East Palaearctic Species Research Articles

Egg morphology of six East Palaearctic species of the genus Ephemera Linnaeus (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae)

The eggs of six East Palaearctic species in the subgenera Ephemera Linnaeus s.s. and Sinephemera Kluge from the Russian Far East are investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Eggs of the subgenus Ephemera have a thick adhesive layer ranging from 1.3 to 3.0 µm. In species of the subgenus Sinephemera, the adhesive layer is thin, amorphous, and 0.5 µm in E. (S.) shengmi Hsu, while in the other two species it is presented in the form of a thin film. All studied species have micropyles of the “tagenoform type,” with the exception of E. (S.) shengmi, in which the micropyle can be classified as linear. The shape of the sperm guide is species-specific and is clearly visible only on the adhesive layer. The structure of the chorion varies markedly among the species studied. So in E. (S.) japonica McLachlan, it is practically smooth; in E. (E.) transbajkalica Tshernova, it is reticulate; in E. (E.) orientalis McLachlan and E. (S.) strigata Eaton, it is finely wrinkled; and in E. (E.) sachalinensis Matsumura and E. (S.) shengmi, it is intermittently sinuous. The use of micropyle structure, size of eggs, along with chorion sculpturing, resulted useful in egg and species identification.

Review of the genus Paradelius De Saeger, 1942 of East Asia (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Cheloninae, Adeliini) with the description of a new species from South Korea.

The East Palaearctic species of the adeliine genus Paradelius De Saeger, 1942 are reviewed. The genus Sculptomyriola Belokobylskij, 1988 is synonymised with Paradelius and treated as its subgenus. The following species are transferred to subgenus Paradelius (Sculptomyriola): P. (Sc.) extremiorientalis (Belokobylskij, 1988), comb. nov.; P. (Sc.) ghilarovi (Belokobylskij, 1988), comb. nov.; P. (Sc.) neotropicalis Shimbori & Shaw, 2019; P. (Sc.) nigrus Whitfield, 1988; P. (Sc.) rubrus Whitfield, 1988; P. (Sc.) sinevi (Belokobylskij, 1998), comb. nov. A new species Paradelius (Sculptomyriola) koreanussp. nov. from Korean Peninsula is described. The genus Sinadelius He & Chen, 2000 is synonymised with Paradelius De Saeger and also treated as its subgenus. The species Sinadeliusguangxiensis He & Chen, 2000 and S.nigricans He & Chen, 2000 are transferred to Paradelius (Sinadelius) (comb. nov.). A key for determination of the World known Paradelius species from three its subgenera, Paradelius s.str., Sculptomyriola Belokobylskij and Sinadelius He & Chen, and illustrated redescriptions of the type of genus and its Asian species are provided.

New data on the mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of North-Western Yakutia

New data on the fauna of mayflies in the Anabar River basin are given. A total of eight species of Ephemeroptera have been identified in the fauna of North-Western Yakutia for the first time. Though the mayfly fauna in this region consists mainly of East Palaearctic species, the only seven of them are characterized by arctic-alpine distribution. In general, mayfly species richness of the studied subarctic and southern rivers of Yakutia is similar.

Sources of the Urban Fauna of Irkutsk Exemplified by the Weevil Family (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Data on the occurrence of four weevil species previously not recorded from Irkutsk are given. Their ranges have expanded east- or westwards, probably under anthropogenic influence. Distribution, host plants, and the possible pathways of their expansion into the Baikal region are discussed. The East Palaearctic species Yunakovius orientalis Borovec is recorded for the first time from Transbaikalia.

Hybrizon Fallén (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Hybrizontinae) in China

The species of the genus Hybrizon Fallén (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Hybrizontinae) from China are reviewed, with special reference to Shandong (North China). Two new species (Hybrizon heisp. nov. and H. xuisp. nov.) are described and illustrated. A key to the East Palaearctic species of Hybrizon is included.

Beetles (Coleoptera) in Stagnant Water Bodies of the Middle Part of the Gydan Peninsula

The fauna of water beetles of the main types of stagnant water bodies in the middle part of the Gydan Peninsula was studied. Altogether, 20 species were found, with 2 to 16 species recorded in diff erent types of water bodies. The family Dytiscidae was represented by the greatest number of species; the most diverse genera were Agabus and Hydroporus, which together accounted for 60% of the total species richness. Most of the recorded species have vast ranges extending both longitudinally and latitudinally. The East Palaearctic species Helophorus niger was recorded within the “penetration area” at its western distribution boundary. The most common species in the material studied were Agabus serricornis and A. arcticus. Beetles were the most abundant in floodplain lakes and temporary water bodies. The highest faunal similarity was recorded between temporary water bodies and swamps.

To be or not to be a synonym - revision of the Donaciaclavareaui-fukiensis complex (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae).

The East Palaearctic species Donaciaclavareaui Jacobson, 1906 and Donaciafukiensis Goecke, 1944 have been confused for decades. Finally, D.fukiensis was synonymized with D.clavareaui by Askevold (1990) but he could not examine the type series of D.fukiensis because it was stored in an inaccessible collection. Cong and Yu (1997) re-established D.fukiensis as a distinct species, also without direct access to the type series. The synonymization by Askevold (1990) was applied in the identification key of Palaearctic Chrysomelidae (Warchalowski 2010) and the Catalogue of Palaearctic Chrysomelidae (Silfverberg 2010). Because the type series of D.fukiensis is now accessible, it has been possible to proof that D.fukiensis is a distinct species, and a lectotype has been established from the series of seven syntypes. Donaciakweilina Chen, 1966 and D.mediohirsuta Chen, 1966, which were split from the mixture of D.clavareaui and D.fukiensis, are now also synonymized with D.clavareaui, because their characters are the same or within the variation range of the characters of D.clavareaui. Furthermore, a distribution map is provided with the reliable records known to date.

Review of East Palaearctic species of Sympycnus Loew, 1857, with a key to species.

Four new species of Sympycnus Loew, 1857, S. ferganicus sp. nov., S. leleji sp. nov., S. stackelbergi sp. nov. and S. yakutensis sp. nov. from Russia (Yakutia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are described. Sympycnus convergens Negrobov, 1973 and S. urgaicus Negrobov, 1973 are placed in synonymy with S. changaicus Negrobov (syn. nov.). Lectotype and paralectotypes are designated for Sympycnus simplicipes Becker, 1908. A checklist of the East Palaearctic species of the genus is compiled and a key to males of the 14 species is provided. Five species groups are defined. New data on the distribution of known species are presented. The known distribution of East Palaearctic Sympycnus species is briefly discussed.

THE FAUNA OF CADDISFLIES (TRICHOPTERA: INSECTA) OF THE ULBA RIVER BASIN (SOUTH-WESTERN ALTAI)

The rivers of South-West Altai are poorly-studied by entomologists. To analyze the fauna composition and spatial distribution of caddisflies in watercourses of the Ulba river basin (South-Western Altai), the hydrobiological studies in 11 streams of the basin were performed in 2002-2013. The river basin is distinguished by high species richness of caddisflies. Here, 64 species of caddisflies from 38 genera and 19 families that is 48% of the species and 67% of the genera found in Kazakhstan are present. In the Ulba caddisflies fauna, the Transpalaearctic species (41%) dominate, a large quantity (33%) falls on Western Palaearctic ones. East Palaearctic species form 20% of the fauna, while the Altai and Siberia species – 6%. It is shown that despite the prevalence of widely distributed Transpalaearctic elements, the caddisflies fauna of South-Western Altai is hardly similar to that of the Altai-Sayan Mountain Country. Geographically approximate regions of Altai show the best similarity. The analysis of similarity of caddisflies species lists for some streams of South-Western Altai is evidence of a decisive role of abiotic factors of river biocenoses in the Trichoptera fauna formation. The suggestion has been made that ecological factors are critical in spatial distribution of caddisflies in the rivers of South-Western Altai. It is noted that composition and community structure of caddisflies depend on the level of anthropogenic transformation of rivers. The species richness of caddisflies and their share in total biomass of zoobenthos from river sites located below discharge points of polluted waters are reduced. The revealed features of caddisflies communities transformation in the impact zone call for modification of biotic indices used for assessing ecological state of rivers in the region.

A new species of genus Leluthia Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitizing Agrilus sp. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) from China with a key to the East Palaearctic species.

A new species of genus Leluthia Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), L. chinensis Li & van Achterberg, sp. nov. is described and illustrated. It was reared from Agrilus sp. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a twig-boring pest of Caragana korshinskii Kom. (Leguminosae) in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, NW China. A key to the East Palaearctic species of the genus Leluthia is provided.

Review of the last instar larvae and pupae of Hexatoma (Eriocera) and Hexatoma (Hexatoma) (Diptera, Limoniidae, Limnophilinae).

Description, illustrations and habitat characteristics are given for the previously unknown larvae and pupae of Nearctic species Hexatoma (Eriocera) californica, H. (E.) fuliginosa and East Palaearctic species H. (E.) sachalinensis, H. (E.) stackelbergi, H. (E.) ussuriensis and H. (s.str.) nubeculosa. Hexatoma (E.) sachalinensis, H. (E.) stackelbergi, and H. (s.str.) nubeculosa are reported new for Mongolia based on larval and reared adult collections. There are no distinguishing morphological characters to separate last instar larvae of the subgenera H. (Eriocera) and H. (Hexatoma), while pupae of these subgenera can be separated by the size and shape of the spines on the terminal segments. This study indicates that microscopic setae on the last abdominal segment, length of maxillary palpi, sclerotization of the spiracular field, length of spiracular lobes, length of setae on the apical part of the ventral lobes, the shape of the labrum and the arrangement of sensory structures on the labrum are the main larval characters to distinguish among species in this genus. The shape and length of the respiratory horns, size and number of the horns of the cephalic crest, length of the antennal sheaths, the lengths of the sheaths of the legs, size and shape of tubercles on the antennal scape are the main distinguishing pupal characters for the species of this genus. Nearly all known species of Hexatoma develop in sand or gravel in bottom of large and medium size rivers, smaller streams and creeks while last instar larvae and pupae can be found in the riparian zone, usually in gravel, sand or under stones.

First record of the New World genus Pentapria Kieffer, 1905 (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae: Spilomicrini) from Palaearctic Region

The New World genus Pentapria Kieffer is recorded in the Palaearctic Region for the first time. Two new species of this genus, P. ambiptera sp. nov. and P. grebennikovi sp. nov., from the Russian Far East (Primorskiy Territory) and Japan are described and illustrated. Diagnosis of the genus Pentapria is specified. A key to two East Palaearctic species of Pentapria is provided.

Gondwanan Gymnochilini (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae): generic concepts, review of New Zealand species and long‐range Pacific dispersal

Members of Leperina Erichson (Trogossitidae: Gymnochilini) from New Zealand, New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island are morphologically similar to members of the endemic Juan Fernandez Island genus Phanodesta Reitter, sharing at least one obvious character, elytral carinae that are beaded and contain well‐defined punctures. To test the monophyly of Leperina and Phanodesta, we reconstructed phylogenetic relationships of the genera of the tribe Gymnochilini by a cladistic analysis of 22 terminals and 47 adult characters rooted with one genus of trogossitine. Leperina is rendered paraphyletic by the placements of Seidlitzella Jakobson and Phanodesta. Kolibacian.gen. (type species Leperina tibialis Reitter) is described for east Palaearctic species included formerly in Leperina (two new combinations); New Zealand Leperina and other species from New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island (Ostoma pudicum Olliff) are transferred to Phanodesta (six new combinations); and the remaining species are retained in Leperina. The following species are described as new: Phanodesta carinatan.sp.,P. manawatawhin.sp.,P. oculatan.sp. and P. tepakin.sp.Leperina ambiguum Broun is transferred to Grynoma Sharp resulting in a new combination and three new synonymies for New Zealand trogossitines: Leperina interrupta Brookes n.syn. and Leperina sobrina (White) n.syn. [= Phanodesta farinosa (Sharp)], and Trogosita affinis White n.syn. (= Tenebroides mauritanicus Linnaeus). A key to the New Zealand species and a checklist for the species of the Kolibacia, Leperina and Phanodesta are provided. The derived placement of Juan Fernandez Phanodesta in the phylogeny is evidence for long‐distance dispersal from Australasia. A tally of all Juan Fernandez Islands Coleoptera shows derivation mostly from Chile and South America, with few from the southern Pacific region, rarely from Australasia.

Description d'un nouveau Plinthisus du Sud-Est de la France (Heteroptera, Rhyparochromidae, Plinthisinae)

Description of a new Plinthisus from Southeast France (Alpes-Maritimes) (Heteroptera, Rhyparochromidae, Plinthisinae). - Plinthisus heteroclitus n. sp is described from Southeast France (Alpes-Maritimes), based on three brachypterous males. Habitus, abdomen, evaporatory area and male genitalia are illustrated. The species can be easily distinguished from all West Palaearctic species by its relatively large size (3.9-4 mm), the absence of ocular setae ; and by the presence of a large tooth-like spur on the protibia, and a pair of metapleural conical tubercles located on each side between the terminal lobe of the metathoracic glands and the outer margin of the metapleuron. Until now such metapleural tubercles have never been described in the genus Plinthisus. The presence of a large protibial spur characterizes the male representatives of the subgenus Dasythisus Wagner, 1964, comprised currently of five East Palaearctic species. However, P. heteroclitus n. sp. also shares numerous characters with the representatives of the subgenus Nanoplinthisus Wagner, 1963, particularly hemelytra apices transversely truncate and devoid of membrane. For this reason, the new species remains unclassified within the genus which, according to all specialists, is in great need of revision.

Basic features of the nemoral curculionid-beetle fauna (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea) from eastern Europe and western Siberia

There are 132 curculionids associated with deciduous trees in eastern Europe and western Siberia. The weevils and bark beetles make up the basis of the fauna, forming almost 80%. The fauna of oak is the richest (64 species). The species composition on the ash-tree (50% are monophages) is highly original. Impoverishment of the species composition from the west to the east is revealed. The fauna declines by 18% from 45 to 550 E. The species composition reduces two times beyond the Urals. The faunal boundaries are revealed from west to east and from east to west. The most significant boundary (47% of the fauna do not pass it) for distribution of species to the east is situated between 40 and 45 degrees E. Two significant faunal boundaries are revealed from south to north. The fauna of curculionids of deciduous trees is formed by four groups of species. The southern European species (54%) and western palaearctic species (40%) dominate. The species composition of the studied territory is similar to the fauna of Middle Europe. Formation of the modern fauna of curculionids of deciduous trees in eastern Europe probably occurred in the Holocene. The western Palaearctic and Transpalaearctic species could have occupied the considered territory since the Late Pleistocene. Southern European species appeared in the considered territory after the Valdai glaciation during the warming in the Atlantic period of the Holocene. Penetration of East Palaearctic species began rather recently (last few decades), probably due to climate warming and economic activities.

A new species of Rhithrogena Eaton, 1881 from the Far East of Russia with notes on this genus in this area (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae)

Rhithrogena klugei sp. nov. (male, female and larva) are described from Far East of Russia. The Far Eastern species of Rhithrogena belong to two groups: lepnevae and sibirica. The species group sibirica is represented by the East Palaearctic species R. sibirica Brodsky 1930. The lepnevae species group includes R. lepnevae Brodsky 1930, R. bajkovae Sowa 1973 and R. klugei sp. nov. in the Far East and Siberia, and two species which can be found in the Russian Far East, R. piechockii Braasch 1977 from Mongolia, and R. ingalik Randolph and McCafferty 2005 from Alaska. The species group sibirica differs from lepnevae species group in that its larvae present a rounded projection on gills II–VI on the posterior-dorsal margin, whereas the imagines present a shoot at the base of the penis lobes. The larva of R. klugei sp. nov. differs from those of R. bajkovae and R. lepnevae in their form of gill I and in the ratio of the length to the width of gills III–IV. The male imago of the new species can be distinguished from others of the lepnevae species group by the absence of the latero-dorsoventral tooth on the penis lobes.

Commented checklist of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Mongolia

The checklist of Mongolian Ephemeroptera now contains 96 species in 34 genera and 14 families. Based on extensive material collected in July 2005, Ameletus cedrensis, Siphlonurus palaearcticus, Siphlonurus zhelochovtsevi, Acanthametropus nikolskyi, Baetis atrebatinus, Afronurus abracadabrus, Afronurus levis, Sparbarus corniger, and Caenis macronyx are recorded for the first time, in addition to more than 50 new regional records. Literature sources of individual records (including those of preliminary determinations), unambiguous synonyms, taxonomic shifts, some changes of nomenclature and distribution from the chorological point of view are discussed. The Mongolian mayfly fauna consists of large area species (about 1%), Holarctic species (about 12%), Palaearctic species (about 22%), East Palaearctic species (about 60%) and East Palaearctic species so far found only in insufficiently known regions of Mongolia (about 5%).

Cross-Eurasian and altitudinal distribution of lotic mayflies – species with wider altitudinal ranges have narrower geographical distribution

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that patterns of cross-Eurasian longitudinal distribution of lotic mayflies are determined by species' ecological requirements and the presence of the West Siberian Lowland. In particular, the objective was to test whether this great lowland is an environmental barrier preventing longitudinal dispersal of the rheophilic (i.e. , preferring fast-running highland waters), but not the potamophilic (i.e. , preferring slow-current lowland waters) mayflies, as its entire territory contains no rapidly-flowing streams suitable for rheophilic species. This hypothesis was tested indirectly by comparison of altitudinal ranges of species characterised by different cross-Eurasian distribution patterns (mainly East Palaearctic and Transpalaearctic species distributed over the Asian part of Palaearctica and entire Palaearctica respectively). The material used for the analyses was collected in the centre of Eurasia, south-western Siberia, Russia. The region covered both lowland and mountain territories. The studied biogeographical groups of mayflies have distinctly different altitudinal distribution: the Transpalaearctic species inhabit lowland watercourses only, while the East Palaearctic species inhabit the entire altitudinal range with most of the species preferring high elevations (on average 700 m a.s.l.). These results confirmed the stated hypothesis and showed that for most of the East Palaearctic (but not Transpalaearctic) species the West Siberian Lowland can be an environmental barrier preventing their westward dispersal and therefore precluding mixing of the East and West Palaearctic rheophilic faunas. However, possible alternative hypotheses cannot be ruled out, as altitudinal ranges of some of these species do not fall out of the elevation range of the West Siberian Lowland. Remarkably, the East Palaearctic species, which by definition have narrower distribution than the Transpalaearctic species, have broader altitudinal ranges than the Transpalaearctic species. This pattern is related to the altitudinal Rapoport effect recently detected for mayfly distribution over the river systems.

Agrilus planipennis

<i>Agrilus planipennis</i>

Description of a New Helicopsyche Species from China (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae)

Helicopsyche zhejiangensis sp. n. from southeastern China is described and figured, representing the first record of this family in China. The species has a general resemblance with Helicopsyche species known from the Oriental Region, and the East Palaearctic species Helicopsyche coreana Mey from North Korea.