Frontal Carina Research Articles

A new click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber underlines the need for an improved tribal classification of Elaterinae

The fossil record of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in Cretaceous has been only poorly documented so far. In this study, we describe Burmophysorhinus dusaneki gen. et sp. nov. based on a single, relatively well-preserved, specimen from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. This species represents the fourth species of the subfamily Elaterinae known from the Burmese amber. It is morphologically similar to the recently described Dariuszelater tarnawskii Zhao et al. 2022, with which it shares the complete frontal carina, strongly developed proximal portion of metacoxal plates, tibiae with strongly developed spurs, and long first tarsomeres. Based on this combination of characters, we tentatively place both taxa in the tribe Physorhinini. One of the principal characters usually used for the definition of Physorhinini is the presence of ventral lobe on each tarsomere III. Since this is not present in both fossil taxa, only further discoveries of Mesozoic Physorhinini may help to elucidate if they originally have had simple tarsi and only later during their evolution acquired ventrally lobate tarsomere III, or if they have both simple and lobate tarsomeres III already during their early diversification. The current concept of Physorhinini, as well as of all other tribes in Elaterinae, should be re-evaluated using more lines of evidence. Additionally, we added the identification key to the Elaterinae from Burmese amber.

A new species of the ant Platythyreaclypeata species group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae) from continental Asia.

The Platythyreaclypeata species group is reviewed and three species, including one new species, P.homasawini sp. nov., are recognized. This species group is distinguished from the P.parallela species group by the reddish-brown body, the elliptical shape of the propodeal spiracle, the elongate antennal scape, and the distinctly narrowed posteriad space between frontal carinae. Platythyreahomasawini sp. nov., from Thailand and China, is described based on the worker caste. The type series of the new species was collected on the forest floor from dead wood in an advanced stage of decomposition. A key to the Oriental species of the genus Platythyrea based on the worker caste is provided.

Tapinoma yacoubi, sp. nov., a new ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Saudi Arabia

We describe a new species, Tapinoma yacoubi sp. n., from the Al Sarawat Mountains in southwestern Saudi Arabia based on the worker caste. Tapinoma yacoubi looks similar to T. luridum Emery, 1908 from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but can be easily distinguished by its lack of setae on the frontal carinae, the convex posterior margin of the clypeus, the single pair of black based setae on the anterior clypeal margin, and the unsculptured body surface. We present an identification key to the Arabian Tapinoma based on the worker caste. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:677ADF36-E8F1-4B2C-BFF2-306FFC94CB39

Burmorussidae, a new family of parasitic wasps (Insecta, Hymenoptera) from mid‐Cretaceous Burmese amber

AbstractA new genus and species, Burmorussus mirabilis, is described based on two specimens from the mid‐Cretaceous Burmese amber, and considered to be a specialized parasitic wasp of wood‐living hosts. The new taxon is characterized by an orussid‐like ocellar crown, big eyes, antennae attached well above the clypeus, and antennal grooves or ventral transverse frontal carinae absent. Additionally, all legs carry a prominent lanceolate lobe on the third tarsomere. A similar structure is found, but organized differently, in Recent Orussidae and Stephanidae, serving as part of a vibration analyser. Although sharing some characters with families Karatavitidae, Orussidae and Paroryssidae, this new taxon cannot be assigned to any of these families. We propose a new monotypic family Burmorussidae and assign it to the superfamily Orussoidea. A phylogenetic analysis confirms the monophyly of Orussoidea, which occurs a sister group to Apocrita.

New Species of Extinct Ant Genus Eocenomyrma Dlussky et Radchenko (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) from the Baltic Amber

A new species from the extinct ant genus Eocenomyrma, E. groehnisp. nov., is described based on worker from the Baltic amber (Late Eocene, Priabonian stage, 33.9–37.2 Ma). It the most resembles E. orthospina Dlussky et Radchenko, 2006 by shape of the propodeal spines and by the general appearance, but well differs from the latter by structure of the frontal carinae, which merging with the rugae that extend to the occipital margin; in contrary, the frontal carinae in E. orthospina are short, curve outwards and merge with the rugae, which surround antennal sockets. Additionally, entire head dorsum in E. groehni covered by the slightly sinuous longitudinal rugae, but in E. orthospina the only frons is with the not coarse longitudinal, slightly sinuous rugae, but the lateral parts of the head dorsum and occiput are with reticulation.

Phylogeny and evolution of the genus Ctenocolum Kingsolver & Whitehead (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), with the description of three new species

The seed beetle genus Ctenocolum Kingsolver & Whitehead is peculiar because its preferred host Lonchocharpus Kunth (Fabaceae) is not preyed upon by other bruchine species. This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships and evolution of this genus and of its species groups, while providing the description of three new species and of the male of C. biolleyi Kingsolver & Whitehead. To infer phylogenetic relationships, a character matrix of 40 morphological characters was assembled and analysed using both parsimony and Bayesian inference. Ancestral state estimations of host plant use and biogeography analyses were also performed. A total of 22 species were examined: 16 Ctenocolum species (including the three new ones) and six outgroup bruchine species (from genera Caryedes Hummel, Meibomeus Bridwell, Pygiopachymerus Pic and Pachymerus Thunberg). All resulting trees support the monophyly of the genus Ctenocolum. Three synapomorphies characterize the genus: (i) head with frontal carina enlarged at base, (ii) male pygidium truncated apically, and (iii) lateral lobes of tegmen with dorsal process. The two known species groups are also recovered monophyletic in the parsimony analyses. The following three species are described: Ctenocolum inmaculatus Manfio & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov. (Type locality: Venezuela, Guarico), which belongs to the group tuberculatum; Ctenocolum nigronotus Manfio & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov. (Type locality: Porto Rico, Mayaguez) and C. pallidus Manfio & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov. (Type locality: Republic of Guyana), which belong to the group podagricus. Finally, we present colored illustrations of dorsal patterns and male genitalia for these three new species and C. biolleyi in addition to an updated key for the genus Ctenocolum.

Entyposis cordipenis new species from Ethiopia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Schizonychini).

Entyposis Kolbe, 1895 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Schizonychini) was established for Schizonycha cavicollis Fairmaire, 1887 and newly described Entyposis impressa Kolbe, 1895. Lacroix & Montreuil (2012) revised the genus, designated S. cavicollis Fairmaire, 1887 as the type species and described six new species: Entyposis bidentata, E. martinezi, E. rasplusi, and E. madogolelei from Mozambique; E. excavata from Tanzania; and E. squamulata from Kenya and Tanzania. They also synonymized E. nyukana (Kolbe, 1910) and E. montana (Moser, 1913) with E. mendax Péringuey, 1904. Entyposis differs from other schizonychine genera in having a low occipital carina and with the pronotum in both sexes thickened basally into conspicuous bulges (with medial tubercle) and with deeper medial impression extending anteriorly into a weak or prominent point (Kolbe 1895; Lacroix & Montreuil 2012). Entyposis is very similar to Entypophana Moser, 1913. Both genera are characterized by conspicuous bulges (with lateral tubercle) on the pronotum, but Entypophana differs by having a double vertical frontal carina and occipital carina medially elevated into a simple or double horn or a broad, straight edge. The pronotum of both genera is laterally thickened into conspicuous bulges (with lateral tubercle) and medially bears a shallow, apically narrowing impression (Burgeon 1946; Moser 1913, 1917; Sehnal 2017).

Interpopulation variation in morphometric characteristics of the ant Myrmica angulinodis Ruzs. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Baikal region

The effect of geographic origin on morphometric characteristics of ants has been studies by means of one-way ANOVA using 120 worker specimens of M. angulinodis from four population groups inhabiting different parts of the Baikal region. Similarity between the population groups has been evaluated using cluster analysis. The results show that worker specimens in populations from areas with lower air temperatures have significantly greater body size and that ants with an elongated head and more strongly curved frontal carinae dominate in the south of Irkutsk oblast, while ants with a wider frons prevail in the south of the Republic of Buryatia.

Chrysura izadiae sp. nov., a new cuckoo wasp (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae) from Southern Iran.

Chrysura Dahlbom, 1845 is the second largest genus in the Chrysidini tribe. It is essentially a Holarctic genus composed of over 100 species. The largest diversity is observed in the western Palaearctic Region. Important diagnostic features are the relatively flat and finely punctured face, absence of transverse frontal carina, the edentate metasomal tergum 3, and male flagellomeres 2-5 (especially 2-4) bulging ventrally (Kimsey & Bohart 1991). Kimsey & Bohart (1991) divided Chrysura into five species-groups: candens, cuprea, dichroa, austriaca and radians. Recently, Rosa and Lotfalizadeh (2013) proposed Ch. baiocchii as a new species-group. Within the Ch. dichroa species-group, including about 20 species, the largest richness is observed in the Mediterranean Region where a number of sibling species are present, making taxonomy of this group particularly difficult (Linsenmaier 1959, Arens 2001, 2002). The male genitalia have an important taxonomic value for species identification. The body colour pattern is rather constant in each species-group. All known species in the Ch. dichroa species-group have "head blue to green on vertex at least", "pronotal dorsum all or nearly all coppery-red; scutum and scutellum mostly red", "metanotum, propodeum, and pleuron mostly or all purple to green" (Kimsey & Bohart 1991). According to Linsenmaier (1959) the Ch. dichroa species-group has the above body colour with in addition tegula non coppery-red. Up to now, the following seven species belonging to the Ch. dichroa species-group are known in Iran (Rosa et al. 2013, Rosa & Lotfalizadeh 2013, Strumia & Fallahzadeh 2015): Chrysura filiformis (Mocsáry, 1889); Ch. laconiae (Arens, 2001); Ch. laevigata (Abeille de Perrin, 1879); Ch. lydiae (Mocsáry, 1889); Ch. psudodichroa (Linsenmaier, 1959); Ch. purpureifrons (Abeille de Perrin, 1878); Ch. simuldichroa (Linsenmaier, 1969).

Taxonomic Review Of The Genus Yunnantettix (Orthoptera, Tetrigidae) From The Oriental Region

Abstract Taxonomic review of the genus Yunnantettix Zheng, 1995 is given. It is similar to Aspiditettix Liang, 2009, Pseudepitettix Zheng, 1995, and Epitettix Hancock, 1907. Yunnantettix is the most similar to Aspiditettix in the general appearance, the rugose disc of the pronotum, and the bisinuate lateral lobe of the pronotum, and diff erent from it by the completely reduced hind wing and the position of the antennal socket. Yunnantettix is similar to Pseudepitettix and Epitettix in the moderately widened frontal ridge and low median carina of pronotum, but diff erent from the latter by the presence of the narrow tegmen and a shallow yet distinct tegminal (upper) sinus on the pronotal lateral lobe. Originally, Yunnantettix is a monotypic genus (type species: Yunnantettix bannaensis Zheng, 1995 from South China). Two species are additionally included to this genus: Yunnantettix elytratus (Günther, 1939), comb. n. (= Epitettix elytratus Günther, 1939) from India and Yunnantettix thaicus, sp. n. from Th ailand. Th e new species diff ers from all other species of this genus by the shallow excision on apex of the posterior pronotal process and by the external lateral pronotal carina, arch-like and strongly curved upward above the tegmen. A key to the species and redescription of the genus Yunnantettix are provided.

Revision of the Australian species of Aka White, 1879 (Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae) with the description of a new genus.

The Australian species of the genus Aka White are revised. Seven new species are described: A. balma sp. nov., A. dobsonensis sp. nov., A. gwana sp. nov., A. issidopsis sp. nov., A. kuraka sp. nov., A. pirri sp. nov., A. sorellensis sp. nov. Adding to those the 5 species solely occurring in New Zealand, we have a total number of 14 species in Aka. The types of A. hardyi Muir, 1931 and part of the type series including the holotype of A. tasmani Muir, 1931 are declared lost. However, based on the original descriptions and the remaining type material, these species have been matched with new material examined and are redescribed in this paper. Neotypes are designated for A. hardyi and A. tasmani. A new monotypic genus Yanganaka gen. nov. is described from Australia. Based on characters such as the general shape of the body as well as a forked frontal carina it appears to be closely related to Aka and the New Zealand genus Chathamaka Larivière, 1999. Yanganaka ariecornia sp. nov. is described and illustrated. An identification key to differentiate between the two genera occurring in Australia, Aka and Yanganaka, is provided. Information on how to distinguish Chathamaka from the latter two genera, as well as a key to identify all Australian species of Aka is presented. Host plant associations are discussed which support the hypothesis that Aka is a Gondwanan relict.

A New PeculiarMyrmicaSpecies (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the North Caucasus

A new species, Myrmica elbrusi sp. nov., is described from the North Caucasus (Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia). Its main diagnostic features are: the scape smoothly curved at the base, with no trace of lobe or carina; the frontal carinae very feebly curved, merging with the rugae that extend to the posterior margin, not curved outwards and not merged with the rugae surrounding antennal sockets; the frontal lobes not extended; the anterior clypeal margin distinctly prominent, narrowly rounded, not notched medially. Based on the above characters, M. elbrusi well differs from any other known Euro-Caucasian Myrmica species with smoothly curved scape [e.g. M. rubra (L.), M. ruginodis Nyl., M, gallienii Bondr., M. bergi Ruzs.], but fits well either to the rugosaor dshungarica species-groups (sensu Radchenko and Elmes 2010). Unfortunately, until males of M. elbrusi are found, this question cannot be resolved.

BoltonidrisGen. Nov., the First Extinct Stenammini Ant Genus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Late Eocene Rovno Amber

Abstract. The new extinct ant genus and species, Boltonidris mirabilis, are described from the late Eocene Rovno Amber (Ukraine). This genus belongs to the tribe Stenammini of the subfamily Myrmicinae. It possesses the plesiomorphic characters of the tribe Stenammini, e.g. 12-segmented antennae with 3-segmented apical club, characteristic structure of the clypeus and frontal lobes, absence of gastral shoulder, but it has a series of autapomorphies, e.g. modified mandibles with the only two teeth on the masticatory margin, well developed longitudinal medial groove on the head dorsum, somewhat depressed areas lateral to the frontal carinae (like “vestigial” antennal scrobes), and finely swollen postero-lateral area of head, close to the occipital corners. Additionally, it has two short blunt teeth on the pronotum.

A New Ant Species of the Genus Tetramorium Mayr, 1855 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Saudi Arabia, with a Revised Key to the Arabian Species

Tetramorium amalae sp. n. is described and illustrated from Saudi Arabia based on two worker caste specimens collected in Al Bahah region. The new species belongs to the T. shilohense group and appears to be closely related to T. dysderke Bolton from Nigeria. T. amalae is distinguished by having well-developed frontal carinae, smaller eyes, greater head length and width, greater pronotal width, and the petiole node is longer than broad. Tetramorium latinode Collingwood & Agosti is recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia and for only the second time since the original description. The worker caste of T. latinode is redescribed and illustrated using scanning electron micrographs to facilitate recognition and the gyne is described for the first time with observations given on species relationships, biology and habitat. A revised key to the nineteen Tetramorium species recorded from Arabian Peninsula based on worker castes is provided. Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander) is recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia. It is suggested that T. amalae and T. latinode are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula.

New Record of Psenulus carinifrons iwatai (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Pemphredoninae) in Korea

Psenulus carinifrons iwatai (Gussakovskij) is reported for the first time in Korea. This species is defined by its long petiole of sternum I and extensive coloration on legs in both sexes, and simply linear frontal carina in female. Diagnostic description and digital images are presented.

Two new species Pararhabdepyris Gorbatovskii (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Australia and Thailand

Pararhabdepyris is recorded from Australian and Oriental regions for the first time. Two new species are described and illustrated. Pararhabdepyris balios sp. nov. from Australia is characterized by having scutellar groove wide and trabeculate and tergite II with a pair of half-moon shaped spot at anterior sublateral region. Pararhabdepyris lophos sp. nov. from Thailand is characterized by having clypeus with a wide median lobe and frons with frontal carina. Pararhabdepyris is now known from three species.

One new and one little known species of Chrysidid wasps of the genus Chrysis (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae) from the northern Caucasus

A new species, Chrysis vicana sp. n., and the previously unknown male of Ch. neobule are described. The basic morphological differences between the new species and the closely related Chrysis neobule Sem. are given. Chrysis vicana differs from Ch. neobule in the presence of an intense blue sheen on the tegulae and the 1st antennal segment, in the clearly pronounced and short frontal carina, in the coloration of abdominal sternite II, in the brown tarsi, almost black venation, and closed radial vein of the wings. Chrysis vicana is recorded on clay and sandy slopes, and Ch. neobule, on clay and sandy slopes and in dead woods in the middle part of the Kuma River basin (Stavropol Territory).

Revisionary studies on the attine ant genus Trachymyrmex Forel. Part 3: The Jamaicensis group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

We hereby revise the Jamaicensis group of species of Trachymyrmex (Myrmicinae: Attini), as the third part of our taxonomic revisionary studies on this fungus-growing ant genus. The species group we deal with here includes six taxa that share exclusively the antennal scrobes always reaching the posterior margin of the head and ending as two separate projections arising from the preocular and frontal carinae, giving the scrobe posterior region an “opened” appearance and an angular profile to the posterolateral corners, in frontal view. The Jamaicensis group is composed of Trachymyrmex atlanticus n. sp. (eastern Brazil), Trachymyrmex haytianus Wheeler & Mann, 1914 n. st. (Haiti, Jamaica), Trachymyrmex isthmicus Santschi, 1931 (Colombia, Ecuador, Panama), Trachymyrmex ixyodus n. sp. (northern Brazil, Suriname), Trachymyrmex jamaicensis (André, 1893) (Caribbean islands and southern USA), its synonyms (Trachymyrmex sharpii Forel, 1893; Trachymyrmex maritimus Wheeler, 1905 n. syn.; Trachymyrmex jamaicensis var. frontalis Santschi, 1925 n. syn., and Trachymyrmex jamaicensis cubaensis Wheeler, 1937 n. syn.), and Trachymyrmex zeteki Weber, 1940 (Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama). Trachymyrmex jamaicensis antiguensis Weber, 1938 is excluded from the Jamaicensis species group because it belongs to the Trachymyrmex Urichi species group. The only known Trachymyrmex fossil, T. primaevus Baroni Urbani, 1980, from the Dominican amber, does not belong to the Jamaicensis species group, as hypothesized earlier.

A new genus of Entedoninae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Brazil

A new genus, Podkova, is described from Brazil to accommodate its type-species P. hirsuta, sp. n. The genus has a peculiar appearance, the main features of which are the small compact body with coarsely pilose dorsal parts of the head and mesosoma, including median part of propodeum, head with sharp frontal carina of horse-shoe shape, delimiting broad facial cavity with rather short antennae, and a sharp occipital carina stretching posteriorly down along hind margins of eyes. By these features, Podkova resembles the genus Alachua Schauff and Boucek, but differs distinctly by having strong frontal carina on the head and the prepectus hardly overlapped by the anterior margin of mesosternum. Possible affinities to some other entedonine genera are discussed.

Neivamyrmex curvinotus n. sp. (HymenopteraL Formicidae: Ecitoninae) from South America.

Neivamyrmex curvinotus n. sp. (HymenopteraL Formicidae: Ecitoninae) from South America.