Systematics and phylogeny of Parapholidoptera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae)

Genus Parapholidoptera is revised and three species, P. yoruka sp.n., P. bolkarensis sp.n. and P. salmani sp.n., are described. Parapholidoptera delineata Stolyarov is placed in synonymy with P. ziganensis Karaba?. Parapholidoptera bodenheimeri Karaba? and P. distincta bodenheimeri Karaba? are placed in synonymy with P. distincta (Uvarov). Parapholidoptera flexuosa Karaba?, previously a subspecies of P. castaneoviridis (Brunner von Wattenwyl), is recognized as a separate species. A key to world species is provided. Cladistic analysis revealed the monophyly of the genus with two major clades. A short account of distribution is presented.     

The Iberian Peninsula: ancient history of a hot spot of mite harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi: Sironidae) diversity

The Iberian Peninsula represents a hot spot of cyphophthalmid (mite harvestman) disparity, with four of the eight genera currently recognized in the family Sironidae represented in the region – a generic diversity and morphological disparity not found in any other region of the World so far. From these, two genera (Iberosiro and Odontosiro) are monotypic, and are restricted to the western side of the peninsula. Parasiro is restricted to the north‐east region, from the Catalonian Coastal Ranges and both sides of the Eastern Pyrenees, in areas where the annual rainfall surpasses 1000 mm, and mostly restricted to areas with Paleozoic and Variscan rocks, with other species of the genus extending to Corsica, Sardinia, and the Italian Peninsula. A second species of the genus Paramiopsalis, Paramiopsalis eduardoi sp. nov. from Fragas do Eume, is described here along with a re‐diagnosis of the genus. Paramiopsalis species, together with Odontosiro, inhabit the north‐west corner of the Iberian Peninsula, an area with some of the highest recorded annual rainfall, and with Paleozoic rocks from the Iberian Massif or Variscan granitoid rocks. A phylogenetic analysis of the members of the family Sironidae using four molecular markers, despite not including all of the Iberian genera, clearly shows the non‐monophyly of the Iberian Cyphophthalmi, indicating that the Iberian Peninsula is home to multiple ancient lineages of mite harvestmen. The two Paramiopsalis species form a sister clade to the Balkan genus Cyphophthalmus, whereas Parasiro constitutes the first lineage of the sironids represented.     

New Zealand Recent Hyriidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionida)

The New Zealand freshwater mussels are taxonomically revised and compared with key Australian and South American taxa using DNA sequence data. Three living species are recognised: Echyridella menziesii, Echyridella aucklandica and Echyridella onekaka. Cucumerunio websteri websteri and Cucumerunio websteri delli, are treated as junior synonyms of Unio aucklandica, which is transferred from Cucumerunio (and Hyridella) to Echyridella. Lectotypes are designated for Unio waikarensis and Unio hochstetteri, which are illustrated together with primary type specimens of other relevant taxa. The type locality of U. aucklandica is restricted to the catchment of the Kawakawa River.     

A revision of the genus Paronthobium from New Caledonia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Epilissini)

A revision of the New Caledonian genus Paronthobium Paulian 1984 is presented. Anonthobium Paulian 1984 is synonymized with Paronthobium Paulian 1984 after evaluating the diagnostic characters originally introduced by Paulian to separate them. Upon examination of the type specimens, Onthobium caledonicum Paulian 1935 is separated from O. simplex Fauvel 1903 and restored as valid. Anonthobium moui Paulian 1984 is synonymized with Anonthobium micros Paulian 1984. Fifteen new species are described: P. adio n. sp., P. daghfousi n. sp., P. dierkensi n. sp., P. farino n. sp., P. iac n. sp., P. julieni n. sp., P. memaoya n. sp., P. minutum n. sp., P. nasutum n. sp., P. orientale n. sp., P. peckorum n. sp., P. petchecara n. sp., P. subdentatum n. sp., P. taom n. sp. and P. tchingou n. sp. The genus Paronthobium is now composed of 22 species. Illustrations of parameres and of male protibiae are provided for each species. Distribution maps and a key to species are given.     

Cranial osteology of Picini (Aves: Piciformes: Picidae)

The Picini is composed of 26 species of woodpeckers from the old world that are grouped into seven genera. Given the absence of detailed studies on the cranial osteology of the Picini, the purpose of this study is to describe the cranial osteology of 14 species of Picini from six genera and to compare these species with each other, with other species of woodpeckers and with other bird groups. The results of the analysis of the bone structures of the skull of the Picini indicate that there are seven outstanding characteristic of bones involved in the functional mechanistics of the jaw apparatus. In the ossa cranii, these include the frontal overhang, the postorbital process, the extension of the parietal versus the frontal region and the temporal fossa. In the ossa faciei, these include the rostral expansion of the pterygoid, the ventral palatine fossa and the orbital process of the quadrate bone. For all of the structures associated with the cranial osteology of the investigated species, there is a clear distinction between the species of the genus Picus and the other species studied. Blythipicus rubiginosus, Chrysocolaptes lucidus, Reinwardtipicus validus, Gecinulus viridis and the species of the genus Dinopium exhibit additional particularities.     

Jaw musculature of the Meiglyptini (Aves: Piciformes: Picidae)

The Meiglyptini comprise eight species of woodpeckers grouped into three genera, two of which contain three species ( Meiglyptes and Mulleripicus), while one genus includes two species ( Hemicircus). The purpose of this study is to describe the mandibular apparatus found in six species of Meiglyptini and to compare them with each other and with other woodpecker species. The results reveal a number of structures that are worth mentioning: (i) the components of the external mandibular adductor system of Hemicircus concretus, particularly the M. adductor mandibulae externus caudalis medialis, are underdeveloped compared with the other investigated species; (ii) the muscles of the internal mandibular system are structurally different among Meiglyptes species and are less developed, both in size and in structure, in H. concretus; (iii) the M . protractor quadrati is vestigial in Meiglyptes species; (iv) the muscles of the protractor system of the quadrate are relatively undeveloped in H. concretus; (v) most of the muscles of the pterygoideus system are structurally differentiated in Meiglyptes species. It appears that the complexity of the mandibular apparatus is associated with the type of food consumed, as the apparatus of the frugivorous species H. concretus is markedly different from that of the insectivorous species.     

Monitor lizards: a pan-African check-list of their zoogeography (Sauria: Varanidae: Polydaedalus)

Aim This goal of this paper is to present an up‐to‐date, accurate check‐list and distribution of the monitor lizards on the African continent. No such list of their distribution has been attempted since Robert F. Mertens' (1942) treatise (Abhandlungen Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 462 , 465 , 466 ). Location The localities included herein are all countries on the African continent, and adjacent islands, with a list of Varanus known to Yemen and Saudi Arabian Republics included for clarity. One fossil Varanus rusingensis is included, as it is the first, and only described, fossil African Varanus known. Methods Locality records were reviewed from literature sources, museum voucher specimens, personal comments, field observations and photographic records. Results A summation of 3,268 locality records are included herein from the methods listed, with maps depicting these records. Main conclusions From the locality records listed herein, it is evident that the Nile monitor (V. niloticus) has the widest distribution, and that the Yemen monitor (V. yemenensis) has the most restricted distribution; paradoxically, both features may be indicative of their relic habitation on the African continent.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Macropelopiini (Chironomidae: Tanypodinae): adjusting homoplasies

Macropelopiini is a widely distributed tribe of Tanypodinae, with immature stages inhabiting cool seeps, springs, and small streams. The present study evaluated the monophyly and the supporting synapomorphies within a phylogenetic context for the first time for Macropelopiini. The monophyly and the intergeneric relationships were tested by morphological evidence in a cladistic framework, and the information gained from each homoplastic character was evaluated. The monophyly of Macropelopiini is corroborated through the objective synapomorphy ‘outer fringe decreasing from base to apex ending in small spines’ in the pupa, and the subjective synapomorphies ‘tibial spurs with main teeth and short lateral tooth’ in males and ‘dorsal setae arising from prominent tubercles’ in the pupa. Fittkauimyia Karunakaran, 1969 is excluded from Macropelopiini, Gressitius Sublette & Wirth, 1980 is established as a junior synonym of Alotanypus Roback, 1971, and the new combination A lotanypus antarcticus comb. nov. is proposed. Character combination, mainly through the use of the characters with informative taxonomical value, remains an efficient tool to diagnose the Macropelopiini genera. The new genus Paggipelopia gen. nov. for P aggipelopia spaccesii gen. et sp. nov. is erected and the emendation of the species diagnosis of Wuelkerella toncekensis Añón Suárez & Sublette, 2012 is conducted. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Blackmania gen. nov. and the related genus Acaudella (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae)

The aphid genus Blackmania gen. nov. is described. In the genus, B. eastopi sp. nov. associated with Polygonum equisetiforme (Polygonaceae) from Israel and Cyprus is described and illustrated. Morphologically, the new genus is similar to the genus Acaudella in respect to the lack of a cauda. Acaudella puchovi, associated with Atraphaxis caucasica (=A. buxifolia) and A. spinosa (Polygonaceae) from Uzbekistan and Israel, is re‐described and the apterous viviparous female is figured for the first time. The lectotype and paralectotypes of A. puchovi are also designated. An identification key to known species of the tribe Macrosiphini without cauda is provided. The morphological separation of B. eastopi gen. nov., sp. nov. from A. puchovi is visualized using principal component analysis.     

Phylogeny of Heteronychia: the largest lineage of Sarcophaga (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Sarcophaga Meigen is one of the megadiverse genera of true flies, with approximately 850 valid species worldwide. The genus is divided into about 160 subgenera, the validity of a vast majority of which has never been verified using cladistic methods. This paper deals with the mainly Palaearctic subgenus Heteronychia Brauer & Bergenstamm, which comprises 89 species and is thus the largest subunit of Sarcophaga. We performed a cladistic analysis of the group based exclusively on male morphological characters. Parsimony analyses were run on a matrix of 84 characters for 88 species. Species of the subgenera Discachaeta Enderlein and Notoecus Stein were also included in the matrix. A further analysis was carried out using a subset of characters from the terminalia alone (70 characters). The results show that the clade formed by Heteronychia, Discachaeta, and Notoecus is monophyletic, with Discachaeta emerging as polyphyletic whereas Sarcophaga (Notoecus) longestylata Strobl is nested within the Sarcophaga filia‐group. Character states supporting Heteronychia and the few well‐supported species‐groups are discussed in detail. The following synonymies are proposed: Discachaeta = Heteronychia ( syn. nov. ) and Notoecus = Heteronychia ( syn. nov. ). The paper also includes a historical background of the taxon in relation to the classification of the genus Sarcophaga over the past two centuries, as well as a terminological review of the male terminalia, particularly of the distiphallus. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Basal subtribes of the Nymphidiini (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae): phylogeny and myrmecophily

Three cladistic analyses, based predominantly on adult morphology, are presented for myrmecophilous riodinid butterflies in the tribe Nymphidiini. The first is a species‐level analysis of all 22 species recognized here in Aricoris (=Audre auctt.) using 27 characters. The second is a species‐level analysis of all 24 species recognized here in Synargis using 53 characters. The third is a generic‐level analysis of all six genera (Aricoris, Ariconias n. gen. , Lemonias, Thisbe, Juditha, and Synargis) recognized here as belonging in the basal clades of the Nymphidiini (=Lemoniadina auctt.) using 17 characters, with members of the Theopeina and Nymphidiina included with the ingroup to assess the monophyly of subtribes. Almost all characters are illustrated. The first analysis indicates that Aricoris consists of five monophyletic species groups, with the relationship ((constantius gr.colchis gr.)+(chilensis gr.(aurinia gr.+epulus gr.))), and contains the type species of Eiseleia and Audre, which are synonymized with Aricoris ( n. syns. ). The second analysis indicates that Synargis consists of four monophyletic species groups, with the relationship (phliasus gr.(regulus gr.+(pittheus gr.+abaris gr.))), and contains the type species of Ematurgina and Thysanota, which are synonymized with Synargis ( n. syns. ). The third analysis indicates that the Lemoniadina, or basal clades of the Nymphidiini, are paraphyletic with respect to the Theopeina and Nymphidiina, with the generic relationship ((Aricoris+Ariconias)+(((Lemonias+Thisbe)+(Juditha+Synargis))+(Theopeina+Nymphidiina))). We therefore restrict the Lemoniadina to include Lemonias, Thisbe, Juditha, and Synargis and provide the name Aricorina n. subtribe for Aricoris and Ariconias. All nymphidiine subtribes are characterized and a synonymic checklist for the Aricorina and Lemoniadina is presented. A “supertree” composed of the species‐level phylogenies derived here for Aricoris and Synargis, and those derived elsewhere for Ariconias, Lemonias, Thisbe, and Juditha, is used to map the distribution of larval host plant and attending ant taxa and the occurrence of aphytophagy. Observed patterns are discussed.     

The freshwater palaemonid prawns (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea) of Myanmar

The taxonomy of the palaemonid freshwater prawns of Myanmar is reviewed and 19 species are recorded. These belong to three genera, with 17 species of Macrobrachium, one species of Palaemonetes and one species of Leptocarpus. The identities of Palaemon spinipes birmanicus Schenkel, 1902, and Palaemon naso Kemp, 1918, are clarified with both recognised as distinct taxa. The taxonomy of several poorly known species of Macrobrachium,viz. M. villosimanus (Tiwari, 1949), M. peguense (Tiwari, 1952), M. hendersoni (De Man, 1906) and M. platyrostrum (Tiwari, 1952) is revised and discussed. Five species are reported from Myanmar for the first time, viz. Macrobrachium lamarrei (H. Milne-Edwards, 1837), M. dayanum (Henderson, 1893), M. lanchesteri (De Man, 1911), M. nipponense (De Haan, 1894), and Palaemonetes sinensis (Sollaud, 1911). One new species, Macrobrachium lanatum, which is closely allied to M. scabriculum (Heller, 1862) and M. dolichodactylus (Hilgendorf, 1879), is described and figured.     

The male postabdomen of Stolotermes inopinus: a termite with unusually well-developed external genitalia (Dictyoptera: Isoptera: Stolotermitinae)

Klass, K.‐D., Thorne, B. L. and Lenz, M. 2000. The male postabdomen of Stolotermes inopinus: a termite with unusually well‐developed external genitalia (Dictyoptera: Isoptera: Stolotermitinae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 81 : 121–130 Stolotermes inopinus has large external male genitalia (phallic lobe), which contrast with the small genital papillae or lack of external genitalia of other Isoptera. As in the genital papilla of Mastotermesdarwiniensis, a ventral sclerite pair is present, the gonopore is located ventroterminally on the phallic lobe, and the genital area is entirely symmetrical – suggesting that this may be the groundplan condition of Isoptera. The relations of the phallic lobe to surrounding components like the subgenital plate, paraprocts, and certain muscles and nerves indicate that the lobe of S. inopinus is homologous with the phallomeres of other Dictyoptera. The bilateral symmetry and simple structure, however, are in strong contrast to the asymmetry and high complexity found in male genitalia of Blattaria and Mantodea. The postabdominal nervous system of S. inopinus resembles that of the cockroach Periplaneta americana. Indications are given that the Stolotermitinae are related to the Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, and Termitidae rather than to the Termopsinae.     

Unexpected distribution patterns of Carduiceps feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) on sandpipers (Aves: Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae)

The louse genus Carduiceps Clay & Meinertzhagen, 1939 is widely distributed on sandpipers and stints (Calidrinae). The current taxonomy includes three species on the Calidrinae (Carduiceps meinertzhageni, Carduiceps scalaris, Carduiceps zonarius) and four species on noncalidrine hosts. We estimated a phylogeny of four of the seven species of Carduiceps (the three mentioned above and Carduiceps fulvofasciatus) from 13 of the 29 hosts based on three mitochondrial loci, and evaluated the relative importance of flyway differentiation (same host species has different lice along different flyways) and flyway homogenization (different host species have the same lice along the same flyway). We found no evidence for either process. Instead, the present, morphology‐based, taxonomy of the genus corresponds exactly to the gene‐based phylogeny, with all four included species monophyletic. Carduiceps zonarius is found both to inhabit a wider range of hosts than wing lice of the genus Lunaceps occurring on the same group of birds, and to occur on Calidris sandpipers of all sizes, both of which are unexpected for a body louse. The previously proposed family Esthiopteridae is found to be monophyletic with good support. The concatenated dataset suggests that the pigeon louse genus Columbicola may be closely related to the auk and diver louse genus Craspedonirmus. These two genera share some morphological characters with Carduiceps, but no support was obtained for grouping these three genera together. Based on mitochondrial data alone, the relationships among genera within this proposed family cannot be properly assessed, but some previously suggested relationships within this proposed family are confirmed.     

The tribe Bryocorini (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae): phylogeny,description of a new genus,and adaptive radiation on ferns

A cladistic analysis of the tribe Bryocorini based on 68 morphological characters is conducted. Bryocorini are supported as a monophyletic group with Eccritotarsini as their sister taxon. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, we redefine the tribe Bryocorini to contain the following seven genera: Bryocorella Carvalho, 1956, Bryocoris Fallén, 1829, Bryophilocapsus Yasunaga, 2000, Cobalorrhynchus Reuter, 1906 gen. dist., D iplazicoris gen. nov. , Hekista Kirkaldy, 1902, and Monalocoris Dahlbom, 1851. The genus Bryocorella is transferred to Bryocorini from the tribe Eccritotarsini. The subgenus Cobalorrhynchus is treated as a separate genus. Diplazicoris is described as monotypic to accommodate D iplazicoris lombokianus sp. nov. An updated diagnosis of the tribe, a key to genera, and a diagnosis of each recognized genus are presented. Selected photomicrographs, scanning micrographs, and illustrations of the pretarsus, metepisternal scent efferent system, metafemoral trichobothria, and morphology of head, pronotum, and male and female genitalia are provided. Mapping of the host data on the revealed tree shows that Bryocorini represent one of the very few currently known examples of the adaptive radiation of a fairly large insect group on ferns. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Some studies on Tylenchorhynchinae: proposal ofDivittus n.g. (Nematoda: Tylenchida)

Summary A new genusDivittus is proposed in the subfamily Tylenchorhynchinae Eliava, 1964 with only three incisures in the non-areolated lateral fields and the body cuticle without longitudinal ridges or lamellae. It is also proposed to restrictTrilineellus Lewis & Golden, 1981 to its type species only, i.e.,T. clathrocutis which has three incisures in the lateral fields and longitudinal ridges or lamellae on the body, andTylenchorhynchus to species which have four incisures in the lateral fields but no ridges or lammellae.T. divittatus Siddiqi, 1961,T. triglyphus Seinhorst, 1963 andT. sculptus Seinhorst, 1963 which were transferred toTrilineellus by Lewis & Golden (1981) are now included inDivittus with the following species ofTylenchorhynchus which have three incisures in the lateral fields:T. obscurisulcatus Andrássy, 1959,T. chonai Sethi & Swarup, 1968,T. madrasensis Gupta & Uma, 1981 andT. pruni Gupta & Uma, 1981. The synonymy ofT. chonai withT. triglyphus proposed by Tarjan (1973) is not accepted.Divittus labiatus n.sp. from soil around roots of sugarcane from north-eastern Nigeria is described. It is characterized by having the lip region continuous with the body, the spear 14–16 m long, the basal oesophageal bulb with a small overlap over the intestine and the tail with a large post-anal intestinal sac and 20 to 30 annules. A key to species ofDivittus is provided. ac]19830105     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Morphological phylogeny and classification of Winthemiini (Diptera: Tachinidae: Exoristinae)

Winthemiini is a worldwide tribe in the subfamily Exoristinae (Diptera: Tachinidae) with 200 species in 16 genera. We confirm the monophyly of Winthemiini and examine relationships among the constituent genera based on a parsimonious analysis of adult morphological characters for 53 species representing 12 out of 16 currently recognized Winthemiini genera. As a result, Winthemiini is divided into three major clades, with relationships as follows: ((Rhaphiochaeta [Ossidingia, Nemorilla]) ((Hemisturmia [Avibrissosturmia, Triodontopyga]) ([Smidtia, Winthemia])). A revised classification system for Winthemiini is proposed, recognizing 12 genera. Four new synonymies are proposed – Diotrephes and Chesippus as junior synonyms of Smidtia, and Hemisturmiella and Parachetolyga as junior synonyms of Winthemia – along with four new combinations: Winthemia brasiliana (Guimarães) comb.n. , W. metopia (Bischof) comb.n. , Smidtia atriventris (Walker) comb.n. , and S. notialis (Reinhard) comb.n.