Vietnamese species of Taumacera viridis–group with a description of new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

The species of Taumacera viridis species–group from Vietnam are revised. Four species are recognized. Taumacera indica (Jacoby, 1889), T. occipitalis (Laboissière, 1933) and T. variceps (Laboissière, 1933), are redescribed. Taumacera phuquoca sp. nov. from Phu Quoc National Park (southern Vietnam) is described. An identification key is provided for all Vietnamese species.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:396862F9-8A47-4101-A27C-CD0625E68FA1.     

On the identity of two Antarctic brooding nemerteans: redescription of Antarctonemertes valida (Bürger, 1893) and description of a new species in the genus Antarctonemertes Friedrich, 1955 (Nemertea, Hoplonemertea)

Nemerteans (ribbon worms) constitute an abundant and occasionally conspicuous group of benthic invertebrates in the Southern Ocean. Although recent work has confirmed that this group is far more diverse than previously recognized, the Antarctic nemertean fauna remains poorly understood when compared to other geographic regions. In most cases, the taxonomic information on the known nemertean fauna is incomplete for this region and/or has been inappropriately documented. As a consequence, many of the species described are considered species inquirendae. Among the nearly 50 species described so far for the Southern Ocean, two hoplonemerteans are known to brood eggs in cocoons: Amphiporus incubator Joubin, 1914 and Amphiporus michaelseni Bürger, 1895a. Here, we redescribe Antarctonemertes valida (Bürger, 1893), a senior synonym of A. michaelseni, and describe a new congeneric species, Antarctonemertes riesgoae sp. nov. Both species show a similar reproductive strategy by brooding their cocoons, and similar external appearance, but clearly differ in other aspects of their morphology, such as the cephalic coloration pattern and the number of proboscidial nerves. We provide novel information about their life habitus, reproductive behaviour, internal anatomy, and their phylogenetic placement within hoplonemerteans using one nuclear (28S rRNA) and two mitochondrial [cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA] markers. We also provide a parsimony haplotype network using 16S rRNA, COI, and the internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS-2) showing a clear distinction between individuals of both species. Our results stress the need of combining molecular and morphological information when dealing with closely related species of nemerteans.     

A redescription of Tricliona fasciata Lefèvre, 1885 (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae) and changes in a species list of the genus Tricliona Lefèvre, 1885

The type species of the genus Tricliona Lefèvre, 1885, T. fasciata Lefèvre, 1885, is redescribed. Rhyparida armata Jacoby, 1889, Rh. raapi Jacoby, 1899, Rh. bengalensis Jacoby, 1908, and Rh. quinquemaculata Jacoby, 1887 are transferred to the genus Tricliona. Tricliona sulcipennis Jacoby, 1904 and T. sulcatipennis Jacoby, 1896 are transferred to the genus Rhyparida Baly, 1861. A catalogue of the Tricliona species of the Malay Archipelago fauna is given.     

Revision of the Agrilus beatissimus species–group (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) with description of five new species from Southeast Asia

The newly defined Agrilus beatissimus species–group comprising seven species from Southeast Asia is revised. The key to species is provided and complemented with illustrations of habitus, genitalia and type specimens. The following five new species are described: Agrilus bilyanus sp. nov. (Thailand); A. campana sp. nov. (Laos); A. galazopos sp. nov. (Laos); A. plurifrons sp. nov. (Laos, Myanmar) and A. undatus sp. nov. (Laos). Comprehensive commented references, data on type specimens and new faunal records are cited. The distribution is updated for A. beatissimusDescarpentries and Villiers 1963 and A. dunoyeriBaudon 1968.     

Supplementary description and ontogenetic variability of Coryphaenoides affinis: rediscovery of the species after 145 years since its original description (Teleostei: Gadiformes: Macrouridae)

A large adult (138 mm head length) of the grenadier genus Coryphaenoides is described. It is identified as C. affinis hitherto known only from two juvenile type specimens collected by HMS Challenger off Uruguay in 1876. The diagnosis of the species is revised to include the discovery of considerable ontogenetic changes in squamation. Spinulation on the body scales are reduced or lost with size, while the armament of the head scales become amplified. The larger of the syntype specimens is designated as the lectotype. All three known specimens of C. affinis were collected in the southwestern Atlantic at depths between 3500 and 4000 m. A key for identification for the species of the subgenus Nematonurus is provided.     

Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera,Coccinellidae): a species complex?

Marin, J., Crouau‐Roy, B., Hemptinne, J.‐L., Lecompte, E. & Magro, A. (2010). Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae): a species complex? —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 591–602. Coccinella septempunctata L., the seven spot ladybird is widely distributed across the Paleartic region. Based on a few morphological characteristics and geographical origin, some populations are recognized as distinct species, e.g., the North African Coccinella algerica Ková? and Japanese Coccinella brucki Mulsant later considered to be a subspecies –C. septempunctata brucki. The objective of this study is to discuss the taxonomic status of the seven spot ladybird, in particular whether it is a complex of species or the same species throughout the Paleartic region. The relationship between populations was clarified by using a combination of molecular and limited morphometric data and assessing potential reproductive barriers by means of cross breeding. Although there is considerable variation in the size of the spots on the elytra, the results of this study confirm that all studied populations belong to the same species.     

Revision of the lectotype ofFavreina salevensis (Paréjas) (Crustacea,Decapoda) and description of favreine form-species from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of Scotland,Portugal, Yougoslavia and Pakistan

The lectotype ofFavreina salevensis (Paréjas) is re-examined and illustrated and the following new favreine form-species proposed:Favreina guinchoensis from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal,Favreina njegosensis andFavreina dinarica from the Neocomian of the Dinarids, andFavreina eiggensis from the Bathonian of the Inner Hebrides, Scotland.Favreina murciensis Cuvillier, Bassoulet & Fourcade is recorded from the Jurassic of Pakistan.     

Wrasses of the Galápagos Islands, with the description of a new deepwater species of Halichoeres (Perciformes: Labridae)

Halichoeres raisneri, new species, is described from three specimens captured by the Johnson Sea Link submersible at 114-125 m off Wolf Island, Galápagos. Distinctive features of the new species include a dorsally projecting fleshy flap along the posterior three-quarters of the upper lip and the absence of a canine tooth at the corner of the upper jaw. The body color of freshly caught females is pale pink with two yellow stripes and five prominent pink spots above the uppermost stripe. Similarities between the new species and other labrids are discussed, and a key to the 16 nominal species of Labridae known from the Galápagos Islands is provided. Decodon melasma is recorded from the Archipelago for the first time.     

Ultrastructure and function of the adhesion–capture apparatus of Stenus species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

 The elongated labium of rove beetles of the genus Stenus forms an adhesion–capture apparatus that enables the animal to catch fast fleeing prey, for example, collemboles. Structural details of this labium have been reinvestigated by using transmission electron microscopy, and the functional model of the capture mechanism has been refined. The openings of glandular ductules have been found to be located at the outer margin of the sticky cushions formed by the paraglossae. These cushions can be expanded by hemolymph pressure and are compressed when the tip of the protrusible labium hits the prey. Endocuticular fibers stabilize the cushions internally and determine the shape of the cushions in both the expanded and the compressed state. Within the membranous connecting tube that connects the prementum with the head capsule, the existence of an extra inner membrane has been confirmed. It is formed by a portion of the epidermis that has become detached from the cuticle. The most important part of the functional model of the protrusion of the labium is that the membranous connecting tube turns itself inside out distally, but the extra inner membrane does so proximally. During protrusion of the labium by hemolymph pressure, the prementum is accelerated during the initial phase of the process, and the nerves, muscles, tracheae, and glandular ductules that are attached to it are passively drawn into the labium. The mechanoreceptive function of setae at the distal end of the prementum has been confirmed on the basis of their ultrastructural characteristics. Accepted: 4 September 1998     

Elmidae (Coleoptera, Byrrhoidea) larvae in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: Identification key, new records and distribution

The family Elmidae Curtis, 1830 has cosmopolitan distribution and most species inhabit riffles on streams and rivers, hence the name “riffle beetle”. In recent years, this family has been featured in papers addressing the assessment and environmental monitoring of water quality. In Brazil, studies on the family remain scarce and the present investigation is a pioneering study in the state of São Paulo. This study aims to propose a taxonomic key for the identification of larvae of Elmidae genera known to occur in the State, as well as to report new records and the distribution of these genera. The material analyzed was collected from various locations in each of 15 drainage basins from 2005 to 2010. The identification key includes 12 genera (Austrolimnius Carter & Zeck, 1929, Heterelmis Sharp, 1882, Hexacylloepus Hinton, 1940, Hexanchorus Sharp, 1882, Huleechius Brown, 1981, Macrelmis Motschulsky, 1859, Microcylloepus Hinton, 1935, Neoelmis Musgrave, 1935, Phanocerus Sharp, 1882, Potamophilops Grouvelle, 1896, Stegoelmis Hinton, 1939 and Xenelmis Hinton, 1936) known in Brazil as well as three morphotypes designated herein as Genus A, Genus M and Genus X. The genus Hexanchorus is recorded for the first time in the state of São Paulo.     

Review of the West Indian genus Monotalla Bechyné (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae,Alticini) with description of five new species

The West Indian genus Monotalla Bechyné is reviewed, redescribed and illustrated. Five new species are added: Monotalladominicasp. n. (Dominica); Monotallalecticofoliasp. n. (St. Lucia); Monotallamaieraesp. n. (St. Lucia); Monotallaobrienorumsp. n. (Grenada); and Monotallaviridissp. n. (St. Lucia). A key to Monotalla species is provided.     

The genus Typhlocharis Dieck 1869 (Coleoptera: Carabidae): description of a new species from Portugal and remarks on the external microsculpture of the last abdominal sternum “belt”

The endogean carabid Typhlocharis zaballosi n. sp., belonging to the T. gomezi group, is described and illustrated. The work provides diagnostic characters, in particular the structure of male and female genitalia, affinities to putative relatives and some remarks on its ecology and distribution. A key for the identification of all known species of the T. gomezi species group are provided. Some remarks on the external microsculpture of the last abdominal sternum “belt” of T. carinata Serrano & Aguiar 2006, T. quarta Pérez-González & Zaballos 2013, T. crespoi Serrano & Aguiar 2007 and T. zaballosi n. sp. are given. An overall revision of the presence/absence of this structure in the genus is provided and its taxonomic relevance is also discussed.     

Biological notes and description of egg and first instar larva of Carabus (Oreocarabus) ghilianii La Ferté-Sénectère 1847 (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

In this work, the authors describe the egg and first instar larva, hitherto unknown, of Carabus (Oreocarabus) ghilianii La Ferté-Sénectère 1847, a threatened and protected species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. With respect to the larval morphology, a comprehensive study of the chaetotaxy of the three tagmata is presented, accompanied by a detailed iconography. In addition, data on the biology of imagoes are provided, taken in its natural habitat and in captivity, highlighting the novel fact that this species produces winter larvae. Thus, reproduction begins in late spring. Both the eggs and the larvae were obtained after captive rearing of nine specimens collected in the Sierra de Guadarrama (Madrid, Spain).     

The first record of genus Neocsikia Ôhira & Becker (Coleoptera,Elateridae, Dimini) in China,with the description of a new species

The click-beetle genus Neocsikia Ôhira & Becker, 1972 is newly recorded from Xizang, China upon the discoveries of Neocsikia nepalensis Ôhira & Becker, 1972 and N. xuhaoi Qiu, sp. nov. Neocsikia nepalensis is redescribed based on the type material from Nepal and material collected in Nyalam County, Xizang, China. Neocsikia xuhaoi Qiu, sp. nov. is described based on the material collected in Mêdog County, Xizang, China. Both species are illustrated and their principal diagnostic features are provided. A key to the species of Neocsikia is presented.https://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1B7F59D5-02BC-4739-9B71-B560DA341FF3     

Contribution to the knowledge of the black‐fly fauna (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Lebanon,with description of a new species and ecological comments

The Aouali and Damour watersheds include the main river systems of southern Lebanon. Seven species of Simuliidae were collected from 27 sampling stations along these streams. Simulium nihan. sp. is described; it is related to the species of the monticola‐group. Three species have a restricted distribution within these streams, two of them being crenobiont. The others extend over wide altitudinal and ecological ranges. Eusimulium latizonum, Wilhelmia pseudequina and Simulium nitidifrons are the dominant species of the black‐fly community.