Female Body Length Research Articles

BIOLOGI Moduza procris CRAMER (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE) PADA JABON MERAH (Anthocephalus macrophyllus)

Red jabon (Anthocephalus macrophyllus Roxb. Havil) includes in the family Rubiaceae. This plant has many advantages. This plant is also widely cultivate in plantations industry and plantations community forest today. Moduza procris is a new pests that attacks jabon leaves. The leaf are consumed from the edge and leave the venation. This study aimed to observe biology aspects of M. procris on red jabon. The result showed that life cycle of M. procris was about 25.3 days (larvae stadium was 17.2 days, and pupae 8.1 days). M. proris has 5 instars larvae. The average body size of M. procris was at eggs stadium was 1.32 mm. Size of the larvaes were 7.20, 9.70, 15.60, 24.20 dan 33.90 mm respectively, while the head of larvae were 0.91, 1.92, 2.91, 3.91, and 4.91 mm. Width and length of female pupae was 9.63 mm and 29.63 mm, male pupae was 27.50 mm and 8.00 mm. The body length of adult female was 20.50 mm and male was 16.50 mm, while the wings span of adult female was 67.25 mm and males was 55.00 mm. Keywords: Anthocephalus macrophyllus, Lepidoptera, life cycle, Moduza procris

Aggregation Patterns of Sensory Sensillae in the Food Canal and Cibarium of Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae).

Although mean body lengths of females were significantly greater than males in individuals drawn from two Haematobia irritans (L.) sample populations (n = 20 females and n = 20 males from West Virginia; n = 20 females and n = 20 males from Georgia), there were no significant differences in food canal lengths for females versus males at either site. Variable numbers (21-37) of setiform sensillae occurred throughout the length of the food canal, but such sensillae were significantly aggregated in the distal-most canal region of both sexes at both sites. There was no significant difference in mean numbers of food canal setiform sensillae between females and males. Four basiconic (campaniform) sensillae were consistently observed in the food canal of every fly; always aggregated in the distal-most canal region. Setiform sensillae in the cibarium also varied in number (6-13), but were significantly aggregated in the median and proximal cibarial regions. Four (occasionally three) peg-like basiconic sensillae were also observed in the cibarium of sample individuals; always in the distal and distal median regions of both sexes. Sensory sensillae (both setiform and basiconic) in both the food canal and cibarium were similarly aggregated for both sexes at both sites. Aggregation of setiform and basiconic sensillae in the food canal suggests that the distal canal region is most critical for sensory input regarding monitoring blood flow, and stress forces brought to bear on the cuticle as the labrum tip penetrates the host's skin.

The carapace matters: refinement of the instantaneous growth rate method for Antarctic krill Euphausia superba Dana, 1850 (Euphausiacea)

Growth of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba Dana, 1850 is commonly calculated using the Instantaneous Growth Rate (IGR) method based on the difference between the uropod lengths of the moulted exoskeleton and the uropod lengths after moulting. To date, this method has not accounted for sex-dependent differences in body proportion, relying only upon uropod measurements. We measured the carapace, uropod, and total body lengths of gravid females, non-gravid females, males, and juvenile krill from the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean. Growth rates derived using a combination of the carapace and uropod measurements for gravid females were different from those derived through the traditional uropod-only based IGR, whereas non-gravid females, male, and juvenile growth rates showed no significant difference between methods. The refined method we propose successfully reflects dimorphism in growth between the sexes of krill, with gravid females having enlarged carapaces during the reproductive season. The interaction between growth and reproduction must be considered to improve the reliability of predictions from krill life history models, which is possible through the use of sex-dependent IGR measurements. We propose that, whenever possible, measurements of carapace and total length should be made along with uropod measurements. Together with assessments of maturity stages of krill that did not moult during experiments, these measurements will aid in further informing krill stock assessments.

Structural and wetting properties of nature's finest silks (order Embioptera).

Insects from the order Embioptera (webspinners) spin silk fibres which are less than 200 nm in diameter. In this work, we characterized and compared the diameters of single silk fibres from nine species—Antipaluria urichi, Pararhagadochir trinitatis, Saussurembia calypso, Diradius vandykei, Aposthonia ceylonica, Haploembia solieri, H. tarsalis, Oligotoma nigra and O. saundersii. Silk from seven of these species have not been previously quantified. Our studies cover five of the 10 named taxonomic families and represent about one third of the known taxonomic family-level diversity in the order Embioptera. Naturally spun silk varied in diameter from 43.6 ± 1.7 nm for D. vandykei to 122.4 ± 3.2 nm for An. urichi. Mean fibre diameter did not correlate with adult female body length. Fibre diameter is more similar in closely related species than in more distantly related species. Field observations indicated that silk appears shiny and smooth when exposed to rainwater. We therefore measured contact angles to learn more about interactions between silk and water. Higher contact angles were measured for silks with wider fibre diameter and higher quantity of hydrophobic amino acids. High static contact angles (ranging up to 122° ± 3° for An. urichi) indicated that silken sheets spun by four arboreal, webspinner species were hydrophobic. A second contact angle measurement made on a previously wetted patch of silk resulted in a lower contact angle (average difference was greater than 27°) for all four species. Our studies suggest that silk fibres which had been previously exposed to water exhibited irreversible changes in hydrophobicity and water adhesion properties. Our results are in alignment with the ‘super-pinning’ site hypothesis by Yarger and co-workers to describe the hydrophobic, yet water adhesive, properties exhibited by webspinner silk fibres. The physical and chemical insights gained here may inform the synthesis and development of smaller diameter silk fibres with unique water adhesion properties.

PARAMETERS OF THE FECUNDITY OF AMPHIPOD CRUSTACEAN ALIEN SPECIES (CRUSTACEA, AMPHIPODA) FROM WATERCOURSES OF BELARUS

For the first time for water bodies of Belarus, based on studies (2008–2015), the main fertility parameters for eight alien species of amphipods were established . The minimum sizes of individuals for which identification of sex and the size of sexual maturation is possible are presented. The ranges of the body length of the egg-bearing females and the average sizes of the breeding individuals were determinate. The sizes and number of eggs are given at three stages of development for females of different age groups. Absolute and relative fertility were revealed. It is established that the number of eggs in the brood bag correlates with the size and weight of the female; the dependences of fecundity on the length and weight of the female were calculated. The theoretical possible number of litters in the period of reproduction of animals in the conditions of the obtained range was determined. The obtained results differed insignificantly with the literature data from regions with similar climatic conditions, that was determined mainly by various ecological conditions.

Chronic co-exposure to low levels of brominated flame retardants and heavy metals induces reproductive toxicity in zebrafish.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and heavy metals (HMs) are two main types of pollutants in electronic waste recycling sites, which are also ubiquitously detectable in environmental media and human tissues. However, the adverse health effects of exposure to the mixture of these types of pollutants are unknown. In this study, we investigated the reproductive toxicity of a mixture of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), tetrabromobisphenol A, cadmium chloride, and lead acetate (PbAc) at the environmental relevant levels. Zebrafish were waterborne and exposed to chemical mixtures for one generation. The reproductive effects were evaluated for F0 adults and F1 offspring. Chemical residues were also analyzed in the exposed adults and their eggs at the end of exposure. Our findings demonstrated that exposure to the chemical mixture for 150 days had no effect on the survival rate of zebrafish, but it decreased body length and weight in females and increased body weight and condition factor in males. The mixture exposure resulted in a female-biased sex ratio in adults and decreased sperm density and motility in males and egg production in females. For the F1 offspring, decreased fertilization, delayed hatching, and increased malformation were found in all exposure groups. In conclusion, chronic co-exposure to BFRs and HMs at the environmental relevant levels not only affected growth, sex ratio, and sperm quantity/quality and egg production in adults but also reduced the reproductive success in the offspring, implying that multi-pollutants in the environmental media may pose a public health risk to other exposed organisms or human beings.

Redescription of Macrolaimus canadensis Sanwal, 1960 and M. ruehmi Andrássy, 1966 (Nematoda, Rhabditida, Chambersiellidae), and new data on M. crucis Maupas, 1900 - CORRIGENDUM.

Three species belonging to the genus Macrolaimus, namely M. canadensis, M. crucis and M. ruehmi, have been obtained from areas of natural vegetation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Corsica (France), the Czech Republic and Spain. These three species are characterized by the body length of males and females, stomatal proportion of the gymnostom and cheilostom, excretory pore position, postvulval uterine sac length, male and female tail length and morphology, and the length and morphology of the spicules and gubernacula. The occurrence of M. crucis in Spain has, as a result of this study, now also been expanded to a larger area of the southern Iberian Peninsula. Morphological and morphometrical analyses showed that M. canadensis and M. ruehmi are very similar, sharing apomorphic characters. In contrast, M. crucis has plesiomorphic characters. Description, measurements and illustrations are provided for these three species.

Body size and fecundity are correlated in feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera): implications for Harrison's rule

1. Harrison's rule, which predicts that large‐bodied species of hosts have large‐bodied species of parasites, has been documented in a wide diversity of parasites.2. Harrison's rule has been most thoroughly studied in avian feather lice, which escape from host defence (preening) by hiding in the feathers. Lice that are unable to hide are selectively removed by preening. Preening selects for small lice on small hosts, which have small feathers in which to hide.3. Preening should not, however, select for large lice on large hosts. Instead, the larger size of lice on large hosts is thought to result from a positive relationship between size and fecundity, as shown for many other insects.4. This study tested for a size–fecundity correlation within Columbicola columbae, the host‐specific ‘wing louse’ of rock pigeons (Columba livia).5. The results confirm a positive relationship between female body length and number of eggs laid.6. The study thus supports a mechanism consistent with stabilising selection leading to the evolution of the Harrison's rule pattern among species of Columbicola and their hosts.

Redescription of Macrolaimus canadensis Sanwal, 1960 and M. ruehmi Andrássy, 1966 (Nematoda, Rhabditida, Chambersiellidae), and new data on M. crucis Maupas, 1900.

Three species belonging to the genus Macrolaimus, namely M. canadensis, M. crucis and M. ruehmi, have been obtained from areas of natural vegetation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Corsica (France), the Czech Republic and Spain. These three species are characterized by the body length of males and females, stomatal proportion of the gymnostom and cheilostom, excretory pore position, postvulval uterine sac length, male and female tail length and morphology, and the length and morphology of the spicules and gubernacula. The occurrence of M. crucis in Spain has, as a result of this study, now also been expanded to a larger area of the southern Iberian Peninsula. Morphological and morphometrical analyses showed that M. canadensis and M. ruehmi are very similar, sharing apomorphic characters. In contrast, M. crucis has plesiomorphic characters. Description, measurements and illustrations are provided for these three species.

Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) found in Trabzon, Turkey; Its Description, Growth, and Damage

Aim of study : Pest situation of A. chinensis, that was firstly recorded in Trabzon, was investigated. Area of study: The study was conducted in Municipal ornamental plants stocking area and lab. Material and Methods: The developmental stages, morphological features and damage size of the insect was investigated in the field and laboratory from June to end of November. Main results: Adults were active from May to the end of August. Adults lived about 30 days. Average body lengths of females and males were 28.6 mm and 25.4 mm, with average antennae lengths of 31.1 and 44.1 mm, respectively. The average antenna length of female are 1,1 times as long as their bodies, and the average antenna of male 1,7 times as long as their bodies. Lenght of larva was measured as 6-7,5 mm in July and 24-37 mm at the end of November. The average length of larval holes in the wood was 3.81 cm before wintering and 11.94 cm at the end of the larval growth. The average volume of larval hole per larva in wood before larval wintering was 4.66 cm 3 , and 21.81 cm 3 at the end of larval growth. The circular exit holes on boles were, on average, 1.04 cm in diameter and at 5.18 (1-16.1) cm above the ground level. The average length of the larval holes in roots was 6.73 (5.2-15.5) cm below the ground level. Research highlights: Larval holes were observed up to 16.1 cm above and 15.5 cm below ground level within the wood. A total of 52 larvae that bored holes into the sapwood of six young trees consumed nearly 27 (26.98) percent of the stemwood, 12 (11.94) cm in length. Trees weakened by larval attack become readily susceptible to wind damage as the proportion of holes in the wood increases.

PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF BODY WEIGHT AND BIOMETRIC TRAITS OF F1 CROSSBRED OF EXOTIC BROILERS X LOCAL CHICKENS

Data on 228 F1 crossbred body weight and body measurement of birds were generated in south south Nigeria. The objective of the study was to define the body dimension of f1 cross bred chicks resulting from crosses of exotic broiler and local chickens. The biometric traits variables that contribute to body conformation by the use of principal component analysis were investigated. Variables measured include body weight, wing span, wing length, thigh length, shank length, kneel length and breast firth. Data were subjected to multivariate analysis using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 20 2007. The descriptive statistics observed that the mean body weight were 1913.33, 1338.29, 3399.63 and 3236.96g for male and female of main (Ex x Lc) and reciprocal crossbred chicks respectively. The reciprocal (Lc x Ex) crossbred chicks were significantly (P<0.05) superior to main (Ex x Lc) crossbred chicks in body weight and biometric traits. The coefficients of correlation range from -0.55 to 0.47 and -0.62 to 0.18 main crossbred male and female, while the reciprocal Lc x Ex range from -0.21 to 0.71 male and -0.12 to 0.39 female, respectively. The principal component analysis with variance maximizing orthogonal rotation was used to extract the components. Three principal components (PC) were extracted in the chickens explaining 62%and 54% main (Ex x Lc) crossbred, and 70 and 50% reciprocal (Lc x Ex) crossbred of the total variation in the original seven variables. The first principal component had the largest share of the total variance and correlated highly with knee length, wing span for main (Ex x Lc) crossbred male and the female body length. Only the reciprocal (Lc x Ex) PC1 loaded heavily on kneel length, wing length and thigh length male, while female was wing span only. Generally, PC1 out of all other PCs had the highest share of the total variance and it is regarded as generalized form of the birds. Prediction model based on principal component is more valid than the interdependent based models because it removed multicollinearity which might be present if interdependent variables are combined in a multiple regression model. This component could be used as selection criteria for improving body weight of Nigerian normal feathered local chickens.

Morphological ontogeny and ecology of Adoristes ovatus (Acari: Oribatida: Liacaridae), with comments on Adoristes Hull

The morphological ontogeny of Adoristes ovatus (C.L. Koch, 1839) is described and illustrated. The adult has the interlamellar seta shorter than the lamella and the translamella is usually absent, but can also be incomplete, or present as a thin line. The juveniles are unpigmented, oval in cross-section, with thin and smooth prodorsal and gastronotal setae, and with the anal opening in the posteroventral position, which is typical of xylophages. The legs and claws of juveniles are relatively thick, especially leg I, and the leg setae are smooth or with short barbs. All juveniles have a sclerotized semicircle located anterior to each prodorsal seta le. The larva has 11 pairs of gastronotal setae, the nymphs have 12 pairs, without the d-series. The mean body length of females is larger than males, but varies greatly among samples (445–735 μm) and the largest females can be 1.5 times longer than the smallest males. The sex ratio and the number of gravid females also vary among samples. We provisionally consider Adoristes (Gordeeviella) Shtanchaeva, Subías &amp; Arillo, 2010 a junior synonym of Adoristes Hull, 1916.

Two new species of plant parasitic nematodes Hirschmanniella bananae n.sp. (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae) and Scutellonema tanlamense n.sp. (Nematoda: Hoplolaimidae) associated with banana in Vienam

During investigation on the plant parasitic nematodes on bananas in North and Central provinces of Vietnam carried out in 1995 two new species were found, Hirschmanniella bananae n.sp. and Scutellonema tanlamese n.sp. Hirschmanniella bananae n.sp. is characterized by having 6 annuli in lip region, areolation of entire lateral field and presence of a mid-terminal mucro at the tail end. The new species is close to H. shamini Ahmad, 1972 but differs from H. shamini by longer body length in females (1450-1750 µm vs 1190-1360 mm), longer stylet longer (18-20.5 mm vs 16-19 mm) and longer spicule longer (28-29.5 mm vs 22-25 mm). Scutellonema tanlamese n.sp. is characterized by lip region with three annuli and numerous longitudinal ridges (18) in basal annulus and structure of lateral field at the tail region with inner lines extending to tail terminus. The new species is closest to S. brachyurus type B (African populations) described by Van Den Berg et al. in 2013 but can be distinguished by body length shorter (643-708 µm vs 777-820 µm), stylet length shorter ((24.5-26.5 µm vs 28-29.5 mm, and also by structure of lateral field with two inner lines going throught at tail region and vulval edge distinct with epiptygma appearing double and folded into vagina. Citation: Nguyen Ngoc Chau, 2017. Two new species of plant parasitic nematodes Hirschmanniella bananae n.sp. (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae) and Scutellonema tanlamense n.sp. (Nematoda: Hoplolaimidae) associated with banana in Vienam. Tap chi Sinh hoc, 39(3): 253-263. DOI: 10.15625/0866-7160/v39n3.10665. *Corresponding author: nguyengochau.iebr@gmail.com Received 19 August 2017, accepted 12 September 2017

Breeding success of a marine central place forager in the context of climate change: A modeling approach.

In response to climate warming, a southward shift in productive frontal systems serving as the main foraging sites for many top predator species is likely to occur in Subantarctic areas. Central place foragers, such as seabirds and pinnipeds, are thus likely to cope with an increase in the distance between foraging locations and their land-based breeding colonies. Understanding how central place foragers should modify their foraging behavior in response to changes in prey accessibility appears crucial. A spatially explicit individual-based simulation model (Marine Central Place Forager Simulator (MarCPFS)), including bio-energetic components, was built to evaluate effects of possible changes in prey resources accessibility on individual performances and breeding success. The study was calibrated on a particular example: the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella), which alternates between oceanic areas in which females feed and the land-based colony in which they suckle their young over a 120 days rearing period. Our model shows the importance of the distance covered to feed and prey aggregation which appeared to be key factors to which animals are highly sensitive. Memorization and learning abilities also appear to be essential breeding success traits. Females were found to be most successful for intermediate levels of prey aggregation and short distance to the resource, resulting in optimal female body length. Increased distance to resources due to climate warming should hinder pups’ growth and survival while female body length should increase.

Genetic parameter estimation of reproductive traits of Litopenaeus vannamei

In this study, the heritability, repeatability, phenotypic correlation, and genetic correlation of the reproductive and growth traits of L. vannamei were investigated and estimated. Eight traits of 385 shrimps from forty-two families, including the number of eggs (EN), number of nauplii (NN), egg diameter (ED), spawning frequency (SF), spawning success (SS), female body weight (BW) and body length (BL) at insemination, and condition factor (K), were measured,. A total of 519 spawning records including multiple spawning and 91 no spawning records were collected. The genetic parameters were estimated using an animal model, a multinomial logit model (for SF), and a sire-dam and probit model (for SS). Because there were repeated records, permanent environmental effects were included in the models. The heritability estimates for BW, BL, EN, NN, ED, SF, SS, and K were 0.49 ± 0.14, 0.51 ± 0.14, 0.12 ± 0.08, 0, 0.01 ± 0.04, 0.06 ± 0.06, 0.18 ± 0.07, and 0.10 ± 0.06, respectively. The genetic correlation was 0.99 ± 0.01 between BW and BL, 0.90 ± 0.19 between BW and EN, 0.22 ± 0.97 between BW and ED, −0.77 ± 1.14 between EN and ED, and −0.27 ± 0.36 between BW and K. The heritability of EN estimated without a covariate was 0.12 ± 0.08, and the genetic correlation was 0.90 ± 0.19 between BW and EN, indicating that improving BW may be used in selection programs to genetically improve the reproductive output of L. vannamei during the breeding. For EN, the data were also analyzed using body weight as a covariate (EN-2). The heritability of EN-2 was 0.03 ± 0.05, indicating that it is difficult to improve the reproductive output by genetic improvement. Furthermore, excessive pursuit of this selection is often at the expense of growth speed. Therefore, the selection of high-performance spawners using BW and SS may be an important strategy to improve nauplii production.

アリマキタカラダニ（ケダニ目：タカラダニ科）の発生消長，発育所要日数，および性比

A large number of mite larvae feeding on aphids was observed between late June and early July, and between August and September in Shizuoka, Central Japan. Developmental times from egg to adult emergence at 15, 20, 25, and 30°C were 128.0, 67.5, 43.8, and 35.0 days, respectively; the lower threshold temperature and effective accumulative temperature for development were estimated as 9.3°C and 711 degree-days, respectively. The sexes were distinguishable by the presence of the amphioid sclerite that is positioned in the genital opening of the male. The sex ratio was approximately 1 : 1, and the body length of adult females was significantly larger than that of adult males.

Redescription of Philometra margolisi Moravec, Vidal-Martínez et Aguirre-Macedo, 1995 (Nematoda: Philometridae), a gonad-infecting parasite of the red grouper Epinephelus morio (Serranidae) in the Gulf of Mexico.

The insufficiently known nematode species Philometra margolisi Moravec, Vidal-Martínez et Aguirre-Macedo, 1995 (Philometridae) is redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopical (SEM) examinations of specimens collected from the gonad of the type host, the red grouper Epinephelus morio (Valenciennes) (Serranidae, Perciformes), in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Florida, USA. Also, new prevalence data for females of P. margolisi were derived from 188 fish, and a subset of these (n = 38) were used to determine prevalence and intensity of male nematodes. The male of this species was studied with SEM for the first time, which revealed some new, taxonomically important morphological features. The male posterior end had a V-shaped caudal mound, four pairs of minute adanal papillae, a pair of large papillae located posterior to the cloacal aperture and a pair of very small phasmids. The distal end of the gubernaculum is unique among all gonad-infecting species of Philometra parasitizing serranids in that its ventral surface is flat, smooth, without the usual two longitudinal grooves; the dorsal lamellate structures on the gubernaculum are also different in this species. In contrast to data in the original species description, the body length of gravid females of P. margolisi was 132-280 mm. Overall prevalence for male nematodes (76.3%) was much higher than for females (15.4%), and female nematode prevalence was higher in samples collected during host spawing season than out of season (27.1% and 3.3%, respectively).

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Longidorus juglans sp. nov. and a sister species L. fangi Xu &amp; Cheng, 1991 (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from China

Longidorus juglanssp. nov. is a new needle nematode detected from the rhizosphere of a walnut tree in Shanxi Province, P.R. China. It was distinguished by female body length of 3.9-5.2 mm; lip region 14-18 μm wide, rounded and continuous, amphidial fovea pocket-shaped without distinct basal lobes; moderately long odontostyle (125-140 μm); guide ring at mid-odontostyle and situated 69-78 μm from anterior end; short and blunt conoid tail (30-41 μm long, c = 118-147, c′ = 0.6-0.9), bearing 2-3 caudal pores on each side. The male ofL. juglanssp. nov. is 5.1 mm long, with 13 ventro-median supplements, a short and blunt conoid tail bearing 3-4 caudal pores on each side, and spicules 73 μm long. Three developmental juvenile stages were recognised. This new species is very similar to another Chinese speciesL. fangiin general morphology, but can be distinguished by the number of juvenile stages and DNA sequences of SSU, ITS1, ITS2 and D2-D3 of LSU rDNA. Morphological and molecular characterisation was provided forL. fangirepresenting two new geographical records. The phylogenetic relationships among these species were analysed using data from SSU, D2-D3 of LSU, ITS1 and ITS2 rDNA, which revealed thatL. juglanssp. nov. andL. fangiwere clustered together withL. diadecturus,L. litchiiandL. jonesiwhose guide ring is located at mid-odontostyle level.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Pratylenchoides persicus n. sp. (Nematoda: Merliniidae) and additional data on two other species of the genus from Iran.

Some nematologists recently placed the genus Pratylenchoides, ("Lesion Nematode-like") in the family Merliniidae. To investigate Pratylenchoides species diversity and their relationships with other Merliniidae genera, specimens were collected from various habitats in the northern and northwestern provinces of Iran. The morphological and molecular study yielded three species of the genus Pratylenchoides, including P. persicus n. sp. This new species is characterized by having lip region rounded or slightly flattened anteriorly with four or five fine but distinct annuli, pharyngeal glands off-set or slightly overlapping the intestine dorsally, all three gland nuclei located anterior to the pharyngo-intestinal valve and tail cylindrical with truncate to low rounded terminus. Morphologically, P. persicus n. sp. can be distinguished from the most closely related species, P. heathi by having shorter body and stylet length in females and males, as well as a shorter tail with different terminus in females. Pratylenchoides laticauda and P. cf. nevadensis are reported from Iran for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis based on the D2/D3 region of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA revealed Pratylenchoides as a monophyletic genus, and it supports the delineation of the new species, P. persicus n. sp.

New species and records of Microveliinae and Veliinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae) from Colombia.

Euvelia orinoquia sp. nov. and E. meta sp. nov. from eastern Colombia are described, illustrated, and included in an updated identification key to the species of the genus. The former can be diagnosed by body length 2.30-2.50 mm, male fore femur without tufts of setae, longitudinal black stripe of female pronotum almost twice as wide as length of antennomere I, and female connexiva grayish black with silvery pruinosity on mesal portion, reddish on lateral portion. Euvelia meta sp. nov. can be diagnosed by female body length about 1.50 mm and maximum body width 0.90 mm, patches of silvery setae on female abdominal terga II-III and V-VII, and connexival segments I and IV-VI. Additionally, new records from the country are presented for species of Euvelia Drake, Husseyella Herring, Microvelia Westwood (Microveliinae), Oiovelia Drake & Maldonado-Capriles, Platyvelia Polhemus & Polhemus, Stridulivelia Hungerford, and Veloidea Gould (Veliinae).