On a new acanthocephalan family and a new order, from birds in Vietnam

During November 2000, a collection of acanthocephalans from birds in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, included a new genus and species in a new family and order. Pyrirhynchus heterospinus n. gen., n. sp. (Pyrirhynchidae n. fam.: Heteramorphida: new order) is described from Actitis hypoleucos (Linnaeus, 1758) (common sandpiper). The new family combines characters from Polymorphidae and Heteracanthocephalidae, and it includes new features. Specimens of the new species are distinguished from those of Heteracanthocephalidae and/or Polymorphidae by their long cylindrical trunk with anterior swelling, pyriform proboscis with hooks much larger ventrally, brain at the anterior end of the receptacle, specialized tubular cement glands, and elliptoid eggs with concentric shells. A detailed analysis of proboscis and trunk armature is included, and specimens of several species of Arhythmorhynchus Lühe, 1911 (Polymorphidae) were studied for comparative purposes. The proboscis of P. heterospinus is armed with 17 to 20 rows of 17 to 19 hooks each, with anterior 9-11 hooks rooted and posterior 6-10 spines rootless.     

Kathrynella, a new oligochaete genus from Guyana

Kathrynella guyanae gen. n., sp. n. from a limicolous habitat in Guyana is described. It is distinguished from the known genera of Alluroididae by having testes in XI, male pores in XIV, and one pair of spermathecae opening laterally at 6/7. The circulatory apparatus appears remarkably developed. The diagnosis of the family is emended to include the new species.     

A new genus and a new species of Xiphydriidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Symphyta) from India

Heteroxiphia gen. n. (type species: Heteroxiphia maai sp.n.)from India is described and illustrated. This new genus is related to Indoxiphia Maa and Cingalixiphia Maa, from which it is distinguished by the 3-segmented maxillary palps, shape of the claws of the meso- and metalegs, form of forewing vein 2A and the sculpture of the head.     

Asiphonipponaphis, a new genus of Hormaphidinae (Hemiptera, Aphididae) causing galls on Distylium chinense from China, with description of a new species

The aphid genus Asiphonipponaphisgen. n. from China is new to science. Asiphonipponaphis vasigallasp. n. causing galls on Distylium chinense from Hunan, China is described and illustrated. Holotype and paratypes are deposited in the National Zoological Museum of China, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China (NZMCAS) and Kogakkan University, Japan.     

First Immature of the New World Treehopper tribe Thuridini (Hemiptera,Membracidae, Smiliinae) with a new synonym,a new combination,and a new country record

The species Thuris depressus Sakakibara (1975) is proposed as a syn. n. of Thuris binodosus (Goding 1926), comb. n. The distribution of the genus is expanded from Brazil and Peru to include Ecuador and Venezuela, and the immature is described based on 75 characters.     

Andinopanurgus, a new Andean subgenus of Protandrena (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae)

A new subgenus of Protandrena Cockerell (Panurginae: Protandrenini) from South America, Andinopanurgus Gonzalez & Engel, subgen. n., is described and figured for distinctive species of the genus occurring at mid- and high elevations in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru (1100-3400 m). In addition to the distribution, the subgenus is easily distinguished from other subgenera by a unique combination of morphological characters in both sexes, especially in the hidden sterna and genitalia of the male. Protandrena amyaesp. n., and Protandrena femoralissp. n., are also described and figured from the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Andes. New geographical records and a key to the species are also provided.     

Valeseguyidae, a new family of Diptera in the Scatopsoidea, with a new genus in Cretaceous amber from Myanmar

Abstract.  The genus Cretoseguya , gen.n. , is described for C. burmitica , sp.n. , based on a female found in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar. Valeseguya Colless was classified previously as a subfamily of the 'woodgnats', family Mycetobiidae (Anisopodoidea). Thoracic and male terminalia morphology of Valeseguya rieki Colless, from the Recent of Australia, and V. disjuncta Grimaldi, in Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic, are redescribed. The new family Valeseguyidae includes two species in Valeseguya and one in Cretoseguya . Phylogenetic analysis of characters on the head, wing (venation), legs, terminalia and, especially, thoracic pleural sclerites indicate that the correct placement of the family is as the sister group to the 'scavenger gnats' Scatopsidae + Canthyloscelidae (including Synneuron ). The concept and definition of Scatopsoidea are expanded to include these three families.     

Review of Anhoplocampa Wei (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae), with description of a new species and a new combination

Anhoplocampa is redescribed based on new material. Anhoplocampa bicoloricornissp. n. from China is described. Anhoplocampa yunanensis (Haris & Roller, 1999), comb. n. is transferred from Trichiocampus. A key to species of Anhoplocampa is provided. The differences between Anhoplocampa and Trichiocampus Hartig, 1837, Priophorus Dahlbom, 1835, Hoplocampa Hartig, 1837 and Renonerva Wei & Nie, 1998 are briefly discussed.     

Systematics of Australian Thrasorinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae) with descriptions of Mikeiinae, new subfamily, two new genera, and three new species

The Australian Thrasorinae are revised and Mikeius is transferred to Mikeiinae Paretas-Martínez & Pujade-Villar, subfam. n., and Mikeius clavatus Pujade-Villar & Restrepo-Ortiz, sp. n., is described. Two new genera of Thrasorinae are erected: Cicatrix Paretas-Martínez, gen. n., including Cicatrix pilosiscutum(Girault), comb. n. from Amblynotus, Cicatrix schauffi (Buffington), comb. n. from Mikeius, and Cicatrix neumannoides Paretas-Martínez & Restrepo-Ortiz, sp. n.; and Palmiriella Pujade-Villar & Paretas-Martínez, gen. n., including Palmiriella neumanni (Buffington), comb. n. from Mikeius, Thrasorus rieki Paretas-Martínez & Pujade-Villar, sp. n., is also described. A phylogenetic analysis of 176 morphological and biological characters, including all these new taxa and all genera previously included in Thrasorinae, was conducted. All subfamilies were recovered as monophyletic, with the following relationships: Parnipinae (Euceroptrinae (Mikeiinae (Plectocynipinae (Thrasorinae)))). A worldwide key to the subfamilies of Figitidae is provided that includes the new subfamily, as well as a key to genera Thrasorinae.     

Metallopolia, a new subgenus of Polia (Noctuidae,Noctuinae, Hadenini), with the description of two new species and a new subspecies

A new subgenus of Polia, Metallopolia subgen. n., two new species (Polia (Metallopolia) dysgnorima sp. n. and P. (M.) metagnorima sp. n.) from China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu), and a new subspecies, P. (M.) subviolacea kanchenjunga ssp. n. from Nepal and SE Tibet (Sikkim) are described. Habitus, antennae, male and female genitalia of all Metallopolia species are characterised, depicted and compared with the related species.     

Sterigmatomyces,a new fungal genus from marine areas

A new Deuteromycete genus,Sterigmatomyces, is described. Differentiation from non-filamentous yeast-like organisms is based on the formation of conidia on sterigmata. Neither blastospores nor ballistospores are formed. Sexual reproduction has not been observed.S. halophilus sp.n. as the type species and a variety,S. halophilus sp.n. var.indicus var. n., are described.     

The genus Micatagla Argaman, 1994 in Egypt,with three new species and a new record (Hymenoptera,Bradynobaenidae, Apterogyninae)

The genus Micatagla Argaman (Bradynobaenidae: Apterogyninae) is reviewed from Egypt, based on specimens collected from Wadi Allaqi (Aswan, Southern Egypt) and Kom Osheim (Fayoum) and those deposited in Egyptian insect collections as well as recorded data from the literature. A single species, Micatagla klugi (André), was previously recorded from Egypt. Micatagla allaqiensis sp. n., Micatagla ezzati sp. n. and Micatagla pseudorainerii sp. n. are described here. Micatagla antropovi Pagliano is also newly recorded from the Egyptian fauna. An illustrated key and a faunistic list comprising all Micatagla species recorded from Egypt are given.     

A new genus of oak gallwasps, Zapatella Pujade-Villar & Melika, gen. n., with a description of two new species from the Neotropics (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Cynipini)

A new genus of cynipid oak gallwasp, Zapatella Pujade-Villar & Melika, gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), with two new species, Zapatella grahami Pujade-Villar & Melika, sp. n. and Zapatella nievesaldreyi Melika & Pujade-Villar, sp. n., is described from the Neotropics. Zapatella grahami,known only from the sexual generation,induces galls in acorns of Quercus costaricensis and is currently known only from Costa Rica. Zapatella nievesaldreyi, known only from the asexual generation, induces inconspicuous galls in twigs of Quercus humboldtii, and is known only from Colombia. Diagnostic characters for both new species are given in detail. Five Nearctic species are transferred from Callirhytis to Zapatella: Zapatella cryptica (Weld), comb. n., Zapatella herberti (Weld), comb. n., Zapatella oblata (Weld), comb. n., Zapatella quercusmedullae (Ashmead), comb. n.,Zapatella quercusphellos (Osten Sacken), comb. n. (= Zapatella quercussimilis (Bassett), syn. n.). A key based on adults for the species belonging to Zapatella is also given. Generic limits and morphological characteristics of Zapatella and closely related genera are discussed.     

Homeomorphy in Lunostoma, a new Middle Devonian cryptostome bryozoan

A new genus and species of rhabdomesine cryptostome bryozoan, Lunostoma pulchra n. gen. n. sp., is described from the Lower Givetian (Middle Devonian) of the Eifel, Germany. It differs from all previously known rhabdomesines in having crescent-shaped structures (??scuta??) on the proximal sides of the apertures. These scuta resemble the lunaria that characterise cystoporate bryozoans, providing yet another example of homeomorphy in the Bryozoa. The function of scuta is unclear as, in contrast to lunaria, they do not project sufficiently from the apertures to constrain the everting lophophores.     

A new subfamily of Braconidae, the Vaepellinae, based on a new genus and species from Ghana (Insecta, Hymenoptera)

Vaepellis gen.n. (type species: V. varica sp.n.) from Ghana is described and illustrated. On the basis of the numerous unique apomorphies displayed by Vaepellis , including a comparatively long, clubbed scapus, a densely short-setose body, very short palps and hind tibial spurs, very small eyes and ocelli and massive legs, this genus is placed in a new subfamily separated from its sister group the Braconinae.     

Tuthillia, a new Neotropical psyllid genus (Homoptera: Psylloidea)

Tuthillia gen.n. (Homoptera: Psylloidea) is erected for four Neotropical species: canabina sp.n. (the type-species from Belize and Panama), cognata sp.n. (Brazil), latipennis sp.n. (Panama) and iuncta sp.n. (Brazil). It is suggested that Tuthillia forms a monophyletic group with the ciriacremine genera Ciriacremum, Kleiniella and Pal-mapenna. However, only iuncta possesses an R-M cross vein in the forewing, a character which has been used to define the ciriacremines in the past. It seems, therefore, that this character is unstable and alternative synapomorphies are discussed. The genital morphology of Tuthillia is similar to that found in both Ciriacreminae and Diaphorininae (Aphalaridae). It is speculated that these subfamilies represent previously unrecognized sister groups defined using the genital characters as synapomorphies.     

A new genus, two new species and a new record of subfamily Cecidophyinae (Acari, Eriophyidae) from China

A new genus and two new species belonging to subfamily Cecidophyinae, namely Kyllocarus reticulatusgen.n., sp. n. infesting Lithocarpus brevicaudatus (Skan) Hay. (Fagaceae) and Gammaphytoptus schimaesp. n.infesting Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. (Theaceae) are described and illustrated. Both new species are vagrants on their respective host plants. Cecidophyes digephyrusKeifer, 1966 is newly recorded for China.     

A new genus and a new species of tachinids (Diptera,Tachinidae) from Wrangel Island

Aesia gen. n. with the type species Aesia acerbiana sp. n. is described from Wrangel Island. The new genus belongs to the tribe Blondeliini (as indicated by a short prealar bristle of the mesonotum and by the cerci separated in apical 0.4). It is not similar to any Palaearctic genus of tachinids. In the key to the species of Blondeliini of North and Central America and the West Indies it comes to the genus Eucelatoria but differs from it in having eyes covered with long and dense hairs, the lower facial margin protruding forwards and well visible in lateral view, proboscis with elongate prementum, abdomen of the female not modified, without a keel and piercer. Aesia acerbiana sp. n. was reared from a larva of a tiger moth (Arctiidae), Acerbia alpina Quensel collected in the tundra landscape.