External Characters Research Articles

Dwarves in a Big World: Two New Species of Tropiocolotes (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Sahara Desert, with the First Detailed Skull Description of the Genus

The Sahara Desert is the largest ecoregion in Africa, but its biodiversity in general, and reptile biodiversity in particular, are only superficially known and probably grossly underestimated. The dwarf-lizard genus Tropiocolotes is widely distributed in the region. The genus' taxonomy is plagued by serious nomenclatural problems that have led to a series of misidentifications of specimens in collections and in the literature. Analyzing variation in meristic and osteological characters of the Saharan species of Tropiocolotes, we found individuals from Algeria with unique external and internal morphological characters that distinguish them from all other species in the genus. We present a detailed account of these characters and describe two new species of Tropiocolotes from Algeria. Additionally, we provide the first detailed description of skulls of the genus, and designate a neotype to T. steudneri.

Calambus jureceki (Stepanov, 1930) (Coleoptera: Elateridae), a Click Beetle Newly Recorded from China

Calambus jureceki (Stepanov, 1930) is recorded for the first time in China. This species was collected from a coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest in Qianjin Forest Farm, Jiaohe City, Jilin Province. We provide diagnostic external characters, characters of male aedeagus and female genitalia, distribution and its correlation with forest, and a comparison with congeners known from China. A key to the species of the genus Calambus Thomson, 1859 known from China is given.

Glass up-casting: a review on the current challenges in glass recycling and a novel approach for recycling “as-is” glass waste into volumetric glass components

AbstractThis paper presents the casting of volumetric glass components from glass waste as an alternative glass-recycling approach. The approach is characterized by its flexibility to accommodate a variety of compositions and ability to yield volumetric (solid or thick-walled) glass products that can tolerate higher contamination rates without a significant compromise to their properties. The novelty of the proposed glass-to-glass recycling method lies in the “as-received” recycling of glass waste, using relatively low forming temperatures (750–1200 °C). This reduces both the need for expensive, labour-intensive and logistically complex purifying, segregation and treatment (e.g. removal of coatings) techniques, and the required energy and CO2emissions for product forming. Aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the potential but also of the technical and supply-chain challenges and limitations that still need to be tackled, in order to introduce this recycling approach to the market. Addressing the supply-chain barriers of glass recycling, the principal challenges linked to the collection and separation of glass waste and the established quality standards for the prevailing glass production technologies are identified, in order to argue upon the potential of this new recycling approach. In continuation, addressing the technical challenges that are mainly linked to contamination, an overview is provided of the main experimental findings on the influence of cullet contaminants and casting parameters on the generation of defects, and how these affect the mechanical properties. The experiments study a broad variety of glass compositions, including soda-lime, borosilicate, aluminosilicate and lead/barium glasses, and different levels of cullet contamination, of embedded (e.g. frit, wire) or external (e.g. stones, glass ceramics) character. Based on the cullet characteristics and imposed firing schedules, different glass quality grades arise and critical defects are highlighted. Thereafter, the most promising glass waste sources that can be recycled via this novel recycling approach are distinguished and directions for future research are highlighted.

New records, neotype designation and DNA sequences of three species of Chaetonotus (Gastrotricha: Chaetonotidae) from Brazil

Gastrotrichs are aquatic microinvertebrates (less than 1 mm long) commonly found in freshwater and marine environments worldwide. The taxonomy of gastrotrichs is mainly based on external morphological characters, such as body shape and size of the different body regions, presence and distribution of adhesive tubules, or the microstructure of the external cuticle (e.g. scales, spines, cephalic plates). The diversity of Gastrotricha is still poorly known, especially in tropical regions. The aim of this study is to use integrative taxonomy to report new records of Chaetonotus dadayi, C. paucisquamatus and C. furcatus from the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, Brazil. In this study we present 1) new records of C. dadayi in Brazil with new morphological information and a first-time comprehensive diagnosis of the species; 2) the redescription of C. paucisquamatus based on material collected at the type locality and the neotype designation; and 3) the first record of C. furcatus outside its type locality. We also discuss the actual occurrence of C. paucisquamatus and C. furcatus in Poland, given that both species were found in artificial environments with flora imported from South America.

Exploring the apparent properties and Q-markers for quality control of Cornus officinalis

Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc. has a high nutritious value and is widely used in food fields. To distinguish the quality of cornus in different areas, this research provided a new strategy for comprehensively evaluating cornus. As a result, 12 iridoid glycosides and 7 polyphenols were identified and quantified by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS in 13 batches of samples from five different origins. Chromaticity analysis pointed out that pelargonidin-3-O-galactoside, total iridoids, and total polyphenols performed high relation with 1365*. Antioxidant activity and inhibition of α-glucosidase effect correlated with the chemical analysis suggested that iridoid glycosides and polyphenols should represent bioactivity of total extracts. Among these compounds, loganic acid, 7-ketologanin, cornuside I, and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside were regarded as quality markers of cornus, which displayed the highest correlation with appearance. Above all, this paper contributed to establishing standards of external character and internal components for quality control of cornus.

A review of morphological characters for the identification of three common European species of Sarcophaga s. str. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), with an emphasis on female terminalia

The subgenus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1824 (s.str.) currently comprises over 30species distributed in the West Palearctic Region, the identification of which is normally based on characters of the male terminalia. Females of the three closely-related species Sarcophaga (Sarcophaga) carnaria (Linnaeus, 1758), S.(S.)subvicina Rohdendorf, 1937 and S.(S.)variegata (Scopoli, 1763), which are especially widespread and abundant in NWEurope, are considered morphologically indistinguishable by most authors. However, afew authors have proposed keys to separate females of these three species based on external and internal characters of the terminalia. Following apreliminary molecular identification using DNA barcode sequences (COI, cytochromec oxidase subunitI), we herein revise the morphological characters used to differentiate female S.carnaria, S.subvicina and S.variegata in existing identification keys as well as search for additional diagnostic characters. Our results suggest that only one previously-proposed female character, namely the length to width ratio of abdominal sternite7, can be used to separate S.subvicina from the other two species (Mann-Whitney U test: p<0.0001), at least in amajority of cases. Other characters, such as the degree of sclerotisation and setation of tergite8, show ahigh degree of overlap that does not allow to reliably separate females of these three species. Nevertheless, we propose acombination of characters that should allow the separation of female S.carnaria from female S.variegata in most cases. An additional analysis of males of the same species showed that the distribution of pruinosity and setation on syntergosternite7+8, acharacter mentioned in apreviously-published key, is also not reliable for identification.

Morphological characters and feeding habits of insectivorous Kuhl’s pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus kuhlii Cretzschmar, 1830, in different riverine habitats

This study revises the morphological characters of both sexes of Kuhl’s pipistrelle, including external, cranial and dental characters. This study also establishes a baseline for the diet of this insectivorous bat species across a variety of habitats in the Nile Valley, where diets have never before been investigated. Our findings of the stomach contentswere not significantly affected despite the different habitats from which the samples were collected. The three most common insect taxa recovered were Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. The percentage volume of insect orders in the diet of Kuhl’s bat (63 stomachs) consisted of 29% of Hymenoptera, 9% of Coleoptera, 27% of Lepidoptera, 32% unknown materials and unexpected thing of these insectivorous bats was the presences of 3% fruits. A single order did not dominate the diet of this specie because Hymenoptera was the most fed insect orders by frequency of occurrence 87.3%, Lepidoptera by 74.6%, Coleoptera 36.5% and fruits in 4.8% of samples. Also, they may also be fed by other insect orders, as unknown materials were found in all samples.

Molecular Detection of Pentastiridius leporinus, the Main Vector of the Syndrome 'Basses Richesses' in Sugar Beet.

Monitoring of Pentastiridius leporinus (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae), representing the main vector of the syndrome 'basses richesses' (SBR) disease in sugar beet is based on morphological identification. However, two other cixiid species, Reptalus quinquecostatus and Hyalesthes obsoletus with similar external characters are known to appear in sugar beet fields and are challenging to be distinguished from P. leporinus. We present a PCR-based method for species-specific detection of both male and female P. leporinus, directly after sweep net collection or after up to 18 months long term storage on sticky traps. Two methods of DNA template preparation, based on a commercial extraction kit or on simple grinding in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were compared. The latter method was also established for eggs and all five nymphal instars of P. leporinus from a rearing. Furthermore, in silico primer analysis showed that all Auchenorrhyncha species including far related species reported from sugar beet fields can be differentiated from P. leporinus. This was PCR-confirmed for the most common Auchenorrhyncha species from different German sugar beet fields. Sequence analysis of the P. leporinus mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) amplicon showed a close relationship to COI from P. beieri but separated from the Reptalus and Hyalesthes species which are grouped into the same family Cixiidae. We present a sensitive, cost- and time-saving PCR-based method for reliable and specific detection of eggs and all nymphal instars, as well as male and female P. leporinus, after different methods of planthopper collection and template DNA template preparation that can be used in large scale monitoring assays.

A phylogenetic study of the relationships within Mirinae subfamily (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae) based on specimens from Northern Iran: Insight into analyses of genera complexes

A phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Mirinae was conducted based on 89 external and genitalic morphological characters. Forty-six species belonging to 30 genera were coded and phylogenetic analysis reconstructedusing un-weighted (EW) and implied weighted (IW) characters in a parsimony analysis. This resulted in the monophyly of eight genera including Stenodema, Polymerus, Orthops, Lygus, Phytocoris, Adelphocoris, Grypocoris and Brachycoleus, the ACM (Adelphocoris, Creontiades, Megacoelum) complex, Closterotomus, Calocoris and Lygus complexes. The phylogenetic relationships and supporting morphological characters are discussed. The taxonomic status of Pseudomegacoelum irbilanum was evaluated. Scanning electron micrographs, drawings of genitalic structures, digital images of the habitus of selected species are presented to illustrate characteristic features. This study is the first attempt to analyze the phylogenetic relationship of plant bugs in Iran.

Distribution and population systems of Water Frogs (the &lt;i&gt;Pelophylax esculentus&lt;/i&gt; complex) in Northwestern Russia

Peculiarities of distribution and population systems of water frogs of the Pelophylax esculentus complex in the northwest of Russia were studied using cytogenetic (genome size) and external morphological characters (439 specimens from 101 localities). We registered three species: P. lessonae, P. ridibundus, and P. esculentus of a hybrid origin. All frogs, including hybrids, were diploid. The first species was prevailing (82% localities); the second species was revealed in 18% localities and hybrid frogs in 13% localities. All species reach the northernmost limits of their distribution. Pelophylax lessonae is widely spread through Pskovskaya and Novgorodskaya oblast’s, as well as in southern Leningradskaya oblast’, preferring forest habitats. Pelophylax esculentus is found in Pskovskaya oblast’ (forest and agricultural biotopes) in co-existence with P. lessonae only. Pelophylax ridibundus, which was introduced since the 18th century, is distributed in St. Petersburg City and Leningradskaya oblast’ along southern coast of the Gulf of Finland and Narva River on the Estonian border. All populations of the species were usually observed in open water bodies and rivers that flow down on cultivated, urban or barren lands and were allopatric in relation to P. lessonae and P. esculentus. Water frogs of northwestern Russia form three types of population systems only: so called pure single-species (L or R) systems and a mixed (L – E) system; no type with unisexual hybrids was revealed. Thus, their diversity is lower than in other regions of central and eastern Europe.

STRATEGY OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES: THE EFFECTS OF THE INTRODUCTION OF SMART MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES

The socio-economic effects from the introduction of smart manufacturing technologies are of significant interest in terms of their generalisation and systematisation at the current stage of the digital transformation on industrial enterprises, as well as the objectives in the context of industrial modernization and new business model development. The proposed systematisation is based on the allocation of three groups of socio-economic effects according to the main direction of their action. The first group of effects primarily leads to reduction in the costs of industrial enterprises. The second group of effects leads mainly to an increase in revenues: some effects to a greater extent in the short and medium term, others in the long term, including through the creation of long-term distinctive capabilities, unique competencies, and sustainable competitive advantages for industrial companies. The third group of effects includes social and economic effects that are broader in focus and have a multiplicative effect, as well as the character of positive externalities (external effects).As a result of systematisation, the author identified in three groups, respectively, 12, 8 and 13 effects from the implementation of the complex of smart manufacturing technologies. The author stresses the particular importance of studying the socio-economic effects from the implementation of smart manufacturing technologies, since many improvements at the intersection of production and social transformation are currently insufficiently studied. It contrasts to the core production effects, many of which have been studied in sufficient detail by the scientific and expert communities. Systematisation, classification, differentiation and quantitative assessment of various socio-economic effects of the complex of smart manufacturing technologies can and even in a certain sense should (in the context of the tasks to modernise the economy and industries of the Russian Federation) become a separate subject area at the intersection of performance management and smart production.

First records of Anthopleura nigrescens (Verrill, 1928) and Telmatactis panamensis (Verrill, 1869) (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Actiniaria) from Parque Nacional Coiba, Pacific coast of Panama

We report two species of sea anemones, Anthopleura nigrescens (Verrill, 1928) and Telmatactis panamensis (Verrill, 1869), for the first time from Parque Nacional Coiba, a large, protected area in the Pacific off Panama. In addition, we describe the external anatomical taxonomic characters and provide images of live specimens of each species. The number of sea anemones species known for Panama is updated to 57. This work constitutes the first study in the documentation of sea anemones of Coiba Island.

A new species of cephalaspidean sea slug of the genus Melanochlamys Cheeseman, 1881 (Heterobranchia: Aglajidae) from the Bay of Bengal, India

ABSTRACT A new species of head-shield sea slug, Melanochlamys bengalensis, is described from the northern part of the eastern coast of India using both external and internal morphological characters. Its novel status is supported by a molecular analysis. The maximum likelihood (ML) genetic tree (COI gene sequence) indicates that the new species represents a distinct clade compared to the other species of the genus Melanochlamys. The K2P distance of the new species is 16.2–23.7%, which is considerably more than the other congeners. This species was collected from the intertidal zone of the sandy beaches of Bakkhali, Tajpur, New Digha, Udaipur, Talsari, Chandipur and Kanika Island. Additionally, the list of valid species and distribution of all members of the genus Melanochlamys is presented herein.

On the female gonocoxites of Asian, Arabian, and African Clivinini with realignment of the Thliboclivina-, Physoclivina-, and Eoclivina-species groups, and notes on the higher systematics of the tribe Clivinini Rafinesque, 1815 (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Out of the Oriental, Arabian, and African Clivinini, the external female reproductive tracts of 32 genera and subgenera were investigated. Five different basic morphologies were found and within the basic plans, genus-specific variations. The data are compared with the current systematics of the Clivinini at a suprageneric level with focus on the Asian groups. One of the morphologies is completely unknown for Scaritinae. The sixteen species concerned are investigated in more detail and belong to the genus Thliboclivina Kult, the two subgenera Physoclivina Kult and Eoclivina Kult, and the Oriental Clivina attenuata-species group. For these groups, the new subtribe Thliboclivinina subtr. nov. is erected. This arrangement is based on the conspicuous and unique morphology of the female gonocoxite and epipleurite corresponding to several external characters, which are as well unique among the Clivinini. Ecological data support this arrangement. The subgenera Physoclivina and Eoclivina are elevated to genus level (stat. nov.); for the Oriental C. attenuata-species group, the genus Sulciclivina gen. nov. is described. An identification key to the four genera of the subtribe Thliboclivinina subtr. nov. is provided. For Asian, Arabian, and African Clivinini, an overview of the basic shapes of the external female genitalia is provided in the form of examples in a picture catalogue. The species Clivina svenssoni Basilewsky is arranged into the genus Ancus Putzeys (stat. nov.).

Comparison of growth performance and morphological variation among three carp species (Cyprinus carpio, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and Labeo rohita)

This study was designed to analyse the water quality parameters and external morphological characters of three selected carp fish species i.e.,Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita,andHypothalamus molitrixfrom the Hub Dam of District Lasbela, Baluchistan. About Sixty specimens were collected for each carp fish species from April 2019 to March 2020, and their morphological characters were measured. The overall study of water quality parameters of Hub dam was found in the optimal range. The results of the Cube law revealed that the regression coefficientb-value was<3.0, which means that these species show positive allometric growth patterns that are, b = 2.07 forC. carpio,b = 2.04 forH. molitrix, andb = 0.12 forL. rohita.Moreover, the Correlation value‘r’between length and weight data forC. carpioandH. molitrixwas found moderate and significant (r > 0.60; p < 0.05), while weak (r < 0.50; p < 0.05) and insignificant inL. rohita, respectively. The mean values of condition (K) and relative condition factors (Kn) were 1.0 which shows a good condition in Hub dam for fish growth. The overall results of linear relationships between 18 morphometric charactersvswhole body growth (TL) revealed that a strong correlation (r > 0.70) was observed among TLvsFL and TLvsLD and moderate (r > 0.60; p < 0.05) and negative correlation also seen in between TLvsBDL and in most meristic characters ofC. carpio.Likewise, mostly moderate (r > 0.60) and weak (r < 0.50) types of correlation were seen in most morphometric and meristic characters ofH. molitrixandL. rohita, except few meristic characters ofL. rohitashow negative type relation with body growth (TL). This study was the first approach to examine the growth patterns of different carp species of Hub dam and observe their morphological variations among these carp species that have great potential value in systematics and fisheries management.

Revisions to the Eocene carpoflora of Anjou, western France, with new data from X-ray tomography

ABSTRACT Selected fruits and seeds preserved as molds and casts in sediments from the Anjou flora of Maine-et-Loire have been reexamined with the aid of X-ray tomography. Virtual casts and surface renderings from micro-CT scanning data reveal external and internal morphological characters that were not visible by standard reflected light microscopy. Application of this methodology leads to a revision of the fruit formerly treated as Juglandicarya. It is a 5-valved capsule of likely sapindalean affinity, and is placed in Vaudoisia gruetii (Vaudois-Miéja) gen. et. comb. nov. A seed with the characteristic rumination of Anonaspermum is also recognized for the first time, as are capsular fruits of Ericaceae. We note that many disseminules are hidden from optical viewing because they are buried within the hand samples. A more extensive micro-CT scan investigation of more samples, including those showing only fossil leaf impressions at the surface, may be expected to yield a wealth of new information on this classic flora.

To the Concept of Ethnonational Resilience

Introduction. Since the ethnopolitical/ethnocultural/ethnonational sphere contains internal confl ictive potential (internal threats) that can be used externally by other states (external threats), there is a high need to develop a concept of ethnonational resilience, which is the main aim of this study. For the first time, the concept of ethnonational resilience, its place and role in the system of national stability of Ukraine was scientifi cally studied. Substantiations of the concept of ethnonational resilience is off ered, as well author’s defi nition of ethnonational resilience as ability of ethnopolitical system (state in interaction with polyethnic society) to support development by means of normative-legal and institutional formation of system and strategy of providing: 1) anticipation, detection and prevention of internal and external ethnic character’ threats; 2) incorporation of such threats, their transformation into an additional resource/impetus for the development of the whole ethnopolitical system. Conclusions. Only the adequate to the realities of ethnonational development and now a day ethnopolitical challenges, the model of ethnonational policy, based on a strong legislative and institutional framework, can ensure the formation of ethnonational resilience and prevent the realization of most hybrid threats in internal and external security environments. Since 2014, ethnonational resilience has been formed as an integral feature of the ethnopolitical system of Ukraine, which consists not only in anticipating, identifying, preventing and counteracting hybrid threats, but also in turning them into an internal resource/impetus for further development that mobilizes all components of the system to achieve the goal of preserving/restoring territorial integrity and preserving the civilizational subjectivity of Ukraine. Key words: ethnonational resilience, system of national resilience, ethnopolitical safety, ethnopolitical system.

Revised systematics, phylogeny, and paleontology of the mayfly family Baetiscidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera)

The systematics of all known extant and fossil taxa of the mayfly family Baetiscidae is reviewed. Previously described fossil Baetiscidae are critically reviewed and their systematic position is re-evaluated. Added herein is the description of Balticobaetisca bispinatasp. nov., a new fossil mayfly from Eocene Baltic Amber. Also described for the first time is the putative adult of Protobaetisca bechlyi Staniczek, 2007 from the Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil. Based on external morphological characters of nymphs and adults, we present the first integrated cladistic analysis of both fossil and extant Baetiscidae, which revealed the monophyly of the respective fossil and extant genera and their phylogenetic splitting sequence as Cretomitarcys + (Protobaetisca + (Balticobaetisca + Baetisca)).

The family Melicharidae (Acari, Mesostigmata) in Slovakia, with description of new species, annotated faunal synopsis and identification keys of species from Europe.

The mites of the family Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) collected in Slovakia are reviewed. Sixty-one species belonging to five genera were recorded, of which thirty-three are new to science and fifteen are new to the Slovak fauna. All species are revised and rediagnosed, and an extensive set of photomicrographs (more than 1,300 images arranged in 337 Plates) is provided for their identification. Information on habitat and regional distribution is provided for each species. Proctolaelaps (fifty-three species) is the most species-rich and morphologically heterogeneous genus in the family. The following thirty-three new species are proposed and described: Mycomelichares triplacis sp. nov., Proctolaelaps appendiculatus sp. nov., Proctolaelaps bivalvifer sp. nov., Proctolaelaps bombi sp. nov., Proctolaelaps bucinator sp. nov., Proctolaelaps calycinus sp. nov., Proctolaelaps carnifex sp. nov., Proctolaelaps conifericola sp. nov., Proctolaelaps coralifer sp. nov., Proctolaelaps cryptopteryx sp. nov., Proctolaelaps dendroctonoides sp. nov., Proctolaelaps dorci sp. nov., Proctolaelaps dorcisimilis sp. nov., Proctolaelaps fagi sp. nov., Proctolaelaps falcarius sp. nov., Proctolaelaps fragilis sp. nov., Proctolaelaps fusifer sp. nov., Proctolaelaps hemisphaericus sp. nov., Proctolaelaps laeviusculus sp. nov., Proctolaelaps myrmecophilus sp. nov., Proctolaelaps orolaelapoides sp. nov., Proctolaelaps oxyodon sp. nov., Proctolaelaps pcolai sp. nov., Proctolaelaps pelticola sp. nov., Proctolaelaps populi sp. nov., Proctolaelaps quadridens sp. nov., Proctolaelaps sacculiger sp. nov., Proctolaelaps sagittarius sp. nov., Proctolaelaps serpentarius sp. nov., Proctolaelaps spanius sp. nov., Proctolaelaps speluncarum sp. nov., Proctolaelaps tubisaccus sp. nov., and Proctolaelaps tulipifer sp. nov. Nineteen new species are recognized in the present work, which were previously thought to belong to a single species, Proctolaelaps pygmaeus (J. Mller, 1859). The species boundaries of these species are often only weakly determined by some external morphological characters, but well definable and recognizable by the morphology of the internal structures of the sperm access system in the female (the same is true for the species related to Proctolaelaps hystrix). Proctolaelaps bulbicolus (Oudemans, 1929), Proctolaelaps convivus (Berlese, 1916), Proctolaelaps fissuratus (Berlese, 1916), Proctolaelaps laevisternus (Berlese, 1916), Proctolaelaps sopalit (Samik, 1958), Proctolaelaps vulgaris (Pinchuk, 1972), and Proctolaelaps ovatus (Ma, Ning Wei, 2003), previously suspected to be junior synonyms of Proctolaelaps pygmaeus (J. Mller, 1859), are here considered as unrecognizable species, relegated to the species incertae sedis, or species related within the invalid genus Proctofissus Karg, 1979. The very broad concept of the genus Proctolaelaps does not reflect the phylogenetic relationships within the apparently morphologically heterogeneous species, and it needs a thorough revision. As documented in present work, the genus includes species with different types of sperm access system: for example, species in the hystrix group possess the laelapoid-type of the sperm access system, whereas species related to Proctolaelaps pygmaeus (here placed in the pygmaeus group) have a highly modified sperm access system derived from the phytoseioid-type, with two separate parts each associated with coxa III and clearly not connected by a medial structure called the sacculus foemineus (a specific component of the laelapoid-type sperm access system). The taxonomy includes four new specific synonyms as follows: Proctolaelaps arctorotundus Nikolsky, 1984 = Proctolaelaps epuraeae Hirschmann, 1962, Proctolaelaps pruni Karg, 1988 = Proctolaelaps eccoptogasteris (Vitzthum, 1923), Proctolaelaps pseudofiseri Nikolsky, 1984 = Proctolaelaps fiseri Samik, 1960, and Proctolaelaps ventrianalis Karg, 1971 = Proctolaelaps intermedius Athias-Henriot, 1959. Melichares biebrzae Gwiazdowicz, 2005 is newly placed in Proctolaelaps Berlese, 1923. The genus Orolaelaps De Leon, 1963, previously known from North and South America, is reported from Europe for the first time, introduced by an invasive cosmopolitan species Stelidota geminata (Say), the strawberry sap beetle of the family Nitidulidae. The following species are reported from Slovakia for the first time, namely Orolaelaps quisqualis De Leon, 1963, Proctolaelaps bickleyi (Bram, 1956), Proctolaelaps biebrzae (Gwiazdowicz, 2005), Proctolaelaps cossi (Dugs, 1834), Proctolaelaps cossoides Faraji, Sakenin-Chelav Karg, 2007, Proctolaelaps hystricoides Lindquist Hunter, 1965, Proctolaelaps izabelae Faraji, 2011, Proctolaelaps jueradeus (Schweizer, 1949), Proctolaelaps longanalis (Westerboer, 1963), Proctolaelaps rotundus Hirschmann, 1962, and Proctolaelaps xyloteri Samik, 1960. The records of Proctolaelaps bombophilus (Westerboer, 1963), Proctolaelaps epuraeae Hirschmann, 1962, Proctolaelaps pomorum (Oudemans, 1929), and Proctolaelaps scolyti Evans, 1958 were previously based on misidentified specimens and are now supported by new reliable findings [in contrast to Proctolaelaps hystrix (Vitzthum, 1923) and Proctolaelaps pini Hirschmann, 1963, which were not definitely confirmed by the present work in Slovakia]. New dichotomous keys are given for the identification of sixty-eight species from seven genera found so far in Europe (Melichares Hering, 1838, Mucroseius Lindquist, 1962, Mycolaelaps Lindquist, 1995, Mycomelichares Man Joharchi, 2021, Orolaelaps De Leon, 1963, Orthadenella Athias-Henriot, 1973, and Proctolaelaps Berlese, 1923).

A new species of Hyperlasion Schmitz (Diptera: Sciaridae), causing periodic outbreaks in Japan.

A sciarid species, Hyperlasion breviantenna sp. n., is described from Japan. This is the first record of Hyperlasion Schmitz, 1918, from Asia. We compared the molecular sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region and external morphological characters among congeners and related genera. Morphological features are described and illustrated, and genetic relatedness to selected species with a one-segmented maxillary palpus is shown as a maximum likelihood tree. The DNA barcoding approach revealed that the genetic sequences of Japanese specimens are identical with those of Australian specimens, which have been assigned to the genus Hyperlasion. The new species occurs in outbreaks during the rainy season, June to July, in Japan and is recognized as a nuisance pest. Newly emerged adults appear in the early morning and enter houses, facilities, and public buildings. The biology of the new species is compared with those of H. wasmanni Schmitz, 1918, and Moehnia erema Pritchard, 1960, which have been recorded as occurring in large aggregations with thousands of individuals abroad, based on published biological notes and reports on these species.