Female Syntypes Research Articles

The acasta conundrum: Polymorphism and taxonomic confusion within the parasitoid genus Melittobia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Seven of the 13 described species of this gregarious, polyphagous, polymorphic parasitoid have been placed in the acasta species group of Melittobia Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) based on ethological and morphological criteria, but taxonomic confusion remains. Based on field and laboratory studies of variability and polymorphism, current species descriptors for this group are called into question and Melittobia femorata Dahms is synonymized under M. megachilis (Packard). Biologically, M. megachilis distinctly differs from other acasta group species in several aspects of life cycle and host utilization. Although M. acasta (Walker) and M. digitata Dahms are clearly valid species, three others (M. chalybii Ashmead, M. scapata Dahms, M. evansi Dahms) are more enigmatic and may be temporal, nutritional, or host-based variants of M. megachilis that will require additional study. The “Virginia” type locality for M. chalybii of authors is properly Bladensburg, Maryland, USA. One of the 13 female syntypes of Chrysocharis aeneus Brues (previously synonymized under M. megachilis) is designated as Lectotype.

Two new species and a new synonymy of the subfamily Coelotinae (Araneae: Amaurobiidae) from Kyushu, Japan

Three species of coelotine spiders of the genera Coelotes and Tegecoelotes from Kyushu District, Japan, are reviewed. Two new species of the genus Coelotes are described under the names, Coelotes bifurcatus n. sp. and C. hiradoensis n. sp. The former new species is distributed in Nagasaki, Saga and Fukuoka Prefectures, northern Kyushu, and is characteristic in having the bifurcate apophysis of male palp. The latter new species is recorded only from Hirado Island in Nagasaki Prefecture and characteristic with the palpal conductor extending in the direction of the tip of cymbium in males and long and slender epigynal teeth in females. Tegecoelotes muscicapus (Bosenberg & Strand 1906) described using a male holotype, and Tegecoelotes ignotus (Bosenberg & Strand 1906) described with two female syntypes are considered to be synonymous, and the former is regarded as a junior synonym of the latter. Tegecoelotes ignotus is recorded for the first time since the original description in 1906. The intraspecific variation recognized in epigynum of this species is reported.

Systematics ofLydomorphusFairmaire 1882, with a description of the first instar larva ofL. dusaulti(Dufour 1821) (Coleoptera Meloidae)

The taxonomic position of the monotypic genus Lydomorphus Fairmaire 1882 is clarified. The examination of the type series of L. cinammomeus Fairmaire 1882 indicated that the large genus Cylindrothorax Escherich 1896 is a junior synonym of Lydomorphus (n. syn.); consequently new combinations for 73 species are proposed. The male syntype is designated as lectotype of L. cinammomeus. The female syntype belongs to L. angusticollis (Haag-Rutenberg 1880), the closest relative of L. cinammomeus. L. cinammomeus is redescribed and figured, and Cylindrothorax csikii Kaszab 1955 is synonymized with it (n. syn.). Two new subgenera, Pardolydus [including only L. dusaulti (Dufour 1821)], and Somalolydus (including species of the bifoveiceps group) are described. The first instar larva of L. dusaulti is described. Larval morphology confirms the inclusion of Lydomorphus in the tribe Lyttini. The characters of Lyttini larvae are briefly discussed.

Review of type specimens of the limbatellus group, with a provisional key to known females of Psectrocladius Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae)

[European material of the bird-parasic blowfly genus Trypocalliphora Peus, 1960, including material of A vihospita braueri Hendel, 1901 and Trypocalliphora lindneri Peus, 1960, has been examined. The genus is redefined on the basis of the male phallosome structure and its systematic position and status discussed. The genus contains a single Holarctic species, Trypocalliphora braueri (Hendel, 1901); Protocalliphora hirudo Shannon & Dobroscky, 1924, T. lindneri Peus, 1960 and T. compacta Grunin, 1966 are new synonyms. Knowledge of the biology is summarised and a host list for the Pataearctic Region is given., A comparative study of the genitalia of female Psectrocladius Kieffer from British localities and the female syntype of Holmgren's Chironomus limbatellus (designated type by F. W. Edwards) reveals that Psectrocladius edwardsi Brundin is a junior synonym of limbatellus Holmgren. The speeimens of edwardsi were seen and confirm the identity of the British specimens. A survey of specimens identified as limbatellus by Edwards reveals that his original interpretation of the Holmgren species was octomaculatus Wulker. The species referred to as limbatellus by Brundin, Wulker and Langton is described as oxyura sp. n. This species, along with sordidellus (Zetterstedt),fennicus StorA and calcaratus Edwards are among the specimens identified by Edwards as limbatellus. Holmgren's two male limbatellus, synonymized by Edwards with Orthocladius (s.str.) decoratus (Holmgren), are shown to belong to subgenus Euorthocladius and described as telochaetus sp. n. A diagnosis is provided for male, female and pupal exuviae of Psectrocladius (s.str.) oxyura, and male Orthocladius (Euorthocladius) telochaetus is described. A provisional key for the separation of female Psectrocladius spp. is appended.]

Studies on Southeast Asian Haemaphysalis Ticks (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae). Redescription of Type Material of H. (Rhipistoma) heinrichi Schulze, a Parasite of the Ferret-Badger in Burma and Vietnam

The male and female of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) heinrichi Schulze, 1939, are redescribed from material in the type series, from a ferret-badger, Melogale p. personata Geoffroy, near Mandalay, Burma. This poorly known species, which was also recorded parasitizing a human, is easily recognized in the Asiatic segment of the H. (R.) leachi group. A male, which differs slightly in chaetotaxy, and a female, both from Melogale personata tonquina Thomas, in the Danang area, Republic of Vietnam, are also reported. Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) heinrichi Schulze is redescribed from male and female syntype material, and a lectotype male is designated. The brief original description and crude accompanying illustrations are insufficient for species recognition and for determination of species relationships. H. (R.) heinrichi is now considered to be a member of the carnivoreinfesting H. (R.) leachi group and related to, though clearly distinct from, H. (R.) indica Warburton of the Indian Subregion and from H. (R.) koningsbergeri Warburton and Nuttall of Southeast Asia. The chief host appears to be the ferret-badger, Melogale personata subspp. Schulze (1939) also reported a male from a human. This species is known only within a 30-km radius of Mandalay, Burma, and from near sea level and 450 m elevation in the Danang area, Republic of Vietnam. Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) heinrichi Schulze Heinrich's Ferret-Badger Haemaphysalid (Figs. 1-30) Haemaphysalis heinrichi Schulze, 1939, p. Received for publication 10 May 1968. * From Research Project Number MR005.09-0028, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, Washington, D. C. The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private ones of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Navy or of the naval service at large. t Head, Department of Medical Zoology, United States Naval Medical Research Unit Number Three, Cairo, Egypt, UAR. + Sanitarian Director, United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, PHS, NIH, NIAID, Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Hamilton, Montana 59840. 726 to 728, figs. 3, 4; $ and 9 briefly described and illustrated by crude sketches, nymph briefly described; holotype $ from B rmese Ferret-Badger, Melogale (= Helictis) personata personata Geoffroy, Popa, 600 m altitude Burma, G. Heinrich legit. Schulze stated that the holotype was deposited in the Berlin Zoological Museum but, during a recent visit to this institution, Dr. Harold Trapido (pers. comm., 1965) failed to find specimens labeled H. heinrichi. Schulze also noted a $ taken on a human (together with 19 Dermacentor auratus) at Lamaing, but did not specify the number(s) or disposition of male, female, or nymphal specimens in his possession. The Schulze collection in the Rocky Mountain Laboratory contains 3 $ & and 19 of H. heinrichi with a Schulze label reading Helictis personatus de Ber. Z. M. 147. Popa, 600 m, Burma, leg. G. Heinrich. Thus, the material described herein is apparently from the type series and presumably includes the intended holotype specimen. One $ in good condition is hereby designated as the Lectotype and illustrated (Figs. 1, 2, 5-12); and 2 other $ $ are in fair or poor condition; the 9 is engorged, in fair condition. The same vial also contains 1 Haemaphysalis wellingtoni Nuttall and Warburton and 2 nymphs and 7 larvae of Dermacentor sp. The present whereabouts of the H. heinrichi nymph mentioned by Schulze is unknown.

Two New Nearctic Species of Spilomyia (Diptera: Syrphidae), with a Note on the Taxonomic Value of Wing Microtrichia in the Syrphidae

Three species of Spilomyia from western North America have been in the Canadian National Collection under the name Spilomyia interrupta Williston, 1882. Two of these are described below as new. Through the co-operation of Mr. Paul Arnaud, then of the U.S. National Museum, I examined the two female syntypes of interrupta and four other specimens of the group. One syntype, labelled “W.J.; Acc. 19702, Williston; Type No. 875, U.S.N.M.; Spilomyia interrupta Will.” on four labels is hereby designated as lectotype; it has been so labelled. The other syntype is a specimen of the species described below as Spilomyia citima n.sp. The other four specimens in the U.S.N.M. are all of interrupta: 1 ♂, Hopland, Calif., Sept.; 1 ♂, Mountains near Claremont, Calif.; 1 ♀, Tuolumne, Calif.; 1 ♀, Medford, Oreg. The C.N.C. contains two specimens of interrupta: 1 ♂, Hopland, Calif., Sept.; 1 ♀, Rowena, Oreg., Sept. 1, 1923 (on flowers of Eriogonum umbellatum). Mr. R. H. Foxlee of Robson, B.C., kindly sent me several specimens for study and donated most of them to the C.N.C.; it gives me pleasure to dedicate one of the new species to him.