Afrotropical Research Articles

An Evolutionary Study of Carex Subg. Psyllophorae (Cyperaceae) Sheds Light on a Strikingly Disjunct Distribution in the Southern Hemisphere, With Emphasis on Its Patagonian Diversification.

Carex subgenus Psyllophorae is an engaging study group due to its early diversification compared to most Carex lineages, and its remarkable disjunct distribution in four continents corresponding to three independent sections: sect. Psyllophorae in Western Palearctic, sect. Schoenoxiphium in Afrotropical region, and sect. Junciformes in South America (SA) and SW Pacific. The latter section is mainly distributed in Patagonia and the Andes, where it is one of the few Carex groups with a significant in situ diversification. We assess the role of historical geo-climatic events in the evolutionary history of the group, particularly intercontinental colonization events and diversification processes, with an emphasis on SA. We performed an integrative study using phylogenetic (four DNA regions), divergence times, diversification rates, biogeographic reconstruction, and bioclimatic niche evolution analyses. The crown age of subg. Psyllophorae (early Miocene) supports this lineage as one of the oldest within Carex. The diversification rate probably decreased over time in the whole subgenus. Geography seems to have played a primary role in the diversification of subg. Psyllophorae. Inferred divergence times imply a diversification scenario away from primary Gondwanan vicariance hypotheses and suggest long-distance dispersal-mediated allopatric diversification. Section Junciformes remained in Northern Patagonia since its divergence until Plio-Pleistocene glaciations. Andean orogeny appears to have acted as a northward corridor, which contrasts with the general pattern of North-to-South migration for temperate-adapted organisms. A striking niche conservatism characterizes the evolution of this section. Colonization of the SW Pacific took place on a single long-distance dispersal event from SA. The little ecological changes involved in the trans-Pacific disjunction imply the preadaptation of the group prior to the colonization of the SW Pacific. The high species number of the section results from simple accumulation of morphological changes (disparification), rather than shifts in ecological niche related to increased diversification rates (radiation).

Avian diversity of Fars province (Southwestern Iran) with note on the zoogeographical composition

Rich avifauna of Fars province, SW Iran, is a stem from high diversity of habitat and climate beside its geographical position as a crossroad between Palearctic, Oriental, and Afrotropical realms. It shares the greatest number of bird species with the Palearctic region, however two other faunal realms, including Oriental and Afrotropical have a pronounced influence on its avifauna. It seems its bird fauna to be more in common with the Oriental elements than Afrotropical ones; the question addressed in this study. In addition, the province is located east of the Western Palearctic and close to the Eastern Palearctic border. I explored how much its bird elements have in common with the Eastern Palearctic. It is important because in some cases, western and eastern bird elements may come together with a narrow or wide hybrid zone. Based on my expeditions in recent years and pervious published literature, I present the comprehensive annotated checklist including 371 bird species in 197 genera, 68 families and 23 orders. At least 88 species are resident, 193 species are breeding, 33 species are rare and 21 species are vagrant. Based on the international conservation criteria, five species fall under the EN, nine under the VU, 16 under the NT of IUCN and 62 species fall under the appendices of CITES, including eight species in appendix I and 54 in appendix II. Results show that the Fars province shares the greatest number of bird species with the Palearctic region (364). The province lies within the West Palearctic faunal region and as expected, its bird fauna shares a greater number of species with the western Palaearctic than its eastern (346 versus 314). Our results also showed that the two other adjacent faunal regions including Oriental and Afrotropical have influence on its avifauna, and the province shares a greater number of species with the Oriental than to Afrotropical.

First record of the genus Micromeriella Betrem, 1972 (Hymenoptera, Scoliidae) from the Maltese Islands, central Mediterranean

Here we report the first distribution record of the genus Micromeriella Betrem, 1972 (Hymenoptera, Scoliidae) from the archipelago of Malta, based on two specimens of Micromeriella aurolea (Klug, 1832) collected from the island of Gozo. Although this species is relatively well distributed in the Afrotropical and Palaearctic regions, we extend its distribution to the central Mediterranean islands. Molecular barcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was conducted and compared with the known COI sequences of the genus to confirm the identification of the species.

A worldwide catalog of the Vermileonidae (Diptera: Brachycera)

The genera and species of worldwide wormlions (Diptera: Rhagionidae) are listed, with annotated references to nomenclature, synonymies and generic combinations, type localities, primary type depositories, distribution, and citations for the most recent revisions. The most diverse genera of the family are Vermileo Macquart, Vermipardus Stuckenberg and Lampromyia Macquart, with 13 described species each. The bulk of Vermileonidae diversity, with nearly half of the valid species, remains in the Afrotropical region.

Complete genus-level plastid phylogenomics of Alismataceae with revisited historical biogeography

Alismataceae, an ancient lineage of monocots, has attracted attention due to its complex evolutionary history, ornamental value, and ecological role. However, the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the family have not been conclusively resolved. Here, we constructed the first complete genus-level plastid phylogeny of Alismataceae by using 78 genes and updated the historical biogeography based on the phylogenomic tree. Our results divide the Alismataceae into three major clades with robust support values; one clade comprises the former Limnocharitaceae, and the second clade includes the mainly temperate genera Alisma, Baldellia, Damasonium and Luronium, and the monotypic African genus Burnatia as a sister of the temperate genera. The remaining genera are either tropical or have some temperate species in addition to tropical ones, and they constitute the third major clade. Molecular dating and biogeographic analyses suggest that Alismataceae arose in Neotropical, West Palearctic, and Afrotropical regions during the Cretaceous, followed by the split into three main clades due to a combination of vicariance and dispersal events. Unlike earlier studies, we inferred that the mainly temperate clade likely originated from Afrotropical and West Palearctic regions during the Eocene. The most recent common ancestor of the other two clades lived in the Neotropical area during the Late Cretaceous. Long-distance dispersal and vicariance together seem to contribute to the transoceanic distribution of this family.

First record of the genus Gnathochorisis Frster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Orthocentrinae) from the Afrotropical region, with descriptions of two new species from Kenya.

The genus Gnathochorisis Frster, 1869 is recorded from the Afrotropical region for the first time: G. malavensis sp. n. and G. ventralis sp. n. are described from Kenya. A key to the Afrotropical species of the genus is provided.

Economic Integration of Small and Medium Enterprise in Manufacturing Sector: The Case of Ethiopia, Tigray Regional State Mekelle City

The purpose of this study is to assess the economic integration of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tigray, Ethiopia. Focusing mainly on strategies, enabling environment, competitiveness, and challenges of the economic integration of SMEs. This study was employed in a cross-sectional mixed approach method. The data were collected using 148 samples based on proportional stratified sampling after a pilot test was managed and analyzed using SPSS. It presented using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and ordinary least squire regression model. Interviews with 15 leaders and stakeholders, 8 focus group discussions were conducted with the SMEs council and a non-participatory observation of the researcher. The result indicates that SMEs are operated by owners and families, which implies that contribution to employment and income generation for others is very limited. Access to finance, work promising, market linkage, and quality and quantity input were also the general challenge of all SMEs. Peace and security among Ethiopian Regions and the Ethio-Eriteria border, the dependency mentality and rent-seeking behavior of SMEs operators are other challenges of SMEs. Also, the commitment, attitude, and capacity of the leaders at a different level to support and coordinate SMEs is weak. Thus, policies and strategies should review and adjust considering the current political situation. Capacity building to operators and agency leaders are very critical. Finally, special financial institutions and market supporting unit should be established to help SME’s competitiveness. Work promises and infrastructure should be ready before the SMEs was established. Keywords: Small and Medium Enterprise, Economic Integration of Small Enterprises, Challenges, Tigray, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-19-01 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

Revision of the Exechiaparva group (Diptera: Mycetophilidae).

BackgroundExechia is a diverse genus of small fungus gnats, widespread in the Holarctic Region, while the fauna is largely unknown elsewhere, such as in the Afrotropical and Oriental Region. Members of Exechia can be arranged into several species groups, based on homologies in the male and female terminalia. The Exechiaparva group is delimited, based on male terminalia possessing a pair of gonocoxal lobes on the apicoventral gonocoxal margin. Eight previously-described species can be placed in this group, of which six are from the Holarctic Region, while one is recorded each from the Oriental and the Afrotropical Regions.New informationThe Exechiaparva group was reviewed and found to include 33 species, of which 24 were described as new to science and six were re-described. Identification keys to 32 species for males and nine species for females are provided together with illustrations and photos of male and female terminalia. Species delimitations were based on morphological examination of 94 male and female specimens, as well as DNA barcodes obtained from 124 specimens. Molecular and morphological species delimitations were mostly congruent, except in two cases where two species were delimited within a single Barcode Index Number (BIN). We found that each species is only known from a single zoogeographical region and that several species complexes are largely congruent with zoogeographical divisions, indicating that intercontinental barriers may have a strong impact on the species diversity of the group.

Severity, Spatial Pattern and Statistical Analysis of Road Traffic Crash Hot Spots in Ethiopia

The reduction of traffic crashes, as well as their socio-economic consequences, has captivated the attention of safety professionals and transportation agencies. The most important activity for an effective road safety practice is to identify hazardous roadway areas based on a spatial pattern analysis of crashes and an evaluation of crash spatial relations with neighboring areas and other relevant factors. For decades, safety researchers have adopted several techniques to analyze historical road traffic crash (RTC) information using the advanced GIS-based hot spot analysis. The objective of this study is to present a GIS technique for identifying crash hot spots based on spatial autocorrelation analysis using a four-year (2014–2017) crash data across Ethiopian regions, as well as zones and towns in the Oromia region. The study considered the corresponding severity values of RTCs for the analysis and ranking of crash hot spot areas. The spatial autocorrelation tool in ArcGIS 10.5 was used to analyze the spatial patterns of RTCs and then the Getis Ord Gi* statistics tool was used to identify high and low crash severity cluster zones. The results showed that the methods used in this analysis, which incorporated Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation of crash incidents, Getis Ord Gi* and crash severity index, proved to be a fruitful strategy for identifying and ranking crash hot spots. The identified crash hot spot areas are along the entrance to and exit from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city, so the responsible bodies and traffic management agencies should give top priority attention and conduct a thorough study to reduce the socio-economic effect of RTCs.

Présence d’Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1773) dans le domaine Afrotropical occidental (Odonata, Libellulidae)

Presence of Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1773) in the western Afrotropical realm (Odonata, Libellulidae). Surveys carried out over the past fifteen years on the entire Beninese territory, in order to update the local Odonata fauna, enabled the collection in 2013 of a female specimen of Orthetrum sabina. This capture is, to our knowledge, the first established in the Afrotropical realm of West Africa.

Illustrated key to the genera and catalogue of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera) in the Afrotropical region

Separate identification keys for females, and for males where known, of the 40 genera of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) in the Afrotropical region are given. The subgenera of four genera are also included in the key to females. The genera are illustrated with over 300 photographs. The 122 named, valid species reported from the region are catalogued. Reliable host records are reported for 6 genera and 11 species from rearings undertaken in the region. An appendix lists the 27 species from northern Africa and offshore islands (Canary Islands, Madeira) but not recorded in the Afrotropical region as defined in this publication. Camptoptera (Zemicamptoptera) Ogloblin Annecke, syn. n. is synonymized with Camptoptera (Camptoptera) Foerster. Eofoersteria Mathot, syn. n. is synonymized with Camptoptera Foerster and is treated as subgenus C. (Eofoersteria) Mathot, stat. n.; its type species Eofoersteria camptopteroides Mathot is transferred to Camptoptera as C. (Eofoersteria) camptopteroides (Mathot), comb. n. Polynema megacephala (Risbec) is transferred to Lymaenon as L. megacephala (Risbec), comb. n. Limacis opuntiae Risbec is transferred to Encarsia Foerster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) as E. opuntiae (Risbec), comb. n. A few corrections to Huber et al. (2020) are given.

The ant associates of Lycaenidae butterfly caterpillars – revisited

Based on a global compilation of data on ant associates of 523 Lycaenidae species, a synthesis is attempted as to which ants participate in these interactions. Ants from 63 genera have thus far been observed as visitors of facultative myrmecophiles or as hosts of obligate myrmecophiles among the Lycaenidae. Over 98% of records come from nectarivorous and trophobiotic ants in just three subfamilies, viz. Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Dolichoderinae, with the genera Crematogaster and Camponotus occupying the top ranks. Accumulation analysis suggests that rather few ant genera remain to be added to the list of associates. The representation of ant genera as attendants of lycaenid immatures is related to their global species richness, but with some notable exceptions. Ants that form ecologically dominant, large, long-lived colonies are over-represented as hosts of obligate myrmecophiles. The taxonomic diversity of lycaenid-ant associations is highest in the Oriental and Australian region, and lowest in the Neotropical and Afrotropical region. Among tropical African lycaenids, this is due to two butterfly lineages (genus Lepidochrysops and subfamily Aphnaeinae) that have massively radiated in the Neogene, but mostly maintaining their general affiliations with either Camponotus or Crematogaster ants, respectively. Many tropical and subtropical lycaenids nowadays form associations also with invasive alien tramp ants, giving rise to novel mutualistic interactions.

New species of the genus Eoanthidium (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini) from the Middle East link the Afrotropical and Palaearctic Realms, with a key to the Palaearctic taxa

ABSTRACT The genus Eoanthidium though not species-rich has a wide distribution that extends over the Afrotropical, Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions. The species of the Middle East are here revised and their distribution evaluated in this zoogeographic hub between these three realms. Eoanthidium afroarabicum Kasparek & Griswold sp. nov. was found to have a broad distribution from southern Oman and the Gebel Elba area, Egypt to Mali and Burkina Faso, and is the only species of the genus known to link the Middle East with Africa. Anthidiellum crenulatum Warncke, 1982 is transferred to the genus Eoanthidium, and E. bakerorum Engel, 2004 is recognised as a junior synonym of it. The distribution of E. crenulatum comb. nov. extends over the surroundings of the Gulf of Oman. A structurally very similar species, E. flavifrontale Kasparek sp. nov., was found in south-east Anatolia and is regarded as its geographically isolated allospecies whose speciation is supposed to be triggered by the barrier imposed by the Syrio-Arabian desert. While DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1 barcoding) gene confirmed the validity of E. crenulatum and E. afroarabicum as distinct species and their attribution to Eoanthidium, they also revealed possible ambiguities in the subgeneric classification of Eoanthidium and the generic assignment of the Asian Anthidiellum (Pycnanthidium) carinatum (Wu, 1962). Of the 11 species of Eoanthidium found in the Middle East, six are endemic, two species are also affiliated with Europe, two with Asia, and one with both Europe and Asia. Only one species is found both in the Middle East and the Afrotropical realm. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3A5A799F-F211-459A-91A8-6B654152FEDE

New species of Chaetonerius Hendel (Diptera: Neriidae) from the Oriental Region.

The genus Chaetonerius Hendel has 25 valid species, predominantly distributed in the Afrotropical Region with only three species recorded for the Oriental Region. Herein, we describe a new species, Chaetonerius colavitei sp. n., from material collected in Thailand and Malaysia.

Some free-living laelapid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from Tristan da Cunha and Nightingale Islands, with description of a new species of Gaeolaelaps Evans amp; Till (Acari: Laelapidae) and the first afrotropical record of the genus Nidilaelaps Shaw.

This paper reports on four species of free-living mites of the family Laelapidae from Tristan da Cunha and Nightingale Islands: Cosmolaelaps claviger (Berlese), Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini), G. furcatus sp. nov., and Nidilaelaps annectans (Womersley). The new species has the unique character states of the paradactyli on pretarsi IIIV being very elongated and the pulvillar lobe well developed in shape of a fork on ambulacra IIIV. The genus Nidilaelaps Shaw is here reported for the first time from Afrotropical realm.

The genus Dettopsomyia Lamb, 1914 (Diptera, Drosophilidae) from southern China.

The genus Dettopsomyia was established by Lamb in 1914 for a single species, De.formosa described therein. It contains 13 known species recorded from the Old World (the Oriental, Australasian, Palearctic and Afrotropical regions). In the present paper, five new species discovered from southern China are described as members of Dettopsomyia: De.acutipenis Wang & Gao, sp. nov., De.serripenis Wang & Gao, sp. nov., De.discontinua Wang & Gao, sp. nov., De.camelonota Wang, Li & Gao, sp. nov. and De.paranigrovittata Wang, Li & Gao, sp. nov. The new species were delimitated, based on not only morphological characters but also molecular data.

First Record of Cardiocondyla obscurior Wheeler, 1929 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) for Pakistan

Ants of the genus Cardiocondyla are considered omnivorous in nature. This genus is native to Afrotropical, Australasia, Indomalaya, Malagasy, Oceania, and Palearctic regions. A total of 72 valid species and 2 valid subspecies has been described worldwide. However, little is known about these ants in Pakistan. As a result of a survey of different sites in the Gatwala park of district Faisalabad during 2018, we collected individuals of the genus Cardiocondyla. Collected specimens were identified using the most recent and available literature. Prior to current work, only two species of this genus were reported for Pakistan. In this study we added the first record of Cardiocondyla obscurior for Pakistan, followed by a brief description, distribution, and identification key.

Review of the Merodon natans group with description of a new species, a key to the adults of known species of the natans lineage and first descriptions of some preimaginal stages

Abstract Merodon natans group (Diptera, Syrphidae) taxa are reviewed using an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological, morphometric and molecular techniques. The approach substantiates recognition of the three species: M. calcaratus (Fabricius, 1794), M. natans (Fabricius, 1794) and M. pulveris Vujić & Radenković in Radenković et al. 2011, and reveals the existence of a new species, M. makrisi Vujić, Radenković & Tot sp. nov., which is described. It also highlights the existence of a series of natans group populations, especially on some of the Mediterranean islands, in the Levant and in the Afrotropical Region, for which more comprehensive data are required to clarify their status. A key is provided to the natans lineage species currently recognised, and preimaginal stages of some natans-group species are described for the first time. Redescriptions for M. calcaratus and M. natans are provided. A neotype is selected for M. natans. Lectotypes are designated for M. annulatus (Fabricius, 1794) and M. melancholicus (Fabricius, 1794). Merodon annulatus is recognised as a synonym of M. natans.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND COFFEE FARM RELOCATION IN ETHIOPIA: A REAL-OPTIONS APPROACH

Climate change and emerging pests and diseases may negatively affect coffee yields and revenues in Ethiopian regions at low altitudes. Hence, the relocation of coffee farms to regions at higher altitudes has been suggested in order to assure sustainability and resilience for Ethiopian coffee production. In this paper, we study how sunk establishment costs, uncertain net returns and policy-induced incentives may affect the timing and value of a coffee farm relocation. This is done by developing a real-options model taking into account the relevant drivers of the farmer’s decision to relocate. We then present an empirical analysis examining a hypothetical relocation. We show that relocation is a rather attractive opportunity even though the presence of volatile net returns and relatively high establishment costs may induce its postponement. Thus, we determine the optimal amount of subsidy needed in order to foster the relocation process.

First Detections of Culiseta longiareolata (Diptera: Culicidae) in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Culiseta (Allotheobaldia) longiareolata (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) is an ornithophilic mosquito species that occurs in the southern Palaearctic Region from the Azores to Central Asia, the Ethiopian Region, India, and Pakistan. Although it has a widespread distribution range, the species was only recently reported in Western and Central Europe. Between 2017 and 2020, larvae, pupae, and adults of Cs. longiareolata (n = 161) were found at 13 distinct locations in Belgium (n = 4) and The Netherlands (n = 9). Collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified and the identification was then validated by COI DNA barcoding. These are the first records of the species in the above-mentioned countries. The present results suggest that Cs. longiareolata could be increasing its distribution range in temperate regions, indicating a warming climate. As the species might be a potential vector of bird pathogens (e.g., West Nile virus), its spread in Western Europe is noteworthy.