Study Of Fauna Research Articles

Annotated checklist of the dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) of the Kaliningrad region, North-Western Russia

Unlike adjacent territories (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia), the Kaliningrad region have been poorly studied by far with respect to dragonflies. The first comprehensive surveys on Odonata were made more than 100 years ago, at the beginning of 20th century by La Baume (1908) and especially by Le Roi (1911) and included 50 species. In the following years, no significant publications which particularly address faunistic and taxonomic studies related to the Kaliningrad region were published. Here we present the first modern, most complete checklist of the dragonflies of the Kaliningrad region with notes on the species composition, abundance, and periods of local flight and seasonal migrations. The current checklist is based on data collected by the authors on the Courish Spit (Kaliningrad region, Russia) in 2007-2016. In total, 278 955 specimens belonging to 57 species were recorded. Additional 7 species are included in the list based on the literature data. Thus, the number of species known for the territory of the Kaliningrad region has risen to 64.

Heteroptera fauna in alfalfa fields of Ghaen and vicinity, South Khorasan province, with a new record for Iran

Heteroptera as one of the most important insect orders with a significant ecological role is still scarcely known faunistically in several areas of Iran. In order to contribute to the knowledge of the Iranian Heteroptera fauna, a survey was carried out to provide detailed information on the distribution of true bugs in South Khorasan province (Ghaen and vicinity). Samples were collected using aspirator and sweeping net by irregular patterns. In total, 136 specimens were collected and identified. They consisted of 20 species and subspecies belonging to 15 genera of 7 families. Among the collected specimens, 19 taxa were new for South Khorasan fauna including Orius albidipennis (Reuter) (Anthocoridae); Henestaris halophilus (Burmeister), Geocoris pallidipennis (Costa) (Lygaeidae); Lygus gemellatus (Herrich-Schaffer), Deraeocoris punctulatus (Fallen), Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze), Creontiades pallidus (Rambur), Stenodema calcarata (Fallen), Orthops campestris (Linnaeus), O. pilosulus (Jakovlev) (Miridae); Nabis palifera (Seidenstűcker), N. pseudoferus orientarius (Remane), N. punctatus (A. Costa), N. capsiformis (Germar) (Nabidae); Camptopus lateralis (Germar) (Alydidae); Coranus angulatus (Stal) (Reduviidae); Brachycarenus tigrinus (Schilling), Liorhyssus hyalinus (Fabricius) and Stictopleurus abutilon (Rossi) (Rhopalidae). S. trispinosa (Reuter) was a new record for the fauna of Iran. Among the collected specimens, 7 species were predators and 13 species were plant feeders. Regarding the rare faunistic studies of Heteroptera in South Khorasan province and concerning the variety of geographical elements in this area, it is expected that there are still a large number of true bugs species remain to be discovered in various parts of this province.

Taxonomic study on the subfamily Curculioninae (Col., Curculionidae) in East Azarbaijan province with one species as new record for Iran

The present faunistic study was performed in East Azarbaijan province, northwest of Iran, in 2015–2016. A total of eleven species belonging to four genera of the subfamily Curculioninae were studied. Rhinusa eversmanni Rosenschoeld, 1838 is recorded for the first time from Iran. Photos of adult habitus of the newly recorded species along with a key to the Iranian species of the snout beetles identified in this study are provided.

Suessiones vs Atrebates: A social zooarchaeological approach of Late Iron Age animal exploitation in northern France and southern Britain

The Late Iron Age (the final two centuries BCE) was a period of change in the entire Celtic World. Celtic communities experienced profound economic, political and ideological upheavals and, during this time of great social transformation, the role of animal production within the first Celtic cities of northern France and southern Britain (the so-called “oppida” by Caesar) underwent major transformations. Taking a multi-scalar archaeozoological approach, this paper will explore how the changing management of meat resources reflected the social developments that occurred with the emergence of the first cities of in the Suessiones and the Atrebates territories. In doing so, we will see how faunal studies can be used to better understand complex Celtic communities and emphasise wider social issues such as the specialisation and standardisation of animal products distribution, the progressive stratification of societies and the complex evolution of human/animal relationship.

Faunistic Study on Spiders (Araneae) in the Špraněk National Nature Reserve with Suggestion to Conservation Management of the Locality

Spiders (Araneae) are a classic indicator taxon for evaluating the health of natural environments. Here, spiders from the forest ecosystems in Špraněk National Nature Reserve (Olomoucký Region) were investigated. A total of 1195 specimens were collected by pitfall traps, individual collection, sweeping herb vegetation, beating shrubs and trees, and shifting leaf litters. Currently, 126 species from 23 families from April to October 2013 were recorded. The species diversity in the Špraněk area is rather high, representing approximately 14 % of Czech araneofauna. The most abundant species were Pardosa alacris and Xerolycosa nemoralis from the family Lycosidae. Of the identified species, 15 species were found listed in the Red List of Threatened Species in the Czech Republic (EN – 1 species, VU – 5 species, LC – 9 species). Several findings represent the northernmost occurrences of rare thermophilic spiders in Moravia and even the Czech Republic. In addition, the author proposed management methods of the locality and suggests management efforts which can improve conditions for biodiversity within the studied area.

Faunal Study of the Nocturnal Aculeate Wasps (Hymenoptera) of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of Joshua Tree National Park

Faunal Study of the Nocturnal Aculeate Wasps (Hymenoptera) of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of Joshua Tree National Park

Contribution to the Pachylaelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) fauna in some parts of Guilan province of Iran

A faunistic study on the family Pachylaelapidae in forest and garden habitats from some regions in Guilan province, northern Iran, was carried out during 2015–2016. The samples were taken from soil, decaying organic matter, especially humus, rotten wood, moss and plant remains. A total of 10 species, belonging to three genera, were collected and identified, among them, Onchodellus squamosus Koroleva is newly recorded from Iran. Onchodellus and Pachylaelaps grandis Koroleva were considered as the most specious genus and the most frequent species, respectively. Some morphological characters and distributions of the species in Iran are discussed herein.

Contribution to the faunal study of the Tortricidae of Pelion Mountains (Greece) with description of Cydia magnesiae Trematerra & Colacci, sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The following contribution highlights an overview of the 50 species of Tortricidae captured on Pelion Mountain, in Central Greece, during several field trips by the authors. Eleven new species to the Greek fauna were recorded: Aethes margaritana, Eana incanana, Paramesia diffusana, Tosirips magyarus, Eudemis profundana, Ancylis badiana, Pelochrista modicana, Grapholita lathyrana, Grapholita tenebrosana, Dichrorampha alpigenana and Dichroranpha inconspiqua. Ceratoxanthis giansalottii, Endothenia apotomisana and Cydia pelionae are found to be endemic to Greece. Dichroranpha inconspiqua is reported for the first time in Europe. Cydia magnesiae Trematerra & Colacci, sp. n. is described as new.

Living with a giant parchment tube worm: a description of a new nudibranch species (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) associated with the annelid Chaetopterus

Small fionid nudibranch specimens collected within a Chaetopterus sp. tube worm are described here as a new species Tenellia chaetopterana sp. nov. This case is the first example of symbiotic association between a mollusk and an annelid host amongst cladobranch sea slugs. The external morphology of this species suggests it is adapted for living inside the worm’s tube: flattened body, laterally directed cerata and rhinophores, and wide foot. Molecular data, including partial sequences of mitochondrial COI and 16S and nuclear H3 genes, indicates that this species is distinct from other members of the genus Tenellia as well as other fionids. The species is close to the coral-feeding fionids of the genus Tenellia (formerly in genus Phestilla) in several morphological characters such as general radula morphology, absence of cnidosacs, and flattened body shape, as well as by molecular data. Tenellia chaetopterana sp. nov. has unique biology, implicating possible diversity previously overlooked by nudibranch faunistic studies.

Three new species of Heteromysis (Mysida, Mysidae, Heteromysini) from the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, with first documentation of a mysid-cephalopod association.

Faunistic studies in sublittoral and littoral marine habitats on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, have yielded three new species belonging to the genus Heteromysis, subgenus Heteromysis: H. cancelli sp. n. associated with the diogenid hermit crab Cancellus macrothrix Stebbing, 1924, and H. fosteri sp. n. extracted from ‘empty’ urchin and gastropod shells. The first documented mysid-cephalopod association is reported for H. octopodis sp. n. which was found in dens occupied by Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797, but was also captured from tide pools. The three new species differ from previously known E. Atlantic species, among other characters, by a single spine on the endopods of uropods in combination with large cornea and absence of median sternal processes on thoracic somites. They are also characterized by a white stripe along the dorso-lateral terminal margin of the eyestalks in living specimens. The new species appear quite similar to each other, but are distinguished by different depths of the telson cleft, different distributions of spines on the lateral margins of the telson, different numbers of segments on thoracic endopod 4, and by differently modified setae on the carpus of the third thoracic endopod, as well as on the carpopropodus of the fourth endopod. An updated key to the species of Heteromysis known from the E. Atlantic is given.

A preliminary account of the fly fauna in Garf Raydah Nature Reserve, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with new records and biogeographical remarks (Diptera: Insecta)

ABSTRACTA preliminary list of Diptera (Insecta) in Garf Raydah Nature Reserve (GRNR), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with remarks on their zoogeographic affinities is presented. This is the first in a series of planned faunal studies on different insect orders as an output of a project proposed to study the entire entomofauna of GRNR. A total number of 177 Diptera species belonging to 130 genera, representing 38 families has been listed. Some species have been identified only to genus and listed herein as genera that were not previously recorded from KSA or of a taxonomic or faunal importance. The list records five families, 11 genera and 31 species for the first time in KSA, namely: the families Acroceridae, Asteiidae, Chamaemyiidae, Heleomyzidae and Pipunculidae; the genera Acrocera (Acroceridae), Eremisca (Asilidae), Asteia (Asteiidae), Chamaemyia sp. (Chamaemyiidae), Ochthera (Ephydridae), Physoconops (Conopidae), Pseudoleria (Heleo-myzidae), Salentia (Therevidae), Sapromyza (Lauxaniidae), Sternobrithes (Stratiomyidae), Tomosvaryella (Pipunculidae); and the species Apoclea algira (Linnaeus), Apoclea femoralis (Wiedemann), Promachus rectangularis Loew, Eremisca sp. and Oligopogon nitidus Efflatoun [Asilidae]; Phycus sp., Salentia sp. and Thereva nobilitata (Fabricius) [Therevidae]; Drapetis flavipes Macquartand Platypalpus flavicornis (Meigen) [Hybotidae]; Acrocera sp.1 and Acrocera sp.2 [Acroceridae]; Aspida-cantha atra Kertesz and Sternobrithes sp. [Stratiomyidae]; Tomos-varyella sp.1 and Tomosvaryella sp.2 [Pipunculidae]; Eristalinus taeniops (Wiedemann) and Eumerus amoenus Loew [Syrphidae]; Asteia sp. [Asteiidae]; Chamaemyia sp. [Chamaemyiidae]; Physoconops sp., and Thecophora fulvipes Rubineau-Desvoidy [Conopidae]; Ochthera sp. [Ephydridae]; Pseudoleria pectinata (Loew) [Heleomyzidae]; Cestrotus megacephalus Loew and Sapromyza sp. [Lauxaniidae]; Campylocera oculata Hendel [Pyrgotidae]; Australosepsis niveipennis (Becker) [Sepsidae]; Metasphenisca transilis Munro [Tephritidae]; Anthomyia xanthopus (Hennig) [Anthomyiidae]; and Sarcophaga inaequalis Austen [Sarcophagidae]. More than 50% of the recorded fly species are of an Afrotropical affinity, whereas the Palaearctic elements did not exceed 20%. Only 7% of the species were of both Afrotropical and Palaearctic affinities, and Oriental elements were close to nil. This emphasizes the fact that the southwestern part of KSA, including the study area, belonging to Asir Province, ought to be part of the Afrotropical Region rather than the the Palaearctic Region.

Dichomeris Hübner, 1818 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae, Dichomeridinae) from Cambodia, including associated Chinese species.

In a faunal study of the micromoths in Cambodia, thirteen species of the genus Dichomeris (Gelechiidae, Dichomeridinae) are recognized, including associated Chinese species. Eight species are described as new: D. arcuata sp. nov., D. splendiptera sp. nov., D. samkosensis sp. nov., D. foliforma sp. nov., D. magnimacularis sp. nov., D. hainanensis sp. nov., D. cambodiensis sp. nov., D. acutivalvata sp. nov. Five species are newly recorded for Cambodia: D. orientis Park & Hodges, D. fuscusitis Li & Zheng, D. obsepta (Meyrick), D. microsphena Meyrick, and D. matsumurai Ponomarenko & Ueda. . Images of adults and genitalia are provided.

Análisis de la diversidad de Coleoptera en el bosque tropical caducifolio en Acahuizotla, Guerrero, México

A faunistic study of Coleoptera (Insecta) in the tropical dry forest of Acahuizotla, Guerrero, Mexico between February 2008 and October 2009 was done. Using entomological nets and light traps, 4,738 adult specimens were collected belonging to 50 families, 251 genera and 523 morphospecies. 80.5% of the specimens were collected with light traps. Diversity of order 1 (exponential of the Shannon index) reached a value of 153.32 effective species while diversity of order 2 (inverse of the Simpson index) was 68.30 effective species. According to the Chao1 and ACE estimates, the expected richness is 903 and 844 morphospecies, respectively (our sampling representing between 57.9% and 61.9%). The similarity between the sites was higher in those where light traps were used, because these insects were attracted by the artificial light.

Uso del código de barras de la vida para detectar problemas taxonómicos en Cerambycidae (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea) de un bosque tropical caducifolio

DNA barcoding, besides accelerating species identification, also allows the detection of taxonomic problems in groups where the morphological information is not conclusive. This paper presents a faunistic study of the family Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from the Chamela Biological Station in Jalisco, Mexico, using both morphological and DNA barcoding evidence. We collected 720 specimens, of which 144 species were identified belonging to 82 genera, 34 tribes and 4 subfamilies. Eleven of these species are new records for the region, 8 for the state of Jalisco and 1 for Mexico. We analyzed 217 sequences for 120 of the discriminated morphospecies. From these sequences, we delimited 132 molecular taxonomic units based on the 2% genetic divergence criterion, 110 of which were consistent with morphological identification. The use of molecular information allowed us to detect taxonomic problems in 8 species with considerable morphological variation. This work represents the first faunistic study for the family in Mexico using the DNA barcoding locus as a tool to delimit species.

Faunistic studies of the tribe Brachinini (Carabidae: Coleoptera) from northern Pakistan.

A faunistic study of the tribe Brachinini from northern Pakistan was carried out including extensive fieldwork collections and specimens housed in the Insect Repository, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad and the National Insect Museum, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. Ten species belonging to three genera were identified from the study area, including four new records for Pakistan, Brachinus (Brachinus) ejaculans Fischer Von Waldheim, 1828, Brachinus (Neobrachinus) pallidipes Reitter, 1919, Pheropsophus (Stenaptinus) consularis (Schmidt-Goebel, 1846) and Pheropsophus (Stenaptinus) lineifrons Chaudoir, 1850. A key for these species is provided. A new combination is proposed for Brachinus (Brachynolomus) pallidipes Reitter, 1919, namely Brachinus (Neobrachinus) pallidipes Reitter, 1919, comb. nov.

Faunistic study of hermit crabs (Decapoda: Paguroidea) from the Hormuz Island, Persian Gulf

The hermit crabs in the intertidal zone of the Hormuz Island, Persian Gulf, were identified by seasonal sampling at six intertidal stations during 2010–2011. Nine species were identified, including one Coenobitidae (Coenobita scaevola) and eight Diogenidae (Clibanarius signatus, C. longitarsus, Diogenes avarus, D. planimanus, D. tirmiziae, D. karwarensis, Areopaguristes perspicax, Dardanus tinctor). All species in this study are new records for the Hormuz Island. Information on the habitats and geographical distribution of these crabs in the island is presented.

A reassessment on the state of knowledge of Chilean Falconidae in the last hundred years.

Eight species of falcons (Falconidae) have been recorded in Chile. To date, all relevant studies considered birds of prey in general, with no specific focus on this family. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, an updated report is presented on the state of knowledge of falcons in Chile. This data set comprises a total of 165 studies published from 1915 to 2015. Scientific productivity was lowest in 1945-1955 and highest in 2005-2015, with a steady increase since 1985. However, the focus of research in Chile is biased towards two species: Milvago chimango and Falco sparverius. Two administrative regions, Santiago Metropolitan Region and Araucanía, were the most studied whereas Arica, Tarapacá, and Antofagasta regions accounted for fewer than 1% of the studies. Faunistic studies (including abundance) were the most common research topic. It is suggested that the lack of knowledge regarding species in the genus Phalcoboenus may negatively affect the conservation status of these species, and believed that the lack of preference for certain research topics, such as systematics and natural history, are the result of historical factors including the decrease of field biology and perhaps a biased interest of the researchers. Finally, this review highlights the paucity of information on falcons and provides a framework for directing future research.

Faunistic Study on Species Composition of Mosquitoes and Sand Flies around Mrima Hill a High Radiation Area in Kwale County, Kenya

Faunistic Study on Species Composition of Mosquitoes and Sand Flies around Mrima Hill a High Radiation Area in Kwale County, Kenya

Comparative Studies on the Biological Glue of Some Opportunistic Adult Marine Macro-Fouling After Dislodgement and Construction of Temporary Faunal Conglomerations

Comparative Studies on the Biological Glue of Some Opportunistic Adult Marine Macro-Fouling After Dislodgement and Construction of Temporary Faunal Conglomerations This study aimed to elucidate the composition of the biological glue of the sea anemone Metridium senile, the tubeworm Serpula vermicularis, the acorn barnacle Balanus amphitrite, the gastropod limpet Patella aspera and the sea squirt Styela plicata and to analyze these biological glue in the different seasons of the year. Furthermore, to propose antifouling strategies that can be developed from the present results. The sessile macro-fouling have the capability to dislodge and crawl searching for new suitable substrata for attachment. A total of 30 taxa representing five phyla were sampled every season across Northern Khobar estuarine beach of the Arabian Gulf. The proximate compositions of protein, lipid and carbohydrate in the basal discs or attachment integuments were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu Phenol method of 66 Lowry et al., the chloroform-methanol method according to Folch et al. and the phenol-sulfuric acid method of Dubois et al. respectively. The total fat, protein, carbohydrate, and moisture contents ranged from 1 ± 0.57% -2 ± 0.98%, 23 ± 1.60 -23 ± 0.80, 0,2 ± 0,10 -1,98 ± 0,20 and 71 ± 0.61% -72 ± 2.07% by weight, respectively. The indispensable and conditional amino acids predominated in tissues were estimated. A high-pressure chromatographic separation was applied for amino acid analysis of biological glue. The most predominant amino acids were Aspartic acid (Asp D), Glutamine (Gln Q), Glycine (Gly G), Methionine (Met M), Phenylalanine (Phe F), Serine (Ser S) and Valine (Val V). Proteins in biological glue of the five species were resolved by SDS-PAGE and digested with trypsin. The majority of the resolved protein spots were within the molecular size ranging from 250 kDa to less than 30-kDa. The total lipid was estimated by chloroform-methanol method according to Folch et al. Capillary gas chromatography was applied to measure the fatty acid profiles of the biological glue. The lipid content of the biological glue of the five species studied were roughly similar but in different quantities. It was found that lipids of biological glue were predominant by C18:1 V-5, C18:2 V-6, C19:1 v- 8, C20:1 V-9, C24:1 V-6, C19:2 V-6. The estimation of total carbohydrate content of tissue in the basal discs or attachment integuments of the five macro-benthos ranged from 2.5 to 8.7 mg carbohydrates g-1 wet weight. The carbohydrate content of the biological glue was apparently dependent partly on species and partly on the season of settlement. All data obtained were statistically analyzed using One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of means with significance at P 0.05; Tukey's Multiple Comparison Test Mean Difference at P>0.05, P 0.05.

The blood sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) of Croatia: review and new data

The present faunistic study of blood sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) has resulted in the recording of the 4 species: Hoplopleura acanthopus (Burmeister, 1839); Ho. affinis (Burmeister, 1839); Polyplax serrata (Burmeister, 1839), and Haematopinus apri Goureau, 1866 newly reported for the fauna of Croatia. Thirteen species and 2 subspecies are currently known from Croatia, belonging to 6 families. Linognathidae and Haematopinidae are the best represented families, with four species each, followed by Hoplopleuridae and Polyplacidae with two species each, Pediculidae with two subspecies, and Pthiridae with one species. Blood sucking lice were collected from 18 different host species. Three taxa, one species, and two subspecies were recorded on the Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758. Two species were recorded on Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771); A. sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758); Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758; and Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 per host species. On the remaining 13 host species, one Anoplura species was collected. The recorded species were collected from 17 localities covering 17 fields of 10 x 10 km on the UTM grid of Croatia.