Annotated Checklist Research Articles

An annotated checklist of the Cook Islands psyllids with keys to the species and two new records (Hemiptera, Psylloidea).

An annotated checklist of the psyllids of the Cook Islands is presented. The presence of Syntomozatahuata (Klyver, 1932) and Triozaalifumosa Klyver, 1932 in the archipelago, based on new material collected, is reported for the first time. This is the first record from these islands of the genus Syntomoza and the family Liviidae. An identification key to the psyllid species known from the Cook Islands is provided, and their origin and provenance are discussed in relation to their biogeographic implications.

An Annotated Avifaunal Checklist of the Saint Martin’s Island of Bangladesh

Despite being an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) and a key attraction place for its uniqueness and unique bird fauna to the bird watchers and researchers, a method-based, scientific checklist on the avifauna of the Saint Martin’s Island is still lacking. This study was attempted to fill in this gap and produced an annotated bird checklist for the St. Martin’s island. A total of 112 species of birds belonging to 36 families under 15 orders was listed. Of these, 37 (33%) species were passerine and 75 (67%) species were nonpasserine. Eleven (9.82%) species were found to be very common, 12 (10.72%) species common, nine (8.04%) species uncommon and 80 (71.43%) species rare.
 Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 44(2): 149-158, December 2018

An annotated checklist of the angiospermic flora of Rajkandi Reserve Forest of Moulvibazar, Bangladesh

This study was carried out to provide the baseline data on the composition and distribution of the angiosperms and to assess their current status in Rajkandi Reserve Forest of Moulvibazar, Bangladesh. The study reports a total of 549 angiosperm species belonging to 123 families, 98 (79.67%) of which consisting of 418 species under 316 genera belong to Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons), and the remaining 25 (20.33%) comprising 132 species of 96 genera to Liliopsida (monocotyledons). Rubiaceae with 30 species is recognized as the largest family in Magnoliopsida followed by Euphorbiaceae with 24 and Fabaceae with 22 species; whereas, in Lilliopsida Poaceae with 32 species is found to be the largest family followed by Cyperaceae and Araceae with 17 and 15 species, respectively. Ficus is found to be the largest genus with 12 species followed by Ipomoea, Cyperus and Dioscorea with five species each. Rajkandi Reserve Forest is dominated by the herbs (284 species) followed by trees (130 species), shrubs (125species), and lianas (10 species). Woodlands are found to be the most common habitat of angiosperms. A total of 387 species growing in this area are found to be economically useful. 25 species listed in Red Data Book of Bangladesh under different threatened categories are found under Lower Risk (LR) category in this study area.

Amphibians of the Dibang River Basin, Arunachal Pradesh: an annotated checklist with distribution records

The present study across the Dibang River Basin is being presented as an annotated checklist from Arunachal Pradesh. A systematic survey was conducted during 2014–2017 by visual encounter surveys, as well as opportunistic records across the basin. Thirty-eight species of amphibians belonging to 17 genera in six families were recorded. Five new distribution records for Arunachal Pradesh, and one genus Oreolalax was recorded for the first time from India. Further, a rare report on Theloderma moloch and Rhacophorus tuberculatus from northeastern India provided significant information on species microhabitat and updated the amphibian distribution records from Arunachal Pradesh.

The first annotated checklist of Croatian crickets and grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Ensifera, Caelifera).

The first annotated checklist of crickets and grasshoppers (Orthoptera) of Croatia is presented. With 184 orthopteran species, 103 Ensifera and 81 Caelifera, known to inhabit the country, Croatia is among the richest European countries in terms of Orthoptera diversity. Altogether 25 species erroneously reported from the country are omitted from the checklist, 16 Ensifera (Isophya speciosa, Poecilimon brunneri, P. jonicus, P. thoracicus, Modestana ebneri, Pachytrachis bosniacus, Rhacocleis neglecta, Tessellana carinata, T. nigrosignata, Zeuneriana marmorata, Pteronemobius lineolatus, Myrmecophilus acervorum, M. ochraceus, Dolichopoda palpata, Diestrammena asynamora, Troglophilus brevicauda) and 9 Caelifera (Tetrix kraussi, Paracaloptenus caloptenoides, Chorthippus albomarginatus, Omocestus viridulus, Pseudochorthippus montanus, Miramella alpina, Celes variabilis, Oedipoda germanica, O. miniata). First faunistic records of 10 taxa are reported for Croatia, in total four Ensifera (Leptophyes punctatissima, Metrioptera hoermanni, Zeuneriana amplipennis, Gryllotalpa sp.) and six Caelifera (Xya variegata, Chorthippus dichrous, C. loratus, C. mollis ignifer, Odontopodisma sp., Acrotylus l. longipes). For each listed species, its distribution in Croatia and in Europe is given, and IUCN European Red List status is shown for species within threatened categories. Numerous distributional, taxonomic and nomenclatural problems are discussed. Several taxa with poorly defined diagnostic traits are synonymized, namely Gampsocleis abbreviata renei syn.nov. (with G. a. abbreviata), Pholidoptera maritima syn.nov. (with P. dalmatica), P. brachynota syn.nov. (with P. dalmatica), Acrida m. mediterranea syn.nov. (with A. u. ungarica), Chrysochraon dispar intermedius syn.nov. (with C. d. giganteus) and Odontopodisma rammei syn.nov. (with O. fallax).

80 years of research on planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)from Sardinia, Italy: an annotated checklist.

An annotated checklist is presented of the triclad fauna of the island of Sardinia, Italy, including an update of their geographic distribution and new records for several species. All three families of European freshwater planarians are represented on the island, viz. Dugesiidae (3 genera, 9 species), Planariidae (3 genera, 2 species), and Dendrocoelidae (1 genus, 3 species), inhabiting surface and subterranean waters. Besides freshwater species, over the last decades also land planarians (Geoplanidae) have been recorded.

Diversity of settlement-stage reef fishes captured by light-trap in a tropical south-west Atlantic Ocean coastal reef system.

This study reports the results of 5 years of monitoring reef fish post-larvae using light traps in the Bay of Tamandaré, north-east Brazil. An annotated checklist of pre-settlement fish species, their frequency of occurrence and taxonomic characteristics are provided. In total, 4,422 post-larval fishes belonging to 36 families, 56 genera and 76 species were captured. The most species-rich families were Carangidae (7), Lutjanidae (6) and Pomacentridae (4), while the families Gerreidae (30.47%), Holocentridae (16.54%), Blenniidae (12.01%), Labrisomidae (8.36%), Lutjanidae (8.29%) and Acanthuridae (5.95%) were the most abundant. This is the first study of the taxonomic diversity and assemblage structure of settlement-stage reef fishes in the tropical south-west Atlantic Ocean. Although a few common species were not captured due to selectivity of light traps, the composition and taxonomic diversity of this first collection suggests that light traps are useful for studies of the early life history of a wide range of pre-settlement reef fishes.

Woodlice of Belgium: an annotated checklist and bibliography (Isopoda, Oniscidea).

Woodlice are key organisms for nutrient cycling in many terrestrial ecosystems; however, knowledge on this invertebrate group is limited as for other soil fauna taxa. Here, we present an annotated checklist of the woodlice of Belgium, a small but densely populated country in Western Europe. We reviewed all 142 publications on Belgian woodlice, the oldest dating back to 1831 and re-identified all doubtful specimens from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) collection. These data is complemented with observations from extensive field surveys dating from March 2014 until December 2017. We report 36 species of woodlice with free-living populations for Belgium. Nine species can be added compared to the latest checklist published in 2000 being Hyloniscusriparius (C. Koch, 1838), Miktoniscuspatiencei Vandel, 1946, Trichoniscoidessarsi Patience, 1908, Haplophthalmusmontivagus Verhoeff, 1941, Porcelliomonticola Lereboullet, 1853, Metatrichoniscoidesleydigii (Weber, 1880), Trichoniscusalemannicus Verhoeff, 1917, Elumacaelata (Miers, 1877) and Philosciaaffinis Verhoeff, 1908. Two species are deleted from the checklist (Ligidiumgermanicum Verhoeff, 1901 and Armadillidiumdepressum Brandt, 1833) because records are doubtful and no material has been preserved. Additionally the data of the field surveys is used to determine a species status of occurrence in Belgium. For each species, a short overview of their first records is provided and their confirmation as part of the Belgian fauna, their current status, as well as a complete bibliography of the species in Belgium.

Two new species of the mirine plant bug genus Cheilocapsus Kirkaldy (Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae) from Japanese Ryukyus and Taiwan

The fauna of the Asian mirine plant bug genus Cheilocapsus Kirkaldy, 1902 (Mirinae: Mirini) in the Japanese Ryukyu islands and Taiwan is updated, based mainly on new morphological features. Four species are now recognized, with descriptions of two new species, Cheilocapsus maius sp. n. (from Taiwan) and C. martius sp. n. (Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands of the Ryukyus). An annotated checklist including all known congeners and a key to the four species are provided. The phylogenetic relationship between Cheilocapsus and Pantilius Curtis is argued on the basis of their detailed structures and zoogeographical distribution pattern.

An annotated checklist of tick-borne pathogens of dogs in Nigeria.

Tick-borne pathogens are transmitted by the bite of a tick vector or the ingestion therein by a susceptible host. Conventionally, the diagnosis of tick-borne parasites in Nigeria is achieved through the demonstration of their developmental stages in the host's blood or tissues. These classical methods are limited in their capability to detect chronic cases or healthy carriers and to differentiate between pathogens of similar morphological features. Molecular diagnostic techniques of high sensitivity have been developed to overcome these shortfalls by detecting the pathogen's DNA, elucidating their genetic makeup and comparing their phylogenetic relationship to other pathogens, sometimes necessitating taxonomic changes. Detection of DNA of canine tick-borne pathogens (CTBPs) such as Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, and Mycoplasma haemocanis has been reported in Nigerian dogs corroborating earlier microscopic findings. Furthermore, DNA of Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia ewingii, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' and Theileria sp. hitherto considered to be absent in Nigeria has been detected, thereby expanding the spectrum of CTBPs in the country. However, in some cases, diagnoses based on the detection of single short DNA fragments from pathogens can cause considerable confusion. This occurred in the case of the large canine Babesia, previously referred to as Babesia canis which has been reported in Nigerian dogs. There appears to be confusion regarding the accurate status of this pathogen in Nigeria due to the subsequent classification into Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli and Babesia rossi. Moreover, several molecular studies failed to detect the DNA of Babesia gibsoni previously reported in Nigerian dogs by light microscope. These findings necessitate regular update of the list of CTBPs of veterinary and medical importance, in order to keep practitioners abreast with these changes. Herein, an annotated checklist of tick-borne pathogens of dogs in Nigeria, based on available data from both classical and molecular studies, with notes explaining any discrepancies between the methods and probable explanations thereof, is presented.

An annotated check-list of Orthoptera of Tuva and adjacent regions. Part 1. Suborder Ensifera

An annotated check-list of Orthoptera of Tuva and adjacent regions. Part 1. Suborder Ensifera

An annotated checklist of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) of Yakutia (Siberia) with some new records

An annotated checklist of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) of Yakutia (Siberia) with some new records

A DNA barcode-assisted annotated checklist of the spider (Arachnida, Araneae) communities associated to white oak woodlands in Spanish National Parks.

BackgroundA large scale semi-quantitative biodiversity assessment was conducted in white oak woodlands in areas included in the Spanish Network of National Parks, as part of a project aimed at revealing biogeographic patterns and identify biodiversity drivers. The semi-quantitative COBRA sampling protocol was conducted in sixteen 1-ha plots across six national parks using a nested design. All adult specimens were identified to species level based on morphology. Uncertain delimitations and identifications due to either limited information of diagnostic characters or conflicting taxonomy were further investigated using DNA barcode information.New informationWe identified 376 species belonging to 190 genera in 39 families, from the 8,521 adults found amongst the 20,539 collected specimens. Faunistic results include the discovery of 7 new species to the Iberian Peninsula, 3 new species to Spain and 11 putative new species to science. As largely expected by environmental features, the southern parks showed a higher proportion of Iberian and Mediterranean species than the northern parks, where the Palearctic elements were largely dominant. The analysis of approximately 3,200 DNA barcodes generated in the present study, corroborated and provided finer resolution to the morphologically based delimitation and identification of specimens in some taxonomically challenging families. Specifically, molecular data confirmed putative new species with diagnosable morphology, identified overlooked lineages that may constitute new species, confirmed assignment of specimens of unknown sexes to species and identified cases of misidentifications and phenotypic polymorphisms.

The vascular flora and plant communities of Lawther-Deer Park Prairie, Harris County, Texas, U.S.A.

Field studies at the Lawther - Deer Park Prairie Preserve, an area of approximately 21 ha (51 acres) of the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes vegetation area, have resulted in a description of the vegetation associations and an annotated checklist of the vascular flora. Six plant community associations occur on the property: (1) the Upper Texas Coast Ingleside Sandy Wet Prairie; (2) Eastern Gamagrass - Switchgrass - Yellow Indiangrass Herbaceous Vegetation; (3) Gulf Cordgrass Herbaceous Vegetation; (4) Texas Gulf Coast Live Oak - Sugarberry Forest; (5) Little Bluestem - Slender Bluestem - Big Bluestem Herbaceous Vegetation, and (6) Natural Depressional Ponds. The checklist includes 407 species belonging to 247 genera and 86 families. Forty-six species are non-native. The best-represented families (with species number following) are Poaceae (84), Asteraceae (68), Cyperaceae (33), and Fabaceae (19). West Gulf Coastal Plain (eastern Texas and western Louisiana) endemics include Helenium drummondii, Liatris acidota, Oenothera lindheimeri, and Rudbeckia texana. One Texas endemic, Chloris texensis, a Species of Greater Conservation Need, is present. Other noteworthy species are Andropogon capillipes, Digitaria texana, and Platanthera nivea.

Coastal Forest vegetation of Sabutung Island South Sulawesi

Research about coastal forest vegetation in Sabutung island has been conducted.The aim of this research was to make an inventory of native species, introduced speciesand invasive spesies of plant in Sabutungisland. Sampling activities conducted withpurposive sampling method.Data collected with noted the plant species that foundduring exploring the island. All sample are photographed. Unidentified sample werecollected and identified in Marine and Environmental laboratory, Department ofBiology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Hasanuddin University.Identification of the sample conducted based on: An Annotated Check-List of TheVascular Plants of The South China Sea and Its Shores by Turner et al. (2000) and Mangrove Guidebook for Southeast Asia by Wim Giesen et al. (2007)for coastal forestspecies; Tropical flowering plants: a guide to identification and cultivation by KirstenAlbrecht Llamas (2003) for introduced species andNonnative Invasive Plants of PacificCoast Forest. A Field Guide for Identification oleh Gray et al. (2011) and Guide to TheNaturalized and Invasive Plants of Southeast Asia by Arne Witt (2017) for invasivespecies. Data were analysed descriptively and displayed in tabular form. Antropogenicimpact i.e: land conversion and increased population were also discussed. From theresults of the study were recorded as many as 221 species of plants in Sabutung Island.Mostly dominated by ornamental plants and cultivated (introduced) plants with 131species of 46 tribes followed by native species with 67 species from 34 tribes. Invasivespecies were recorded with at least 19 species from 8 tribes. Nonetheless, invasivespecies are widespread and dominate space in almost all parts of the island. Most of thecoastal forest on Sabutung Island has been lost due to land conversion to settlementsand garden/plantation.

Second species of unusual leafhopper genus Univagris (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from India.

A new leafhopper species, Univagris tenebra sp. nov., is described and illustrated from India (Himachal Pradesh: Banjar). Detailed photographic illustrations, an annotated checklist and key to the species along with photographic illustrations for Univagris pallida Virakthamath Murthy are provided.

Invertebrate diversity in the deep Great Australian Bight (200\u20135000\xa0m)

BackgroundThe Great Australian Bight (GAB) comprises the majority of Australia’s southern coastline, but to date its deep water fauna has remained almost unknown. Recent issuing of oil and gas leases in the region has highlighted this lack of baseline biological data and established a pressing need to characterise benthic abyssal fauna.MethodsFrom 2013 to 2017, six large-scale systematic surveys of the GAB were conducted from 200 to 5000 m depth, constituting the deepest systematic biological sampling in Australia. Sampling was conducted on soft sediment and hard substrates, both at pre-determined depth intervals along north-south transect lines and at sites of interest identified by multibeam sonar.ResultsA total of 66,721 invertebrate specimens were collected, comprising 1267 species, with 401 species (32%) new to science. In addition to the novelty of the fauna, there was a high degree of rarity, with 31% of species known only from single specimens.ConclusionsIn this paper, we provide an annotated checklist of the benthic invertebrate fauna of the deep GAB, supplemented with colour photos of live specimens and commentary on taxonomy, diversity and distributions. This work represents an important addition to knowledge of Australia’s deep sea fauna, and will provide the foundation for further ecological, biogeographical and systematic research.

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Mount Kilimanjaro: Nymphalidae subfamily Helconiinae

ABSTRACTThis paper, which presents an annotated checklist of the nymphalid subfamily Heliconiinae, is the fifth in a series on the butterfly fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro. Three genera of Heliconiinae (Acraea, Phalanta, Issoria), with a total of 12 included species, are known or believed to occur within the main forest zone, from ca 1800 to 2800 m. Of these, only two species (Acraea acuta, Issoria hanningtoni) may be restricted locally to this primary forest. The lower slopes fauna, below 1800 m, is considerably richer, with a total of four genera and 33 confirmed species listed (10 of which species extend into the forest zone). Possible additional species of Acraea, including some doubtful earlier records, are noted and discussed. An identification key to the genera of Heliconiinae that occur in Tanzania, together with a key to the adults of all heliconiine species considered to occur or likely to occur on Kilimanjaro, with 280 colour images, are included as online Supplementary Information.

An annotated checklist of macrofungi in broadleaf Mediterranean forests (NW Italy)

Three different broadleaf Mediterranean forests, each characterized by the dominance of <em>Castanea sativa</em>, <em>Quercus cerris</em>, and <em>Fagus sylvatica</em>, respectively, were intensively surveyed over 3 consecutive years to record a list of macrofungi. A total of 5,065 sporomata and 300 species (seven Ascomycota and 293 Basidiomycota) belonging to 18 orders, 59 families, and 117 genera were recorded. The ecology, community composition, and geographic distribution of the identified species are discussed and new records for Italy are also provided.

An annotated checklist of mammals of Kenya.

Kenya has a rich mammalian fauna. We reviewed recently published books and papers including the six volumes of Mammals of Africa to develop an up-to-date annotated checklist of all mammals recorded from Kenya. A total of 390 species have been identified in the country, including 106 species of rodents, 104 species of bats, 63 species of even-toed ungulates (including whales and dolphins), 36 species of insectivores and carnivores, 19 species of primates, five species of elephant shrews, four species of hyraxes and odd-toed ungulates, three species of afrosoricids, pangolins, and hares, and one species of aardvark, elephant, sirenian and hedgehog. The number of species in this checklist is expected to increase with additional surveys and as the taxonomic status of small mammals (e.g., bats, shrews and rodents) becomes better understood.