Further study on the phylogeny,taxonomy and distribution of the genus Veturius Kaup in Central and South America (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

This study provides data on the phylogeny, taxonomy and distribution of 14 known and five new species of the Neotropical genus Veturius Kaup (Proculini), belonging to various subgenera and species groups: V. (Veturius) latissimus n. sp. (Colombia, Central Andes) and V. (V.) calimanus n. sp. (Pacific slope of the Occidental Cordillera) are separated from V. (V.) caquetaensis Boucher, 1988, which seems restricted to the Amazonian slope of the Oriental Cordillera (Caquetá, Putumayo); V. (V.) sinuatomarginatus Luederwaldt, 1941 (Costa Rica), n. syn. of V. sinuatocollis Kuwert, 1890; V. sinuatocollis aculeatus Luederwaldt, 1941 (syntype from Costa Rica); V. (V.) aspina Kuwert, 1898 (located in Occidente of Ecuador, Guayaquil); V. (V.) yahua Boucher, 2006 (located in Occidente of Ecuador, Pichincha and SW Colombia, Nariño); V. (V.) guntheri Kuwert, 1898 (located in Peru, SE Puno and Colombia, W Putumayo); V. (V.) cephalotes (Le Peletier & Serville, 1825) (citation from Guyana); V. (V.) sinuatus (Eschscholtz, 1829) (previous synonymy); V. (V.) libericornis Kuwert, 1891 (located in Peru, Cuzco); V. (V.) lepidus Fonseca, 1999 (revision; located in Colombia, Amazonas, Putumayo and Peru, Loreto); V. (V.) transversus (Dalman, 1817) [syntype; previous synonymy of V. trituberculatus (Eschscholtz, 1829) with V. assimilis (Weber, 1801) and located in Brazil, Mato Grosso]; V. (V.) sinuosus (Drapiez, 1820) (corrected reference for Colombia); V. (Publius) crassus (Smith, 1852) (new syntype); V. (P.) danieli Boucher, 2006 (holotype deposit); V. (P.) vazdemelloi Boucher, n. sp. (Andes of Ecuador, Azuay); V. (Ouayana) unicornis Gravely, 1918 (located in Colombia, E Vaupés); V. (O.) costaianus Boucher, n. sp. (Venezuela, Amazonas, NW Pacaraima Massif); Ticoisthmus Boucher, n. subg., for the species group of V. (O.) laevior (Kaup, 1868), of southern Central America; and V. (T.) brachypterus Boucher, n. sp. (Costa Rica, Sierra Talamanca). Ticoisthmus is considered the sister group of Ouayana. It belongs to the Meso-American low mountain dispersion pattern and demonstrates, especially in the genus Veturius, but also more generally in the Neotropical passalids, the hot-spot characteristics, with diversity and endemism, of the narrow land between the Depression of Nicaragua and the Isthmus of Panama.     

A remarkable new Veturius (Veturius) of the Brazilian Central Amazonas,with an inventory of the genus in Brazil (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

A new species of Veturius (Veturius) Kaup, of Brazil, Central Amazonas, lower basin of Urucu, Tefé and Coari, is described and illustrated. V. urucuensis n. sp. belongs to the “cephalotes” species group, and has an external autapomorphy for the family Passalidae: a large tuft of setae on the medioposterior area of the metasternum. The species is closely allied to V. jolyi Boucher, 2006, from the Brazil-Venezuela-Guyana border. The peculiar endemism of the new species suggests an intra-continental island vicariance into the Amazon Basin. No similar process was known in the large genus Veturius. A complete inventory of the 22 Veturius species in Brazil is given, with their distribution, and following the previously established monophyletic species groups. From Brazil, two species are newly reported, V. (Ouayana) guyanensis Boucher, 2006 (Pará) and V. (O.) dominicae Boucher, 2006 (Roraima), and one species is confirmed, V. (O.) unicornis Gravely, 1918 (Amazonas). New details are given on some other Brazilian Veturius.     

Novedades taxonómicas y un nuevo registro de Magnoliaceae para Colombia

Two new Colombian species of Magnolia from Antioquia are described and illustrated. Magnolia coronata can be distinguished by a ring of woolly, golden pubescence present in the youngest internodes of the branches. Magnolia jardinensis has numerous punctations on the outermost petals and a woolly, yellowish pubescence. Magnolia chimantensis, a species previously known only from the type locality in Chimantá, Venezuela, is reported for the first time from Santander, Colombia.

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Resumen  Se describen e ilustran dos especies colombianas de Magnolia, nuevas para la ciencia, provenientes del departamento de Antioquia. Magnolia coronata se distingue por un anillo de indumento lanoso dorado presente en el entrenudo más joven de las ramillas. Magnolia jardinensis se caracteriza por las numerosas puntuaciones presentes en los pétalos más externos y por la pubescencia lanosa y amarillenta. Se presentan los primeros registros para Colombia, en el departamento de Santander, de la especie Magnolia chimantensis, conocida hasta ahora solamente por la colección del tipo proveniente de Chimantá, en Venezuela.

     

A new blue-grey Veturius (Publius) Kaup of the northwestern Sierra de Talamanca,Costa Rica (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

A new species of Veturius (Publius) Kaup, V. unanus n. sp., from a mountain cloud forest of Costa Rica, northwestern Sierra de Talamanca, Tapantí-Río Macho Massif, Province of Cartago, is described and illustrated. It is the first known Publius species with a blue-grey body color, matt elytra and shining or satiny elsewhere. The species is interpreted as sister species of V. (Publius) talamacaensis Boucher, 2006, from which it differs by a few characters. Both species are sympatric. V. unanus n. sp. is the northernmost endemic in the subgenus Publius.     

A new Veturius (Veturius) of the “cephalotes” group from southern Colombia,Putumayo (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

A new species of Veturius (Veturius) Kaup from southern Colombia, Putumayo, lowland forests, is described and illustrated. V. paya n. sp. belongs to the South American “cephalotes” species group and is sister species of V. cephalotes (Le Peletier & Serville, 1825). Both species are distinguished by few characters of the head and thorax. They seem to be allopatric close to the western distributional limits of V. cephalotes. The endemism of V. paya n. sp. corresponds to a geographic vicariance in the axis of the Amazon Basin. An overview is given on the phylogeny and the chorology of the completed “cephalotes” species group.     

Esporotricosis: prevalencia,perfil clínico y epidemiológico en un centro de referencia en Colombia

BackgroundSporotrichosis is a subacute and chronic infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii, which affects humans and other mammals. Clinical and epidemiological information in Colombia is scarce.ObjectiveTo describe clinical and socio-demographic findings and diagnostic tests in patients with sporotrichosis from 1996 to 2005 in a national reference center in Colombia, and to determine the institutional prevalence from 2002 to 2005.Material and methodsThis was a prevalence study, including patients with clinical diagnosis of sporotrichosis and at least one of the following criteria: positive culture with S. schenckii, pathologic diagnosis suggestive of sporotrichosis, or response to treatment with potassium iodide.ResultsSixty cases were included, 67% were male, and 25% of them were farmers. The most affected anatomical areas were the forearms and hands (32.5% and 22.8% respectively). Most cases came from the Cundinamarca and Boyacá areas. The cases presented as fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis and lymphangitic sporotrichosis. Differential diagnoses with: leishmaniasis and chromoblastomycosis were performed in most of the cases. All patients were treated with potassium iodide. The prevalence for our center from 2002 to 2005 was 8 cases per 100,000 patients.ConclusionsThe characteristics of our patients are similar to those described in other populations, with some differences. The culture continues to be the gold standard for diagnosis purposes. Potassium iodide is the treatment of choice in our center.     

Aulonemia bogotensis (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), a new species from the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia

A new species of Aulonemia from the páramos of the Cordillera Oriental, Cundinamarca, Colombia, is described and illustrated. Aulonemia bogotensis is distinguished by its diminutive size, abaxially tomentose foliage leaf blades, and spikelets with muticous lemmas. Two similar Colombian endemics, A. pumila and A. trianae, are compared and contrasted with the new species.     

Description of a new species and notes on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crossoglossa</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Malaxideae) from the eastern Andes in Colombia and Venezuela

A new species of Crossoglossa (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Malaxideae), Crossoglossa acuminatissima, from Santander del Sur Department in Colombia, is described and illustrated, and its affinities are discussed. Malaxis tipuloides var. exigua is raised to the rank of species as Crossoglossa exigua, and its report from Venezuela constitutes the first record of the genus Crossoglossa in that country.

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Resumen  Se describe Crossoglossa acuminatissima de Santander del Sur en Colombia y se provee una ilustración y una discusión de sus afinidades. Malaxis tipuloides var. exigua se eleva al rango de especie como Crossoglossa exigua, y su reporte para Venezuela constituye el primer registro del género en ese país.

     

New species of llerasia (Asteraceae: Astereae) from Peru

Two new species from Peru,Llerasia pascoensis Sagást. & Dillon andLl. sanmartinensis Sagást. & Dillon are described and illustrated, and their relationships discussed. A key to the Peruvian species ofLlerasia is presented. Also, a notable range extension into northern Peru is reported forLl. lindenii Triana, a species previously known only from Colombia and Ecuador.     

Saurauia oroquensis,a new species of Actinidiaceae from Colombia

Saurauia oroquensis, a new species from Colombia remarkably allied toS. bullosa Wawra, is described. It is distinguished from the latter by the absence of stellate trichomes on the lower leaf surface, by the homotrichous nature of sepal pubescence (limited only to the exposed parts in bud, with the imbricated parts and inner surface completely glabrous), and by the much lower number of stamens per flower. This new taxon is endemic to the Colombia-Venezuelan border region (Táchira-Norte de Santander).     

Physiological and molecular characterization of Phytophthora infestans isolates from the Central Colombian Andean Region

BackgroundLate blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most devastating diseases found in potato and tomato crops worldwide. In Colombia it also attacks other important crops: cape gooseberry and tree tomato. The knowledge of the pathogen population is determinant to effectively design control strategies.AimsTo determine the physiological and molecular characteristics of a set of Colombian P. infestans isolates.MethodsStrains isolated from Cundinamarca and Boyacá were examined for the level of resistance to mefenoxam and cymoxanil. Virulence was tested for all strains and crosses between A1 mating type, from different hosts, and the Colombian A2 mating type were tested for the production and viability of oospores in different substrates. Additionally, the molecular diversity of the avirulence gene Avr3a, the β-tubulin gene, and two single copy genes showing RxLR motif, was assessed.ResultsWe found all levels of mefenoxam sensitivity, with 48% of the strains resistant. A high diversity of races was detected and the population was genetically clonal. Colombian strains had the possibility of sexual reproduction.ConclusionsThese results will help in optimizing the use of fungicides and deployment of resistance as control strategies and will contribute to broader studies on diversity of this pathogen.     

“Murrí” (Antioquia Department, Colombia): hotspot for neotropical blueberries (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae)

A taxonomic review of the Vaccinieae (Ericaceae) from the region known as Murrí (Antioquia Department, Colombia) is presented. This area has the highest generic and specific diversity of Vaccinieae known in the Neotropics, with 10 genera and 45 species.Cavendishia antioquiensis, C. viridiflora, Psammisia citrina, andP. mediobullata are newly described and illustrated.Cavendishia sessiliflora andSatyria latifolia are redescribed from complete collections. Pollination by hummingbirds in neotropical Vaccinieae is discussed and nectar content is reported for the first time for 26 species.

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Resumen  Se presenta una revisión taxonómica de la tribu Vaccinieae (Ericaceae) de la región conocida como Murrí (Departamento de Antioquia, Colombia). Esta área tiene la diversidad más alta tanto en géneros como en especies de esta tribu conocidos en el Neotrópico, con 10 géneros y 45 especies. Aquí se describenCavendishia antioquiensis, C. viridiflora, Psammisia citrina, yP. mediobullata con sus respectivas ilustraciones. Se redescribenCavendishia sessiliflora ySatyria latifolia de colecciones completas. También se discute polinización de Vaccinieae por colibríes en el Neotrópico y se incluye el contenido de nectar registrado por primera vez para 26 especies.

     

Three new species of Philocorydoras Suriano, 1986 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) infecting the gills of callichthyids (Actinopterygii: Callichthyidae) from the Peruvian Amazonia

During a research on gill ectoparasites of callichthyids fishes from the Peruvian Amazonia, the following monogenoideans were found: Philocorydoras peruensis n. sp. from Corydoras splendens (Castelnau); Philocorydoras multiradiatus n. sp. and Philocorydoras jumboi n. sp. from Brochis multiradiatus (Orcés, V.). All new species described herein are mainly differentiated from their congeners based on the morphology of the copulatory complex. In P. peruensis n. sp. the cirrus is “J”-like shaped tube slightly tilted to one side, while in P. jumboi n. sp. is “J”-like shaped tube in a straight position and in P. multiradiatus n. sp. the cirrus is an arced tube with inflated base and distally narrow. Brochis (Orcés, V.) represents a new genus hosting species of Philocorydoras. All new species presented in this work represent the first species of Philocorydoras reported for Peru.

     

Four new species of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from Brazil and updated identification keys

Four new species of longhorn beetles are described from Brazil: Coleoxestia diamantina n. sp. (Cerambycinae, Cerambycini), from Bahia; Mirador bravoi n. sp. (Cerambycinae, Ectenessini), from Bahia; Compsibidion antonietae n. sp. (Cerambycinae, Neoibidionini), from Goiás, Bahia and São Paulo; and Amphicnaeia quadrifasciata n. sp. (Lamiinae, Apomecynini) from Bahia. Coleoxestia diamantina and Compsibidion antonietae are included in previous keys.     

New species,new geographical records of Neoibidionini and description of the females of Compsibidion paradoxum Martins, 1971 and Glomibidion trinidadense (Gilmour, 1963) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Two new species of Neoibidionini from Colombia are described: Psiloibidion boteroi n. sp. and Tropidion neisi n. sp. The previous key to species of Tropidion is modified to include the new species. The females of Compsibidion paradoxum Martins, 1971 and Glomibidion trinidadense (Gilmour, 1963) are described and illustrated for the first time. Moreover, the geographical distribution is expanded for nine species of Neoibidionini.     

Do species of Neacratus with anchor-shaped sclerite of endophallus really belong to Neacratus (Coleoptera: Brentidae: Acratini)?

A small group of nine nominal species belonging to the genus Neacratus Alonso-Zarazaga, Lyal, Sforzi & Bartolozzi, 1999 is studied in detail from a morphological point of view. Lectotypes are designated for Brentus obtusus Lund, 1800 and Nemocephalus fulgidus Kleine, 1928. Three new synonymies are proposed: Nemocephalus brevicostatus Kleine, 1922 n. syn. for Brenthus obtusus Lund, 1800, Nemocephalus longiceps Perroud, 1853 n. syn. for Brenthus famulus Boheman, 1840, and Nemocephalus fulgidus Kleine, 1928 n. syn. for B. famulus Boheman, 1840. A new species, Neacratus pascali n. sp., is described from French Guiana. New country records are provided for Neacratus obtusus (Bolivia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Grenada, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela), N. puncticeps (Sharp, 1895) (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela), N. guatemalensis (Senna, 1893) (Belize, Colombia, El Salvador), N. deplanatus (Sharp, 1895) (Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela) and N. famulus (Paraguay). A phylogenetic analysis carried out on this group shows it forms a monophyletic lineage included in a clade containing most of other species of Neacratus, of which it is the type species; it is therefore not justified to create a new generic name. The possible polyphyletism of the genus Neacratus as a whole and the development of an excessively long rostrum in some male Acratini are discussed.     

A new genus of the tribe Acratini from the continental Neotropical region (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea,Brentidae)

A group of 10 species belonging to the Neotropical tribe Acratini Alonso-Zarazaga, Lyal, Bartolozzi & Sforzi 1999, is shown to be monophyletic by a phylogenetic analysis based on 48 morphological characters. A new genus, Pertusius n. gen., is described, based on three derived characters of external and genital morphology: venter of prorostrum of males with fine median longitudinal carina, base of elytra with deep pit at the place of insertion on mesonotum, and proximal sclerite of endophallus more or less horseshoe-shaped. Eight species were previously known and, according to former authors, belonged to the genera Acratus Lacordaire 1865 [Pertusius apicalis (Sharp 1895), n. comb., P. errabundus (Kleine 1927), n. comb., P. extrarius (Kleine 1927), n. comb., P. fidus (Kleine 1927), n. comb. and P. telesi (Soares & Meyer 1959), n. comb.] and Proteramocerus Kleine 1921 [Pertusius chalcites (Perty 1832), n. comb., P. filum (Sharp 1895), n. comb., and P. laevis (Germar 1824), n. comb.]. Four new synonymies are proposed: Proteramocerus disparilis Soares & Dias 1971, n. syn. for Acratus apicalis Sharp 1895; Teramocerus laevigatus Boheman 1840, n. syn. for Arrhenodes chalcites Perty 1832; Acratus extraordinarius Kleine 1927, n. syn. for Acratus errabundus Kleine 1927; Proteramocerus diringshofeni Soares & Dias 1971, n. syn. for Acratus filum Sharp 1895. Two new species are described: Pertusius guyanensis n. sp. from French Guiana, and P. mexicanus n. sp. from Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula). Pertusius apicalis is newly cited from Bolivia and Peru, P. chalcites from Argentina and Paraguay, P. extrarius from Ecuador, P. fidus from Peru and P. telesi from Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. An identification key to species of the genus is provided.     

New species of Mendoncia (Acanthaceae) from Colombia

Two new Colombia species ofMendoncia,M. zarucchii from Vaupés andM. antioquiensis from Antioquia, are described, illustrated, and compared with their closest relatives. A revised key to the Colombian species closely following Leonard is provided.     

Studies in neotropical Piperaceae. II. Four new species and a new combination from Colombia and Peru

Peperomia boekei, an endemic from Peru, andPeperomia antioquiensis, Piper perpusillum, andPiper valdivianum, all known only from the Department of Antioquia (Colombia), are described and illustrated, and their relationships are discussed. A new combination,Piper enckeaespicum (Trel. & Yuncker) Callejas, is proposed.