Population structure and distribution of deep-water cardinal fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus occidentalis</Emphasis> (Epigonidae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus pandionis</Emphasis> (Epigonidae) in the Colombian Caribbean Sea

Cardinal fish are commercially valuable species. In the Colombian Caribbean Sea E. occidentalis and E. pandionis occurred in 37and 35% of tows during a research trawl survey (>200 m), respectively and the biology of these vulnerable species is unknown. The aim of this work is to describe the spatial distribution patterns of biomass, size structure and morphometric relationships of E. occidentalis and E. pandionis in deep waters of the Colombian Caribbean Sea. The samples were collected by trawling in depths between 200 and 550 m. No statistical differences were found in size by sexes in both species. In female and male E. occidentalis the growth was isometric, while in female and male E. pandionis it was positive allometric. E. occidentalis occurred mainly in the northern zone of Colombian Caribbean Sea, with highest aggregations off Santa Marta and Riohacha. E. pandionis was distributed in the northern area between Santa Marta and Riohacha and in the southern area between Cartagena and Morrosquillo Gulf. However, before the exploitation of these species is considered, further research is required to determine basic life history traits, such as growth, reproduction, recruitment, and mortality.     

The effect of Tetranychus turkestani and Eutetranychus orientalis (Acari: Tetranychidae) on the development and reproduction of Stethorus gilvifrons (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Stethorus gilvifrons Mulsant, native to the Mediterranean region, is often observed feeding on Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov & Nycolsky and Eutetranychus orientalis Klein on different host crops. Fecundity of S. gilvifrons on T. turkestani and E. orientalis was evaluated by placing newly emerged pairs on leaf discs infested with different developmental stages of T. turkestani or E. orientalis. They were maintained at 30 °C and changed daily until death of the female. Adult female mean longevity was 58 days on T. turkestani and 45 days on E. orientalis. Mean fecundity was 175 eggs per female on T. turkestani and 318 eggs per female on E. orientalis. No significant differences were detected in the duration of life stages between T. turkestani and E. orientalis. Mean preimaginal mortality was 20% on T. turkestani and 24% on E. orientalis, with no statistical differences. Mean generation time (T) was 26.76 and 22.83 days on T. turkestani and E. orientalis, respectively. Net reproductive rate (R_o) was significantly greater on E. orientalis (154.08) than on T. turkestani (97.6), but the estimate of intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) was not statistically different (0.221 and 0.171, respectively). Our results suggest that both T. turkestani and E. orientalis are essential prey for S. gilvifrons development and reproduction and that E. orientalis is slightly more suitable than T. turkestani.     

Flavonoids of fossil miocene Platanus and its extant relatives

Flavonoids of seven extant Platanus species and a fossil Platanus species from the Miocene Clarkia Flora of northern Idaho were compared. Sixteen flavonoids were isolated of which 15 were either wholly or partially identified. Flavonoids of Platanus are based on kaempferol and quercetin and most glycosides are linked at position 3. Because of an extremely high degree of overall chemical similarity and the presence of minor variation within some species, flavonoid data were of limited value in clarifying relationships among extant species. Flavonoid data suggest a closer chemical similarity of the fossil Platanus species to the Asiatic P. orientalis, rather than to the six investigated North American species. Morphologically, however, the fossil Platanus is very similar to P.occidentalis from eastern North America. These findings are similar to those reported in a paleobiochemical study of a fossil Liriodendron species from the same Miocene Flora.     

Analysis of taxonomic and geographic patterns of Turkish Veronica orientalis using nuclear and plastid DNA and morphological data

Veronica orientalis and related species form one of the taxonomically most challenging subgroups within the genus Veronica. Hybridization and polyploidization on the one hand and convergent character evolution on the other have made delimitation of species difficult. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms and plastid DNA markers were used in conjunction with 54 morphological characters to study relationships among 35 accessions of V. orientalis Mill. as well as other closely related species of Veronica occurring in Turkey and adjacent areas of Georgia and Armenia. In addition, ploidy levels were estimated for 15 accessions using flow cytometry. Diploid to hexaploid individuals were detected in V. orientalis. Analysis of DNA markers demonstrated the non-monophyly of V. orientalis, especially with regard to V. fuhsii and V. multifida from Eastern Turkey, but nuclear and plastid DNA markers are largely incongruent. Neither demonstrates a clear biogeographic pattern. The morphological analysis reveals the distinction of V. orientalis subsp. carduchorum, which is weakly retrieved in some molecular analyses and some clustering according to geography. V. multifida is not monophyletic likely due to parallel evolution of pinnatifid leaves east and west of the Anatolian diagonal.     

Descriptions of Eumonhystera borealis n. sp., Sphaerolaimus occidentalis n. sp., and a Redescription of S. gracilis de Man 1876 (Nemata) from Bothnian Bay,Baltic Sea

The free-living nematodes Eumonhystera borealis n. sp., Sphaerolaimus occidentalis n. sp., and S. gracilis de Man 1876 from Bothnian Bay in the northern Baltic Sea are described and illustrated. Eumonhystera borealis n. sp. differs from other species by its small body size (314-393 μm), narrow body (a = 37-49), and large anterior amphids. In Sphaerolaimus occidentalis n. sp. the amphids are posterior to the buccal cavity, and it differs from other similar species by having two sclerotized rings in the posterior part of the buccal cavity. An intersex is reported for S. gracilis. Sphaerolaimus gracilis is cannibalistic or a predator of other species, with a preference for E. borealis n. sp. Sphaerolaimus occidentalis n. sp. coexists with S. gracilis at depths of 80 m but not at 12 m.     

Comparative skeletogenesis of the Oriental Tree Frog Hyla orientalis (Anura: Hylidae)

The ontogeny of skeletal development of the Oriental Tree Frog, Hyla orientalis (Bedriaga, 1890), is followed from tadpole to froglet and compared with four other hylid species i.e., Hypsiboas lanciformis, Hypsiboas pulchellus, Phyllomedusa vaillanti and Pseudis platensis. Our analysis and comparison is based on cleared and double-stained specimens. The parasphenoid is the first skeletal element that ossified in Hyla orientalis is followed by the exoocipital, prootic, axial and appendicular skeletal elements, frontoparietal, nasal, upper jaw, squamosal, pterygoid, lower jaw, vomer and quadratojugal. Ossification initiated at early Stage 33 in Hyla orientalis whereas in other hylids it begins after Stage 37. Major transformations of the larval jaw were visible after Stage 42. Cranial ossifications were completed after appendicular and axial ossifications of Hyla orientalis. All skeletal elements ossified before the end of the metamorphosis, a unique feature of Hyla orientalis in comparison to the other hylids studied here.     

Hyperparasitisme facultatif de parasitoïdes en cours de développement par les femelles des ectoparasitoïdes Eupelmus vuilleti et Eupelmus orientalis Craw

In a community of three ectoparasitoids, Dinarmus basalis, Eupelmus vuilleti and E. orientalis, the host Callosobruchus maculatus parasitised 48 h before by D. basalis, is accepted by E. vuilleti females after they have eliminated the eggs and neonatal larvae of D. basalis. This ovicidal and larvicidal behaviour enables E. vuilleti to develop on C. maculatus instead of D. basalis. E. vuilleti females are able to parasitise the L5 larval stage and the pupa of D. basalis: their larvae therefore feed at the expense of the developing parasitoid. This trophic level is that of hyperparasitism. However, E. vuilleti females rarely practise hyperparasitism on their own L5 larvae and on those of E. orientalis. This behaviour reveals a high behavioural plasticity enabled by intra- and interspecific recognition of parasitoids used as hosts. Hyperparasitism activity in E. orientalis females is higher than that in E. vuilleti females since they hyperparasitise host parasitoids more frequently without preferential species choice. However, E. vuilleti seems to be free from competitive pressure with E. orientalis, as the former penetrates deeply into a grain store contaminated with C. maculatus in contrast to E. orientalis females, which remain on the surface from where they escaped.     

Influence of temperature on the reproductive and demographic parameters of two spider mite pests of vineyards and their natural predator

We evaluated the influence of temperature on demographic parameters of two common vineyard pests, the Pacific spider mite, Tetranychus pacificus McGregor, and the Willamette spider mite, Eotetranychus willamettei (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae). Additionally, we investigated the effects of temperature on their shared predator, the western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ) was higher for T. pacificus than E. willamettei at 15 and 28??C, but similar at 22??C. G. occidentalis achieved a higher r _m than T. pacificus from 15 to 28??C, but the difference was significant only at 22??C. At 34??C, the r _m for both T. pacificus and G. occidentalis was negative, while E. willamettei did not develop at this temperature. Prey species did not affect demographic parameters of G. occidentalis. These results suggest that higher temperatures favor T. pacificus over the less damaging E. willamettei, and may also reduce the effectiveness of G. occidentalis.     

Population studies of arthropods on Melia azedarach in Seville (Spain), with special reference to Eutetranychus orientalis (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its natural enemies

Eutetranychus orientalis has become an important pest of the ornamental tree Melia azedarach in the city of Seville (Spain). Trees suffer total defoliation at the end of summer. Studies were conducted in a regular plantation of this tree in the Miraflores Park in 2008 and 2009, to determine the arthropod faunal composition, with particular interest in the possible natural enemies of E. orientalis. Eutetranychus orientalis accounted for 98.3% of the arthropods found on the leaflets. Two species of phytoseiids were found, Euseius scutalis and Euseius stipulatus, but they only represented 0.2% of the arthropods. The most abundant insect was the predator thrips Scolothrips longicornis, which accounted for 0.9% of the arthropods found. The population of E. orientalis reached two peaks in 2008, with 325 individuals per leaflet in August, and 100 individuals per leaflet in November. Scolothrips longicornis densities closely followed E. orientalis, and predation was observed on various mite instars. Phytoseiids did not show such a response to the E. orientalis densities. Eutetranychus orientalis was more abundant in the exterior part of the plantation. No differences of arthropod densities were found between the various orientations in the plantation (north vs. south, east vs. west), although E. orientalis densities were different between rows. Distribution of E. orientalis population was highly aggregative, that of S. longicornis population was less aggregative, whereas the phytoseiid population showed a random distribution.     

A new species of the rare buthid scorpion genus Lissothus Vachon, 1948 from Central Algeria (Scorpiones,Buthidae)

Taxonomic considerations are given for the genus Lissothus Vachon, 1948 (Scorpiones, Buthidae). Two species are currently known, Lissothus bernardi Vachon, 1948 from Libya and Lissothus occidentalis Vachon, 1950 from Mauritania. In this contribution, a new species, Lissothus chaambi sp. n., is described from the desert of Central Algeria. The new species is most closely related to L. bernardi. The geographical distribution of the genus is discussed.     

Distribution pattern of the invasive alien plant Bunias orientalis in Rów Podtatrzański trench,north of the Tatra Mts,Poland

Bunias orientalis is an alien species that has spread greatly in recent decades in Central Europe. This coloniser is particularly well (pre)adapted to anthropogenic disturbances and human-mediated dispersal, allowing it to spread mainly along roads and railways. Here, its distribution and population structure is investigated for the sub-montane region located in the northern foothills of the Tatra Mts. Based on 70 phytosociological samples of invading vegetation, the relationships between B. orientalis cover and species diversity, together with the composition of vegetation, were analysed using regression analysis. Comparison of the current distribution of B. orientalis within the investigated area with published records indicates that the expansion rate of this alien species is not particularly high, despite its increased frequency in anthropogenic habitats and meadows. Meadows invaded by this species revealed that increased B. orientalis cover was accompanied by a significant reduction in the values of the Inverse Simpson diversity index and Pielou’s measure of evenness. Reduced diversity was caused by considerable decrease in cover by species of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class. However, for anthropogenic habitats, no statistically significant relationships were found to occur between the abundance of B. orientalis, species diversity and vegetation composition.     

A new species of shrimp of the genus Anachlorocurtis Hayashi, 1975 from the Red Sea,with range extension of A. commensalis Hayashi, 1975 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Pandalidae)

A new species of pandalid shrimp Anachlorocurtis occidentalis sp. n., associated with antipatharian corals, is described and illustrated from the north-eastern Red Sea. This new species is closely related to Anachlorocurtis commensalis Hayashi, 1975, the only other species in the genus, and can be distinguished by the more slender body and appendages; the carapace with 3 large, and one small, subtriangular lobes in the middorsal line; a flattened dorsal outline of the third abdominal segment; the sixth abdominal segment twice as long as fifth one; propodi of the ambulatory pereiopods bearing only a single posterior spinule; and harbouring 3–5 pairs of dorsolateral spines on the telson. A revised generic diagnosis is provided here to accommodate the present new species. The genetic divergence of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) between Anachlorocurtis occidentalis sp. n., and A. commensalis is 15.2–15.4%. Molecular analysis also confirmed a sister position of the genus Anachlorocurtis to Miropandalus. The present records of A. commensalis from Taiwan constitute an extension of the known range of the species.     

Eimeria melogale n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in the Javan ferret-badger (Melogale orientalis)

The Javan ferret-badger Melogale orientalis (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Helictidinae) is a small carnivore endemic to Indonesia. In the family Mustelidae, 10 Eimeria, 12 Cystoisopora, one Isospora, and one Hammondia species are known, but no eimeriid coccidia has been yet described in the subfamily Helictinidae (ferret badgers). Coproscopic examination of Javan ferret-badgers imported into the Czech Republic revealed the presence of coccidian oocysts. Sporulated oocysts differ from other Eimeria known in the family Mustelidae by their small size (12.4–16.1 × 10.4–13.4 μm) and ovoidal shape. Morphological data and phylogenetic analyses of 18S rRNA and COI genes indicated a new species of Eimeria found in faecal samples of Javan ferret badgers. The species is described as E. melogale n. sp.     

Molecular phylogeny evidence of altitudinal distribution and habitat adaptation in Korean Ephemera species (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae)

Molecular phylogeny of the four Korean Ephemera species, Ephemera orientalis, E. sachalinensis, E. strigata, and E. separigata, was inferred from 630 bp sequences of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. Results indicated that mean intraspecific sequence divergences were 0.70%, whereas mean interspecific divergences were 15.75%, and 17 samples were distinguished to four species correctly by COI sequences. The results also demonstrated that four species of Korean Ephemera assembled a monophyletic group with high support in maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses. This Ephemera group was divided into two major clades of E. orientalis–E. sachalinensis and E. strigata–E. separigata. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this phylogeny explained altitudinal and habitat adaptations of Korean Ephemera species. The E. orientalis–E. sachalinensis clade, a widespread and lowland‐adapted mayfly group, retained plesiomorphic traits such as paired stripes on abdominal segments and was regarded as plesiotypic in terms of habitat adaptation, compared to the geographically more limited and upland‐adapted E. strigata–E. separigata clade.     

Sternal gland structures in males of bean flower thrips,Megalurothrips sjostedti,and Poinsettia thrips,Echinothrips americanus,in comparison with those of western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the subfamily Thripinae. They vary in shape, size and distribution even between species of one genus. Their functional role is speculated to be that of sex- and/or aggregation pheromone production. Yet, sexual aggregations are not reported in Echinothrips americanus, known to have sternal pores, while we observed aggregations in Megalurothrips sjostedti, previously reported to lack them.We examined the sternal glands and pores of the thripine species E. americanus and M. sjostedti males, in comparison with those of Frankliniella occidentalis using light microscopy, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Pore plates of F. occidentalis were ellipsoid and medial on sternites III–VII, while in E. americanus they were distributed as multiple micro pore plates on sternites III–VIII. In M. sjostedti they appeared as an extremely small pore in front of the posterior margin of each of sternites IV–VII. Pore plate and pore plate area were distributed similarly on sternites III–VII in F. occidentalis. However, in E. americanus the total pore plate area increased significantly from sternites III to VIII. Ultrastructure of cells associated with sternal glands showed typical characteristics of gland cells that differ in size, shape and number. The function of sternal glands is further discussed on the basis of morphological comparisons with other thrips species.     

On the presence of the genus Branchinecta Verrill, 1869 (Crustacea,Anostraca) in Yugoslavia

The genus Branchinecta Verrill, 1869 is represented in Yugoslavia by two species: Branchinecta ferox (Milne-Edwards, 1840) and Branchinecta orientalis G.O. Sars, 1901. The first species was collected in the steppe-like province of Banat, Pannonian Lowland, and in the lowland around the Skadar Lake, Montenegro, the second only in the province of Banat.On the basis of rich material of both species, a detailed study of the most essential morphological characters has been carried out and comparisons have been made with data in the literature. In B. ferox, significant morphological deviations are not found, whereas, in B. orientalis, essential features are clearly ascertained which were previously unknown or were not stated with sufficient precision. B. ferox is known to appear in small, temporary, natronsoda water rainpools, while B. orientalis has been found in a large temporary inundation pool with a high content of natronsoda and salt in the water.