝶斑高蛛Takayus papiliomaculatus sp.nov.     

中国西部柄锈菌新资料

本文报告了我国西部的四种柄锈菌。黑果茜草Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis上的西北柄锈菌Puccinia boreo-occidentalis被描述为新种。垂花报春Primula nutans上的北极柄锈菌P. arctica、车叶草Asperula aparine上的车叶草柄锈菌P. asperulae-aparines和黄水枝Tiarella polyphylla上的黄水枝生柄锈菌P. tiarellicola为中国新记录。根据我国的标本对每个种作了描述和讨论并附有孢子线条图。所有标本保藏在中国科学院菌物标本馆(HMAS)。     

New Species,Synonymies and Records of the Neotropical Spider GenusAnyphaenoides Berland (Araneae,Anyphaenidae, Anyphaeninae)

New data on the genus Anyphaenoides are presented. A. paraguana Brescovit and A. lecta (Chickering) are synonymized with A. irusa Brescovit and Sillus placens (O.P.-Cambridge), respectively. The latter species is transferred to Anyphaenoides. The first records of an anyphaenine, A. pacifica (Banks), are given from Chile. Four new species are described: A. volcan from Panama; A. xiboreninho and A. coddingtoni from Brazil; and A. samiria from Peru.     

A new species and new records of the leafhopper genus Taperus Li & Wang, 1994 (Hemiptera,Cicadellidae, Evacanthinae) from China

The paper deals with the species of the Oriental leafhopper genus Taperus Li & Wang. A new species, Taperus daozhenensissp. n., from Guizhou Province, China is described and new records for other Chinese species are given together with a key for their separation. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University (GUGC).     

The family of huntsman spiders in Israel with annotations on species of the Middle East (Araneae: Sparassidae)

The spiders of the family Sparassidae in Israel have been described and species of the Middle East and from adjacent faunae have been revised. They are amongst the main predatory spiders of the Old World deserts although some also occur in less arid environments. Systematic and ecological information is presented and patterns of their zoogeographic distribution are discussed. Type and non-type material pertinent to the faunae investigated, deposited in a great number of European collections, has been re-examined. Nearly all species have never been adequately described or illustrated. The genus Cerbalus , species of which have never before been recorded in Asia, is revised. Nonianus is likewise a new Asiatic record while Olios and Heteropoda are reported for the first time from Israel. The African Micrommata longipes Bösenberg & Lenz, 1895 is transferred to Pseudomicrommata, Cerbalus concolor Denis,1947 is newly placed in Cerbalopsis , and a new synonymy of the genus Marmarica Caporiacco,1928 with Cerbalus Simon, 1897 has been proved. The following new synonyms are defined: Heteropoda civilis (Reuss, 1834) together with Sparassus tersus (C. L. Koch, 1838), S. validus Thorell, 1875, S. cognatus O.P.-Cambridge, 1876, 5. fontanieri Simon, 1880, and Eusparassus kronebergi Denis,1958 = Sparassus walckenaeri (Audouin, 1827); Cerbalus angustifrons Denis,1960, and C. sahariensis Jézéquel & Junqua,1966 = Cerbalus pulcherrimus (Simon, 1880); Olios impediens Denis,1947 = Olios suavis (O.P.Cambridge, 1876), new combination; Cebrennus sparassoides Caporiacco, 1921 = Cebrennus castaneitarsis Simon, 1880. Two new species are described: Cerbalus psammodes and C. negebensis. Key to the genera and detailed illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided for each species, and are readily applicable to species of adjacent countries.